29 January 2016 Chairman

29 January 2016

Chairman: Alderman A G Ewart Vice-Chairman: Alderman W J Dillon MBE Alderman: S Martin Councillors: J Baird, B Bloomfield MBE, S Carson, A P Ewing, J Gallen, A Givan, H Legge, U Mackin, T Mitchell, Jenny Palmer, S Skillen and M H Tolerton

Ex Officio The Right Worshipful The Mayor, Councillor R T Beckett Deputy Mayor, Councillor A Redpath

The Monthly Meeting of the Development Committee will be held in the Council Chamber*, Island Civic Centre, The Island, Lisburn, on Wednesday, 3 February 2016 at 7.00 pm for the transaction of business on the undernoted Agenda.

Tea/Coffee available in Members Suite following the meeting.

You are requested to attend.

DR THERESA DONALDSON Chief Executive Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council

*Please note change of venue

Agenda

1 Apologies

2 Declarations of Interest

3 Minutes - Meeting of the Development Committee held on 6 January 2016 (Copy Attached)

4 Report from Lead Head of Planning & Building Control and Lead Head of Economic Development

4.1 Report by Lead Head of Planning & Building Control 4.1.1 Budget Report - Building Control 4 1 2 Corporate Risk Register 4.1.3 Report by Head of Service (Building Control) 4.1.3.1 Street Naming at Old Mill Grove, Dundonald 4.1.3.2 Street Naming off Meeting Street, Moira 4.1.3.3 Building Control Applications – Full Plan Applications and Regularisation Certificates 4.1.3.4 Department of Finance and Personnel – Completion Notice Ready Report to Land Property Services 4.1.3.5 Department for Social Development - Affordable Warmth Project 4.1.3.6 Department of Social Development (DSD) Housing (Amendment) Bill Report

4.2 Report by Lead Head of Economic Development 4.2.1 Lisburn and Castlereagh Restaurant Week 4.2.2 Business Solutions – Israel Trade Development Programme Awards of Tender 4.2.3 Northern Ireland Tourism Strategy Workshops 4.2.4 Review of Northern Ireland Non Domestic Rating System 4.2.5 Eurasmus European Funding Application – Regional Apprenticeship Alliances for SMEs 4.2.6 Update on Priority 6 of the NI Rural Development Programme 2014- 2020 4.3.7 Budget Report - Economic Development 4.3.8 Corporate Risk Register

5. Confidential Business –“In Committee”

Members are requested to go to the Confidential Folder to access the Development Committee confidential reports.

5.1 Report by Lead Head of Planning & Building Control

5.1.1 Rolling Year Absence Figures for Building Control for the Period 1 April 2015 – 30 November 2015 (Confidential for reason of information relating to individuals)

5.2 Report by Lead Head of Economic Development

5.2.1 Lisburn Square - Market (Confidential due to information relating to the financial or business affairs of the organisation concerned)

5.2.2 Rolling Year Absence Figures for Economic Development for the Period 1 April 2015 – 30 November 2015 (Confidential for reason of information relating to individuals)

6. Any other Business

--ooOOoo--

To: Members of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council DC 06/01/2016

LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL Minutes of the proceedings of the Development Committee Meeting of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council held in the Island Civic Centre, Lisburn, BT27 4RL on Wednesday, 6 January 2016 at 7.25 pm

PRESENT: Alderman A G Ewart, Chairman

The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor R T Beckett Deputy Mayor, Councillor A Redpath

ALDERMEN: Aldermen W J Dillon MBE and S Martin

J Baird, S Carson, A P Ewing, A Givan, H Legge, COUNCILLORS: U Mackin, T Mitchell, Jenny Palmer, S Scott and M H Tolerton OTHER MEMBER: Councillor J McCarthy

IN ATTENDANCE: Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Chief Executive Director of Development & Planning Head of Economic Development Head of Building Control Tourism Development Manager Lead Head of Service – Planning & Building Control Committee Secretary

Commencement of Meeting

The Chairman, Alderman A G Ewart, welcomed everyone to the January Meeting of the Development Committee and apologised for the lateness in the commencement of the meeting which had been occasioned due to the earlier meeting of the Environmental Services Committee having overran.

1. Apologies It was agreed to accept apologies for non-attendance at the meeting on behalf of Councillor B Bloomfield MBE and Councillor J Gallen.

2. Declarations of Interest

The Chairman invited Members to declare any Conflicts of Interest they might have in relation to the business of the meeting and reminded them of the requirement that they

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2. Declarations of Interest (Cont’d) complete Declaration of Interest forms in this regard, which had been provided at the meeting.

Declaration of Interest forms were received from:-

- The Chairman of the Committee, Alderman A G Ewart in respect of item 4.3.5 ‘Department of Social Development – Affordable Warmth Scheme’ and item 4.4.6 ‘Christmas Trees - Lisburn City Council’ – in view of his employment as Special Advisor to the Minister for Social Development

- Councillor H Legge, in respect of item 4.3.5 ‘Department of Social Development Affordable Warmth Scheme’ – in view of her membership of the Northern Ireland Housing Council and the Board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

- Councillor A P Ewing in respect of item 5.3 Lisburn ‘City Centre Management (LCCM) Financial Appraisal 2015-2018’- in view of his membership of Lisburn Commerce Against Crime.

- During the course of the meeting Councillor A P Ewing declared an interest in item 4.4.6 ‘Christmas Trees – Lisburn City Centre’ - in view of his membership of Lisburn Commerce Against Crime.

3. Minutes

It was agreed that the Minutes of the Development Committee meeting held on 9 December 2015, as adopted by the Council at its meeting held on 15 December 2015, be confirmed and signed.

4. Report by the Director of Development and Planning

It was agreed that the report and recommendations of the Director of Development and Planning be adopted subject to any decisions recorded below. For Noting 4.1 Department for Regional Development – Transport NI

4.1.1 Abandonment of Public Rights-of-Way The Temple Cross Roads, Lisburn (Abandonment and Stopping-Up Order) (Northern Ireland) 2016 The Committee had been furnished with, and noted the content of, a copy of a letter dated 7 December 2015 from Transport NI in relation to the proposed abandonment/stopping-up at The Temple Cross Roads, Lisburn, together with a copy of the draft order, location map and Statutory Notice of Intent.

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4.2 Budget Report – Development and Planning

The Committee had been furnished with, and noted the content of, a budget report for Development and Planning for the year to 31 March 2016 as at 30 November 2015.

4.3 Report by Head of Service (Building Control) It was proposed by Councillor M H Tolerton, seconded by Councillor S Scott, and agreed that the Report by the Head of Building Control be adopted subject to any decisions recorded below:

Items for Decision

4.3.1 Street Naming at Warren Gardens and Warren Park, Lisburn

The Head of Building Control reported that T&D Marshall Development Ltd had proposed the name for a development that consisted of 15 dwellings in the Warren Park area of Lisburn. The development was in two parts with each part accessed from either Warren Gardens or Warrant Park.

A copy of the development layout had been circulated to the Committee for Members’ information.

It was agreed to recommend that the names “Warren Gardens Lane” and “Warren Park Close” which met the requirements of the Council’s Street Naming Policy be allocated to the proposed development in the Warren Park area of Lisburn.

4.3.2 Street Naming at Fairfields, Magheralave Road, Lisburn

The Head of Building Control reported that Alan Patterson Design Ltd had proposed further names for the above-named larger housing development using the previously agreed prefix ‘Fairfields,’

A copy of the development layout had been circulated to the Committee for Members’ information.

It was agreed to recommend that the names “Fairfields Avenue,’ ‘Fairfields Meadow,’ ‘Fairfields Close,’ ‘Fairfields Gate,’ ‘Fairfields Manor,‘ Fairfields Court,’ and Fairfields Lane’ which met the requirements of the Council’s Street Naming Policy be allocated to the proposed development located within the larger Fairfields development off the Magheralave Road, Lisburn.

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For Noting

4.3.3 Building Control Applications – Full Plan Applications and Regularisation Certificates

The Committee noted the undernoted information in regard to the Full Plan Applications and Regularisation Certificate:

- for the period 19 November 2015 to 11 December 2015, 73 Full Plan Applications had been “approved” and that 30 Regularisation Certificates had been issued in accordance with the powers delegated.

4.3.4 Department of Finance and Personnel – Completion Notice Ready Report to Land and Property Services The Committee noted the undernoted information in regard to Completion Notice Ready Reports: - the Completion Notice Ready Report for the period 19 November 2015 to 11 December 2015 returned to the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFPNI), Land and Property Services, had indicated that a total of 42 properties had been identified as having reached occupiable status.

4.3.5 Department for Social Development – Affordable Warmth Project The Committee noted the undernoted information in regard to visits by Home Assessment Officers within the Council’s Building Control Service:

- in the month of November 2015 had visited 27 dwellings for the Affordable Warmth Scheme and made 23 referrals for home improvements to the NIHE.

A copy of a recent communication from the Department for Social Development (DSD) in relation to the Scheme had been furnished to the Committee, which confirmed the Scheme’s immediate status and also the Scheme’s commitment to deal with urgent cases as a priority.

The Head of Building Control responded to a question from Councillor U Mackin in regard to the overall DSD budget for the Affordable Warmth Project and the expectation of the budget being utilised in the current financial year. The Head of Building Control undertook to investigate this issue and advise the Committee accordingly.

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4.3.6 Energy Performance of Building 2nd Quarter 2015 Report

Councillor J Baird entered the meeting during consideration of this item (7.29 pm).

The Head of Building Control outlined the importance of the work carried out by the Building Control Service Unit in administering the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates & Inspections) Regulations (EPB), and advised that the Unit continually sampled properties, checked for compliance and raised awareness of the need and benefits of the EPB legislation. The Regulations required persons selling, renting or newly constructing a property to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to confirm the energy efficiency level of that building.

4.3.6.1 Quarterly Report

The Head of Building Control reported that as part of the Service Level Agreement with Belfast City Council, who acted as the Enforcement Team for councils in Northern Ireland, each individual council submitted EPC compliance rates for properties in its area to the Enforcement Team on a quarterly basis. The Enforcement Team then compiled and presented these findings to the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP). The Head of Building Control reported that the Enforcement Team had indicated that DFP were satisfied with the increasing levels of compliance across Northern Ireland.

A copy of the Quarter 2 Report (July 2015 to September 2015) had been circulated to the Committee which provided details of the Enforcement Teams awareness raising activities, stakeholder feedback, any complaints received and monitoring and compliance rates on behalf of councils.

The Head of Building Control responded to a question from Alderman S Martin in regard to any pressures, both in terms of monetary and manpower, being experienced by the Council in administering the work in connection with the EPB regulations, and also in regard to the wider work of the Enforcement Team.

It was agreed that the report by the Head of Building Control be noted, together with the efforts of the Building Control Service and EPB Enforcement Team in highlighting and raising awareness of the EPB Regulations.

4.3.7 Building Control Service Unit – Service Delivery

The Head of Building Control reported on the ongoing service unit relocation arrangements currently underway that involved staff from Building Control Services moving from Bradford Court, Castlereagh, and consolidating functions on the third floor of Lagan Valley Island (LVI), Lisburn. The Head of Building Control confirmed that the Service was programmed to be located fully at LVI by the end of January 2016.

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4.3.7 Building Control Service Unit – Service Delivery (Cont’d)

It was noted that the Building Control Service had contacted approximately 300 architects, agents and contractors operating within the former Castlereagh Borough area, by email, to inform them of the move and to promote service continuity, provide contact details, as well as offering assurance and maintaining a high standard of Service delivery.

It was agreed that the report on the service delivery of the Building Control Service Unit be noted.

The Head of Building Control left the meeting at 7.32 pm.

4.4 Report by Head of Economic Development It was proposed by Alderman W J Dillon, seconded by Councillor S Carson, and agreed that the Report by the Head of Economic Development be adopted subject to any decisions recorded below:

Item for Decision 4.4.1 City Promotion Budget – Recommended Funding Allocations 2016/2017

The Head of Economic Development reminded the Committee that at the December Development Committee meeting it had been agreed that Officers would review the overall budget allocation for city promotion and major event support within the Tourism budget in the context of the current budget estimates discussion.

The Head of Economic Development outlined to the Committee the criteria that required to be adhered to when considering the level of funding to a particular event.

The Committee had been furnished with a report detailing the relevant 2015 project evaluations and also a report detailing the recommended levels of financial support for the proposed 2016/2017 City Promotion Budget which had taken account of the guidance provided by Members at the Meeting in December 2015.

The Head of Service reminded the Committee of its previous decisions to approve the following City Promotion Budget allocations: - Balmoral Show co-operative project £35,000 - Circuit of Ireland event – £40,000 - the hosting of a Pipe Band Championship – £21,000

The Head of Economic Development reported that the previously agreed Integrated Marketing Campaign provided for a primarily City Centre focused

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4.4.1 City Promotion Budget – Recommended Funding Allocations 2016/2017 (Cont’d) promotional campaign that cost £155,000 per annum, and that ‘event hospitality’ covered the costs of the Chairman taking tables at the Hillsborough Oyster Festival (HOF) and the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing (FOR).

It was agreed to recommend on a proposal by Alderman S Martin, and seconded by Councillor Jenny Palmer, that in view of the tragic circumstances that had prevented the event organisers in taking up the Council’s offer of funding in 2015, the funding allocation to the Hilden Beer Festival be maintained at £8,000 and that £4,000 be provided from ‘slippage’ in other budgets.

The Tourism Development Manager responded to a question from Councillor S Carson in relation to the use of the car park in Ballynahinch Street, Hillsborough, during the Hillsborough Oyster Festival weekend.

It was agreed to recommend that the Committee notes the 2015 Major Event evaluation report and that the following funding allocations be agreed:

- Integrated Marketing Campaign £155,000 - Speciality Food Fair £ 11,000 - Event Hospitality (HOF and FOR) £ 4,000 - Pipe Band Championships £ 21,000 - Balmoral Show Co-operative Project £ 35,000 - Public Realm animation - - City Centre Seasonal Events - - Hillsborough Oyster Festival £ 3,000 - Circuit of Ireland Rally £ 40,000 - Northern Ireland Speed Weekend £ 5,000 - SunflowerFest £ 2,000 - Hilden Beer Festival £ 8,000 - Lisburn & Saintfield Show -

The Tourism Development Manager left the Meeting at 7.40 pm.

4.4.2 Community Gardens Support Programme – Kindergardencooks, Maghaberry Community Centre

The Head of Economic Development reminded the Committee that the Council had agreed to support the development of a community garden facility as part of a capital extension to Maghaberry Community Centre which received funding from the Rural Development Programme.

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4.4.2 Community Gardens Support Programme – Kindergardencooks, Maghaberry Community Centre (Cont’d)

The Head of Economic Development outlined the work of the group that had been established in Maghaberry which worked in the community garden on a voluntary basis with their activities co-ordinated by Kindergardencooks, a community gardening and cookery school. It was noted that Maghaberry Community Garden had been successful in growing local produce, and in breaking down social isolation for local residents who would have reduced access to other social activities.

The Head of Economic Development reported that over the past three years the Community Garden Group had built up a number of networks and would like to see the success and learning from Maghaberry reproduced within other community gardens across Lisburn and Castlereagh Council area. The group was keen to develop the current participants to be advocates of the scheme and to develop and support other community gardens by setting up a formally constituted group. This would enable them to apply for other sources of funding as well as develop other sustainable ideas such as a farm shop.

The Head of Economic Development advised that the Group had approached the Council to consider providing some financial support on a pilot basis to cover the cost of acquiring horticultural equipment up to a maximum of £4,000. A copy of a report detailing the breakdown of the anticipated costs had been circulated to the Committee.

In response to a question from Councillor J Baird, the Head of Economic Development stated that the above community project was not likely to be eligible for funding from the Local Action Group (LAG) of the Rural Development Programme.

The Head of Economic Development responded to further questions from the Committee in regard to the above-mentioned request for funding. During the discussion some Members expressed concern in regard to the Council setting a precedent for other community groups to come forward with similar requests.

A number of Members expressed their support to the work of the community garden group.

It was agreed to recommend that the Committee supports the Community Gardens Support Programme delivered by Kindergardencooks and the Maghaberry Community Gardens Group at a cost of £4,000 + VAT on the basis of this being a pilot project.

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4.4.2 Community Gardens Support Programme – Kindergardencooks, Maghaberry Community Centre (Cont’d)

In response to concerns raised by Alderman S Martin in connection with the management of the approved funding to Maghaberry Community Garden, the Head of Economic Development confirmed the Council would pay out on eligible and vouched expenditure only by the Group.

Comments were noted from The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor R T Beckett, in regard to the developer associated with the particular area in question being approached about funding such community initiatives, which would benefit both parties in terms of community benefits and PR.

For Noting

4.4.3 E-Clustering Programme – Evaluation

The Head of Economic Development reminded the Committee that Brilliant Red Ltd had been appointed to deliver and manage the Tourism e-Clustering Programme on behalf of Lisburn City Council. This 18-month programme had been completed in June 2015 and a copy of a full evaluation of the programme had been circulated to the Committee which highlighted the key milestones achieved.

The Head of Economic Development outlined a number of outputs of the programme which were in line Invest NI key targets such as economic development, job creation, positive PR and capacity building.

Additional Report by the Director of Development and Planning

It was agreed on a proposal by Councillor Jenny Palmer, seconded by Alderman W J Dillon, and agreed that the Additional Reports by the Director of Development and Planning be adopted subject to any decisions recorded below.

4.4.4 Consultation – New Enterprise Train Timetable Proposal

The Director reported that recent correspondence from Translink had indicated that a review of the Enterprise Train timetable was being carried out with a view to implementing the new plan by the end of Quarter 1 of 2016, it being noted that the new timetable proposed, amongst other things, that the Enterprise service stopped at Lisburn.

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4.4.4 Consultation – New Enterprise Train Timetable Proposal (Cont’d)

A copy of a recent press release requesting feedback on the proposed timetable had been furnished to the Committee. It was noted that although the deadline had now passed for responses, the Council’s views were still welcomed on the new proposals.

A copy of the proposed new timetable had also been circulated to the Committee.

The Director reminded the Committee that the legacy Lisburn City Council had long been lobbying for each Enterprise service to stop at Lisburn with efforts and campaigns in 2005 and 2010 respectively, resulting in Lisburn becoming a permanent stop for three daily journeys of the Enterprise train as it travelled to and from Dublin, Monday to Saturday each week.

It was agreed to recommend that a reply be made to the above-mentioned consultation with a positive response to the new proposed timetable with all Enterprise services to stop at Lisburn.

4.4.5 Correspondence from Belfast City Council

The Committee had been furnished with a copy of a letter dated 6 January 2016 from the Chief Executive of Belfast City Council, Ms Suzanne Wylie, in connection with a proposed initiative by Belfast City Council to look at opportunities for joint working for economic benefit of both council areas, with a view to influencing the content of the forthcoming Programme for Government.

It was noted that this Council’s Chief Executive would be asked initially to participate in two meetings, one in February 2016 and one in March 2016, to discuss a number of issues, which would form the basis of the way forward for joint working.

It was agreed that the report by the Director be noted.

4.4.6 Christmas Trees - Lisburn City Centre

The Director reported that historically Christmas trees had been provided annually to local businesses through Lisburn City Centre Management (LCCM) at a cost of £25 to the business.

The Director reminded the Committee that LCCM now formed part of the Economic Development Unit and this year as part of the Council Christmas events schedule, the cost of the trees had been absorbed by the Council and funded through the Department of Social Development‘s (DSD) Revitalisation grant, this being a one off goodwill gesture in recognition of the disruption the businesses had endured over the

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4.4.6 Christmas Trees - Lisburn City Centre (Cont’d)

past few years and to celebrate the completion of the Public Realm scheme.

Councillor Jenny Palmer expressed her support to the above-mentioned gesture to local businesses.

It was agreed that the Director’s report be noted, and on a proposal by Councillor J Baird, seconded by Councillor Jenny Palmer, it was agreed to recommend that a letter be sent to those local businesses that had been supplied with a Christmas tree advising of this goodwill gesture by the Council.

Comments were noted from Alderman W J Dillon in regard to an outstanding matter concerning the property previously occupied by Lisburn City Centre Management and which was required to be addressed as a matter of urgency

5. Confidential Report by the Director of Development and Planning

The Chairman, Alderman A G Ewart, stated that the Director’s Confidential Report was required to be considered “in Committee” due to the reasons outlined.

“In Committee”

It was proposed by Councillor S Scott, seconded by Councillor Jenny Palmer, and agreed that the Director’s Confidential Report be considered “in Committee” in the absence of press or members of the public.

It was agreed that the Director’s Confidential Report be adopted, subject to any decisions recorded below:

5.1 Consideration of the Economic Development Unit Draft Estimates of Income and Expenditure for 2016/2017

It was agreed that this item be considered at the conclusion of the Confidential Report.

