Policy and Resources Committee 24 March 2006
From Nigov
Policy and Resources Committee
Friday, 24th March, 2006
MEETING OF POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor A. Maskey (Chairman); and Councillors Attwood, M. Browne, Cobain, Hartley, Jones, Lavery, Maginness, McCann, McCausland, Moore, O'Reilly, Rodgers, Rodway, Smyth and Wilson.
In attendance
- Mr P. McNaney (Chief Executive);
- Mr G. Millar (Director of Improvement);
- Mr C. Quigley (Director of Legal Services);
- Mr S. McCrory (Principal Committee Administrator); and
- Mr J. Hanna (Senior Committee Administrator).
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from the Councillor Newton.
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings of 31st January and 17th February, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st March, subject to the amendment of the minute of 17th February under the heading “Good Relations and Equality Issues: Quarterly Progress Report – Implementation of the Council’s Good Relations Policy” to provide that, to emphasis the Council’s opposition to racism, authority be granted to the issuing of a press release supporting the Anti-Racism campaign being held between 18th and 26th March.
Financial Matters
Finance, Administration and Information Systems Sub-Committee
Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance, Administration and Information Systems Sub-Committee held on 20th March, copies of which had previously been circulated, be approved and adopted.
Waste Management Grant – Response from the Minister
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 20th January, it had agreed that a letter be forwarded to the Minister responsible for the Department of the Environment expressing concern in relation to the late decision by the Government to reduce the level of the Waste Management Grant and the considerable difficulties which this had caused to the Council in the preparation of its Estimates of Income and Expenditure.
The Principal Committee Administrator reported that correspondence had been received from the Private Secretary to the Minister, a copy of which is set out hereunder, providing a response in this regard:
“Thank you for your letter of 3rd February, 2006 to Lord Rooker regarding the Waste Management Grant.
I acknowledge your Council’s concerns about the restriction to the Waste Management Grant. The reduction to the grant and its capital-only stipulation arose from the pressures facing all elements of the Northern Ireland Allocation during the 2005 Budget and Priorities Process. It was a difficult decision to make, particularly in light of Councils’ progress towards meeting their recycling targets. Previous funding rounds allowed for some flexibility between capital and revenue, but it was not available in the 2005 process.
Councils were given advance warning of the scheme’s closure and would have been planning to cover the revenue costs after its scheduled closure in March, 2007. The Department recognises that the capital-only restriction will require these plans to be advanced, and that this presents additional challenges to Councils’ financial planning.
I am sure you will be encouraged to note that the Department has managed to restore £2 million funding to the scheme which, when combined with the Councils’ review of resources should help continue the delivery of better waste management.
Looking to the future, the Department of the Environment’s Waste Infrastructure Taskforce is considering the next phase of support, namely the nature, mechanism and quantum of support that might be available for large-scale infrastructure”
Noted.
Political Processes and Members’ Issues
Members’ Sub-Committee
The minutes of the meeting of the Members’ Sub-Committee held on 13th March, copies of which had previously been circulated, were approved and adopted.
Approval of Civic Duties
Memorial Service and Dinner in Memory of George Best
The Committee was advised that on 16th March the Lord Mayor had attended, at the invitation of the George Best Foundation, a Memorial Service in Manchester Cathedral to celebrate the life of the footballer George Best. The service had been followed by a dinner at the Old Trafford Stadium.
