Contents
Foreword 3
Shadow Council Membership 4
About the Shadow Council 7
Key Deliverables 7
Finance 7
Delivery & Preparation: the role of the existing Council and the Shadow Council 8
Shadow Council Governance Arrangements 9
Vision 10
Values 10
Guiding Principles 11
New and larger council 12
Key tasks 13
Belfast – Facts and Figures for the new district 17
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Foreword
Local government reform has commenced, bringing the biggest changes to local government since 1972 and presents a once in a generation opportunity to positively redefine the role of the council in this great city. Our task, in the shadow year, is to make the necessary preparations to ensure this opportunity is maximised and this Plan sets out our key tasks for doing this.
We believe the changes will lead to a stronger and more effective council, delivering a broader range of services for everyone. Significant preparations are underway within Belfast to maximise the opportunities reform presents and to ensure a seamless transition to the new, larger Council in April 2015.
Our new Council has been elected with 60 councillors representing over 333,000 people, over 151,000 households and hundreds of businesses, making it the biggest local authority in Northern Ireland.
We welcome the additional responsibility for new place-shaping functions, including land-based planning and regeneration. The transfer of these functions will further enhance the ability of locally elected Members to respond to the needs and concerns of their communities and shape, in partnership with others, the future development of Belfast.
As part of local government reform, we will lead community planning in Belfast. This will provide a framework in which the new council, statutory bodies and other relevant agencies and sectors will work together for the benefit of the city and all of our citizens.
We will work with existing councils and central government departments that are transferring functions and powers to ensure excellent service delivery is provided for all residents, visitors and businesses from 2015.
We will provide political leadership and direction for the people of Belfast in our preparations for reform and will help ensure that the transition to the new council is as seamless as possible.
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To be added Suzanne Wylie Presiding Councillor Chief Executive Designate
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Shadow Council Membership The new Belfast area has 60 democratically elected members, commonly known as councillors, ALL Alliance representing ten District Electoral Areas across the DUP Democratic Unionist Party GP Green Party city. They play a key role in representing the PBPA People Before Profit Alliance interests of their constituents and electoral areas PUP Progressive Unionist Party and ensuring that the views of their constituents SDLP Social, Democratic and Labour Party and electoral areas and ensuring the views for the SF Sinn Féin TUV Traditional Unionist Voice people of Belfast are reflected in the decisions that UUP Ulster Unionist Party the Council takes and in the way services are delivered.
Balmoral Electoral Area comprising Belvoir, Finaghy, Malone, Musgrave, Upper Malone
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Alderman Paula Bradshaw Jeffrey Dudgeon Claire Hanna Máirtín Ó Muilleoir Christopher Stalford ALL UUP SDLP SF DUP
Black Mountain Electoral Area comprising Andersonstown, Ballymurphy, Beechmount, Collin Glen, Falls Park, Shaw’s Road, Turf Lodge
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Tim Attwood Janice Austin Ciarán Beattie Gerry Carroll Arder Carson Steven Corr Emma Groves SDLP SF SF PBPA SF SF SF
Botanic Electoral Area comprising Blackstaff, Central, Ormeau, Stranmillis, Windsor
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Alderman Declan Boyle Graham Craig Deirdre Hargey Emmet McDonough-Brown Ruth Patterson SDLP UUP SF ALL DUP
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Castle Electoral Area comprising Bellvue, Cavehill, Chichester Park, Duncairn, Fortwilliam, Innisfayle
Alderman Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor David Browne Mary Ellen Campbell Patrick Convery Nuala McAllister Lydia Patterson Guy Spence UUP SF SDLP ALL DUP DUP
Collin Electoral Area comprising Dunmurry, Ladybrook, Lagmore, Poleglass, Stewartstown, Twinbrook
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor David Bell Matt Garrett Bill Groves Brian Heading Stephen Magennis Charlene O’Hara SF SF SF SDLP SF SF
Court Electoral Area comprising Ballygomartin, Clonard, Falls, Forth River, Shankill, Woodvale
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Joleen Bunting Billy Hutchinson Brian Kingston Mary McConville Frank McCoubrey Jim McVeigh TUV PUP DUP SF DUP SF
Lisnasharragh Electoral Area comprising Cregagh, Hillfoot, Merok, Orangefield, Ravenhill, Rosetta