5.2 Land at Glenmore (Confidential due to information relating to the financial or business affairs of the organisations concerned, including the Council holding that information)

The Director of Development and Planning updated the Committee in regard to the former Lisburn City Council’s interest in acquiring an area of open space at

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5.2 Land at Glenmore (Cont’d)

Glenmore/Hilden. The Director also outlined the benefits to the Council of acquiring the land in question.

Copies of maps of the area had been circulated to the Committee, together with a copy of an email dated 1 October 2015 from the Regional Land & Regeneration Office, Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), by way of a response to recent correspondence from the Council on this matter.

It was agreed to recommend that the Council confirms that it remained interested in acquiring the freehold title to the NIHE Lands shown on the maps, as circulated, and that the response to NIHE to advise that should the transfer proceed the Council would become responsible for the future maintenance of the area rather than the NIHE, and accordingly this should be reflected in the reassessment of the valuation thereon. 5.3 Lisburn Commerce Against Crime (CCTV Scheme): Financial Appraisal 2015-2018 (Confidential due to information relating to the financial or business affairs of the organisations concerned, including the Council holding that information)

The Committee had been furnished with a copy of the Financial Appraisal for the funding of Lisburn CCTV Scheme 2015-2018 which had been agreed as meeting the Council’s financial regulations by the Financial Services Section.

The Director reminded the Committee that the appraisal covered a three-year period, but that the allocation of Council funding to the CCTV project would be subject to the annual estimates process and an annual review against performance before a decision could be made to continue funding.

It was agreed to recommend that the Committee agrees the CCTV Scheme Financial Appraisal 2015-2018 subject to approval by Financial Services, with funding committed of up to £366,500 for the year 2015/2016, it being noted that the funding relating to the core operating costs was included in the current Economic Development budget with the funding to cover the integration costs held in reserves.

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For Noting

5.4 Rolling Year Absence Figures for Development and Planning for the Period 1 April 2015 to 31 October 2015 (Confidential due to information relating to individuals) The Committee had been furnished with, and noted the content of, a table depicting the rolling year absence figures for Development and Planning for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 October 2015.

It was agreed that due to the increase in ‘Days lost per employee’ for the Development and Planning Units, the comparative figure for the previous period be included in next month’s absence report.

Additional Confidential Report by the Director of Development and Planning

5.5 Lisburn Public Realm – Judicial Review Costs

It was agreed to recommend that the Director’s report advising of the preparation for the forthcoming judicial review in connection with a matter concerning the Lisburn Public Realm Scheme be noted.

Councillor J Baird indicated that he supported the Director’s recommendation and thanked the Director in this regard.

For Decision 5.6 Consideration of the Economic Development Unit Draft Estimates of Income and Expenditure for 2016/2017 (Confidential due to information relating to the financial or business affairs of the organisations concerned, including the Council holding that information)

A copy of the draft Estimates of Income and Expenditure for the Economic Development Unit for the forthcoming financial year 2016/2017 had been circulated to the Committee.

The Director of Environmental Services reminded Members that a summary of the overall Council and Departmental financial estimates had been considered at a Special Meeting of the Corporate Services Committee, together with the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Standing Committees, held on 15 December 2015 with a recommendation that the Draft Estimates of Income and Expenditure for 2016/2017 be noted, and the relevant details be referred to the various Standing Committees for 5.6 Consideration of the Economic Development Unit Draft Estimates of

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Income and Expenditure for 2016/2017 (Cont’d)

consideration and in order to identify further reductions.

The Director of Development & Planning reported that since the above-mentioned Special Meeting of the Corporate Services Committee on 15 December 2015 work on the Estimates had been ongoing with a view to seeking further reductions.

The Director elaborated and provided clarification for Members on a number of issues in respect of the draft estimates for the Economic Development Unit for 2016/17, taking account of the recent work on the draft estimates since 15 December 2015.

The Director thanked the Head of Economic Development and Officers in the Economic Development Unit, and also the Head of Finance & IT and her team, for their work in preparing the draft Estimates for Economic Development for 2016/2017.

It was proposed by Councillor Jenny Palmer, seconded by Councillor A Givan and agreed to recommend that the draft Estimates of Income and Expenditure for the financial year 2016/17 in respect of the Economic Development Unit be accepted and introduced into the overall draft Estimates due to be submitted to the Special Meeting of the Corporate Services Committee to be held on 27 January 2016.

The Chairman, Alderman A G Ewart also put on record the thanks of the Committee to the Director of Development and Planning and Council Officers for their efforts in preparing the draft Estimates of Income and Expenditure for the Economic Development Unit. The Chairman asked the Director to convey the Committee’s thanks to the Officers concerned.

It was proposed by Councillor T Mitchell, seconded by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor A Redpath, and agreed to come out of Committee and normal business was resumed.

Resumption of Normal Business

6. Any Other Business

6.1 Retirement of the Director of Development and Planning Chairman, Alderman A G Ewart

The Chairman referred to the retirement from the Council of the Director of Development and Planning at the end of the month, after 28 years of service, and to the fact that this was the Director’s last meeting of the Development Committee.

6.1 Retirement of the Director of Development and Planning

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Chairman, Alderman A G Ewart (Cont’d)

The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, extended best wishes to the Director on his forthcoming retirement. Councillors Jenny Palmer and A P Ewing having expressed their own good wishes to the Director on his retirement, commended the Director on his knowledge and expertise which they felt would be missed greatly by the Council on his departure.

6.2 Lisburn Public Realm Councillor S Carson

The Director and Head of Economic Development responded to questions from Councillor S Carson in regard to the Council’s consultants and contractor for the Lisburn Public Realm Scheme, White Young Green and TAL Limited, respectively. It was noted that a number of outstanding issues were still being addressed by both the consultants and the contractor.

There being no further business the Chairman wished everyone a happy and prosperous New Year and the meeting terminated at 8.26 pm.

______Chairman

Development Committee 03.02.16

LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – 3 FEBRUARY 2016

REPORTS BY LEAD HEAD OF PLANNING & BUILDING CONTROL AND LEAD HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The purpose of this report is to set out for Members’ consideration a number of recommendations specifically relating to the operation of the new Council.

The following decisions are required:

1. To consider the Report by the Lead Head of Planning and Building Control 2. To consider the Report by the Lead Head of Economic Development

ITEMS FOR DECISION/NOTING

1. REPORT BY MR IAN WILSON, LEAD HEAD OF PLANNING & BUILDING CONTROL

Attached at Appendix 1 is a report from the Lead Head of Planning and Building Control in respect of items under his remit.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee considers the items in the Report by the Lead Head of Planning and Building Control and agrees the recommendations therein.

2. REPORT BY MR PAUL McCORMICK, LEAD HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Attached at Appendix 2 is a report from the Lead Head of Economic Development in respect of items under his remit.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee considers the items in the Report by the Head of Economic Development and agrees the recommendations therein.

IAN WILSON PAUL McCORMICK LEAD HEAD OF PLANNING & BUILDING CONTROL LEAD HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 27 JANUARY 2016 27 JANUARY 2016 Appendix 1

LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – 3 FEBRUARY 2016

REPORT BY MR IAN WILSON, LEAD HEAD OF PLANNING & BUILDING CONTROL

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The purpose of this report is to set out for Members’ consideration a number of recommendations specifically relating to the operation of the new Council.

The following decisions are required:

1. To note the budget report for Building Control for the year to 31 March 2016 as at 31 December 2015 2. To note the Corporate Risk Register in relation to Building Control 3. To consider the Report by the Head of Service (Building Control)

ITEMS FOR NOTING

1. BUDGET REPORT – BUILDING CONTROL

Attached under Appendix 1.1 for the information of Members is a copy of the Budget Report for Building Control for the year to 31 March 2016 as at 31 December 2015.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Members note the attached report, setting out the budget position to 31 March 2016 as at 31 December 2015.

2. CORPORATE RISK REGISTER

Attached under Appendix 1.2 is a copy of the Corporate Risk Register for Members’ information. As Members will be aware, this was approved by Governance and Audit Committee in January and is now presented to Development for information. The Council adopted the Risk Policy and Strategy in April 2015. Following a number of workshops the Corporate and Service Unit Risk Registers have been developed. Members will note the specific elements of the Corporate Risk Register which relate to Building Control. The associated risk action plans detail the arrangements within Building Control to manage these particular corporate risks. It is important to note that the risk register is a living document and is therefore subject to regular review and amendment.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Members note the Corporate Risk Register.

3. REPORT BY MR COLIN DUFF, HEAD OF SERVICE (BUILDING CONTROL)

Attached at Appendix 1.3 is a report from the Head of Building Control in respect of items under his remit.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee considers the items in the Report by the Head of Building Control and agrees the recommendations therein.

IAN WILSON LEAD HEAD OF PLANNING & BUILDING CONTROL 27 January 2016 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 15/01/2016 17:10

Periods 2016/1 to 2016/9, Business Unit 1 d is equal to 6 (Planning) , Location 4 digits is equal to 3204 or is equal to 2804 or is equal to 2802 or is equal to 2803 or is equal to 3614 or is equal to 3856 or is equal to 3804

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

6 Planning

Minor Works

3204 Street Name Plates

3312 Street Name Plates materials 2,160 2,155 16,500 9,980 5,905 -4,075 ======Totals For 3204 2,160 2,155 16,500 9,980 5,905 -4,075

======Minor Works 2,160 2,155 16,500 9,980 5,905 -4,075

Building Control

2802 Building Control

0010 Salaries 68,537 68,221 832,445 616,833 583,672 -33,161 1370 Office Equipment 50 0 1,050 810 658 -152 2140 Travel & Subsistence 4,083 3,979 49,000 35,750 35,008 -741 3004 Room Charges 114 21 1,250 912 312 -600 3064 IT Costs 630 0 4,500 2,623 548 -2,076 3126 Protective clothing & PPE 150 0 1,800 1,350 960 -390 3154 Postage 465 352 5,575 4,181 3,649 -533 3178 Stationery 680 141 8,165 6,124 5,301 -823 3184 CD Archiving 1,875 0 7,500 1,875 21 -1,854

Page 1 of 5 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 15/01/2016 17:10

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

3186 Photocopying 0 1,543 4,000 2,500 2,805 305 3188 Telephones 352 131 4,225 2,465 1,582 -883 3326 Dangerous Buildings 500 0 2,500 1,000 0 -1,000 3334 Oil Stamp Scheme 0 0 7,555 0 0 0 3444 Site Survey Equipment 170 0 1,700 1,190 281 -909 3496 Consultants 200 0 2,000 1,400 531 -869 3506 Credit / Debit Card Charges 125 0 1,500 1,125 851 -274 3512 Subscriptions 458 0 5,500 2,748 1,065 -1,683 3514 Building Control Group Provision 0 11,200 82,000 0 12,191 12,191 3714 Structural Consulation 1,000 0 6,000 3,000 981 -2,019 4060 Agency Costs 7,222 1,657 80,000 64,998 67,285 2,287 ======Totals For 2802 86,611 87,245 1,108,265 750,883 717,702 -33,181

2803 Affordable Warmth Scheme

0010 Salaries 10,389 9,098 124,668 93,501 75,793 -17,707 0080 Recruitment Expenses 1,000 0 4,000 1,000 0 -1,000 1420 General Expenses 1,355 -115 10,000 7,310 5,326 -1,984 2140 Travel & Subsistence 408 592 4,900 3,672 3,597 -75 3064 IT Costs 110 0 1,100 770 990 220 3206 Administration Costs 333 33 4,000 3,000 1,853 -1,147 3282 Project Costs 857 0 8,570 1,819 302 -1,518 ======Totals For 2803 14,452 9,608 157,238 111,072 87,861 -23,210

Page 2 of 5 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 15/01/2016 17:10

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

======Building Control 101,064 96,852 1,265,503 861,955 805,563 -56,391

Democratic Representation & Management

3614 Staff Conferences

0100 Conferences & Courses 540 0 3,650 2,020 223 -1,798 ======Totals For 3614 540 0 3,650 2,020 223 -1,798

======Democratic Representation & Management540 0 3,650 2,020 223 -1,798

Corporate Management

3856 Planning HQ

0010 Salaries 7,258 9,594 87,106 65,322 74,486 9,164 0120 Single Status - Costs 0 0 0 0 11,380 11,380 ======Totals For 3856 7,258 9,594 87,106 65,322 85,865 20,543

======Corporate Management 7,258 9,594 87,106 65,322 85,865 20,543

Page 3 of 5 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 15/01/2016 17:10

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

======Totals For Planning 111,022 108,601 1,372,759 939,277 897,556 -41,721

======111,022 108,601 1,372,759 939,277 897,556 -41,721

6 Planning

Building Control

2802 Building Control

6269 Contribution to Office Costs 0 -43,740 -58,322 -43,742 -43,740 2 6358 Regularistion Fee -3,575 -3,478 -42,900 -32,175 -35,388 -3,213 6360 Plan Fees Domestic -8,500 -9,047 -102,000 -76,500 -93,700 -17,200 6362 Plan Fees Non Domestic -6,083 -3,238 -73,000 -54,750 -64,184 -9,434 6364 Inspection Fees Non Domestic -5,983 -2,417 -71,800 -53,850 -107,051 -53,201 6366 Inspection Fees Domestic -16,083 -23,451 -193,000 -144,749 -205,822 -61,073 6368 Building Notices -12,000 -8,344 -144,000 -108,000 -103,282 4,718 6369 Building Notices (AWS) -1,500 -3,114 -15,000 -10,500 -6,618 3,882 6370 Fees for Information -233 -300 -2,800 -2,100 -2,886 -786 6372 Property Certificates -10,885 -9,025 -130,620 -97,965 -119,868 -21,904 ======Totals For 2802 -64,843 -106,153 -833,442 -624,329 -782,539 -158,210

Page 4 of 5 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 15/01/2016 17:10

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

2803 Affordable Warmth Scheme

6422 Government Grants 0 0 -151,320 -113,421 -115,568 -2,147 ======Totals For 2803 0 0 -151,320 -113,421 -115,568 -2,147

======Building Control -64,843 -106,153 -984,762 -737,750 -898,107 -160,357

======Totals For Planning -64,843 -106,153 -984,762 -737,750 -898,107 -160,357

======-64,843 -106,153 -984,762 -737,750 -898,107 -160,357

======Grand Totals 46,179 2,449 387,997 201,526 -551 -202,077

Page 5 of 5 Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Appendix 1.2 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced Risk Assessment Form Completed by: R S Lawther Date completed: 15th December 2015

Risk Risk Assessment of Risk Risk Assessment of Residual Risk Responsible Review Number Control Frequency Impact Likelihood Risk Impact Likelihood Residual

Score Measure Risk Score 1 Potential failure to monitor, review and 4 3 12 CRR/1/15 4 2 8 CMT Monthly audit H & S and other legislative requirements which could result in serious injury or loss of one or more lives due to council negligence 2 Potential failure to implement codes of 4 2 8 CRR/2/15 4 1 4 CMT Monthly practice and legislation 3 Fraud and corruption 4 2 8 CRR/3/15 4 1 4 CMT Monthly

4 Loss of corporate image and 4 2 8 CRR/4/15 4 1 4 CMT Monthly reputation due to performance management culture not embedded within the Council 5 Failure to have effective Emergency and 3 3 9 CRR/6/15 3 2 6 CE Quarterly Business Continuity Plans 6 Potential failure to secure an appropriate 4 2 8 CRR/7/15 4 1 4 CMT Quarterly budget and adequate resources to meet office needs and demands for effective service delivery 7 Potential failure to prepare Community 4 3 12 CRR/8/15 4 2 8 CMT Monthly Plan in legislated timescale

Risk Risk Assessment of Risk Risk Assessment of Residual Risk Responsible Review Number Control Frequency Impact Likelihood Risk Impact Likelihood Residual

Score Measure Risk Score 8 Potential failure of Leachate 4 3 12 CRR//9/15 4 2 8 Director of Monthly Management Systems at former Landfill ES Sites 9 Failure to meet waste management 4 3 12 CRR/10/15 4 2 8 Director of Quarterly targets ES 10 Planning and Area Planning 4 3 12 CRR/11/15 4 2 8 Director of Monthly Development 11 ICT 4 4 16 CRR/12/15 4 3 12 Director of Monthly CS 12 Funding from Central Government and 4 3 12 CRR/13/15 3 3 9 CMT Quarterly other bodies 13 Income generation 3 3 9 CRR/14/15 2 3 6 CMT Quarterly

14 Information Security 4 3 12 CRR/15/15 4 2 8 Director of Quarterly CS

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 30th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/K Connelly

Risk Control Measure: CRR/1/15

Description: Potential failure to monitor, review and audit H & S and other legislative requirements which could result in serious injury or loss of one or more lives due to council negligence: • Buildings and equipment do not meet public H&S standards • Risk assessments are not kept up to date – or a new risk is not identified • Lack of systematic maintenance programme • Lack of ongoing investment • Lack of strategy to deal with ageing stock of buildings

One: Potential fatalities and serious injuries

Two: Prosecution – fines for body corporate and/ or fines/imprisonment for individual(s)

Three: Claims

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Foster a Customer (Citizen and Business) focused council, meeting the customer needs in an effective and efficient manner

Theme 3 Priorities - Place & Environment

• Create a positive, place to live work and visit and preserve the natural environment for the future • Deliver a high quality built environment with in an outstanding natural environment through planning and partnership with developers, builders, designers and the community and voluntary sectors

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

• We will provide a clean, healthy environment maintaining parks and open spaces, manage street cleaning and collect bins from the 48,000 householders it will serve • We are committed to promoting safe healthy communities and active lifestyles, wellbeing and independence of people and communities • We will promote the provision of accessible high quality children’s play opportunities

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

Existing Actions:

• Relevant and achievable Corporate Vision and Objectives produced • Effective and current business plans for all departments being produced and will be reviewed regularly • PR and marketing strategy in place • Effective recruiting and retention plans for correct professional and qualified staff, thorough induction and development procedures • Planned time-table of site surveys compiled and reviewed regularly for Council buildings, with remedial action scheduled as required • Identification, regular and on-going training of employees for risk management. • Regular and on-going training of relevant employees in Asbestos identification/management • Accident and Incident monitoring and reporting procedures in place • Corporate Health & Safety procedures in place to deal with operational risk issues such as Legionella, Asbestos and Fire • Fire Risk Assessments in place for all Council facilities • Health & Safety audits and risk assessments carried out • Management control systems in place • Training of staff in Health & Safety and risk assessment in place • Continued development and review of Corporate Health & Safety Management System, Policies and Procedures • Insurance review carried out of all Council buildings • Continuous review of legislative environment in conjunction with other Government bodies to inform estimates process and legislative requirements are met • Arrangements for the reporting of incidents, accidents and work based ill health in place • Display of Health and Safety information, tool box talks and awareness campaigns • Health & Safety Committee and sub committees established

New Actions:

• Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) reduction plans

O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head BC\Appendix 1 2 - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16.doc 29/01/2016 14:14 - 4 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced • Review of policies to deal with operational issues such as Legionella, Asbestos and fire safety • PR plan to be developed to deal with serious incidents • Budgetary control on property income and expenditure • Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) Programme to be reviewed • Regular inspection and maintenance contracts in some areas • Training / CPD for staff • Produce Estate Strategy for L&CCC assets • Continued development & enhancement of current safety management system • Continue Health & Safety audits of safety management culture within the Council as part of rolling planned programme • Health and well-being support plan being developed • Risk Management process, procedure and training for assessors to be put in place • Employees consulted about Health and Safety issues through Safety Rep inspections, Safety Rep Meetings and reports to Health and Safety Committee • Arrangements for trained first aiders to be put in place • New web based health and safety recording, reporting, monitoring and auditing to be introduced • Health and Safety reports quarterly standing item at CMT

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 15th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther

Risk Control Measure: CRR/2/15

Description: Failure to implement Codes of Practice and Legislation

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities

• Lead on Community Planning to develop and implement a shared vision for the area

Theme 3 Priorities - Place & Environment

• Develop and deliver an Area Plan that maximizes the assets and advantages of our unique , regionally valuable City • Produce a Council Sustainable Development strategy which takes account of Economic, Environmental and Social indicators across the new area

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Provide strong Governance with clear purpose and focus; and effective and accountable decision-making

Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 2 Likelihood 1 Impact 4 Impact 4 Overall Rating 8 Overall Rating 4 Officer Risk Owner: Corporate Management Team Overall Responsibility: Corporate Management Team Target Date: Ongoing

Existing Actions:

• Regular and on-going review of Employee Relations internal policies/procedures in compliance with annual Business Plans • Continuously review the training requirements of all staff in line with CPD and legislation • Compliance with legislative/Codes of Practice updates/reviews • Codes of Conduct in place • Child Protection Policy in place • Ensure codes of practice concerning community services matters are in place and that all staff is aware of it, for example, Child Protection • Corporate IT Security Policy • Freedom of Information Publication Scheme • Whistle Blowing Policy in place • Data Protection Policy in place

New Actions:

• Horizon Scanning – CMT/Heads • Decision making report templates – implications of legislation • Develop expertise in specific professional areas e.g. Planning • Audit plan e.g. data protection • Specific training: DPA; FOI; Health and Safety • Consultation timeline and mapping of legislation implementation

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Corporate Services

Date of Risk Review: 15th November2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/ L Scott

Risk Control Measure: CRR/3/15

Description: Fraud and corruption

One: Do not have effective budgetary and internal control system in place

Two: Breakdown of Internal financial processes and controls which could lead to:

• Suppliers may submit fraudulent invoices • Staff may abuse systems for personal gain

Corporate Objective:

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Provide strong Governance with clear purpose and focus; and effective and • accountable decision-making

• Be an open, honest and accountable council with transparency about our spending and performance; we will publish regular, up-to-date and relevant information, with established channels for questions and feedback and information for residents, local businesses and voluntary organisations

Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 2 Likelihood 1 Impact 4 Impact 4 Overall Rating 8 Overall Rating 4 Officer Risk Owner: Director of Corporate Services Overall Responsibility: Council Target Date: Ongoing Proposed Actions to deal with risk:

Existing Actions

• Internal/External audit, fraud and corruption policy, whistleblowing policy in place • Prudential Code and Treasury Management Strategies • Review and update as necessary policies and procedures • Monthly Management accounts to Corporate Services Committee • Monthly budgetary control meeting with Directors and HOS • Certificates of Assurance on Internal Control signed annually by Directors & HOS

New Actions: • Review of Accounting Manual • Study of Internal and external audit taking place

Risk Action Plan Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 1st December 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/K-A McKibbin

Risk Control Measure: CRR/4/15

Description: Loss of corporate image and reputation due to performance management culture not embedded within the Council

One: Risk of legal action or sanction if Council does not carry through performance initiatives

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Foster a Customer (Citizen and Business) focused council, meeting the customer needs in an effective and efficient manner

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies • Ensure we meet the needs of the community through an outcomes and ‘evidenced based approach’

Mitigating Factors:

• Code of Conduct for Members and staff in place • Performance targets assigned from Local Government

Existing Actions:

• Relevant and achievable Corporate Vision and Objectives in place • Effective business plans being developed and will be reviewed regularly

New Actions:

• Performance Management Framework being developed • Bespoke Performance Management System purchased • Performance Management System to be implemented • Training to be provided to all relevant staff on new Performance Management System • Local Government Performance Improvement Sub Group (Chaired By LCCC CE) being established • Budget monitoring to be reinforced • Human Resources support for organisational change, workforce development and developing leadership capacity being developed under workforce planning to mitigate this risk • Internal and External Audit programme to be developed • Reports on budget pressures identify issues and risks for management and political review • CMT monitor budget pressures quarterly • Training of staff to develop their potential being developed • APSE Performance Networks • Benchmarking at Service Level • Achievement of Quality Accreditations

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Chief Executives Office

Date of Risk Review: 30th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/K Connelly

Risk Control Measure: CRR/5/15

Risk Description: Failure to have effective Emergency and Business Continuity Plans

Corporate Objective:

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Provide strong Governance with clear purpose and focus; and effective and accountable decision-making • Focus on affordability and financial planning to provide financial assurance and accountability by driving down costs and waste, ensuring efficiency not avoidance and finding ways to increase income opportunities. • Be an open, honest and accountable council with transparency about our spending and performance; we will publish regular, up-to- date and relevant information, with established channels for questions and feedback and information for residents, local businesses and voluntary organisations • To provide value for money services that will enhance the quality of life to our residents and target local needs

Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 3 Likelihood 2 Impact 3 Impact 3 Overall Rating 9 Overall Rating 6 Officer Risk Owner: BCM/EP Officer Name of Responsible Officer: Chief Executive Target Date: Quarterly Proposed Actions to deal with risk:

Mitigating Factors:

• Predecessor Councils had plans in place to deal with EP and BCM • Legislation has not yet been enacted for Emergency planning • Potential failure of ICT Systems that are outside Council control

Existing Actions:

• Emergency Plan in place • Having appropriate committee/council approval for these plan

New Actions:

• Carry out departmental and corporate reviews of BC plans and production of draft BCP by November 2015 • Imbed EP and BCM into Council by training and awareness • Establish Risk and Business Continuity Plan • Regularly review plans to take considerations of changing external influences • Communicate to staff EP and BC plans • Cross train staff to enable them to cover other posts with particular attention to critical services • Establish organised and comprehensive communication on both a top- down and bottom up basis in respect of management/employees e.g. Quarterly Corporate Management Meetings, Monthly Team Meetings and Employee Consultative Committee, Staff bulletins • Test the EP and BCP. Programme of departmental BC and EP exercises each year to being developed • Align BCP with risk management processes • Update Disaster Recovery plans post migration to new data centre and implementation of server virtualisation and data storage solutions • Specific ICT BCP to be produced • Pandemic flu plan to be reviewed and exercised in New Year • Flooding emergency plan being reviewed • Information and guidance to local business on business continuity planning – web site development • Intranet development for Business Continuity and Emergency Planning information

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/L Scott

Risk Control Measure: CRR/6/15

Description: Potential failure to secure an appropriate budget and adequate resources to meet departmental needs and demands for effective service delivery

One: Staff structure required to deliver efficiency savings and service changes, due to resource pressures

Two: Service Review and Improvement plan to deliver more effective services

Three: Expenditure incurred where no budgetary provision exists

Four: Failure to ensure the procurement process provides best value, resulting in reduced levels of service provision and increased costs

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community & Culture

• Foster a Customer (Citizen and Business) focused council, meeting the customer needs in an effective and efficient manner

Theme 2 Priorities – Strong and sustainable economy and Growth

• Engage with regional, national and European organisations to attract and optimise funding opportunities to support the area

Theme 3 Priorities – Place & Environment

• Create a positive, place to live work and visit and preserve the natural environment for the future • Promote sustainable development though planning, policy and action

Theme 4 Priorities – Health and Well-being

• We are committed to promoting safe healthy communities and active lifestyles, wellbeing and independence of people and communities • We will actively promote a more physically active and healthier community • We will work with Partners with the aim of improving health and well-being for residents

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head BC\Appendix 1 2 - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16.doc 29/01/2016 14:14 - 14 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies • Focus on affordability and financial planning to provide financial assurance and accountability by driving down costs and waste; ensuring efficiency not avoidance and finding ways to increase income opportunities

Existing Actions • Clear financial procedure rules setting out roles and responsibilities for budget management are in place • Full financial monitoring processes are in place for month 3 to 11 of the financial year including achievement of budget savings • Monthly meetings are held between finance and directors. Regular review of General Reserves • 4 year budget to improve forecasting and planning • Review income streams to finance priority services • Annual review of council tax requirements • Capital Strategy and Asset Management plan in place • Asset Management Group review Asset Management Plan • Capital Programme Project Board monthly review of major schemes • Risk assessment included in project planning • Monthly Treasury Management meetings to assess the Council’s existing investments and consider future opportunities available • Monthly budget monitoring procedure, which give a more rounded picture of the Council’s financial picture • Quarterly budget monitoring report to CMT to include usage figures for services that are most effected by the current economic climate (through reduced income streams) so that trends can be identified • Improved information available from Financial Management System • Protocol for application and approval of grants and external contributions

New Actions:

• Review Procurement Framework and Associated Documents • Scheme of Delegation • Requirement to implement emergency measures to reduce spending during the financial year • Requirement to drawdown from General Reserves at the year end

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Chief Executive Office

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/ C McWhirter

Risk Control Measure: CRR/7/15

Risk Description: Community Plan

One. Failure to prepare Community Plan in legislated timescale

Two: Failure to demonstrate inclusivity in the delivery of Community Plan including Partnerships not managed effectively and key service outcomes not achieved

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Provide a council which effectively engages with stakeholders to understand critical issues, making the council part of the community • Lead on Community Planning to develop and implement a shared vision for the area • Support and promote Community Development and nurture a shared civic identity, ensuring people-centred services that enables our community/ voluntary sector to play an active role in shaping and developing their communities and place • Promote and nurture a shared civic identity process to strengthen personal, social and economic wellbeing and to enhance the lives of people who work, live and socialise within the council area

Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 3 Likelihood 2 Impact 4 Impact 4 Overall Rating 12 Overall Rating 8 Officer Risk Owner: Community Planning Manager Name of Responsible Officer: CMT Target Date: Monthly Proposed Actions to deal with risk:

Mitigating Factors:

• Failure of the government departments to introduce legislation • Inadequate budget to facilitate service delivery when the scope of the service is unknown • Contrary objectives of statutory partners

Existing Actions:

• Partnership workshops • Officer workshops • Budget allocated and in place • Work-plan • Regular reporting to G&A and CMT • Development of Community Engagement Strategy • Draft Engagement Strategy out for consultation • Liaison with key customer groupings • Host community engagement events in July & August • Host Community Planning conference in October 2015 • Establishment of a NISRA statistician

New Actions:

• Produce feedback from community consultations for G&A and community • Formalise the partnership by March 2016 • Agree data sharing protocol in January 2016 • Regular meetings with Chief Executive, CMT and statutory and support partners • Evaluate budget and resource needs • Agree Partnership Engagement Strategy by October/November 2015 • Liaise with Equality Officer, Good Relations Officer and all other Council Departments, partner agencies and G&A to ensure inclusivity • Develop Single Outcome Agreement Delivery Plans

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Environmental Services

Date of Risk Review: 30th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/A Reynolds

Risk Control Measure: CRR/8/15

Description: Failure of Leachate Management Systems at former Landfill Site

One: Failure of Containment of System

Two: Withdrawal of insurance Cover for pre-existing condition

Three: Refusal of NIW to accept Leachate for treatment at NIW treatment works

Four: Fines due to failure to comply with requirements of retrospective application of Article 13 of Landfill Directive

Five: Failure to secure adequate level of resources to carry out functions and services

Six: To avoid any penalties, the Council must incur additional landfill site engineering and aftercare costs; at this stage, no reliable estimate can be made of the additional costs but they are likely to be significant.

Corporate Objective:

Theme 3 Priorities - Place & Environment

• Increase rates of recycling, reduce energy consumption and promote sustainable outcomes by working with residents and businesses

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

• We are committed to promoting safe healthy communities and active lifestyles, wellbeing and independence of people and communities

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 3 Likelihood 2 Impact 4 Impact 4 Overall Rating 12 Overall Rating 8 Officer Risk Owner: Director of Environmental Services O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head BC\Appendix 1 2 - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16.doc 29/01/2016 14:14 - 19 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced Overall Responsibility: Environmental Services Committee Target Date: Monthly Proposed Actions to deal with risk:

Mitigating Factors:

• Consultants employed to undertake closure plan for Drumlough and Moss Road closed landfill site • Closure plan to be submitted to NIEA on completion • Review annually and continue to negotiate with Insurance Company

Existing Actions:

• Reduce Leachate levels, monitoring regime in place and results need to be discussed with Council insurance company as part of annual review procedures • Research further on site treatment methods, negotiate with NIW for extension, if required • Consultants to continue with monitoring and technical work to support development of final closure plan, • Review the provision for aftercare costs once the consultants have completed the final closure plan, now expected to be ready in Spring 2016 • Disclosure in the annual financial statements of the issue, provision and contingent liability • A PR plan has been produced to mitigate against adverse publicity • Closure plan for Moss Road not yet in draft as statutory works still ongoing

New Actions:

• New contract advertised at end of contract to continue leachate removal and to provide option of leachate removal over 100m3 max by NI Water. • Keep resources under review and secure any necessary additional resources during estimates process • Research further on site treatment methods, negotiate with NIW for extension, if required

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Environmental Services

Date of Risk Review: 30th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/A Reynolds

Risk Control Measure: CRR/9/15

Description: Waste Management

One: Failure to meet waste management targets

Two: Failure to correctly dispose of waste

Three: Requirement for Contingent Liability provision in relation to the Arc21 Residual Waste Treatment Project

Corporate Objective:

Theme 3 Priorities - Place & Environment

• Increase rates of recycling, reduce energy consumption and promote sustainable outcomes by working with residents and businesses • Produce a Council Sustainable Development strategy which takes account of Economic, Environmental and Social indicators across the new area

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

• We will provide a clean, healthy environment maintaining parks and open spaces, manage street cleaning and collect bins from the 48,000 householders it will serve

• We are committed to promoting safe healthy communities and active lifestyles, wellbeing and independence of people and communities

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies

Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 3 Likelihood 2 Impact 4 Impact 4 Overall Rating 12 Overall Rating 8 Officer Risk Owner: Director of Environmental Services Overall Responsibility: Environmental Committee

Mitigating Factors:

• Procurement process and rules • Availability of resources

Existing Actions:

• Through ARC 21 Joint Committee, ensure the implementation of the Waste Management Plan • Monitor waste management performance against targets at three monthly intervals • Ensure implementation of waste management legislation, guidance and best practice • Development and implementation of waste diversion schemes and initiatives • Targeted communications, initiatives and educational programs • Augment waste management activities with Elected Member meetings and briefings • Waste activities operated within regulatory framework • Effective procurement of waste management operations, activities, and contract management • Acting as appropriate with regard to notifications received from Northern Ireland Environment Agency regarding enforcement action being taken against waste operators • ARC21 to continue with management/governance of the RWTP in accordance with its terms of reference and ensure that due process is exercised at all times with the necessary approvals being obtained

New Actions:

• Through ARC 21 Joint Committee, ensure that the Waste Management Plan is maintained, reviewed and updated as Councils and others require and in line with regulatory framework • Keep up-to-date with changes in relevant legislation and impact on waste management operations and activities • Maximise waste diversion opportunities at kerbside and through Household Recycling Centres and Bring Site locations • Establish a Waste Harmonisation and Development Project Steering Group. • The Council to continue to make provision for any potential contingent liability risk within its reserves • Review operational business case and value for money of residual waste provision • Review project risk register for Residual Waste Treatment Plant

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Development and Planning Directorate

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/B Elliot

Risk Control Measure: CRR/10/15

Description: Planning and area planning

One: Failure to deliver planning in partnership with key stakeholders

Two: Develop good service delivery and process improvements • Technical/IT problems and process issues • Reduced operational performance and negative impact on performance targets due to performance of Planning Portal • Lack of procedural guidance and control mechanisms to manage system operations • Problems with public access to Planning Portal NI • Potential failure to meet statutory obligations • Potential failure to deliver Customer Service in terms of proper handling of Complaints, FOI/EIR requests and General correspondence

Three: Potential failure to secure the orderly and consistent development of land by: • Failing to deliver the LCCC Local Development Plan • Failing to determine planning applications • Failing to regulate unauthorized development • Failing to reduce legacy applications

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Through Planning/ Land use/ local development Planning, identify and safeguard adequate land for economic and industry development • Engage with regional, national and European organisations to attract and optimise funding opportunities to support the area • Deliver Regeneration projects that are in the pipeline including the Castlereagh Urban Integrated Development Framework and the Lisburn city Centre Master Plan • Develop a sustainable Rural Economic Development plan with our strategic partners. This will be achieved through the expansion & promotion of the district’s indigenous rural business sectors with a coordinated focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and the development of new market opportunities • Rural Development initiatives will also continue to showcase the region’s rich rural heritage, develop the area’s rural tourism sector and generate additional visitor spend through the exploitation of the council district’s strategic location

Theme 3 Priorities – Place & Environment

• Develop and deliver an Area Plan that maximizes the assets and advantages of our unique , regionally valuable City • Create a positive, place to live work and visit and preserve the natural environment for the future • Promote sustainable development though planning, policy and action • Develop and implement strategies to retain the unique character of our centres, villages and towns through Planning / land use / local development planning • Deliver a high quality built environment with in an outstanding natural environment through planning and partnership with community and voluntary sectors • Strengthen civic pride through common sense policies, which strike a balance between making the area accessible to all and protecting our environment and management of waste • Produce a Council Sustainable Development strategy which takes account of Economic, Environmental and Social indicators across the new area

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

• We will provide a clean, healthy environment maintaining parks and open spaces, manage street cleaning and collect bins from the 48,000 householders it will serve

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies

Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 3 Likelihood 2 Impact 4 Impact 4 Overall Rating 12 Overall Rating 8 Officer Risk Owner: Senior Planning Officer Overall Responsibility: Director of Development and Planning Target Date: Reviewed Monthly Proposed Actions to deal with risk:

Mitigating Factors: • Strategies developed (such as the Planning Enforcement Strategy) to deal with particular areas of concern • Fully utilize Departmental Practice Notes/Guidance for agents/public/stakeholders on new elements of the Development Plan and Development Management systems • Protocol for operation of planning committee and Scheme of Delegation • Ultimate responsibility for functionality of Planning Portal NI up to 2019 rests with DOE

Existing Actions • Active Management of the Local Development Plan process at key stages of preparation in accordance with the prepared Timetable • Active Management of the Development Management caseload including meeting statutory targets and monitoring the processing of applications • Active Management of Enforcement caseload including meeting statutory targets and monitoring cases • Active involvement in stakeholder engagement across Council, with Members through Planning Committee, and externally through PADs • Ongoing service integration across other Council units including Building Control, Continue logging I.T issues in accordance with established procedures • When required escalate issues that are not being resolved to the Council’s satisfaction • Raise issues through appropriate channels as necessary e.g. Working Group Forums and Chief Executive’s meetings • Environmental Health and Economic Development

New Actions:

• To progress to next key stage of the Local Development Plan following preparatory stage • To deal with the potential increase in the number of applications by ensuring adequate resources are available • Meet key performance indicators and develop monthly reporting mechanisms to review performance and enhance service delivery • Publication of the Statement of Community Involvement outlining opportunity for stakeholder participation • Review of Protocol for operation of planning committee and Scheme of Delegation as required O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head BC\Appendix 1 2 - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16.doc 29/01/2016 14:14 - 25 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced • Explore with other Council’s the future operational I.T requirements post 2019 (Planning Portal in place for 4 years post RPA) • Consider introduction of new procedures to assist with improved service delivery

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project:

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/ L Scott

Risk Control Measure: CRR/11/15

Description: ICT

One: ICT strategy fails to support the organisation moving forward

Two: Systems not rate payer and customer friendly

Three:Systems are not successfully integrated with one and other

Four: Drain on resources as staff work around the systems

Five : Over reliance on outsourced provision

Corporate Objective:

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Create a new Organisation which will embrace not just a merger but a holistic organisation with an emphasis on all our customers and customer experience • Engage, develop and empower our staff, providing in equal measure support and challenge to provide the best and most effective staff in delivery of services • Provide staff with the skills and knowledge and the attitudes and behaviours that support the service and the authority • Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies • Communicate effectively both internally and externally while harnessing technology to improve how we engage with all stakeholders

Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 4 Likelihood 3 Impact 4 Impact 4 Overall Rating 16 Overall Rating 12 Officer Risk Owner: Director of Corporate Services Overall Responsibility: Corporate Management Team Target Date: Reviewed Monthly

• Customer Feedback Process in place • Business Continuity Management being developed • Network design resilience being developed

New Actions:

• Existing ICT budget spend focused on dealing with critical issues, capital and revenue budget resource provided in current year to address major issues, medium term financial plan investment programme in place for subsequent years • IT Strategy to be updated for the new Council • Spending complete for renewal/upgrade of highest risk items, in particular firewalls, core servers/switches and external bandwidth • Storage Area Network Capacity Maximized through effective archiving solution • Due to mitigation actions so far to reduce the risk, the risk of critical service downtime has been reduced to medium • Research future solutions for IT provision

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project:

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther

Risk Control Measure: CRR/12/15

Description: Funding from Central Government and other bodies

One: A major reduction in public sector funding, including consequences of changes in funding arrangements for other bodies

Two: Impact on balancing the budget – significant change and financial savings required

Three: New policies and regulations place a major financial burden on the Council

Four: Change in monetary direction of National and Regional Government

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Working in partnership, maximise the economic contribution into the Council area by attracting spend from inward investors and visitors as well as residents

Theme 2 Priorities - Strong and sustainable economy and Growth

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

• We are committed, both directly and in partnership with local organisations and clubs, to encouraging local residents to participate in regular physical activity and sport including through provision of quality facilities as well as pathways to support sports development • We will actively promote a more physically active and healthier community • We will work with Partners with the aim of improving health and well-being for residents Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 3 Likelihood 3 Impact 4 Impact 3 Overall Rating 12 Overall Rating 9 Officer Risk Owner: Corporate Management Team Overall Responsibility: Council Target Date: Reviewed Monthly Proposed Actions to deal with risk:

Mitigating Factors:

Existing Actions:

• Holistic approach to economic development and regeneration Maximise funding levered in from external • sources to support economic development • Actions to improve current income streams • Actions to attract new income streams • Targeted Investment in specific areas /initiatives

New Actions:

• Initial assessment of grant funding for a particular project as part of budget approval process, to include future revenue requirements • where applicable so an assessment can be made at the outset whether the Council wants to go forward with the project and commit to • mainstreaming it once the external funding comes to a close • Transferring in Functions in terms of Finance, which now is not “rates neutral”. Work is ongoing collectively as new councils to try to obtain corrective action from the various Government Departments • Development of a five year Rates Strategy that will facilitate greater financial planning and highlight the resources available both internally and externally.