The Principal Committee Administrator recommended, since he had been performing a civic duty, that the Committee approve retrospectively the attendance of the Lord Mayor and appropriate officers at the aforementioned events and that authority be granted for the payment of the appropriate travelling and subsistence allowances, together with any incidental expenses incurred in connection therewith.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Royal Garden Party, Buckingham Palace
The Committee was advised that the Lord Mayor and the High Sheriff had each received an invitation to attend Her Majesty’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, 20th July, 2006. Since it was normal policy for the Council to accept invitations to the Garden Parties, it was recommended that the Committee approve the attendance of the Lord Mayor (Councillor W. Browne) and the High Sheriff (Councillor Humphrey) at the aforementioned event and that authority be granted for the payment of the appropriate travelling, subsistence and attendance allowances incurred in connection therewith.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Edinburgh International Festival of Music and Drama 2006
The Committee was advised that the Right Honourable the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Councillor Leslie Hinds, had extended to the Lord Mayor an invitation to participate in a programme of activities during the weekend of 12th and 13th August, 2006 to mark the opening of the Edinburgh International Festival of Music and Drama. The City of Edinburgh Council would be responsible for the accommodation costs associated with the visit of the Lord Mayor, as well as a number of meals which would be provided as part of the itinerary programme.
The Committee agreed, since it was normal policy for the Council to be represented by the Lord Mayor at this event, that approval be granted for the attendance of the Lord Mayor and the Chief Executive (or their nominees) and granted authority for the payment of the appropriate travelling and subsistence allowances and any incidental expenses incurred in connection therewith.
Island of Ireland Peace Week
The Committee was advised that correspondence had been received from the International School for Peace Studies enquiring if the Council wished to be represented at the Island of Ireland Peace Week in Belgium from 5th till 10th June, 2006. The School had been officially opened in Messines, Belgium in September, 2001 to commemorate the Battle of Messines Ridge in 1917 and to promote reconciliation and understanding throughout the world, with particular emphasis on Ireland. The Peace School focused on initiatives related to the theory and practice of reconciliation, conflict resolution, peace building and political negotiating.
The Principal Committee Administrator reported that the draft itinerary, a copy of which had previously been circulated, included attendance at commemorations ceremonies at First World War Battlefields, which had associations with the 36th Ulster Division and the 16th Irish Division, the official opening of the new Peace Village and a Peace Conference. The Committee had approved previously the attendance of the Lord Mayor and the Chief Executive at the event in 2002. The cost per person attending the event was approximately £1,150 which included travel, accommodation, subsistence and attendance allowances.
After discussion, the Committee agreed in principle that it be represented at the Island of Ireland Peace Week and that the question of representation thereat be considered at its next scheduled meeting.
Corporate Strategic Issues
Civic Leadership
90th Anniversary of the Easter Rising
The Committee considered the undernoted report in relation to the 90th Anniversary of the Easter Rising.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor McCann, Seconded by Councillor Maginness,
That the Committee agrees to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
On a vote by show of hands ten Members voted for the proposal and five against and it was accordingly declared carried.
After further discussion it was
Moved by Councillor McCann, Seconded by Councillor Maginness,
That the 90th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising be commemorated by the holding of a series of lectures, the staging of an exhibition and the erection in the City Hall of an appropriate stained-glass window.
Amendment
Moved by Councillor Wilson, Seconded by Councillor McCausland,
That the Committee agrees not to erect in the City Hall a stained-glass window to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising.
On a vote by show of hands six Members voted for the amendment and nine against and it was accordingly declared lost.
The original proposal standing in the name of Councillor McCann and seconded by Councillor Maginness was thereupon put to the meeting, when nine Members voted for it and six against and it was accordingly declared carried. The Committee noted that a further report providing details of the events would be submitted in due course.when?
Consideration of Consultative Documents
Committee on Standards in Public Life 11th Inquiry: Review of the Electoral Commission
The Members were advised that the Committee on Standards in Public Life had issued a consultation paper seeking comments on whether, five years after its creation, the Electoral Commission’s mandate, governance arrangements and accountability framework were fit for purpose. The inquiry would take place against a background of public concerns about arrangements for postal voting, safeguards for voter registration and alleged circumventory loans to political parties. The inquiry would ask if the division of responsibilities was right between the Commission and other public bodies in promoting public awareness concerning elections and the democratic system. It would examine also whether the Commission was sufficiently independent from Government and how well its accountability to Parliament works. The closing date for responses was 16th May, 2006.
The Committee agreed to leave it to the individual Political Parties to submit comments on the Review of the Electoral Commission.