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Aileen Graham Carole Howard Michael Long Chris McGimpsey Kate Mullan Tommy Sandford DUP ALL ALL UUP SDLP DUP
Oldpark Electoral Area comprising Ardoyne, Ballysillan, Cliftonville, Legoniel, New Lodge, Water Works
Councillor Councillor Councillor The Right Honourable Councillor Councillor Mary Clarke Julie-Anne Corr JJ Magee The Lord Mayor Gerry McCabe Gareth McKee SF PUP SF Nichola Mallon SF DUP SDLP
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Ormiston Electoral Area comprising Belmont, Knock, Garnerville, Gilnahirk, Sandown, Shandon, Stormont
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Alderman Ross Brown Tom Haire John Hussey Peter Johnston Mervyn Jones Laura McNamee Jim Rodgers GP DUP DUP UUP ALL ALL UUP
Titanic Electoral Area comprising Ballymacarrett, Beersbridge, Bloomfield, Connswater, Sydenham, Woodstock
Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Alderman David Armitage Sonia Copeland John Kyle Adam Newton Niall Ó Donnghaile Gavin Robinson ALL UUP PUP DUP SF DUP
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About the Shadow Council
The role of the Shadow Council is set out in the Local Government Act (NI) 2014 and the Local Government (Transitional, Supplementary and Incidental Provisions and Modifications) Regulations (NI) 2014. These regulations indicate that a new council shall use the shadow period which runs until 31 March 2015 to make the necessary preparations for the adoption of their full range of powers and responsibilities. During the shadow period, the new council will statutorily need to:
set the rate for 2015 – 2016; agree the budget for new council; develop governance structures and supporting organisational structures for the new Council post April 2015; define and agree the Constitution for the new council; develop a Corporate and Business Plan for the new council; consider operational issues relating to service convergence and transferring functions; prepare to be the planning and regeneration authority for Belfast; prepare for community planning; and agree an interim governance model to deliver the tasks outlined above. Key Deliverables
By the end of the shadow period, the Shadow Council will have delivered:
A new draft vision for the city; A fully resourced corporate plan for the new Council with aligned budgets and delivery arrangements; An agreed new rate and budgets including a capital programme; An operational planning service; The design of a full range of services across all areas in the new council district; Processes for the creation of a community plan, local development plan and regeneration plan; and New governance arrangements for the new Council. Finance
The Belfast City Council Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on the 21 February 2014 approved an in year allocation of £250,000 to fund the Shadow Council costs for 2014/15.
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Existing Council and Shadow Council
The role of the existing Belfast City Council
The current Belfast City Council will cease to exist at midnight on 31st March 2015 and until then will be responsible for delivering services for the current ratepayers of Belfast. The full Council and standing committees will continue to meet and ensure the current corporate plan, alongside its budget of £178 million, are delivered as agreed.
The role of the Shadow Council – city leadership and shaping place
As this corporate plan outlines, the focus of the Shadow Council’s work over the coming year will be to express Members’ ambition for the city and how this will be delivered by the new Council. The Shadow Council and its committees will explore how to make best use of the new place shaping powers of community planning, spatial planning and regeneration as well as looking at models of delivery, developing future ways of working and building capacity. Keeping momentum There will be a number of projects that the current Belfast City Council has commenced that will impact the city beyond the 31st March 2015 and will therefore require consideration by the Shadow Council, for example the development of a city centre regeneration and investment framework. It is the intention that such items will be brought to the shadow council and relevant committees for consideration as the projects develop.
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Shadow Governance Arrangements
The Shadow Council adopted the following governance model for the operation of the shadow council for the period of June 2014 – 31 March 2015:
FULL COUNCIL (60 Members)
SHADOW STRATEGIC POLICY TRANSITION TRANSFORMATION SHADOW PLANNING AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE (2(X0X Members)Members) (20(XX Members) Members) ((20XX Members)Members) (20(XX Members)Members)
Please note this is subject to approval at the inaugural meeting of the Shadow Council on 11 June 2014.