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther

Risk Control Measure: CRR/13/15

Description: Income Generation

One: Significant reduction of income streams and external funding, or significant change in project or service development resulting in insufficient funding in place

Two: Collapse in regional markets leading to loss of income

Three: Low economic growth or recession reduces income and impacts on balancing the budget – significant change and financial savings required

Four: Under-utilisation of assets

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Working in partnership, maximize the economic contribution into the Council area by attracting spend from inward investors and visitors as well as residents

Theme 2 Priorities - Strong and sustainable economy and Growth

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head BC\Appendix 1 2 - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16.doc 29/01/2016 14:14 - 31 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced

Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 3 Likelihood 3 Impact 3 Impact 2 Overall Rating 9 Overall Rating 6 Officer Risk Owner: Corporate Management Team Overall Responsibility: Council Target Date: Reviewed Monthly Proposed Actions to deal with risk:

Mitigating Factors:

• National and Local Government policy outside the influence of Council • Government welfare reform could potentially have a disproportionate impact on the poorest and most vulnerable members of society • Decline in income streams lends to insufficient funds to maintain current service levels and therefore erosion of reserves and savings required • Income reduced because of economic downturn e.g. Planning application income and Car Park income

Existing Actions:

• Protocol for application and approval of grants and external contributions • Failure to undertake preventative maintenance especially with regards to Health & Safety obligations and changes identified from Regulatory Reform Fire Risk Assessment reviews • Implementation of local development plans • Holistic approach to economic development and regeneration • Maximise funding levered in from external sources to support economic development • Actions to improve current income streams • Actions to attract new income streams • Targeted Investment in specific areas/initiatives

New Actions:

• Monthly review of income streams via budget monitoring and quarterly review by CMT to include usage figures for services that are most effected by the current economic climate (through reduced income streams) so that trends can be identified • Quarterly report to G&A Committee of significant variances from the approved

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther

Risk Control Measure: CRR/14/15

Description: Information Security

One: Sensitive and/or personal data is sent to the incorrect recipient or not kept securely, or is lost

Two: Failure to encrypt all portable devices. Equipment loss or theft could lead to the organisation being compromised and / or fined by the Information commissioner

Three: Failure to adequately structure and protect data in shared filing to reflect various organisational changes

Four: Communication on social media which has an adverse effect on Council reputation

Five: Shared filing is not fully owned / managed by the business and sensitive data may be accessible to those who should not be able to access it and could be leaked / used inappropriately

Corporate Objective:

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies externally while harnessing technology to improve how we engage with all stakeholders • Be an open, honest and accountable council with transparency about our spending and performance; we will publish regular, up-to-date and relevant information, with established channels for questions and feedback and information for residents, local businesses and voluntary organisations

Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 3 Likelihood 2 Impact 4 Impact 4 Overall Rating 12 Overall Rating 8 Officer Risk Owner: Director of Corporate Services Overall Responsibility: Corporate Management Team Target Date: Reviewed Monthly

Existing Actions

• ICT service plans continue to address data security issues relative to new ways of working • Regularly remind all managers and employees of their responsibilities for the use of and security of data • Avoid using mobile devices to store or process sensitive or personal data • Encrypt laptops and data sticks when they are used to store or process sensitive or personal data • Proper disposal of confidential waste in place • Data Protection Policy in place • Freedom of Information Publication Scheme in place

New Actions:

• Develop protocol for use of social media for staff • Develop a corporate index of databases maintained for use by Service areas • Introduction of a single corporate register of the data held by the Council stating who is responsible for collecting and sharing the information. Categorised by use type, e.g. operational/performance/knowledge. This would reduce duplication. • Introduction of Data ‘Champions’ to provide and share data and give advice to those responsible for using it to inform decision making • Establish data sharing protocols with partners • Develop corporate use of GIS • Complete review of IT Security Policy including Process, Procedure and Staff Awareness Training

REPORT BY MR COLIN DUFF, HEAD OF SERVICE (BUILDING CONTROL)

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The purpose of this report is to set out for Members’ consideration a number of recommendations specifically relating to the operation of the new Council.

The following decisions are required: 1. To approve the naming of the proposed development in the Old Mill Grove area of Dundonald 2. To approve the names of the proposed development off Meeting Street in Moira 3. To note information regarding Building Control Applications - Full Plan Applications and Regularisation Certificates 4. To note information regarding Department of Finance and Personnel – Completion Notice Ready Report to Land and Property Services 5. To note information regarding Department for Social Development – Affordable Warmth Project 6. To note report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill issued by the Committee for Social Development

ITEMS FOR DECISION

1. STREET NAMING AT OLD MILL GROVE, DUNDONALD

Ballyoran Developments has proposed the name for a development that consists of 6 dwellings in the Old Mill area of Dundonald. Ballyoran Developments has proposed the following street names:

• 1st preference of Meadowview Avenue, and • 2nd preference of Meadowview Park.

The development layout is attached in APPENDIX 1 BC for Members information. This request meets with the requirements of the Councils Street Naming Policy in satisfying, ‘the geographical or topographical link to the characteristics of the area’.

No objections to these proposals have been received from consultees.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the name Meadowview Avenue, be allocated to the proposed development in the Old Mill Grove area of Dundonald.

2. STREET NAMING OFF MEETING STREET, MOIRA.

DLT Construction has proposed the names for a development that consists of 66 dwellings located off Meeting Street in Moira. DLT Construction has proposed the following street names:

• 1st preference of Dillon Green and Dillon Mews • 2nd preference of Moy Park and Moy Mews

The development layout is attached in APPENDIX 2 BC for Members information. DLT Construction has provided information to support their proposals in satisfying the requirements of the Councils Street Naming Policy.

No objections to these proposals have been received from consultees.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the names Dillon Green and Dillon Mews be allocated to the proposed development off Meeting Street in Moira.

ITEMS FOR NOTING

3. BUILDING CONTROL APPLICATIONS – FULL PLAN APPLICATIONS AND REGULARISATION CERTIFICATES

For the period 12th December 2015 to 11th January 2016, 146 Full Plan Applications were ‘Approved’ and 19 Regularisation Certificates issued in accordance with the powers delegated.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee note this information.

4. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL – COMPLETION NOTICE READY REPORT TO LAND AND PROPERTY SERVICES

The completion notice ready report for the period 12th December 2015 to 11th January 2016 returned to the DFPNI, Land and Property Services indicated that a total of 23 properties have been identified as having reached occupiable status.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee note this information.

5. DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (DSD) – AFFORDABLE WARMTH PROJECT

Home Assessment Officers within the Building Control Service in the month of December 2015 have visited 30 dwellings for the Affordable Warmth Scheme and made 30 referrals for home improvements to the NIHE. The team also made 3 referrals to the ‘Make the Call’ team.

The above statistics reflect the Councils Affordable Warmth team’s new and enhanced role within the scheme, with the primary emphasis on revisiting those referrals already made to NIHE, but as yet unprocessed. The Councils drive is to help as many as possible through the complicated financial eligibility checks and encourage a high number of residents to proceed to having improvement measures carried out.

At a previous Committee meeting Members raised concerns over the capacity of the NI Housing Executive in fulfilling its role in the scheme. Members will find a letter from Council to the DSD enquiring as to this matter and their subsequent response attached as APPENDIX 3 BC.

Members have also enquired as to the DSD’s ability to use the allocated Affordable Warmth budget this financial year. I copy a link to the latest Committee for Social Development meeting, held on 7th where the DSD officers indicate the full budget will be spent or committed this financial year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RFtdecONKw

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee note this information.

6. DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (DSD) HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL REPORT

Members will recall previous meetings where this matter was reported to the Committee for noting.

The Committee for Social Development on 7th January 2016, printed a report that includes their conclusions and recommendations on the Bill and is attached in Appendix 4 BC for the information of Members.

I would draw Members attention to the Executive Summary on page 6 and in particular points 8 to 11. The Committee recognised that whilst this particular Bill may not be the appropriate mechanism to enable the sharing of certain central government information with Councils, they expressed concerns that there was a, ‘potential missed opportunity for a joined up approach to information-sharing’.

This is reflected in the Recommendations 1 and 2 on page 9 of the report where it is indicated that the new Department for Communities should consider the matter further.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Members note the content of the report.

COLIN DUFF HEAD OF SERVICE (BUILDING CONTROL) 25 January 2016

APPENDIX 4 BC

Committee for Social Development

Report on the Housing (Amendment)

Bill

(NIA Bill 58/11-16)

Together with the Minutes of Proceedings, Minutes of Evidence, Memoranda and Submissions relating to the Report

Ordered by the Committee for Social Development to be printed 07 January 2016

This report is the property of the Committee for Social Development. Neither the report nor its contents should be disclosed to any person unless such disclosure is authorised by the Committee.

Mandate 2011/16 Fourteenth Report - NIA 269/11-16

Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Powers and Membership The Committee for Social Development is a Statutory Departmental Committee established in accordance with paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Belfast Agreement, section 29 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and under Standing Order 48.

The Committee has power to:

. consider and advise on Departmental budgets and annual plans in the context of the overall budget allocation;

. consider relevant secondary legislation and take the Committee Stage of primary legislation;

. call for persons and papers;

. initiate inquires and make reports; and

. consider and advise on any matters brought to the Committee by the Minister for Social Development.

The Committee has 11 members including a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and a quorum of 5. The membership of the Committee since 23 May 2011 has been as follows:

Mr Alex Maskey (Chairperson)

Mr Fra McCann21 (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Jim Allister7

Mr Roy Beggs14

Ms Paula Bradley1

Mr Gregory Campbell3

Mr Stewart Dickson11

Mr Sammy Douglas8,12,13,15,16,17

Mr Phil Flanagan22

Mrs Dolores Kelly10

Mr Adrian McQuillan19,20, 23

2 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

1 With effect from 20 February 2012 Ms Paula Bradley replaced Mr Gregory Campbell

2 With effect from 26 March 2012 Mr Alastair Ross replaced Mr Sammy Douglas

3 With effect from 01 October 2012 Mr Gregory Campbell replaced Mr Alex Easton

4 With effect from 01 October 2012 Mr Sammy Douglas replaced Mr Alastair Ross

5 With effect from 11 February 2013 Mr Sydney Anderson replaced Mr Sammy Douglas

6 With effect from 07 May 2013 Mr Sammy Douglas replaced Mr Sydney Anderson

7 With effect from 09 September 2013 Mr Jim Allister replaced Mr David McClarty

8 With effect from 16 September 2013 Mr Trevor Clarke replaced Ms Pam Cameron

9 With effect from 16 September 2013 Mr Sammy Wilson replaced Mr Sammy Douglas

10 With effect from 30 September 2013 Mrs Dolores Kelly replaced Mr Mark H Durkan

11 With effect from 01 October 2013 Mr Stewart Dickson replaced Mrs Judith Cochrane

12 With effect from 06 October 2014 Mr Sammy Douglas replaced Mr Trevor Clarke

13 With effect from 17 November 2014 Mr Maurice Devenney replaced Mr Sammy Douglas

14 With effect from 09 February 2015 Mr Roy Beggs replaced Mr Michael Copeland

15 With effect from 25 March 2015 Mr Maurice Devenney retired as a Member

16 With effect from 20 April 2015 Mr Gary Middleton was appointed as a Member to the committee

17 With effect from 18 May 2015 Mr Sammy Douglas replaced Mr Gary Middleton

18 With effect from 03 June 2015 Mr Mickey Brady resigned as a Member

19 With effect from 29 July 2015 Mr Sammy Wilson resigned as a Member

20 With effect from 07 September 2015 Mr Gordon Lyons was appointed as a Member to the Committee

21 With effect from 08 September 2015 Mr Fra McCann was appointed as Deputy Chairperson to the Committee

22 With effect from 14 September 2015 Mr Phil Flanagan was appointed as a Member to the Committee

23 With effect from 05 October 2015 Mr Adrian McQuillan replaced Mr Gordon Lyons 3 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

List of Abbreviations used in the Report

CIHNI/ CIH Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland

DFP The Department of Finance & Personnel

DSD The Department for Social Development

ECHR European Convention on Human Rights

Helm Helm Housing

ICO Information Commissioner’s Office

LANI Landlords’ Association for Northern Ireland

NIFHA Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations

NIHE Northern Ireland Housing Executive

NIHRC The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

NILGA Northern Ireland Local Government Association

SCNI Supporting Communities NI

4 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Table of Contents

Executive Summary and Recommendations 6 Introduction 10 Consideration of the Bill 13 Clause-by-Clause Scrutiny 28 Links to Appendices 31

5 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Executive Summary and Recommendations

1. The Housing (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Assembly on 30 June 2015, and encompasses three key areas. These are:

. Sharing of information relating to empty properties;

. Disclosure of information relating to anti-social behaviour; and

. Registration as statutory charge of certain loans.

2. The political situation in September/October 2015 meant that it was unclear when the Second Stage of the bill would take place.

3. Noting the potential impact on the time the Committee for Social Development (the Committee) would have to consider the bill as a result of this delay, the Committee agreed to proceed with oral evidence sessions in advance of the bill reaching Second Stage and being formally referred to the Committee.

4. During Committee Stage members considered the issues raised in evidence sessions with assistance from the Department for Social Development (DSD/the Department), conducted its clause-by-clause consideration of the bill on 10 December 2015 and agreed its report on 7 January 2016.

5. Over the course of briefings and evidence sessions, a number of issues in relation to the bill were raised by both stakeholders and members of the Committee. These were:

. The scope of information-sharing in relation to empty properties and in particular, extending the provisions of clause 1 to housing associations, private landlords and councils;

. Accessing and sharing information in order to identify empty properties including that from the Land Registry and utility companies;

. The appropriateness of the information-sharing provisions of clause 2 which relate to anti-social behaviour and related definitions;

. The lack of compulsion on social landlords to disclose information related to anti-social behaviour;

6 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

. The potential need for an indemnity in respect of defamation as a result of sharing information on anti-social behaviour; and

. Guidance relating to the bill to be provided and placed on a statutory basis.

6. Stakeholders were broadly supportive of clause 1 which relates to sharing of information relating to empty properties in order to assist with the delivery of the Empty Homes Strategy however there was some debate around the scope of the clause.

7. The Committee was content that the Department had sufficiently addressed the issue of not including housing associations and private landlords in the drafting of the bill as relevant information to assist in the delivery of the Empty Homes Strategy will be provided by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) as appropriate.

8. The Committee was content that the Department had sufficiently addressed the issue of not extending information-sharing to councils under clause 1, acknowledging that data protection requires that information sharing must align with the purpose of the bill.

9. The Committee accepted that councils do not have a role in delivering the Empty Homes Strategy and therefore amending the bill to include councils in information-sharing under this clause would not be for the purpose of delivering this strategy.

10. The Committee agreed with the Department that, if councils required such an information-sharing provision in relation to empty homes, that this should be made in local government legislation rather than housing legislation.

11. Members did however express a concern that there has been a potential missed opportunity for a joined up approach to information-sharing and agreed this should be considered by the new Department for Communities which will have responsibility for local government.

12. The Committee is of the view that there may be benefit in the Department exploring options for establishing information-sharing protocols with utility companies within the current legislative provisions in order to identify the addresses of empty properties which could then be brought to the attention of 7 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Land and Property Services. This additional information could also have the wider application of helping to address the issue of tenancy fraud.

13. Clause 2 of the bill deals with disclosure of information relating to anti-social behaviour.

14. Key issues raised under this clause were: the appropriateness of the information-sharing provisions which relate to anti-social behaviour and related definitions; the lack of compulsion on social landlords to disclose information related to anti-social behaviour; the potential need for an indemnity in respect of defamation as a result of sharing information on antisocial behaviour; and guidance relating to the bill to be placed on a statutory basis.

15. The bill will introduce new powers for information-sharing for the purpose of pursuing possession action (in accordance with grounds 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 3 to the Housing (NI) Order 1983 (the 1983 Order)).

16. The Committee agreed with Housing Rights who told the Committee in oral evidence that they believe the definition of “relevant information” and “relevant purpose” goes beyond what is necessary.

17. The Committee discussed this issue at length with the Department. In the end, the Department stated that while the Minister did not believe that the references to grounds 1 and 3 in the bill do go beyond what is necessary, if the Committee requested their removal from the bill, he would accept this in order to ensure the bill’s timely progress through the Assembly.

18. At its meeting of 10 December the Committee agreed that reference to grounds 1 and 3 in clause 2 should be removed by way of an amendment provided by the Minister.

19. While the Committee believed there was a legitimate argument to include private landlords in the information-sharing provisions of clause 2 it also recognised the serious concerns about individual landlords being equipped to handle personal data in accordance with data protection legislation.

20. The Committee therefore decided against amending the legislation to include an enabling clause for information-sharing with private landlords.

8 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

21. The Committee welcomed the fact that this issue has been included in the recently launched discussion paper, Review of the Role and Regulation of the Private Rented Sector:

“It has been suggested that the Bill should go further and enable social landlords to share relevant information with a registered private landlord to enable anti-social behaviour to be addressed in a more consistent way across housing sectors. The feasibility of such a provision is being examined.”

22. The Committee was content that all other issues raised under clause 2 of the bill had been sufficiently addressed by the Department and no substantive issues were raised under clauses 3 – 5.

23. The Committee therefore makes the following recommendations:

Recommendation 1

24. The Committee recommends that SOLACE and NILGA consider if there is a requirement for statutory information-sharing between DFP and councils in relation to empty properties. If such provision is required then this should be made in local government legislation rather than housing legislation.

Recommendation 2

25. The Committee recommends that the issue of effective information-sharing with local government should be considered by the new Department for Communities which will have responsibility for this area.

Recommendation 3

26. The Committee recommends that the Department seek to improve information-sharing protocols between NIHE and utility companies to assist in identifying empty properties.

Recommendation 4

27. The Committee recommends the Department consider the inclusion of information-sharing provisions with utility companies in its consultation on the proposals to introduce new fraud legislation in May 2016.

Recommendation 5 9 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

28. The Committee recommends that the issue of enabling social landlords to share relevant information with a registered private landlord to enable antisocial behaviour to be addressed in a more consistent way across housing sectors is given close consideration within the Department’s Review of the Role and Regulation of the Private Rented Sector.

Introduction

29. The Committee for Social Development (the Committee) received a preintroductory briefing from the Department for Social Development (the Department/DSD) on the bill on 25 June 2015 and raised initial queries and comments in relation to various aspects of the bill. All correspondence between the Committee and the Department in relation to the bill can be found here.

30. The Housing (Amendment) Bill was subsequently introduced in the Assembly on 30 June 2015.

31. The bill encompasses three key areas. These are:

. Sharing of information relating to empty properties;

. Disclosure of information relating to anti-social behaviour; and

. Registration as statutory charge of certain loans.

32. The bill, as introduced by the Minister on 30 June 2015, contains 5 clauses and includes the following statement:

“In my view the Housing (Amendment) Bill would be within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly”

33. The Committee, conscious of the time pressure surrounding the Assembly’s legislative programme in the final year of the 2011-16 mandate, issued a call for evidence on the bill in June 2015, in anticipation that it would be formally referred to the Committee in Autumn.

10 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

34. The Committee sought submissions by contacting stakeholders directly and by placing advertisements on the Northern Ireland Assembly website, in the Belfast Telegraph, the Newsletter and the Irish News.

35. The Committee received 17 responses to its call for evidence from a broad range of stakeholders. Written submissions can be accessed here.

36. The political situation in September/October 2015 meant that it was unclear when the Second Stage of the bill would take place.

37. Noting the potential impact on the time the Committee would have to consider the bill as a result of this delay, the Committee agreed to proceed with oral evidence sessions in advance of the bill reaching Second Stage.

38. The Committee received a briefing from the Department on 24 September 2015, updating it on the issues raised by the Committee in June.

39. Stakeholders provided oral evidence at the Committee meetings of 1 October, 8 October and 15 October 2015. Minutes of Evidence relating to the bill, including briefings by the Department, can be found here.

40. The Committee took oral evidence from:

. Landlords’ Association NI (LANI);

. Housing Rights;

. Supporting Communities NI (SCNI);

. Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA);

. Helm Housing;

. Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland (CIHNI);

. Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO);

. Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA); and

. Representatives from local government.

41. The Minister resumed normal duties on 20 October 2015. The Department subsequently responded to the issues raised in Committee and in stakeholder submissions in correspondence on 22 October 2015. The

11 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Department briefed the Committee on this response at its meeting of 5 November 2015.

42. The bill was brought to Second Stage by the Minister on 9 November 2015 and officially entered Committee Stage on 10 November.