Draft Legislation to Establish Five New Integrated Health and Social Services Trusts
The Committee considered a report in relation to a proposed response to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s consultation document entitled “Draft Legislation to Establish Five New Integrated Health and Social Services Trusts” which had been issued following the Review of Public Administration announcement in November, 2005. A copy of the draft response had previously been circulated and a copy of the consultation document has been made available in the Members’ Library.
The Committee approved the draft response.
Performance Management and Improvement Agenda
Improvement Agenda – Update
The Committee noted the contents of a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, which provided an update on the direction and progress of the Council’s Improvement Agenda, agreed that a series of workshops to develop the Council’s 2007–2010 Corporate Plan be held and that Mr. B. Marr from the Centre for Business Performance, Cranfield School of Management, be appointed to facilitate the workshops.
Review of Public Administration
The Chief Executive advised the Committee that the Right Honourable Peter Hain, M.P., Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, had on 21st March announced the Final Decisions in relation to the Review of Public Administration, a copy of which had been tabled for the information of Members. He stated that the number of public bodies in Northern Ireland would be reduced from 154 to 75, with a range of the functions undertaken currently by Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental Public being transferred to Local Government.
The Chief Executive pointed out that the document contained a map of suggested boundaries for the new Council areas which indicated that Belfast would no longer have the largest population. He stated that the implementations timetable had been brought forward, with the Local Government Boundary Commissioner’s recommendations and subsequent legislation to establish the final boundaries for the seven new Councils being approved in December, 2007 instead of 2008. He concluded that it would be vital for the Council to make a full submission to the Boundaries Commission to ensure that Belfast’s position as the regional capital was reflected in the Commissioner’s recommendations.
Noted.
Review of the Structure and Content of Reports to Committees /Sub-Committees
The Committee was advised that all Political Parties had expressed the view that Members had felt that they were being overburdened with paperwork from Departments and that it was proving to be difficult for them to discern the actual decisions required of them and the strategic implications which those decisions would have on the Council as a whole. Accordingly, as part of the short-term improvement measures, a new, more concise template for use by officers when reporting to the Council Committees/Sub-Committees was to be introduced.
The Director of Improvement submitted for the information of the Members a copy of the recommended report format which followed the style employed by Liverpool City Council, a copy of a report submitted to the Finance, Administration and Information Systems Sub-Committee at its meeting on 26th January concerning a review of Information Services Belfast, together with a copy of how that report might look if presented in the new format. It was envisaged that the Committee reports for each meeting, which were sent to Members in either hard copy or electronically, would include at the front all of the individual summary reports with all appended information being attached behind. This would enable Members to read only the summary reports if they wished to have quick overview of the decisions required of them or, for those who wished to avail of additional information, to read also the appended documentation. After discussion, the Committee approved the use of the revised reporting template, a copy of which is set out hereunder.
Short-term Governance Improvements – ICT Support for Members
(Mrs. R. Crozier, Head of Information Services Belfast, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee was advised that the Council Improvement Board, at its meeting on 15th December, had considered a number of areas for short-term governance improvements. This had included, inter alia, the further use of ICT to support Members. The Head of Information Services Belfast submitted a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, which provided details in relation to the proposed projects and recommended that the Committee agree:
(i) to procure an new purpose designed On-line Council Minutes System;
(ii) to roll out the “Information for Members System” to all Members of the Council as soon as they had been connected;
(iii) that, following consultation with Members to ascertain individual requirements, to extend the use of broadband technology and approve the costs associated therewith;
(iv) to fast-track the implementation and use of wireless technology within the City Hall Committee Rooms, provision for which had already been made within the Capital Programme; and
(v) that, following completion of an evaluation of the new technology by Information Services Belfast, a report be submitted to the Council Improvement Board in approximately three till six months outlining how best to implement mobile access to e-mail.
The Committee adopted the recommendations.