These committees will be subject to the following procedural arrangements:
Decisions are subject to 15% call in, meaning 15% of Members (9 out of 60) may call for any committee decision to be reconsidered on the basis that (a) a decision was not arrived at after proper consideration of the relevant facts and issues (due process) or (b) that the decision would disproportionately, adversely affect any section of the inhabitants of the district (adverse impact).
Certain decisions are subject to 80% qualified majority vote; this means that all decisions are subject to ‘simple majority’ voting. However a number of decisions (to be specified by DoE and included in standing orders) will be subject to ‘Qualified Majority Voting (QMV)’ where the support of 80% of the Members of a council present and voting at a meeting will be required for a specified decision or resolution to be agreed.
Overview and scrutiny is provided by Full Council; and
Council can delegate authority to standing committees on any decision other than reserved decisions.
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Our Vision for the Shadow Council
“Laying the necessary foundations for the creation of a new Belfast Council which provides value for money and responsive services to citizens, shapes the city and improves quality of life, now and for future generations”
Over the next number of months, a key role of the Shadow Council will be to develop a new vision for the city. This will involve extensive stakeholder engagement as members lead a process to establish the key priorities for the future of Belfast. These priorities will shape future plans and delivery. Our Values
Our Corporate Plan is underpinned by a set of core values which will guide the work of the Shadow Council and inform our standards of conduct and behaviour.
Maintain service delivery and standards across the new, larger Council area
Focus on the needs of customers, foster a can do attitude and be problem solvers
Minimise any adverse impact upon local ratepayers (by providing value for money approach to the transition to the new Council)
Respect each other, be fair and promote equality & good relations
Effectively engage with local citizens, communities, staff and other key stakeholders
Take decisions in a spirit of openness, honestly & trust
Value our employees
Maximise the opportunities that local government reform brings for the city
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Our Guiding Principles
The Shadow Council has agreed that the Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the "Nolan principles") should guide everything that our elected members and employees do over the next few months in terms of planning for the new council. These principles will form part of the Code of Conduct for Members and are as follows:
Selflessness – Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
Integrity – Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity – In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability – Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness – Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty – Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership – Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
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A new and larger council The map below shows the extent of the new Belfast boundary including the new areas which will be included from Lisburn, Castlereagh and North Down. 20% (53,000) increase in population 20% (21,000) increase in households 1,000 new businesses (approx) 60 elected Members
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Key tasks The key tasks which the Shadow Council will undertake from June 2014 to March 2015 are outlined below under the appropriate committee. There are elements of work that cut across a number of the agreed committees during the shadow period. These elements will be reported to a number of committees, as appropriate. Shadow Strategic Policy & Resources Committee ABOUT THE COMMITTEE The Shadow Strategic Policy & Resources Committee will take decisions or make recommendations in relation to budgets, post 2015 governance arrangements, organisational development and design, corporate planning and performance processes. WHAT THE COMMITTEE WILL DO IN THE SHADOW PERIOD
Task Completion date
Commence organisation development and design work including new temporary June 2014 – Jan. 2015 and future organisational structures.
Identify and design the preferred governance model for the new council June 2014 - Feb 2015 (including the number, size and role of committees and area working groups, a method for filling positions of responsibility and the allocation of Special Responsibility Allowance).
Develop governance frameworks (including the Standing Orders, Scheme of June 2014 - Feb 2015 Delegation and constitution).
Develop process for dealing with current and future contracts. September 2014
Consider initial service budget estimates. November 2014
Submit Equality Scheme to Equality Commission. November 2014
Develop a corporate and business plan for the new Council. February 2015
Agree budget for the new council and strike the rate for 2015-16. February 2015
Agree a medium term financial plan and capital programme for the new Council. February 2015
Prepare for the performance management of transferring functions (to include March 2015 planning, regeneration, and service standards) and to take account of future community planning needs.