43. During the Second Stage debate on 9 November 2015, the Committee Chairperson noted the Committee’s support for the principles of the bill.

44. To ensure there was time to fully engage with the Department on all outstanding issues, the Committee brought a motion to the Assembly on 24 November 2015 to extend the Committee Stage of the bill to 15 January 2016. This was agreed by the Assembly.

45. During Committee Stage members considered the issues raised in evidence sessions on 12, 19 and 26 November and 3 December 2015.

46. The Committee conducted its clause-by-clause consideration of the bill on 10 December 2015 and agreed its report on 7 January 2016.

12 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Consideration of the Bill

47. The Housing (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Assembly on 30 June 2015.

48. The Bill encompasses three key areas. These are:

. Sharing of information relating to empty properties;

. Disclosure of information relating to anti-social behaviour; and

. Registration as statutory charge of certain loans.

49. The Committee received written and oral evidence from a broad range of stakeholders. Written submissions can be accessed here and minutes of evidence can be accessed here.

Key Issues

50. Over the course of briefings and evidence sessions, a number of issues in relation to the bill were raised by both stakeholders and members of the Committee. These were:

. The scope of information-sharing in relation to empty properties and in particular, extending the provisions of clause 1 to housing associations, private landlords and councils;

. Accessing and sharing information in order to identify empty properties including that from the Land Registry and utility companies;

. The appropriateness of the information-sharing provisions of clause 2 which relate to anti-social behaviour and related definitions;

. The lack of compulsion on social landlords to disclose information related to anti-social behaviour;

. The potential need for an indemnity in respect of defamation as a result of sharing information on anti-social behaviour; and

. Guidance relating to the bill to be provided and placed on a statutory basis.

13 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Clause 1: Sharing of information relating to empty properties

51. Clause 1 provides for circumstances in which the Department of Finance & Personnel (DFP) must disclose to DSD or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) certain information about empty properties.

52. Clause 1 also provides for circumstances in which DSD and NIHE must disclose certain rating-related information to DFP.

53. The Committee noted the benefits of this clause, particularly in the case of sharing of information relating to empty properties which could assist DSD/NIHE in delivering the Empty Homes Strategy by bringing vacant dwellings back into use.

54. Stakeholders were broadly supportive of clause 1 however there was some debate around its scope.

Sharing information relating to empty properties with housing associations and private landlords

55. Helm Housing suggested that the sharing of information in relation to empty properties should be extended to housing associations and LANI felt that it should be extended to private landlords.

56. During a briefing on 24 September 2015 the Department explained that the information would be passed by the NIHE to housing associations who are helping to deliver the Empty Homes Strategy pilot.

57. The Department also wrote on 22 October:

“Once owners are identified and contacted then using the soon to be introduced Matching Service Private Landlords and Social Housing Providers could be matched to empty properties.”

58. The Committee agreed that it was content with this approach.

Sharing information relating to empty properties with councils

59. Local government representatives stated on 15 October 2015:

14 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Councils believe that any sharing of information should include the councils in support of such issues as enabling a council to shape its own future in relation to the community planning duty; assist to utilise regeneration; help in the identification of property owners in relation to dilapidation and blight projects; and assist councils in dealing with dangerous buildings and relevant dangers to the public. Having legislation to assist in information sharing would allow councils to play their full part in the partnership”.

60. On 5 November, NILGA wrote:

“….an extension of Clause 1 (to) councils, would save the need for complex data sharing agreements which can be cumbersome and do not facilitate the fluid exchange of information.”

61. The Department stated in correspondence on 22 October 2015 that:

“…there is no statutory provision for the Department of Finance and Personnel to provide such information to councils or housing associations, and that, for the purposes of the Empty Homes Strategy, there is no requirement for such provision.”

62. The Department did however indicate on 22 October 2015, in response to NILGA’s written submission, that it intends to work collaboratively with the 11 councils and with the Department of Finance and Personnel to ensure that information is shared legally to assist both Departments and all 11 councils.

63. It also stated, in response to various Council submissions that:

“Information will be shared at nil cost…. the Department will work with Councils and if there is evidence that an information-sharing gateway is needed between Councils and others this will be considered.”

“Belfast City Council and other Councils have signed up to the information-sharing protocols for the purposes of landlord registration and (we) will work with those councils experiencing problems to iron out any management/ handling/operational issues”

64. The Committee acknowledged that data protection requires that the purpose of information-sharing must align with the purpose of the bill.

15 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

65. The Department advised the Committee in writing on 2 December 2015 that the Minister had decided that, if councils required an information-sharing provision in relation to empty homes, this should be made in local government legislation rather than housing legislation.

66. The Committee recognised that councils do not have a role in delivering the Empty Homes Strategy and therefore amending the bill to include councils in information-sharing under this clause would not be for the purpose of delivering the Empty Homes Strategy.

67. The Committee was content therefore not to propose an amendment to include councils in information-sharing under this clause. The Committee recommends that SOLACE and NILGA consider if there is a requirement for statutory information-sharing between DFP and councils in relation to empty properties. If such provision is required then this should be made in local government legislation rather than housing legislation.

68. Members did however express a concern that there has been a missed opportunity for “joined up government”.

69. The Committee therefore recommends that the issue of effective informationsharing with local government should be considered by the new Department for Communities which will have responsibility for local government.

Alternative sources of information relating to empty properties

70. LANI pointed out that there is no referral to the Land Registry, the definitive register of ownership of property, in the bill. The Department responded on 22 October 2015 that it intends to explore what role Land Registry can also play.

71. LANI also suggested that electricity supply companies be used by government departments as an efficient and effective source of information to determine if a property is empty. Some members were supportive of this suggestion, particularly because of its potentially wider application to reducing tenancy fraud.

72. In correspondence on 22 October 2015 the Department indicated that it has asked NIE to share data but data protection law prohibited this. The

16 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Department also stated, as regards the delivery of the Empty Homes Strategy:

“ information on whether or not a property might be empty is of relatively limited value: what is essential is information on the owner of the empty home and how they may be contacted. This is the nature of the information that could be shared by Land and Property Services.”

73. On 3 December 2015 the Department briefed the Committee on the information-sharing protocols that currently exist between the NIHE and utility

companies and the Committee noted that there was only one such information-sharing protocol in place.

74. The Committee has also noted correspondence from the Department of 1 December 2015 on the outcome of a base-line exercise which indicates a level of tenancy fraud below 2%. The Committee noted that the exercise will be repeated in 3 years to confirm the base rate and identify changes or significant trends.

75. The Committee is of the view that there may be benefit in the Department exploring options for establishing information-sharing protocols with utility companies within the current legislative provisions in order to identify the addresses of empty properties which could then be brought to the attention of Land and Property Services. This additional information could also have the wider application of helping to address the issue of tenancy fraud.

76. The Committee therefore recommends that the Department seek to improve information-sharing protocols between NIHE and utility companies to assist in identifying empty properties.

77. The Committee also recommends the Department consider the inclusion of information-sharing provisions with utility companies in its consultation on the proposals to introduce new fraud legislation in May 2016.

Clause 2: Disclosure of information relating to anti-social behaviour

17 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

78. Clause 2 provides that a person may disclose certain information about antisocial behaviour to the Housing Executive or a registered housing association where such information is required for certain housing management purposes. Those purposes include applying for injunctions on grounds of anti-social behaviour; applying for possession orders on such grounds; withholding consent to the mutual exchange of secure tenancies; and determining that a person is not eligible for accommodation on the basis of their unacceptable behaviour.

79. The Department emphasised in its response to stakeholder written submissions that the purpose of clause 2 is to enable disclosure of information related to anti-social behaviour and that this did not change the

existing powers of organisations to act, nor did it change the statutory rights of an individual provided for in existing housing legislation.

80. Further, the Department made clear that organisations disclosing information would have a responsibility to ensure that the information disclosed is fair and accurate and is managed in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Definitions contained in clause 2

81. Several stakeholders made comments on the definition of “a person” for the purposes of clause 2 of the bill. In correspondence on 22 October 2015, the

Department provided clarification in the form of an extract of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 which provides that:

“words in an enactment importing (whether in relation to an offence or otherwise) persons or male persons shall include male and female persons, corporations (whether aggregate or sole) and unincorporated bodies of persons”. This means that, in law, “persons” means organisations as well as individuals. The Committee was content with this explanation.

82. Several stakeholders emphasised that where information is shared it is important that it is not excessive and that it should be “truly relevant” information to ensure that an individual is treated fairly.

83. The Department stated in correspondence on 22 October 2015 that it 18 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

believed the bill defines the terms “relevant information” and “relevant purposes” for which such information can be provided, in some detail.

84. The bill will introduce new powers for information-sharing for the purpose of pursuing possession action (in accordance with grounds 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 3 to the Housing (NI) Order 1983 (the 1983 Order).

85. Housing Rights told the Committee in oral evidence that they believe the definition of “relevant information” and “relevant purpose” goes beyond what is necessary.

86. Housing Rights recommended to the Committee:

. the deletion of subsection 4(a) & (b) which relate primarily to the condition of the dwelling rather than anti-social behaviour; and

. amending 2(8) to narrow the “purpose” to an order of possession on ground 2 of Schedule 3 of the 1983 order only (i.e. grounds 1 and 3 should be omitted)

87. The Department wrote on 22 October that ground 1 of schedule 3 of the 1983 Order is only “relevant” in the context of the bill insofar as it relates to behaviour that creates a nuisance or annoyance.

88. On 5 November the Department said that it may be that grounds 1 and 3 would rarely be cited in cases of possession orders related to anti-social behaviour but that either/or could be cited in such cases. Therefore a facility that allows the sharing of this information between relevant parties would be of benefit to landlords. The Committee was also advised by the Department that nothing in clause 2 obliges a court to make an order and that it is a data sharing provision intended to ensure courts have all the evidence needed.

89. While the Department acknowledged on 5 November that grounds 1&3 may not be greatly missed if they were removed from the bill, the Department did not believe that their inclusion would create any disadvantage or injustice. Nor did the Department believe there is justification for delaying the bill by amending it as proposed by Housing Rights.

90. However, following subsequent discussions with the Committee, on 3 December the Department stated that while the Minister did not believe that the references to grounds 1 and 3 in the bill do go beyond what is necessary, 19 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

if the Committee requested their removal from the bill, he would accept this in order to ensure the bill’s timely progress through the Assembly.

91. At its meeting of 10 December the Committee agreed that reference to grounds 1 and 3 in clause 2 should be removed and, as such, agreed that it was content with an amendment provided by the Minister to remove reference to grounds 1 and 3.

92. SCNI raised concern that the definition of relevant information includes applications for injunctions or orders which are simply pending before any court.

93. The Department responded that certain orders of the court can be applied for by a number of public bodies and it is important, to avoid duplication, for NIHE to know whether another organisation has applied for such an order. The Committee was content with the Department’s response.

94. SCNI also raised concerns that information is considered relevant if someone is “guilty” of conduct even though they may not have been convicted of any offence. The Department, before going on to draw parallels with the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, stated in correspondence on 22 October 2015:

“Clause 2(6)(a) refers to information which indicates or suggests that a person is “guilty” of conduct that would amount to offences of certain descriptions even though the individual has not been convicted of such an offence. It is therefore clear from the context that the term “guilty” as it is used in clause 2(6)(a) is not meant to imply that an individual has been found guilty of any offence by a court.”

95. This issue was discussed in Committee on 12 November 2015 and members did not raise the issue in subsequent meetings.

Extending the disclosure of information to private landlords.

96. During the Department’s pre-introductory briefing in June 2015, members expressed concern that the bill only provides that information may be shared with the NIHE or housing associations and private landlords are therefore kept “out of the loop”.

20 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

97. The Committee acknowledged that LANI presented a legitimate rationale why private landlords should be included in the information-sharing provisions of this clause:

“This would provide landlords, supplying social housing, with the same or partial information relating to anti-social behaviour as that to be supplied to Housing Associations.”

98. The Committee recognised that this lack of information-sharing could potentially result in a person who has been removed from social housing due to anti-social behaviour being subsequently housed in the private rented sector, without the landlord being aware of their history of anti-social behaviour.

99. However, LANI also acknowledged in oral evidence on 1 October 2015 that adherence to data protection legislation would be a real issue for private sector landlords and did not know how that could possibly be dealt with.

100. During this evidence session the Committee noted that the Department did not appear to have consulted with LANI on the non-inclusion of the private

sector in the bill. The Department has itself acknowledged that sharing information related to anti-social behaviour with private sector landlords had not formed part of the consultation on the bill.

101. The Committee heard arguments against extending the scope of the clause 2 to private landlords from a number of stakeholders including Housing Rights and the NIHRC. The concerns expressed by stakeholders and the Department related to timing, consultation, data protection and human rights issues.

102. Housing Rights, who made a range of recommendations in relation to the scope of clause 2, said specifically of extending information-sharing on antisocial behaviour to private landlords:

“The public sector is heavily regulated for, because social landlords are public bodies. Guidance can be issued, and there are constraints on how they deal with information and apply that information. They are held accountable under human rights legislation and equality legislation. As private individuals, you are not.”

21 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

“…….it may be that another mechanism is needed to help address the private rented sector.”

103. The Information Commissioner’s Office stated in oral evidence 15 October 2015 that:

“Not all private landlords are necessarily as well constituted as social landlords, and we would be a little uncomfortable with the possible additional risk of information being mishandled and their not complying with the Data Protection Act.”

104. The CIH, who reminded the Committee that private landlords already have some checks and balances in place such as guarantors or references stated:

“Before that information could be shared with private individuals, we need to make sure that the private rented sector is up to a standard and that properties are being managed well.”

105. Representatives of local government said on 15 October 2015 that:

“Provided that the information is shared properly in a form that protects that data, we are of the view that it would be helpful in managing antisocial behaviour…... From a council point of view, the criticism that we get…. is that there is inconsistency…..”

“The antisocial behaviour forums and the sharing of information in those might provide protection around that (data protection issues). How we engage with landlords in that forum might provide some protection around how information is shared and stored.”

106. When asked how engagement can occur in order to address anti-social behaviour at an early stage and thus potentially reduce recourse to evictions, the representatives stated:

“If we could use landlord registration data and engage them through our recognised antisocial behaviour forums, that would be the best way of doing that.”

107. The Department told the Committee on 5 November that it had been considering the possibility of issuing a legal direction to the NIHE to disclose certain information about anti-social behaviour to private landlords. However,

22 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

legal advice received by the Department on this matter was clear that it would have no power to issue such a direction.

108. This is because while the Department has the power to direct the Housing Executive in the manner in which it discharges its functions, the disclosure of information to private landlords is not a function of the Housing Executive, therefore the Department would have no power to direct it to do so.

109. The inclusion of an enabling clause that would allow information-sharing on anti-social behaviour with private landlords in the future, when the private rented sector is appropriately regulated, was discussed with the Department on 12 November 2015.

110. Some members argued that the detail of such an enabling power could be appropriately set out in secondary legislation.

111. On 19 November the Department stated:

“The Committee proposed that the Bill contain an enabling power for the Department to prescribe descriptions of private landlords who would be in a position to meet the standards for holding sensitive personal information required under data protection legislation. While the Department has no objection in principle to taking such a power, it is important that any enabling provisions are drafted in such a way that the private landlords who meet data protection standards can be identified and accurately described. Given that compulsory landlord registration, which is designed to facilitate the identification of private sector landlords, has been introduced only recently, it is difficult, at this stage, to envisage the criteria that would be used to assess a landlord's capacity to meet whatever data protection standards might apply at a future date. The only certainty that I can offer on this proposal is the fact that it would be several years at the very least before such an enabling power would be used. If such a provision could be introduced, I would return to the Committee's initial concerns that gave rise to this request: namely, that individuals evicted from social housing go on to find accommodation in the private rented sector. The success of any information-sharing provision would depend entirely on whether a

23 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

private landlord opted to make use of it. It may, therefore, in itself not prevent the issue that the Committee identified.”

112. For clarification the Committee Chairperson noted that the Committee had not made any proposal on this issue but had rather discussed the pros and cons of such an enabling clause.

113. The Committee welcomed that the Department has stated in its recently launched discussion paper entitled Review of the Role and Regulation of the Private Rented Sector:

114. While the Committee believed there was a legitimate argument to include private landlords in the information-sharing provisions it also recognised the serious concerns about individual landlords being equipped to handle personal data in accordance with data protection legislation.

115. On balance therefore the Committee decided against amending the legislation to include an enabling clause for information-sharing with private landlords.

116. The Committee does however recommend that this issue is given close consideration within the Department’s Review of the Role and Regulation of the Private Rented Sector.

Compatibility with the European Charter of Human Rights

117. The Human Rights Commission raised a number of issues on the breadth of the provisions under clause 2; in particular, that the bill may not meet the proportionality test under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to the definition of “person”, “relevant information”, and the definition of “relevant purpose”.

118. The Department set out its response to these issues in correspondence on 22 October 2015.

24 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

119. The definition of “person” is set out in the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 and the Department did not consider that there was any reason to apply a different definition of “person” for the purposes of the bill.

120. The Department considered that the definitions of “relevant information” and “relevant purpose” within the bill are neither broad nor disproportionate. They are limited to information and purposes which are required for tackling antisocial behaviour. The Department also stated that the ability of social landlords to successfully tackle anti-social behaviour is intended to protect the Article 8 rights of others.

121. The Department also stated that it had considered the issue of proportionality at an early stage and concluded that the proposals were proportionate given the purposes for which personal information could be shared would be circumscribed in primary legislation and limited to those that are necessary for tackling anti-social behaviour.

122. On 22 October 2015, the Department provided the following statement in correspondence, setting out the basis for its assessment that there are no compatibility issues with the ECHR:

“The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union sets out a series of individual rights and freedoms, including those contained in the European Convention on Human Rights. Section 6(2)(c) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 provides that the Northern Ireland Assembly has no competence to make any provision that is incompatible with any of the Convention rights.

The Department received legal advice that the Minister could make a statement that the Bill would be within the legislative competence of the Assembly. On the basis that the Bill must be compatible with the Convention in order to be within the legislative competence of the Assembly, the Department does not consider that there are any compatibility issues with the Bill, as drafted. If the Committee continues to have concerns on this point, it may wish to pursue the matter with the Attorney General.”

123. The Committee was content with the Department’s explanation. 25 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Lack of compulsion to share information

124. The Committee noted that the bill only provides that any person may disclose information. Some members were concerned that this creates a situation whereby someone can “happily offload” a disruptive tenant onto another

housing provider by choosing not to disclose relevant information.

125. On 22 October 2015, the Department stated the following in correspondence:

“…The Department will give consideration as to whether there should be a legal requirement for information about tenants with a history of antisocial behaviour to be shared between social landlords. However, other Departments may have their own views on any proposal to compel any statutory body to disclose information to a social landlord.

Presumably, a compulsion to share information may mean that, in order to comply, all information must be shared. This would bring a much wider range of information, including one-off complaints and complaints that were closed with no further action, within the scope of the information that must be shared. The implications of this, particularly in respect of ensuring proportionality, may need to be considered in more detail.”

126. The Committee was content with this response.

Lack of legal indemnity in respect of defamation

127. Concern was raised in Committee regarding the lack of any provision under clause 2 that would give legal indemnity in respect of defamation to the “public spirited” person who unintentionally shares inaccurate information.

128. The Committee was content with the Department’s explanation set out in correspondence on 22 October 2015 that no indemnity is required.

Guidance to be provided and placed on a statutory basis

129. Housing Rights believe that Departmental guidance to NIHE should be placed on a statutory basis. They suggest that as a minimum, DSD’s ‘AntiSocial Behaviour Guidance for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’ be fully revised to ensure that proper safeguards are put in place and 26 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

extended to all relevant authorities who may be engaged in information- sharing in relation to anti-social behaviour.

130. Housing Rights proposed that the Committee amend the clause as follows:

“Any person who, by virtue of this Act, must or may provide information or who provides or receives information for the purposes of any provision of this Act shall have regard to any relevant guidance given by the Minister”.

“This would ….mirror the arrangements which are currently in place to safeguard the disclosure and sharing of information on similar issues in Scotland.”

131. The Committee was content with the Department’s response of 22 October 2015 that:

“……the Department will revise its Guidance to the Housing Executive, taking account of the Scottish Guidance. As always, the Department will work with the Housing Rights Service in revising the Guidance. While the Guidance on dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour issued by the Department to the Housing Executive is non-statutory, decisions by the Housing Executive would obviously be vulnerable to challenge if they appear to conflict with Departmental Guidance.”

Clause 3 - Registration as statutory charge of certain loans

132. No substantive issues were raised on this clause however the Department’s response to the comments of SCNI, NILGA, CIH and Helm Housing is provided in annex B of its letter to the Committee dated 22 October 2015. Correspondence in relation to the bill can be found here.

27 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Clause-by-Clause Scrutiny

133. The Committee completed its clause-by-clause scrutiny of the bill on 10 December 2015.

Clause 1: Sharing of information relating to empty properties

134. Clause 1 provides for circumstances in which the DFP must disclose to DSD or the NIHE certain information about empty properties.