Good Relations and Equality Issues
(Mrs. H. Francey, Good Relations Manager, attended in connection with these items.)
Five Year Review of the Council’s Equality Scheme
The Committee was advised that Paragraph 8 (3) of Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act required the Council to undertake a five-year review of its equality scheme. The immediate purpose of the review was to allow Public Authorities, through a process of self assessment, to review their approved scheme. Accordingly, the Good Relations Manager submitted for the Committee’s consideration a Five Year Review of the Council’s Equality Scheme for the period April, 2001 till April, 2006, copies of which had previously been circulated and a copy of which is available in the Members’ Library and on the Council’s website.
The Committee approved the report of the Review for submission to the Equality Commission.
Funding Applications
The Committee was advised that applications for Good Relations grant-aid had been received from six(sic) organisations. The applications had been assessed using pre agreed criteria and a schedule for the requests, together with the recommendations thereon of the Good Relations Steering Panel, is set out hereunder:
- Organisation (£ Recommendation) - Project
- Finaghy Community Centre (1,820) - An inter-community youth project between two Council-operated community centres revolving around a trip to the United States of America
- Ulster-Scots Heritage Council (1,000) - St. Andrew’s Night event to showcase the development of Ulster-Scots cultural activities to the wider community and highlight the special relationship between Ulster and Scotland
- Walkway Community Association (5,260) - New neighbours trainer training induction programme – a project to train trainers within East Belfast and a one-day workshop in the City Hall
- Contact Youth (2,000) - A two-day conference for youth counselling practitioners
- Northern Ireland Tolerance Educational and Cultural Association (1,200) - Mercy in Abrahamic Religions – a project which will invite leaders from the Jewish, Christian and Muslin faiths to establish a mutual understanding between those religions
- Forthspring Inter-Community Group (1,605) - A one-night residential to underpin the organisational strategic plan
The Committee adopted the recommendations in respect of the applications for Good Relations funding as set out in the aforementioned schedule.
Chinese Welfare Association – Planning Application at Annadale Embankment
In accordance with Notice on the Agenda, the Chairman (Councillor A. Maskey) requested that the Committee give consideration to supporting a planning application for the erection of a community centre at Annadale Embankment which had been submitted by the Chinese Welfare Association.
After discussion, the Committee agreed that, from a good relations prospective and taking into account the equality duties which bind all Local Authorities, to support the above-mentioned planning application. It was agreed also that the Chief Executive be granted authority to enter into discussions with other appropriate bodies regarding the broader issue of a revision of the policy framework in relation to the development of open spaces in the context of the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan.
Human Resources Issues
Personnel Sub-Committee
Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Personnel Sub Committee held on 21st February and 9th March, copies of which had previously been circulated, be approved and adopted.
Accommodation and Hospitality
Requests for the Use of Accommodation in the City Hall and the Provision of Civic Hospitality
The Committee was advised that the undernoted requests for the use of accommodation in the City Hall and the provision of Civic Hospitality had been received. An indication as to whether they fell within the criteria approved by the Committee and the recommendations thereon of the Head of Committee and Members' Services is set out hereunder:
|Organisation/ Body |Event/Date - |Request |Comments |Recommendation | | |Number of Delegates/Guests | | | | |Hampton Medical |National Conference |Use of City Hall and the|It is estimated that 350 |Use of City Hall and the | |Conferences Limited | |provision of a |delegates will be staying in |provision of a pre-dinner| | |17th April, 2007 (evening) |pre-dinner Drinks |accommodation in Belfast. |Drinks Reception in the | | | |Reception | |form of wine/soft drinks | | |Approximately 400 attending | | | | | | | | |Approximate cost £800 | |British-Irish |International Conference |Use of City Hall and the|It is estimated that 130 |Use of City Hall and the | |Inter-Parliamentary | |provision of a |delegates will be staying in |provision of a pre-dinner| |Body |23rd October, 2006 |pre-dinner Drinks |accommodation in Belfast. |Drinks Reception in the | | | |Reception | |form of wine/soft drinks.| | |Approximately 160 attending | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Approximate cost £320 |
|Organisation/ Body |Event/Date - |Request |Comments |Recommendation | | |Number of Delegates/Guests | | | | |School of Art and |International Conference |Use of City Hall and the|It is estimated that 300 |Use of City Hall and the | |Design | |provision of a |delegates will be staying in |provision of a pre-dinner| | |12th April, 2007 (evening) |pre-dinner Drinks |accommodation in Belfast. |Drinks Reception in the | |University of Ulster| |Reception | |form of wine/soft drinks.| |Belfast Campus |Approximately 300 attending | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Approximate cost £600 | |Police Service of |Women in Policing |Use of City Hall and the|This event seeks to raise |Use of City Hall and the | |Northern Ireland | |provision of hospitality|awareness of the role of |provision of hospitality | | |13th June, 2006 (morning) |in the form of a Finger |women in policing in Northern|in the form of a Finger | | | |Buffet Reception |Ireland and their unique |Buffet Reception. | | |Approximately 200 attending | |contribution towards building| | | | | |a more community-style |Approximate cost £1,700 | | | | |policing model. | | | | | | | | | | | |The event meets the Council's| | | | | |Corporate Strategic Objective| | | | | |of Providing Civic Leadership| | | | | |and in addition would | | | | | |contribute to its key | | | | | |priority issue of Creating a | | | | | |Safer City | | |Business in the |Business in the Community |Use of City Hall and the|This event seeks to recognise|Use of City Hall and the | |Community |Awards 2006 |provision of a |companies which integrate |provision of a pre-dinner| | | |pre-dinner Drinks |responsible business practice|Drinks Reception in the | | |7th June, 2006 (evening) |Reception |into their mainstream |form of wine/soft drinks | | | | |operations, thereby creating | | | |Approximately 350 attending | |a positive impact upon the |Approximate cost £700 | | | | |marketplace, environment, | | | | | |workplace and the community. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |This request meets the | | | | | |Council's Corporate Strategic| | | | | |Objectives of Providing Civic| | | | | |Leadership and Improving | | | | | |Quality of Life, now and for | | | | | |future generations and in | | | | | |addition would contribute to | | | | | |the Council's key priority | | | | | |issue of Creating a Strong | | | | | |Economy. | |
|Organisation/ Body |Event/Date - |Request |Comments |Recommendation | | |Number of Delegates/Guests | | | | |The British |The British Institute of |Use of City Hall |This ceremony seeks to |Use of City Hall | |Institute of |Cleaning Science - Northern | |recognise the valuable | | |Cleaning Science |Ireland Cleaning Awards 2006| |contribution made by cleaning | | | | | |staff employed within both the| | | | | |public and private sector and | | | |27th September, 2006 | |to raise the overall profile | | | |(morning) | |of the cleaning industry. | | | | | | | | | |Approximately 60 attending | |The event meets the Council's | | | | | |Corporate Strategic Objectives| | | | | |of Providing Civic Leadership | | | | | |and Delivering Best Services. | | |Duaiseanna Chroi an |Duaiseanna Chroi an Phobail |Use of City Hall |This Awards Ceremony will |Use of City Hall | |Phobail |Awards Ceremony | |recognise young people in a | | | |(Heart of the People) | |variety of disciplines such as| | | | | |sport, education, art and | | | |25th May, 2006 (evening) | |culture and will include the | | | | | |presentation of the Terry | | | |Approximately 400 attending | |Enright Endeavour Perpetual | | | | | |Award. | | | | | | | | | | | |This event meets the Council's| | | | | |Corporate Strategic Objective | | | | | |of Improving quality of life | | | | | |now and for future generations| | | | | |and in addition would | | | | | |contribute to the Council's | | | | | |key priority issue of | | | | | |Improving services for | | | | | |children and young people. | | |Ulster-Scots |St. Andrew's Concert |Provision of Civic |This event seeks to celebrate |Civic Finger Buffet | |Heritage Council | |Hospitality in the form |St Andrew's Day through |Reception | | |2 December 2006 (evening) |of a Finger Buffet |Ulster-Scots music, song, | | | | |Reception |language. Children from local |Approximate cost £2,100 | | |Approximately 300 attending | |primary schools will perform | | | | | |traditional Scottish Dance. | | | | | | | | | | | |This event meets the Council's| | | | | |Corporate Strategic Objective | | | | | |of Promoting Good Relations. | |