Agree branding and signage for the new Council. March 2015
Appoint staff as appropriate. Ongoing
Build member and officer capacity in preparation for new functions. Ongoing
Commence the winding up process of the existing Council. March 2015 onwards
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Transition Committee ABOUT THE COMMITTEE
The Transition Committee will have responsibility for ensuring the smooth transfer of services from central government including planning, regeneration, housing, off-street parking and the extension of current council functions to the new ratepayers from Lisburn and Castlereagh. This will include overseeing staff and asset transfers, service standards and accommodation. WHAT THE COMMITTEE WILL DO IN THE SHADOW PERIOD
Completion date Task
Review and agree approach to service standards across the new areas and September 2014 services and the existing BCC service standards.
Prepare service delivery plans, business continuity arrangements and budget December 2014 requirements for each service, including new areas and transferring functions.
Prepare and agree draft service budget estimates, based on the service delivery December 2014 plans, to enable Shadow Strategic Policy & Resources Committee to make an overall budget assessment for 2015-16.
Prepare for and agree the arrangements for transfer of staff from central and December 2014 local government.
Prepare for and agree the arrangements for transfer of assets from central and January 2015 local government.
Develop and publish A-Z of services for distribution to households in the new February/ March 2015 district.
Prepare for transfer of functions from central government, including planning, March 2015 regeneration, community planning, local economic development, housing and off-street parking including service design decisions.
Tender for new contracts for the new council as appropriate Ongoing
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Transformation Committee ABOUT THE COMMITTEE
The Transformation Committee has responsibility for commencing the development of the community plan, local development plan and preparing the organisation for its future role as a regeneration authority. This will include initiating city visioning and priority setting, establishing an external partnership reference group and preparing the Council’s approach to area working. WHAT THE COMMITTEE WILL DO IN THE SHADOW PERIOD
Task Completion date
Prepare for the new powers of community planning and the general power of March 2015 competence. o Undertake a residents survey of the new district to ascertain resident September 2014 priorities and views for the new Council o Undertake a baseline analysis of the city and build the evidence base to December 2014 support all aspects of planning o Undertake a city visioning exercise to determine the draft objectives and January 2015 priorities for the city and commence development of a community planning outcomes framework aligned to a performance management regime for the council o Undertake research and identify options to support local area community December 2014 planning o Undertake research and identify options for developing a Belfast March 2015 community planning partnership in line with emerging statutory guidance With the Shadow Planning Committee, develop a timetable for the drafting of a March 2015 Local Development Plan With the Shadow Planning Committee, agree the priorities for local development March 2015 planning strategy and policies With the Shadow Planning Committee, develop a draft Statement of Community March 2015 Involvement prior to the development of the local development plan Develop the governance arrangements for local area working, including the March 2015 agreement of the geographies for local area working and the governance arrangements of Area Working Groups Develop the process for a city wide engagement exercise to underpin all aspects March 2015 of strategic planning Prepare for the transfer of regeneration from central government and commence March 2015 the development of the Council approach to strategic regeneration Build member and officer capacity to deliver the transformation agenda Ongoing
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Shadow Planning Committee ABOUT THE COMMITTEE
The Shadow Planning Committee will prepare for the future regulatory and forward planning roles of the Council in respect of spatial planning, linking the Council policy (encapsulated in the Local Development Plan) to development decisions. This preparation will be done through capacity building, awareness raising, case studies, benchmarking and role playing.
WHAT THE COMMITTEE WILL DO IN THE SHADOW PERIOD
Task Completion date
Prepare, agree and undertake a capacity building programme to enable Ongoing councillors to undertake the additional regulatory planning duties from April 2015.
Develop and implement a planning committee induction process for Councillors Ongoing covering the processes, enforcement duties and appeals procedure.
Undertake mock planning committee meetings, incorporating the decision Ongoing making process, appeal hearings and open access considerations
Undertake compulsory training for planning committee Ongoing
Pilot committee under new procedures (including code of conduct) January 2015
Develop a corporate enforcement policy that takes consideration of legal March 2015 obligations and constraints of planning.
With the Transformation Committee, develop a timetable for the drafting of a March 2015 Local Development Plan
With the Transformation Committee, agree the priorities for local development March 2015 planning
With the Transformation Committee, develop a draft statement of community March 2015 involvement prior to the development of the local development plan
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New Belfast – Facts and Figures
Further facts and figures to be made available when developed.
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