135. Clause 1 also provides for circumstances in which DSD and NIHE must disclose certain rating-related information to DFP.

136. The Committee noted the benefits of this clause, particularly in the case of sharing of information relating to empty properties which could assist DSD/NIHE in delivering its Empty Homes Strategy by bringing vacant dwellings back into use.

137. Stakeholders were broadly supportive of the clause however there was some debate around the scope of the clause.

138. The Committee was content that the Department had sufficiently addressed the issue of not including housing associations and private landlords in the drafting of the bill as relevant information will be provided by the NIHE as appropriate.

139. The Committee was content that the Department had sufficiently addressed the issue of not extending information-sharing to councils.

140. At its meeting on 10 December the Committee agreed that it was content with Clause 1 as drafted.

Clause 2: Disclosure of information relating to anti-social behaviour.

141. Clause 2 provides that a person may disclose certain information about antisocial behaviour to the Housing Executive or a registered housing association where such information is required for certain housing management purposes. Those purposes include applying for injunctions on grounds of anti-social behaviour, applying for possession orders on such grounds, withholding consent to the mutual exchange of secure tenancies 28 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

and determining that a person is not eligible for accommodation on the basis of their unacceptable behaviour.

142. The Committee was content that the Department had adequately addressed most of the issues raised under this clause, however, the Committee has made one recommendation and agreed one amendment brought by the Minister in relation to clause 2.

143. While the Committee believed there was a legitimate argument to include private landlords in the information-sharing provisions it also recognised the serious concerns about individual landlords being equipped to handle personal data in accordance with data protection legislation.

144. On balance therefore the Committee decided against seeking to amend the legislation to include an enabling clause for information-sharing with private landlords.

145. The Committee has however recommended that this issue is given close consideration within the Department’s Review of the Role and Regulation of the Private Rented Sector.

146. The bill will introduce new powers for information-sharing for the purpose of pursuing possession action (in accordance with Grounds 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 3 to the Housing (NI) Order 1983 (the 1983 Order).

147. The Committee agreed with Housing Rights who told the Committee in oral evidence that they believe the definition of “relevant information” and “relevant purpose” goes beyond what is necessary.

148. This Committee discussed this issue at length with the Department. In the end, on 3 December 2015, the Department stated that while the Minister did not believe that the references to grounds 1 and 3 in the bill go beyond what is necessary, if the Committee requested their removal from the bill, he would accept this in order to ensure the bill’s timely progress through the Assembly.

149. At its meeting of 10 December the Committee agreed that reference to grounds 1 and 3 in clause 2 should be removed by way of the following amendment provided by the Minister:

Clause 2, Page 3, Line 4, leave out subsection (4)

Clause 2, Page 4, Line 1, leave out ‘or 3’ 29 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Clause 2, Page 4, Line 2, leave out from ‘(convictions’ to end of line 3 and insert ‘(conduct and convictions) (whether or not the order is also sought on other Grounds);’

150. At its meeting of 10 December 2015, the Committee agreed that it was content with Clause 2 as amended.

Clause 3: Registration as statutory charge of certain loans

151. Clause 3 provides that so long as any part or principal of, or any interest on, a loan made by the Housing Executive under Article 9 of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (for certain purposes including making repairs or improvements to a house) remains outstanding, the loan is to be a charge on the house or building (s) in question, and that such charges shall be registered in the Statutory Charges Register.

152. At its meeting on10 December 2015 the Committee agreed that it was content with Clause 3 as drafted.

Clause 4: Commencement

153. Clause 4 provides that the Act will come into operation at the end of 2 months beginning with the date on which it receives Royal Assent.

154. At its meeting on 10 December 2015 the Committee agreed that it was content with Clause 4 as drafted.

Clause 5: Short title

155. Clause 5 provides that when the bill receives Royal Assent it shall be known as the Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015.

156. At its meeting on 10 December 2015 the Committee agreed that it was content with Clause 5 as drafted.

Long Title of the Bill

157. At its meeting on 10 December 2015 the Committee agreed that it was content with the Long Title as drafted.

30 Report on the Housing (Amendment) Bill

Links to Appendices You can view the Housing (Amendment) Bill here.

You can view the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum here. Memoranda

and papers from the Department for Social Development can be viewed

here.

Memoranda and papers from others can be viewed here.

Minutes of Proceedings can be viewed here.

Minutes of Evidence can be viewed here.

You can view written submissions regarding this Bill here.

Research papers can be viewed here.

The information contained in this document is available online at: www.niassembly.gov.uk

This document can be made available in a range of alternative formats including large print, Braille etc. For more information please contact:

Committee for Social Development Northern Ireland Assembly Parliament Buildings Ballymiscaw Stormont Belfast BT4 3XX

Tel: 028 90 521827

Email: [email protected]

ISBN 978-1-78619-051-2

APPENDIX 2

LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – 3 FEBRUARY 2016

REPORT BY MR PAUL McCORMICK, LEAD HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The purpose of this report is to set out for Members’ consideration a number of recommendations specifically relating to the operation of the new Council.

The following decisions are required:

To decide:

1. To agree the level of support for the 2016 Lisburn and Castlereagh Restaurant Week 2. To agree the recommendations in the Tender Report for the Israel Trade Development Programme 3. To agree nominations to attend consultation workshops on new Tourism Strategy for NI

To note:

4. To note the Review of Northern Ireland Non Domestic Rating System 5. To note the Eurasmus European funding application – regional apprenticeship alliances for SMEs 6. To note the update on priority 6 of the NI Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 7. To note the budget report for Building Control for the year to 31 March 2016 as at 31 December 2015 8. To note the Risk Register in relation to Economic Development

ITEMS FOR DECISION

1. LISBURN AND CASTLEREAGH RESTAURANT WEEK

Members will recall that Lisburn and Castlereagh Restaurant Week took place during the week Saturday 31 October to Saturday 7 November 2015, with over 40 participating restaurants from across the new Council area (an increase from 27 restaurants in 2014).

A number of events took place throughout the week including especially themed menu nights, family fun days, film nights, charity events, quizzes and recipe competitions.

A full evaluation is attached at Appendix 2.1 ED, with a feedback summary from participating restaurants. Based on the success of the 2015 Lisburn and Castlereagh Restaurant Week, and the strong linkages with Tourism NI’s APPENDIX 2

‘Year of Food and Drink’ in 2016 it would be recommended to stage a 2016 Lisburn and Restaurant Week.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee agrees to support a 2016 Lisburn and Castlereagh Restaurant Week at a maximum cost to Council of £15,000.

2. BUSINESS SOLUTIONS – ISRAEL TRADE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AWARD OF TENDER

Members will recall that at a Meeting of the Full Council on 26th January 2016 delegated authority was granted to a future meeting of the Development Committee in order to award the tender for the Israel Trade Development Programme.

Attached at Appendix 2.2 ED is a report on the opening of tenders for the Israel Trade Development Programme and assessment of the tenders by the Economic Development Manager and Economic Development Officer, and a recommendation on the preferred tender submission.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee agrees the Tender Report for the Israel Trade Development Programme as attached in Appendix 2.2 ED.

3. NORTHERN IRELAND TOURISM STRATEGY WORKSHOPS

Members will recall that the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI) commissioned an independent review of Tourism Structures in Northern Ireland, which was completed in September 2015 (the Hunter Review). One of the key recommendations of this review was that DETI should develop a new Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland.

DETI has as a result organised a number of consultation workshops and has invited Stakeholders including Elected Members to contribute to the development of a new Tourism Strategy. The dates and venues for the workshops, which will run from 9.30 am to 12 noon, are as follows: -

• 2 February Armagh City Hotel, Armagh • 4 February The Hedges Hotel, Ballymoney • 9 February The Enniskillen Hotel, Enniskillen • 11 February Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra Manor • 23 February The Playhouse Theatre, Derry/Londonderry • 24 February The Burrendale Hotel, Country Club and Spa, Newcastle

APPENDIX 2

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee nominates the Chairman and Vice Chairman to attend an appropriate consultation workshop.

ITEMS FOR NOTING

4. REVIEW OF NORTHERN IRELAND NON DOMESTIC RATING SYSTEM

Members will be aware that the Department of Finance & Personnel is currently undertaking an extensive consultation of the Northern Ireland Non Domestic Rating system.

Members had been previously provided with a copy of the draft response of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) to the consultation (attached at Appendix 2.3 ED), this response having been prepared by NILGA following an Elected Member consultation event on the 11th December 2015 and in liaison with the Association of Local Government Finance Officers.

It was agreed at a meeting of the Council on 26th February 2016 that the response of NILGA to the above consultation be endorsed as that of the Council. It is proposed that the following key economic considerations are highlighted as part of this response:

. The potential for Local Government to have the ability to use the rating system as a positive policy tool in local areas to help promote economic development, investment and community planning. . The scope for Local Government to utilise the legislation for Business Improvement Districts, . To maintain Industrial de Rating for the foreseeable future as local manufacturers have a higher cost base than other UK counterparts. . More frequent rates revaluations which more accurately reflect current economic conditions. . Improving the efficiency of the rates system in terms of administration and collection, aiming to broaden the rates base and make it more equitable, fair and simple. . Reviewing current reliefs and exemptions and query whether some sectors should continue to benefit from these exemptions, especially where there is an interface with commercial activities. . Consider whether rates could be based on other factors rather than just the value of the property such as percentage of turnover or based on transactions made in the case of online businesses.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Committee notes the above.

APPENDIX 2

5. EURASMUS EUROPEAN FUNDING APPLICATION – REGIONAL APPRENTICESHIP ALLIANCES FOR SMES

Members should note that Euroco Ltd has been awarded a contract to undertake three European funding applications on behalf of the Council. These being two Eurasmus applications and one INTERREG application.

Euroco Ltd will also provide staff training on the techniques required to make additional European funding bids in the future.

The Directors of Euroco Ltd are Canice Hamill of Canice Consulting Ltd (Lisburn) and Orla Casey of Orla Casey Associates (Leitrim).

Further to the above, Members should note that the Chairman of the Development Committee accepted an invite to the Council from Euroco Ltd and the Northern Chamber of Commerce (Poland) to become a partner in a separate Eurasmus European funding bid that was submitted on Friday 15 January 2016.

This funding bid has been completed at no cost to the Council and is in addition to the work that Euroco Ltd has been contracted to complete.

The funding bid title is called ‘RAISE’ (Regional Apprenticeship Alliances for SMEs) and proposes to undertake a programme of activity to improve the capacity of SMEs to better engage in apprenticeship scheme opportunities and unlock barriers to participation. Core activities would include the production and dissemination of teaching and information material and other practical tools for use by SMEs, and delivery of an apprenticeship pilot scheme involving SMEs throughout Europe and SMEs within the Council area.

The funding bid, if successful would draw down grant of approximately €600,000 euros at a grant rate of 100% of which the Council may draw down €80,000 euros for management and administration costs from September 2015 onwards.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Members note the above.

6. UPDATE ON PRIORITY 6 OF THE NI RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2014 – 2020

Members should note that the Interim Local Rural Development Strategy for Lagan Rural Partnership Local Action Group (LAG) has been submitted to DARD for assessment. APPENDIX 2

The strategy document proposes that the £3.23 million allocation should be disbursed as follows:

- Programme Administration - £582,400 - New Micro Business Grant Scheme - £300,000 - Existing Micro Enterprise Grant Scheme - £600,000 - Small Micro Enterprise Grant Scheme - £400,000 - Rural Basic Services Scheme - £300,000 - Rural Village Renewal Scheme - £847,600 - All Island Co-operation Scheme - £200,000

It is expected that DARD will approve the strategy document and finalise full contract agreements by February 2016, by which time an official programme launch event will be agreed for March 2016 and invites will be issued to Members accordingly.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Members note the above.

7. BUDGET REPORT – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Attached under Appendix 2.4 ED for the information of Members is a copy of the Budget Report for Economic Development for the year to 31 March 2016 as at 31 December 2015.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Members note the attached report, setting out the budget position to 31 March 2016 as at 31 December 2015.

8. CORPORATE RISK REGISTER

Attached under Appendix 2.5 ED is a copy of the Corporate Risk Register for Members’ information. As Members will be aware, this was approved by Governance and Audit Committee in January and is now presented to Development for information. The Council adopted the Risk Policy and Strategy in April 2015. Following a number of workshops the Corporate and Service Unit Risk Registers have been developed. Members will note the specific elements of the Corporate Risk Register which relate to Economic Development. The associated risk action plans detail the arrangements within Economic Development to manage these particular corporate risks. It is

APPENDIX 2

important to note that the risk register is a living document and is therefore subject to regular review and amendment.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Members note the Corporate Risk Register.

PAUL McCORMICK LEAD HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 27 JANUARY 2016

Event Partners

EVALUATION REPORT

Background

Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week, the first event of its kind to be held in the new Council area, took place from Saturday 31 October to Saturday 7 November 2015.

The aim of Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week was to showcase the day and night-time dining attractions and give diners an opportunity to sample local hospitality at it’s very best, garnished with great money-saving and value-added offers.

Expanding on the success of Lisburn Restaurant Week in 2014, Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week saw an increase in participating restaurants from 27 to over 40 participating establishments.

ND Events, who organised Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week on behalf of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, worked to recruit a varied range of restaurants to ensure there was something for every pocket, every taste and every age whether that is in fine eating establishments, bistros, pubs or cafés.

Key events that took part in Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week included special themed menu nights, family fun days, film nights, charity events, quizzes and recipe competitions.

The ultimate aim of Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week 2015 was to highlight the quality of the hospitality industry throughout the Lisburn and Castlereagh areas. This in turn will help grow the local economy by enabling businesses in the hospitality sector to increase visitor footfall and boost dining spend.

2 Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week 2015: Key Objectives

• Creating awareness of the selection and diversification of the food and drink offering within the council area • Building a community and a brand that’s synonymous with fine dining in Lisburn and Castlereagh area • Increase footfall to restaurants, bars, hotels and eateries • Increase in dining spend for restaurants, bars, hotels and eateries • Offer a marketing platform for eateries to promote their establishments and offerings to new clientele • Build on the success of Lisburn Restaurant Week 2014 to create a successful annual event which grows and develops each year • Build relationships with key stakeholders and the hospitality industry • Increase hours spent in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council areas

Success Measures

ND Events has evaluated the success of Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week on the following:

• Recruitment of Restaurants • Feedback from Restaurants • Sponsorship Support • Promotion of Restaurant Week • PR/Media Coverage Generated • Social Media Impact • Key Performance Improvements compared to Restaurant Week 2014

3 Recruitment of Restaurants

ND Events successfully recruited the following 41 restaurants for Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week 2015:

LISBURN Angelo's Ballymac Hotel Bar Bistro, Down Royal Park Golf Course Café @ Inspirations Coffee Inc Del Toro Dobbies Restaurant Drumbo Park Eds Bar & Grill Frankie & Benny's Gowdy's Hilden Brewery Makhulu 5 Robbie Cahoon's Simply Fish & Chips Bistro Spice Lisburn Square Bistro Stepping Stones The Brown Bean The Speckled Hen Thornbury's Restaurant HILLSBOROUGH Humble Pie Prima Gusto The Parson's Nose The Pheasant The Plough Inn MOIRA The Four Trees The Quirky Bird The Tannery CASTLEREAGH Café Laurent Café Nosh Charlie's Bistro & Lounge at La Mon Cinnamon Dundonald Old Mill Everest Restaurant

4 Fillerz Café Maple Cafe at Woodlawn Garden & Lifestyle The Gardeners Rest at Hillmount The Grill at The Four Winds The Ivanhoe Grill & Bar The Mill Restaurant at La Mon TOTAL OF 41 RESTAURANTS

In order to gain interest from the restaurants, ND Events had to adopt a number of recruitment techniques. Initially, ND Events sent a letter to approximately 130 restaurants in the Lisburn & Castlereagh area to inform them that Restaurant Week 2015 would be taking place. This letter generated some interest from restaurants with a few registrations received within the first week of promotions. The second stage took place when ND Events gathered email addresses for all restaurants on the LCCC restaurant and café database and issued an email informing restaurants that registration was now open. This method of communication was much more successful with the majority or registrations coming through. Finally, ND Events made phone calls to key establishments that had yet to register to inform them that registration would be closing soon. By the end of this process, ND Events had over 40 restaurants participating in Restaurant Week 2015.

5 Feedback from Restaurants

The week after Restaurant Week ended, ND Events sent all participating restaurants an evaluation questionnaire to complete. The questionnaire could either be completed by hand or sent back as a hard copy or could be completed online. The vast majority of completed questionnaires were completed online.

The questions that were asked and responses from the participants are shown below:

Q1. Restaurant Week 2015 took place from 31st October to 7th November, did you feel this was a good time of year for Restaurant Week?

Restaurant Week 2015 took place from 31st October to 7th November, did you feel this was a good time of year for Restaurant Week?

Yes

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00%

No – 38% Yes – 62%

If no, please let us know when you would prefer Restaurant Week to take place.

Comments Not the best time as it is just before Christmas rush More towards summer/mid term Maybe closer to summer slightly Nice spot in between Halloween and Bonfire Night Timing - earlier in the year might be better Great 3 nights and very successful so don’t see why not No difference in this year and last year as a result of the change in time of year

Q2. This year the organisers allocated much more resources into promoting Restaurant Week 2015 including:

• Newspaper advertising • TV advertising • Social media advertising • Printed promotional booklets and posters • Outdoor banners • A range of promotional events • PR in local media and radio stations

Please rate your overall satisfaction level in the amount of promotional activity that took place during Restaurant Week 2015:

Please rate your overall satisfaction level in the amount of promotional activity that took place during Restaurant Week 2015

Not Satisied

Satisied

Very Satisied

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 90.00%

Not Satisfied 0% Satisfied 15% Very Satisfied 85%

Please provide any other comments you would like to make on the promotional activity:

Comments Had a couple of adverts in the programme and they looked great and worked well as we had more people through the door during restaurant week. Loved the cooking demo launch events and how the programmes were distributed at these events. It is just hard to determine when people will actually be in the town and best times to have the events. Fantastic busy week and the brochure was a massive improvement compared to 2014. I saw the advertising on TV, outdoor banners and poster and think it looked great.

Q3. Did you think that the Event Programme / Voucher Booklet was well presented and promoted Restaurant Week well?

Did you think that the Event Programme / Voucher Booklet was well presented and promoted Restaurant Week well?

Yes

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%

No 0% Yes 100%

Comments:

Comments All our books went which was good. We had to ask the organisers for more. This year’s booklet looked great. Exact wording such as opening times etc. would have been useful for example any extended hours for Restaurant Week. I like how the booklet promoted every restaurant taking part and allowed people to easily promote themselves and offers. It was a great idea to offer affordable advertising as an option too.

8 Q4. Overall, how would you rate your experience of Restaurant Week 2015?

Overall, how would you rate your experience of Restaurant Week 2015?

90.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Excellent Very Good Good Poor

Poor 7% Good 8% Very Good 0% Excellent 85%

Q5. Do you think taking part in Restaurant Week 2015 offered you a platform to increase footfall and / or boost revenue for your business?

Do you think taking part in Restaurant Week 2015 offered you a platform to increase footfall and / or boost revenue for your business?

Yes

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00%

No 31% Yes 69%

Comments:

We had a few more customers than usual but not many. We definitely had more customers during Restaurant Week than usual.

9 Two nights out of the 3 were booked out which was great, as I don't normally open in the evenings. We will look at opening on more evenings as a result of the success of Restaurant Week.

Q6. Do you think Restaurant Week is important to the local restaurant/hospitality scene within the Lisburn and Castlereagh Council areas, and has potential to grow each year?

Do you think Restaurant Week is important to the local restaurant/hospitality scene within the Lisburn and Castlereagh Council areas, and has potential to grow each year?

Yes

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00% 120.00%

No 0% Yes 100%

Comments:

Comments Yes, there should be an on-going leaflet for restaurants all over Lisburn and Castlereagh showcasing the restaurants throughout the year leading up to Restaurant Week. If we get more restaurants on board next year it will get bigger and better. I can see my patrons wanting me to open longer as a result of Restaurant Week. I feel that Restaurant Week focused mostly on the restaurants in the town centre and the Omniplex was forgotten about. We enjoyed taking part in Restaurant Week 2015 but for next year we would like to see more involvement and promotion for Castlereagh.

10 Q7. Tourism Northern Ireland has launched 2016 as their Year of Food and Drink, therefore we see it important to continue Restaurant Week in 2016. If Restaurant Week 2016 takes place, would you sign up to take part again?

Tourism Northern Ireland have launched 2016 as their Year of Food and Drink, therefore we see it important to continue restaurant week in 2016. If Restaurant Week 2016 takes place, would you sign up to take part again?