|Organisation/ Body |Event/Date - |Request |Comments |Recommendation | | |Number of Delegates/Guests | | | | |Fleming Fulton |50th Anniversary Gala Dinner|Use of City Hall and the|This event will celebrate the|Use of City Hall and the | |School | |provision of a | |provision of a pre-dinner| | | |pre-dinner Drinks |50th Anniversary |Drinks Reception in the | | |2nd March, 2007 (evening) |Reception |of Fleming Fulton School |form of wine/soft drinks.| | | | |which has made a significant | | | |Approximately 400 attending | |contribution to the local | | | | | |community through the |Approximate cost £800 | | | | |provision of a wide range of | | | | | |educational, care, therapy | | | | | |and medical services. | | |Cregagh Cricket Club|Cregagh Cricket Club |Use of City Hall and the|This event will celebrate the|Use of City Hall and the | | |Centenary Dinner |provision of a | |provision of a pre-dinner| | | |pre-dinner Drinks |100th Anniversary of Cregagh |Drinks Reception in the | | |23rd September, 2006 |Reception |Cricket Club which has made a|form of wine/soft drinks | | |(evening) | |significant contribution to | | | | | |the local community by | | | |Approximately 175 attending | |encouraging young people to |Approximate cost £350 | | | | |become actively involved in | | | | | |sport. | | |Irish |Irish Co-operative Women's |Use of City Hall and the|This event will celebrate the|Use of City Hall and the | |Co-operative |Guild Centenary Dinner |provision of a | |provision of a pre-dinner| |Women's Guild | |pre-dinner Drinks |100th Anniversary of the |Drinks Reception in the | | |20th October, 2006 (evening)|Reception |Irish Co-operative Women's |form of wine/soft drinks | | | | |Guild which has made a | | | | | |significant contribution to |Approximate cost £300 | | |Approximately 150 attending | |the community, particularly | | | | | |through its involvement with | | | | | |local charities. | | |North of Ireland |North of Ireland Veterinary |Use of City Hall and the|This event will celebrate the|Use of City Hall and the | |Veterinary |Association Centenary Gala |provision of a | |provision of a pre-dinner| |Association |Dinner |pre-dinner Drinks |100th Anniversary of the |Drinks Reception in the | | | |Reception |North of Ireland Veterinary |form of | | |12th May, 2007 (evening) | |Association which has made a |wine/soft drinks | | | | |significant contribution to | | | |Approximately 150 attending | |the local and wider community|Approximate cost £300 | | | | |through the provision of | | | | | |animal welfare and public | | | | | |health services. | |
|Organisation/ Body |Event/Date - |Request |Comments |Recommendation | | |Number of Delegates/Guests | | | | |Northern Ireland |International Federation of |Provision of Hospitality|It is estimated that |Dinner | |Housing Executive |Housing and Planning Working|in the form of a Dinner |30 delegates will be staying | | | |Group Dinner | |in accommodation in Belfast. |Approximate cost £950 | | | | | | | | |10th June, 2006 (evening) | | | | | | | | | | | |Approximately 30 attending | | | | |Arc 21 |Department of the |Use of City Hall |The Health and Environmental |Use of City Hall | | |Environment's Waste | |Services Committee, at its | | | |Strategy for Northern | |meeting on 6th March, 2006 | | | |Ireland - Public | |agreed that the Policy and | | | |Consultation Exercise | |Resources Committee be | | | | | |recommended to grant the use | | | |April, 2006- one day (to be | |of the City Hall to enable | | | |determined) | |the consultation exercise to | | | | | |be conducted. This will be | | | | | |one of a number of such | | | | | |exercises being held across | | | | | |the arc 21 region in relation| | | | | |to the Waste Strategy. | | | | | | | | | | | |This request meets the | | | | | |Council's Corporate Strategic| | | | | |Objectives of Providing Civic| | | | | |Leadership and Improving | | | | | |Quality of Life, Now and for | | | | | |Future Generations | |