Yes

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 90.00% 100.00%

No 8% Yes 92%

Comments:

Comments For 2016 it would be better to change the time of year. We were busy the week prior to Restaurant Week as it was half term so we didn't see the benefit during the particular week that Restaurant Week took place on this year. Think the cooking demos as launch event were a great concept and would want to get involved with those next year. I felt Restaurant Week was more geared towards Lisburn than Castlereagh. In 2016 I would like to include a voucher or offer to see better results in terms of footfall. Restaurant week has potential to become something great. A big push next year on getting more restaurants on board and creating a big event to open or close the event.

ND Events feels that the responses from the participating restaurants has been very positive and is particularly supportive of continuing Restaurant Week in 2016.

11 Sponsorship Support ND Events identified the potential of generating additional revenue for Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week 2015 through private sector sponsorship and support. Any additional revenue generated could then be added to the financial support of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and therefore increase the spend on promoting Restaurant Week to a larger and wider audience.

ND Events approached companies within the Lisburn & Castlereagh areas to support Restaurant Week 2015. A number of sponsorship packages were created including; Event Partners, Advertising Partners and In-kind Sponsors.

ND Events was successful in generating the following sponsorship for Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week 2015:

Event Partner Stephen's Catering £400.00 Oasis Travel Competition Prize Advertising Partner Andrew Ingredients £200.00 Restaurant Advertisements Full Page Simply Fish & Chips £100.00 Del Toro £100.00 Spice £100.00 Dobbies Restaurant £200.00 The Grill at The Four Winds £100.00 The Speckled Hen £40.00 Café Nosh £100.00 Half Page Dundonald Old Mill £60.00

TOTAL CASH SPONSORSHIP £1,400.00

Along with cash sponsors, ND Events also recognised the opportunity in getting support in-kind. A major part of the social media promotion of Restaurant Week 2015 included running competitions to help increase followers on Facebook and Twitter. In turn this would build an audience of people that we could communicate to regarding all the events and promotions taking place during Restaurant Week.

12 The in-kind sponsorship generated by ND Events included: Competition Prizes Value Oasis Travel 2x flights & 2x nights accommodation in Paris £1,500.00 The Gardeners Rest at Hillmount 6 BBQ taster Sessions worth £20 each £120.00 The Speckled Hen £50 food voucher £50.00 Dundonald Old Mill £50 Gift Voucher for Dundonald Old Mill £50.00 Eds Bar & Grill £50 food voucher £50.00 Café Nosh 2 Course Bistro Meal for 2 £50.00 Café Laurent Complimentary meal for 2 £30.00 Cinnamon £20 meal voucher (sit in only) £20.00 Del Toro £25 food voucher £25.00 Dobbies Restaurant Traditional Afternoon Tea for Two £20.00 Fillerz Café Complimentary voucher for £15 discount £15.00 Grill at The Four Winds £50 Voucher for Grill restaurant £50.00 Makhulu 5 £40 Gift Voucher £40.00 Maple Cafe at Woodlawn Garden & Lifestyle Lunch for 2 people including dessert £30.00 Prima Gusto Meal for 2 people £50.00 Simply Fish & Chips £20 meal voucher £20.00 Spice £25 food voucher £25.00 Square Bistro Tapas for 2 with a jug of Sangria £50.00 Lunch for 2 people at the Coffee Shop at Stepping Stones Stepping Stones £30.00 The Tap Room at Hilden Brewery Complimentary lunch for 2 people £30.00 Thornbury’s £20 lunch meal voucher £20.00

TOTAL VALUE OF PRIZES £2,275.00 When you combine the value of the cash sponsorship and the in-kind sponsorship,

TOTAL CASH SPONSORSHIP £1,400.00

TOTAL IN-KIND SPONSORSHIP £2,275.00

TOTAL VALUE OF SPONSORSHIP £3,675.00

13 Promotion of Restaurant Week

ND Events recognised that one of the biggest criticisms from participating restaurants in Restaurant Week 2014 was that there wasn’t enough promotion of the event. Taking this on board, ND Events sought to maximise the event budget and dedicate as much financial resource into increasing the promotional activity for the best possible value.

ND Events created the following promotional items:

10,000 A5 Double Sided Flyers

Front Back

SATURDAY 31ST OCTOBER ~ SATURDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

THIS YEAR RESTAURANT WEEK IS BACK, SUPPORTED BY YOUR FAVOURITE EATING ESTABLISHMENTS THROUGHOUT LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH.

BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE, THE EVENT IS PACKED FULL OF SPECIAL EVENTS & PROMOTIONS TO HELP WHET YOUR APPETITE.

GO ON, TRY SOMETHING NEW! AND DON’T FORGET TO BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!!

GET YOUR FREE VOUCHER BOOKLET www.lcrestaurantweek.com FROM THE EVENTS TEAM, AT PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS, OR DOWNLOAD A COPY FROM www.lcrestaurantweek.com designed by iCON | www.icon-creative.com iCON designed by

These A5 flyers were sent to all participating restaurants so they could offer them to their customers to promote and inform them that Restaurant Week was approaching.

14 10,000 40x Page Event Programmes

DISCOUNT VOUCHERSTAKE ONE! INSIDE LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH Restaurant Week 2015 RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

LISBURN AREA

ANGELO’S RESTAURANT One of Lisburn’s best kept secrets... Angelo’s has been serving only the LOCATION finest in Sicilian cuisine for over three decades. Located in the historic 3a Market Lane centre of Lisburn City, this intimate and delightful Italian restaurant has (Pipers Hill) been recently refurbished. Ample on street parking or in nearby Linenhall LISBURN BT28 1YG Street car park. Mouth-watering pizza, freshly prepared pasta, exciting daily specials. Experience a little bit of Italy on your doorstep. Enjoy! RESERVATIONS 028 9267 2554 OPENING HOURS: Tues - Sat 12pm - 3pm and 5pm - 9pm (last orders) www.angeloslisburn.com

BALLYMAC HOTEL Step into a warm and welcoming reception on your arrival at The LOCATION Ballymac Hotel, and you will be instantly impressed with our level of 7A Rock Road service. Our experienced staf will be on hand to cater for all your needs. Stoneyford LISBURN BT28 3SU OPENING HOURS: Mon - Sun 7am - 10pm RESERVATIONS www.ballymachotel.co.uk 028 9264 8313

BAR BISTRO, DOWN ROYAL PARK GOLF COURSE Bar Bistro at Down Royal Park Golf Course ofers a fantastic dining LOCATION experience with choice of Bistro, Early Bird and Sunday Lunch menus 6 Dunygarton Road complemented with a superb selection of fine wines and beers. A relaxed, Maze, LISBURN enjoyable haven awaits with panoramic views across the fairways! Book BT27 5RT a table and sample our delicious food with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming you. RESERVATIONS 028 9262 1339 OPENING HOURS: Tues - Thurs 11:30am - 8pm, Fri & Sat 11:30am - 9pm Sun 12:30pm - 8pm www.barbistrodownroyal.com

THE BROWN BEAN Family owned and run café/sandwich bar in the heart of Lisburn City. LOCATION The Small with a great atmosphere and great homemade food. Nearly all 12 Market Street our food is made on the premises, wheaten bread to speciality scones, LISBURN BT28 1AB brown Lasagnes to curry and rice with tray bakes to die for.

bean RESERVATIONS Event Partners Also, we provide a full outside catering and business meeting function catering for both large and small numbers. 028 9267 8834

OPENING HOURS: Mon - Fri 8am - 4pm, Sat 8:30am - 4pm

EVENT PROGRAMME 5

The promotional booklets were the main promotional method for Restaurant Week 2015. The booklet contained information on each of the participating restaurants in the Restaurant Directory section at the front of the booklet, offering information such as opening times, contact details and a brief description on their food offering. Also within the booklet was the promotional vouchers to help drive footfall into the restaurants during Restaurant Week. Finally, restaurants were offered the opportunity to purchase advertise space to further promote their restaurant in the booklet.

15 100x Posters

WE ARE TAKING PART

www.lcrestaurantweek.com

Posters were given to each participating restaurant to inform their customers that they were taking part in Restaurant Week 2015.

16 15x Large Outdoor Banners

3m x 1m PVC banners were put up in key locations throughout Lisburn and Castlereagh.

17 PR/Media Coverage Generated

Below is a montage of some of the press and media coverage generated for the Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week 2015:

2015%media%coverage%%

Bam$NI$(web)$ Belfast$Live$(web)$ Belfast$Times$(web)$ Cool$FM$x3$ Discover$Northern$Ireland$(web)$ Downtown$Radio$x9$ Dromore$Leader$(web)$ Farming$Life$(web)$ Food$NI$(web)$ Hospitality$Review$NI$$ Lisburn$AdverHser$$ Love$Belfast$(web)$$ Q$Radio$$ South$Side$AdverHser$$ Sunday$World$$ U105$$ Ulster$Star$x2$ Ulster$Star$(web)$x3$ Ulster$Tatler$(web)$ Visit$Belfast$(web)$ Visit$Lisburn$&$Castlereagh$(web)$$ What’s$on$NI$(web)$

18 2015%media%coverage%%

Full press clippings and links to audio clips from broadcast media are available in the press coverage booklet that accompanies this Evaluation Report.

19 Social Media Impact

A key marketing tool that was focused on wassocial media. As we now know, it is not just a fad, but rather a modern marketing channel and an exciting opportunity for Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week to reach new people beyond web design, internet marketing and email marketing.

ND Events was aware that effective social media can increase awareness and drive targeted traffic back to the Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week website. The use of social media also created a stronger online presence for Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week in providing more user interaction for restaurants, sponsors, attendees, media etc.

ND Events had to create new Facebook and Twitter account for this year’s Restaurant Week as access to the previous accounts were not available from the pervious project management company.

ND Events decided to utilise Facebook as it is the most popular social media platform currently and is very consumer focussed and therefore the correct target market for those we wished to promote Restaurant Week to.

Below are some of the key statistics that ND Events’ management of Restaurant Week’s social media had on the event:

Facebook Statistics - correct as of 09.11.15

20 • Total page likes: 1,342 • Engaged users (total number of people who engaged with the page, including all clicks): 31,866 • Total daily reach (total number of unique users who have seen RW content): 100,949 • 3,473 shares of Facebook status updates

As mentioned previously, running competitions on Facebook was a great way to attract new followers on Facebook and in turn be able to promote Restaurant Week too.

As part of a sponsorship deal, Oasis Travel donated an excellent prize of complimentary flights and overnight accommodation for two people to Paris. This competition had massive impact in attracting new Facebook followers:

Paris competition, in association with Oasis Travel

• Launched on the 10th October and ran for four weeks. • There were 18 competition posts in total, spread over Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. • Total likes: 1,850 • Total comments generated: 1,680 • Total shares: 1,047*

In conjunction with the Paris competition, we also had competitions that gave away prizes donated by the participating restaurants:

Weekly restaurant competitions

• Launched on the 10th October and ran for four weeks, with a different set of prizes offered each week. • There were 17 competition posts in total, spread over Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. • There were also additional posts running from Monday – Friday, showcasing one of the restaurants in that week’s prize package. • Total likes: 973 • Total comments: 1,040 (some participants commented or entered more than once) • Total shares: 552*

21 *Participants were not asked to share the post as part of the competition. This was additional activity.

In summary, Facebook was an excellent communication platform that ND Events used to update the followers on all the upcoming events and offers that were taking place during Restaurant Week.

22 Key Improvements of Restaurant Week 2015 compared to Restaurant Week 2014

Restaurant Week Restaurant Week 2014 2015 No. of Restaurants 27 42 taking part

Sponsorship £0 cash sponsorship £1,400 cash sponsorship Generated £3,250 in-kind £2,275 in-kind sponsorship sponsorship Total = £3,250 Total = £3,675

Promotional • 5,000 A5 flyers • 10,000 A5 flyers Activity • 5,000 Brochures • 10,000 Brochures • Window posters • Window Posters • 1x ¼ page Ulster Star • 2x ¼ page Ulster Star advert adverts • 1x Full back page Lisburn Advertiser advert • 1x promotional event • 2x promotional events • 15x outdoor banners • Radio coverage on Cool FM, Q Radio, U105 and Lisburn 98FM • TV Advert (organised by LCCC)

Media Coverage Information not available Print Media Coverage: Generated • Ulster Star • Lisburn Advertiser

Online Media Coverage: • Lisburn Today

Broadcast Coverage: • Cool FM • Q Radio • U105

23 • Lisburn 98FM

Social Media 775 likes on Facebook 1,342 likes on Facebook Impact and 133 followers on Twitter 241 followers on Twitter Exposure

All success measures to evaluate the success of Restaurant Week 2015 have increased and improved significantly compared to that of Restaurant Week 2014. This is therefore very positive in demonstrating that the concept of and need for Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week is growing and being well received by local and visiting diners within the Lisburn and Castlereagh areas.

24 Future Recommendations for Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week

From the overall feedback collated from the participating restaurants and recommendations from ND Events, it is proposed that the following key points should be considered when organising Lisburn & Castlereagh Restaurant Week 2016:

• Review the best time of the year to hold Restaurant Week 2016. Perhaps sometime in the summer months such as June or September may be best as there is longer daylight hours and people are more likely to go out in the evenings. • It worked well to schedule Restaurant Week to begin on a Saturday and end the following Saturday. • Continue with an Event Programme booklet that contains a directory of participants, special offers available and advertising space for restaurants. • Cooking demonstrations at the launch events worked very well and were well received. • Ensure promotional activity is equally balanced in both Lisburn and Castlereagh areas. • Begin the organising of Restaurant Week 2016 as early as possible to give maximum time to recruit additional restaurants and allow time to visit participants to help mentor them on how they can benefit most from taking part in Restaurant Week. • Perhaps consider creating a weekend event to launch Restaurant Week 2016, perhaps a small food festival that showcases the local restaurants and is an opportunity for the restaurants to promote what they will be doing during Restaurant Week to new customers.

25 Appendix 2.2 ED

Tender Report for the Appointment of a suitably qualified organisation to provide a Trade Development Programme to Israel.

1.0 Introduction Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council is currently seeking to appoint an appropriate delivery organisation (or organisations) to provide a Trade Development Programme to Israel for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Businesses.

1.01 The Tender Information was advertised in the Belfast Telegraph and placed on the Lisburn E-sourcing portal.

2.0 Tender Opening

2.01 A Sub-Committee of the Development Committee met on Monday 26 January 2016 at 11:10am to open the Invitation to Tender submissions. The tenders received and recorded were passed to the Tender Evaluation Panel for evaluation and recommendation.

2.02 Four organisations returned submissions by the closing date of Friday 15 January 2016, as listed at section 3.02 below.

3.0 Tender Evaluation

3.01 The Evaluation Panel comprising Hazel King (Economic Development Manager, LCCC) and Emma Donaghy (Rural Development Officer, LCCC) met at 3pm on Wednesday 27 January 2016.

3.02 The following four organisations returned submissions using the Lisburn e- sourcing portal:

Ref No. Economic Operator 1 UK Israel Business 2 Kurtz International Marketing 3 ATID ETI Ltd 4 APCO Worldwide

3.03 Tenders were evaluated using the agreed criteria and weightings as set out in the issued Tender documents.

3.04 The services proposed by each tenderer and the relative Costs were evaluated and scored in order to determine the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) in relation to Quality/Cost.

4.0 Tender Prices

4.01 The Tender Prices submitted by the four organisations are as follows:

Tender Prices £23,750 £33,200 £91,007 £26,716 4.02 In line with Guidance from Central Procurement Directorate, the tender prices quoted are not attributed to each organisation, in order to maintain the Commercial Sensitivity of each company. The Tender Price submissions above have been ranked from lowest to highest.

4.03 It is recommended that the successful tenderer UK Israel Business, be appointed for this project.

Paul McCormick Lead Head of Economic Development 27 January 2016

Appendix 2.3 ED

Draft NILGA response to the DFPNI Consultation on the review of the Non-Domestic Rate

NILGA Executive Committee 15th January 2016

The following paper is written in response to the DFPNI consultation on the Review of the Non-Domestic Rate. This was drafted further to a focussed policy event on 11th December 2015 and in liaison with the Association of Local Government Finance Officers. This draft will be considered by the NILGA Executive Committee, prior to submission to the Department. The official closing date for this consultation is 25th January but NILGA has negotiated an extension from the DFP who require a submission by 1st February.

Should comments from councils be received by NILGA prior to the 29th January, these will be factored in to the final response.

For further information or to discuss any of the issues highlighted, please contact Karen Smyth at the NILGA Offices: Email: [email protected] Tel: 028 9079 8972

Derek McCallan Chief Executive 6th January 2016

Introduction

NILGA, the Northern Ireland Local Government Association, is the representative body for district councils in Northern Ireland. The membership is comprised of the 11 local authorities and the organisation is supported by all the main political parties. We consider rating reviews to be of great importance and have been working closely with the Department of Finance and Personnel for a number of years in relation to its ongoing work on rating policy.

NILGA believes that the need for transparency, simplicity and increased accountability is the key to any policy regarding rates. The public should be able to understand all charges levied upon them and know what they are used for. We particularly welcome the ‘innovation lab’ approach that was taken to developing this consultation, which was an extremely inclusive method for policy development.

The following comments are made, further to a policy event held by NILGA on 11th December, which was attended by over forty councillors and local government finance officers.

Comments in response to DFP Consultation Questions

1 Are there any additional criteria that should be used to judge the suitability of the system for raising revenue locally? NILGA supports the principles outlined in the consultation document, i.e. efficiency, certainty, simplicity, flexibility, proportionality, equity/fairness, and is also keen to support the Department in its drive to develop a better rating system. It is our view that a property based tax is well-understood and should be retained in Northern Ireland, and although we are aware that other options were considered at the Innovation Lab, we understand that no viable alternative was proposed by participants.

2 Do you think that more frequent revaluations would lead to a more equitable rating system and improve the current rating system? 2a If yes, how often should revaluations occur? 2b Should the date and/or frequency of revaluations be written into legislation?

One of the major issues with the 2015 non-domestic revaluation was the length of time between revaluations, which meant that some valuation changes were more severe in impact than would have been the case if they could have been introduced over a period via intermediate revaluations. This problem would be mitigated if valuations were carried out more regularly. To provide certainty, this measure should be provided for in legislation. NILGA would therefore propose a formal regime of revaluations, at intervals of 5 years at most, which should be instituted and underpinned by appropriate legislation.

3 Do you think that all current and/or future rate supports should adhere to clearly defined criteria? 3a What should these criteria be and what do you consider to be the most important?

The whole area of reliefs and exemptions needs to be examined in the context of the fundamental principles of equity and proportionality. NILGA believes that all forms of business with a property (including non-domestic revenue generating items such as solar panels) should pay a proportionate element of the rate burden. The rating system needs to take into account ability to pay and also be able to respond to circumstances, such as the broader economic environment. NILGA believes that the widening of the tax base will allow the overall tax burden to be mitigated among existing taxpayers. Steps should be taken to:

• Ensure that the collection rate is increased, along with cost savings in the collection process, more intense inspection of properties and greater use of data sharing with councils and other bodies such as utility companies, the Electoral Office and the Post Office/Royal Mail.

• Bring more bodies into the scope of the rating system (bearing in mind equity and proportionality)

• Carry out a comprehensive review of reliefs – in particular, NILGA would advocate ending full relief for the charitable sector, the 50% relief for vacant non-domestic properties and SBRR, along with a reduction in the relief for de-rated properties. The precise proportion of rates payable going forward by these bodies should be the subject of the review.

• Target future reliefs and exemptions on areas and schemes which will assist in widening the tax base and on those ratepayers whose ability to pay is less.

• It is ESSENTIAL that a set of guiding principles for reliefs is introduced, as noted in para 4.22 of the consultation document. NILGA agrees that :

o The purpose must be clearly stated o Reliefs should potentially be time bound, with well-defined timescales o Reliefs should be targeted – for example, at specific sectors, ability to pay or economic growth

o The need for reliefs should be regularly evaluated, including assessments of whether they are achieving their desired purpose and impact

o An exit strategy should be prepared

4 Should industrial de-rating be retained in its current form? 4a If you disagree, what would you recommend instead and why?

In the past, and for many years, full rate relief was provided to those eligible for relief, which is essentially available to industrial/manufacturing bodies. However, prior to the recent recessionary years, a decision had been taken to gradually increase the rate burden on eligible businesses by 10% per annum until they paid full rates. This had reached a rate burden of 30% of the theoretical maximum before it was put on hold due to the recession. It remains on hold. Legislation currently provides that councils are fully compensated by way of grant for rates lost on de- rated properties. Hence the loss to the public purse falls on central government. It is noted that this relief is no longer available within the rest of the UK, and that the ERINI report in 2007 suggested that relief be provided at no more than 50%. NILGA member councils are keen to retain de-rating relief in the short term due to the current difficult economic climate and within the context of wider economic policy concerns such as energy prices, the need to rebalance the public and private sector in NI, attracting inward investment, encouraging entrepreneurial activity etc. Some members suggested that rates payments could be linked to significant profit margins of larger, very successful companies with evidence of ability to pay, although this would have implications for the principles of transparency, simplicity and may prove difficult to assess.