|Organisation/ Body |Event/Date - |Request |Comments |Recommendation | | |Number of Delegates/Guests | | | | |Adullam Christian |Media Launch of Adullam |Use of City Hall |The Adullam Christian |Not Recommended | |Ministries |Christian Ministries/Wedding| |Ministries organisation, | | | |Reception | |which has been in existence | | | | | |for approximately four years,| | | |1st May, 2006 (afternoon) | |seeks to promote and develop | | | | | |cross-community relations | | | |Approximately 400 attending | |between different communities| | | | | |in all parts of the city. | | | | | | | | | | | |This event seeks to | | | | | |officially launch Adullam | | | | | |Christian Ministries to the | | | | | |media and incorporates a | | | | | |reception to mark the | | | | | |marriage, earlier in the day,| | | | | |of two members of the | | | | | |organisation. | | | | | | | | | | | |The criteria for the use of | | | | | |the City Hall excludes the | | | | | |holding of wedding receptions| | | | | |and, for this reason, the | | | | | |application cannot be | | | | | |recommended. | |
The Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the schedule submitted.
Attendance at Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony
The Committee agreed to accede to a request which had been received from the Belfast County Grand Orange Lodge to attend and lay a wreath at the Annual Remembrance Day Service at the City Hall Cenotaph.
Closure of Cobbled Area at Front of City Hall
(Mr. G. Wright, Head of Facilities Management, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee considered the undernoted report in relation to a proposal to close the cobbled area at the front of the City Hall.
After discussion, the Committee agreed to proceed with the proposal as outlined in the report.
Celebrate Belfast – Belfast Big Wheel
(Mr. G. Copeland, Events Manager, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee was advised that the Development Committee, at its meeting on 22nd March, had been advised that a request had been received earlier in the month from the Department for Social Development for permission to locate within the grounds of the City Hall a 60 metre high wheel similar to the London Eye. The proposal would not incur any expenditure by the Council. The Department had requested that the wheel be operational either from June till August, 2006 or from November, 2006 till February, 2007. The project was being proposed to highlight the Department’s plan to redevelop the City centre public realm area. In conjunction with the wheel, the Department for Social Development had requested permission to hold within the City Hall an exhibition displaying the plans for the public realm area.
It was reported that the Development Committee had agreed in principle to the use of the City Hall and the grounds for these purposes, subject to the Policy and Resources Committee agreeing to grant the necessary authority.
After discussion, the Committee granted the authority sought, with the preferred date being the Summer of 2006, and noted that a further report in respect of the agreed location of the Big Wheel would be submitted for information to a future meeting.
Miscellaneous
Notice of Motion – Standing Charges on Telephone Bills
The Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 1st February, had passed the undernoted Notice of Motion:
"That this Council asks BT to drop its standing charge on telephone bills for pensioners. Further that this Council highlights to the Department of Social Development how important the dropping of this standing charge is to the older citizens of Belfast."
The Principal Committee Administrator reported that the correspondence had been received from British Telecommunications plc, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of Communication. (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) Each of the responses had indicated that BT currently operated a number of services which included special tariffs which, in themselves, would help to alleviate the problems experienced by older persons. The Office of Communication had indicated that a review of the Universal Obligation Service schemes had been undertaken which confirmed that, inter alia, BT would be introducing a new low-use scheme with reduced line rental targeted at customers who received Pension Credit, income–based Job Seekers Allowance and Income Support. It was planned to launch the scheme in 2007.
The Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Chairman