As the economy improves, our members believe that further incremental reduction in this relief should be considered, with eventual discontinuation. The suggestion is made that relief could then be used as an incentive for new business. Such a position would need to be carefully considered in light of the reduced manufacturing carried out in Northern Ireland in recent decades and the impact increasing rates burdens would have on eligible businesses, investment and employment.

NILGA does not believe that this is the right time to change the approach to this relief, but proposes that a review would be required further to any reduction in corporation tax. Any review should be carried out within the developing context of introduction of corporation tax, national living wage and other general employer costs.

5 Do you consider that rate relief for Sport & Recreation should be awarded as at present and maintained at the current level of 80%? 5a If you disagree, what would you recommend instead and why? 5b Should the criteria to disregard social facility apportionment be removed or reduced from the current level of 20%?

Members strongly supported the provision of sport and recreation facilities as a vital contributor to public health and well-being, and retention of the current reliefs, and expressed strong support for the distinction made between amateur and ‘not for profit’ sports clubs/facilities and private sector (profit making) facilities.

Given the shift towards preventative health policy and the push to encourage physical activity, removal of this relief was seen to be a retrograde step, and potentially costing the public sector more in the long run, through increased need for healthcare.

Members were also very strongly of the view that council-owned and managed facilities provided as a statutory requirement (and where the private sector has failed) should not bear any additional rates burden.

This relief is currently at the same 80% level as England & Wales, although it is noted that councils there have the opportunity to provide further relief locally in some cases. NILGA believes that this relief should be retained at its current level, whilst acknowledging that consideration could be given to enhancing the powers of councils to grant further relief in accordance with locally set criteria. NILGA is strongly of the view that to consider this kind of extension of council powers, more information and detailed consideration will be required, as covered in our response to Q13. NILGA notes the comments in the consultation paper that exemption can apply to some substantial social facilities if they are part of a whole complex which has a large NAV. NILGA would favour this approach being dropped so that a fair share of rates is paid from such substantial social facilities.

6 Should Freight & Transport relief be removed? 6a What would be the potential consequences of such a move? Northern Ireland is situated on the periphery of both the UK and Europe, and hence NILGA supports the retention of this relief as the consequences of its removal could harm trade.

7 Is residential homes relief still necessary to encourage the provision of care homes by the private sector? 7a Should it be limited to organisations that can demonstrate charitable status?

NILGA notes that there have been many reports, and strong public concern in recent times, about the potential closure of publicly funded care/residential homes. NILGA therefore believes that whilst a fair and equitable rating system should see privately run homes paying some level of rates, it would be inappropriate at the present time to remove this relief in its entirety. It would also not be appropriate to limit the relief only to homes with charitable status. 8 Should empty property relief continue at 50%? 8a Should any of the current exemptions (listed in Annex F4) be removed? 8b Should there be any additional exemptions within the policy?

In NI, generally speaking, vacant non-domestic properties pay 50% rates after an introductory 3 month exemption period. In England, the position is that such properties generally pay full rates after the 3 month exemption period, whilst in Scotland the owner will pay 90% of the liability. All jurisdictions have a number of exemptions and exceptions. NILGA notes that the 2009 review of this relief suggested its retention at the 50% level in order to help property owners mitigate the impact of the recession. NILGA is aware that there is a substantial loss of revenue to the rating system via the more generous exemption in NI, however, the context of unoccupied retail high street property in Northern Ireland indicates a need for the 50% relief.

Increasing the relief (from 50%) is unlikely to be a greater incentive to get the vacant properties re-let/ occupied, but our members are of the view that the 50% relief is an incentive for the landlord to get a building back in use. It is believed that if the relief is reduced, this would be likely to provide an incentive to let property to charity shops.

There is some local government support for reducing the relief to e.g. 33%, or to stage a reduction in relief over time, but a business case and evidence base would be required to set a new level.

At the NILGA meeting on 11th December 2015, some concern was expressed in relation to who the liability falls on for the 50% paid – the landlord or the tenant as the person with rights for occupancy?

An audit of empty properties is strongly recommended to enable proactive identification of properties and the taking of appropriate action.

NILGA believes that the 3 month amnesty should continue.

9 Is there any evidence that the parameters (qualifying criteria or duration) of the empty shops rates concession should be changed? 9a If yes, to what should they be changed to?

The NILGA view is that the rationale for the current level of this relief, which is minor in cost terms, is adequately explained in the consultation paper as being able to target properties which have been vacant for a longer time and providing help for only the difficult first year of trading. Retention of this relief in its current form is therefore supported.

10 What changes (if any) should be made to the current level of 100% non-domestic charitable exemption? 10a Should a reduced exemption or cap apply to those organisations competing with commercial interests? 10b Should all charity shops pay some rates? 10c Should charities have their relief capped so that they do not take over expensive properties, simply to help the owner avoid empty property rates?

This is by far the largest area of relief and is most likely to be highly controversial too. For example, many businesses complain about charity shops, with whom they are in competition, having an advantage by not having to pay rates at all. Relief for such shops is currently around £5m per annum, based upon figures provided to NILGA by DFP. It is also noted that many charity outlets are selling new goods or services in direct competition with small businesses. Our members believe that the cumulative impact of multiple charity outlets on the high street is having a particularly damaging effect on the independent retail sector.

Members were of the view that charity shops were a ‘double edged sword’ on the high street, filling vacant properties but attracting rates exemptions. The view was strongly expressed that some charity shops should pay some rates, again based on ability to pay – for example some charity shops are part of large national charities, some are small independent outlets for small local charities.

Such shops are, however, only a fraction of the overall charitable sector. Official “charities” as a whole get relief of £13m out of a total of £83m for the whole sector. The biggest portion of the relief for the charitable sector goes to religious organisations (£30m out of £83m). At the meeting on 11th December, members were of the view that a number of charities were multi- million pound operations, with large senior management salaries. NILGA believes that more exploration is required as to what is accepted as a charity – e.g. large housing associations, universities attract charitable status. ‘Trading’ status of charities should also be explored. The Charity Commission holds figures for charity income and this information could be used as a reliable source of information, although NILGA accepts that deciding who pays and who doesn’t, could be a difficult decision to make.

NILGA believes that charities should pay some rates, based on ability to pay, in a similar manner to the system in place across the water, for example a system similar to that in England, (80% exemption) pro rata based on annual accounts.

NILGA notes the DFP consultation paper’s comments regarding council leisure centres and municipal golf courses. As mentioned in the consultation paper, DFP is asked to note well the statutory obligation on councils to provide leisure facilities, which are quite distinct from private facilities. Council-run leisure facilities operate at a substantial loss despite entry fees being charged, and any move to impose rates on such facilities would inevitably lead to this cost being directly recouped from ratepayers, either in general or by increasing charges. NILGA would hence not support any proposal to levy rates on such facilities. NILGA would also argue that municipal golf courses are a further facility provided to the public at such a substantial discount that they do not, in effect, compete with privately run courses.

11 What, if any, changes should be made to both the hardship relief and Rural ATM exemption?

NILGA would not support any changes to these reliefs.

12 Should the rating system be used to pursue economic development objectives or should its primary function be to simply raise revenue? If yes, what sectors should be targeted? 12a What are the disadvantages of such approach and do you feel that using the rating regime in this way would make a material difference to Northern Ireland’s economic performance?

NILGA supports the targeted use of the rating system to deliver economic development objectives – both by central government and by local government (as per our response to Q13 below).

13 Would it be advantageous for District Councils to take on powers for granting reliefs? 13a In what areas would this be considered to be beneficial?

At the NILGA meeting on 11th December, members were asked for their views on this issue, and most requested more detail, or expressed concern in relation to the proposal. Some saw potential in an enhanced ability to address town centre/high street issues and evidence of ‘doughnut’ towns and cities, but noted that detailed discussions with Land and Property Services would be required. More detail would be required as to how such reliefs would operate in practice; and concern was expressed in relation to the additional burden on councils and who would pay for extended reliefs.

A need for checks and balances at council level was identified should such powers be made available, given the potential political issues involved. Concern was also expressed regarding the introduction of such inconsistency of approach across different councils, and it was noted that some councils will be able to afford to provide greater reliefs than others, potentially exacerbating current gaps between richer and poorer councils.

14 Should District Councils have the ability to strike separate domestic and non -domestic rates? 14a What would be the advantages and disadvantages of such an approach? Should District Councils continue to be compensated in full for the elements contained within the de-rating grant?

At the present time, councils have a strict procedure to follow as regards setting their rates. A council must first set a non-domestic rate, and a fixed factor (the growth or conversion factor) must be used to then derive the domestic rate. This matter has been discussed with the Departments of Environment and Finance & Personnel on various occasions in recent years. NILGA acknowledges that a power to strike separate domestic and non-domestic rates could help shape the future of the new council areas, particularly towns and cities, and would enable councils to tailor rates to local needs. This would. For example, enable councils to lower their non-domestic rate to act as an incentive for investment. It was noted that such a power would enable a council to set one rate across the district should it wish to do so, which was seen as positive, with consequent support for removal of the conversion factor. A choice of this nature being made available was broadly welcomed, with concern expressed by a few members who believed that central government should retain control of this area of policy.

NILGA would therefore recommend that, in future, growth/conversion factors should not be mandatory, but rather should be a guide only, thus allowing councils greater flexibility to set rates according to locally developed priorities.

There is unanimous support within local government for retention of the de-rating grant and continuation of compensation for the elements included within it. NILGA therefore strongly supports retention, particularly in view of many additional burdens passing to councils at present.

15 To what extent do you feel that a rate bill based on a property’s NAV is a fair reflection of the occupying business’ ability to pay? 15a Should local revenue be raised using an alternative method that would better reflect an ‘ability to pay’? 15b What method should be used and what are the advantages and disadvantages of such an approach?

NILGA understands the concerns expressed about this matter, but believes, as expressed in the consultation paper, that it may be impractical to operate a system better reflecting ‘ability to pay’ on a yearly basis. NILGA therefore largely supports the retention of the current system, as it represents a reasonable basis which aligns to the simple capital valuation of a domestic property, although we would be happy to consider practical ideas coming forward as a result of this consultation. The occupation of a business property, as with a house, will, more often than not, correspond with ability to pay.

16 Should we consider taxing ownership instead of occupation for the Non-Domestic sector?

As outlined in the consultation paper, NILGA believes that the current basis of generally taxing occupation works well and should be retained. 17 Should a switch to capital value be considered in more detail for Non-Domestic property?

NILGA supports the retention of the current system of using NAVs rather than moving to a capital value system.

18 Do you agree with the principle of a derelict land tax? 18aWhat should the scope of the tax be? 18b Should it apply to all unused and derelict sites or should it be restricted to land that is zoned for a particular development.

The NILGA Planning and Regeneration Working Group has recently considered the issue of derelict land, further to the introduction of a ‘levy’ in the Republic of Ireland through the Irish “Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015”. Potential lobbying activity for a similar levy in Northern Ireland was considered within the context of NILGA work related to the ongoing transfer of regeneration powers from DSD, but should DFP instead wish to further a similar approach, NILGA would strongly support further research into this issue. This is also related to work that NILGA has recently carried out at the behest of the Regional Development Committee, who carried out an Inquiry into Unadopted Roads.

19 Should public sector organisations that are funded from central government continue to pay rates? 19a What are the potential consequences of moving away from such an approach?

NILGA supports the current practice of taxing public sector properties, since, as outlined in the consultation paper, this practice provides rates income for councils. If it was to be discontinued, councils would have to be fully compensated in a similar manner to the current “de-rating” grant.

20 Notwithstanding some of the fundamental policy concerns expressed above, is their support for exploring the issue of LVT in more detail?

This type of tax is used in a few jurisdictions, and NICVA recently launched a report advocating this locally. At the Innovation Lab, and also the recent IRRV Conference, it was argued that LVT was not an appropriate solution here. NILGA believes that although the introduction of a Land Value Tax would have some merits, it is not thought to be appropriate for Northern Ireland at this time. Like IRRV, NILGA would argue that a tax on vacant land would help to widen the tax base, but that it raises the question of how to treat vacant agricultural land. We do not currently support further work being carried out on this issue.

21 Would an online sales tax benefit businesses operating within Northern Ireland? How could this be practically implemented?

NILGA would not support the introduction of an online sales tax, a local income tax or a tourist tax at this time.

22 Should DFP pursue an assessment of other/additional systems for raising revenue within Northern Ireland? If yes, what tax should be examined in more detail? What would the potential benefits of such an approach?

NILGA would agree with the Department’s assertion that exploring any alternative form of taxation would be “extremely challenging and be unlikely to deliver significant additional benefits” at this time, however, at the NILGA event on 11th December, a suggestion was made to commission a study in relation to raising revenue within the context of the new council ‘General Power of Competence’. The Department may wish to consider this suggestion as it carries this work forward.

Collection and Administration

NILGA recognises that there is merit in retaining the centralised rate collection body as currently exists. However, NILGA notes that considerable investment is needed in order to bring systems up to date and ensure much better integration as we progress. NILGA would urge that funds for such technological investment should be prioritised. NILGA would also advocate that Land & Property Services (LPS) needs to be more accountable to local councils for its collection performance along with the costs levied on councils for write-offs, collection and other matters. It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that collection rates are maximised and costs of collection minimised, thereby increasing net revenue raised to the benefit of all. Members are therefore extremely keen to see development of a better partnership approach between councils and LPS, to develop better ’policing’ of rates evasion, utilising the skills of building control and other council staff.

Conclusion

NILGA thanks the Department for ensuring continuing local government involvement in the development of new rates policy. We trust that the views of NILGA and of our member councils will be taken on board within the consideration of the way forward following the closure of this consultation.

We are particularly pleased to see the presentation of radical ideas in the consultation paper, and NILGA seeks further involvement in the development of these ideas which the Department decides to take forward.

Any queries in relation to this response should be addressed to Karen Smyth, Head of Policy at NILGA - email: [email protected] tel: (028) 9079 8972.

Disclaimer

The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) endeavours to ensure that the information contained within our Website, Policies and other communications is up to date and correct.

We do not, however, make any representation that the information will be accurate, current, complete, uninterrupted or error free or that any information or other material accessible from or related to NILGA is free of viruses or other harmful components.

NILGA accepts no responsibility for any erroneous information placed by or on behalf of any user or any loss by any person or user resulting from such information.

11 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Periods 2016/1 to 2016/9, Business Unit 1 d is equal to 5 (Development) , Location 4 digits is equal to 0602 or is equal to 0604 or is equal to 0606 or is equal to 4202 or is equal to 4206 or is equal to 4208 or is equal to 4216 or is equal to 3614 or is equal to 3854 or is equal to 4402

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

5 Development

Tourism

0602 Tourism Development

0010 Salaries 18,054 18,055 120,560 89,542 89,542 0 2140 Travel & Subsistence 500 495 6,000 2,659 2,554 -105 3002 Advertising 100 0 12,000 11,758 11,658 -100 3004 Room Charges 125 79 1,500 815 587 -228 3018 Market Research 0 0 7,000 0 0 0 3154 Postage 58 1 700 546 383 -163 3178 Stationery 29 8 300 275 195 -80 3204 Brochures Print & Distribution 7,561 7,561 25,000 24,997 24,997 0 3248 Grant Aid 0 0 14,000 9,585 9,584 -1 3258 Contributions to Running Costs 166 0 2,000 1,697 1,529 -168 3626 Exhibitions 416 564 5,000 1,512 1,599 87 3628 Trade Visits 41 0 500 82 0 -82 3630 Industry Training 83 0 1,000 785 668 -117 4610 International Promotions 0 0 19,800 19,686 19,627 -59 4620 Out of State Marketing 15,000 15,000 86,950 59,231 59,231 0 4670 Promotion of City 50,345 50,344 308,000 253,155 253,154 -1 4800 Evening Economy Initiatives 4,137 4,137 25,000 11,181 11,181 0 4810 New Product Development 0 0 30,000 18,915 18,915 0 4850 Tourism Development - Events 0 0 14,250 12,305 12,305 0

Page 1 of 10 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

======Totals For 0602 96,615 96,245 679,560 518,726 517,708 -1,018

0604 Courthouse VIC

0010 Salaries 5,213 5,056 70,801 39,613 39,613 0 1020 Rent 0 0 4,500 0 0 0 1140 Maintenance Contracts 33 164 5,900 1,323 1,323 0 3066 ICT Booking 100 232 1,200 912 1,044 132 3114 Retail Items 0 0 6,000 3,745 3,755 10 3178 Stationery 58 0 700 397 210 -187 3188 Telephones 42 7 500 352 317 -35 3506 Credit / Debit Card Charges 34 0 410 308 299 -8 ======Totals For 0604 5,480 5,458 90,011 46,650 46,562 -88

0606 Lisburn VIC

0010 Salaries 10,559 -1,411 97,333 95,031 95,036 5 1020 Rent 0 0 12,500 12,500 12,500 0 1140 Maintenance Contracts 61 175 8,330 4,739 4,739 0 1370 Office Equipment 75 0 900 762 709 -53 1480 Energy Costs 250 0 3,000 2,475 2,226 -249 3066 ICT Booking 100 232 1,200 1,012 1,044 32 3114 Retail Items 571 343 20,000 11,357 11,357 0 3178 Stationery 58 10 900 615 548 -67 3188 Telephones 92 72 1,100 552 416 -136 3506 Credit / Debit Card Charges 34 0 410 308 269 -39

Page 2 of 10 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

4060 Agency Costs 700 590 10,000 5,942 5,832 -110 ======Totals For 0606 12,500 12 155,673 135,293 134,675 -617

======Tourism 114,595 101,715 925,244 700,668 698,945 -1,723

Economic Development

4202 Econ Develop. Admin.

0010 Salaries 30,103 30,161 410,000 270,927 270,926 -1 2140 Travel & Subsistence 1,704 1,421 9,325 7,904 7,904 0 3004 Room Charges 829 657 6,066 4,661 4,661 0 3060 Marketing & Development 231 0 1,666 231 231 0 3154 Postage 0 90 2,700 892 793 -99 3178 Stationery 1,429 1,142 6,383 4,779 4,592 -187 3182 Printing 33 0 400 297 224 -73 3186 Photocopying 0 0 266 0 0 0 3188 Telephones 175 84 2,253 963 759 -204 3490 Legal Fees 0 0 5,000 0 0 0 ======Totals For 4202 34,504 33,554 444,059 290,654 290,089 -565

4206 Economic Development Projects

4660 Inward Investment Prog 0 0 40,000 18,729 18,729 0 4750 International Trade Programme 0 -393 243,472 85,074 84,680 -394

Page 3 of 10 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

4760 Enterprise Lisburn 6,655 3,785 462,000 92,036 91,846 -190 4770 Sectoral SME dev prog 0 31 190,000 187,091 187,078 -13 4790 EU Co-operative Project 0 0 418,750 32,310 32,310 0 4830 Business Dev. Collaborative Working 680 0 30,011 21,875 21,875 0 4890 Entrepreneurship 12,500 0 17,250 12,500 0 -12,500 ======Totals For 4206 19,835 3,423 1,401,483 449,615 436,519 -13,096

4208 Lagan Rural Partnership

0010 Salaries 14,654 14,655 214,399 144,728 144,731 3 1430 Office Costs 0 3 11,150 192 192 0 2140 Travel & Subsistence 1,000 735 12,000 5,791 5,525 -266 3004 Room Charges 367 376 4,410 884 812 -72 3036 Internet/Web Costs 0 0 7,500 400 400 0 3060 Marketing & Development 0 -120 12,225 1,540 1,419 -121 3098 Insurance - Lagan RP 0 0 1,500 0 0 0 3178 Stationery 96 94 9,440 412 412 0 3188 Telephones 50 15 600 270 194 -76 3280 Networking / Training 0 0 1,000 0 0 0 3496 Consultants 3,500 3,500 4,060 3,500 3,500 0 3700 Evaluation / Monitoring 0 0 12,975 12,868 12,868 0 ======Totals For 4208 19,667 19,258 291,259 170,585 170,053 -532

======Economic Development 74,006 56,236 2,136,801 910,854 896,661 -14,193

Page 4 of 10 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

Urban Regeneration & Comm. Development

4216 Regeneration

0010 Salaries 4,198 4,212 50,380 37,877 37,849 -28 3608 Castle Gardens Events 0 1,158 9,000 0 -1,731 -1,731 3698 Public Realm Scheme Expenditure 0 0 35,000 0 0 0 4630 LaganBank Quarter Initiative 0 0 30,000 6,548 6,523 -25 4640 City Centre Revitalisation 18,833 18,968 79,000 48,202 48,393 191 4680 Lagan Canal Trust 0 0 52,190 0 0 0 4710 Invest Lisburn 1,244 1,245 15,000 12,713 12,713 -1 4720 Lisburn Historic Quarter 9,136 9,195 15,000 12,613 12,673 60 4730 Rural Village Renewal 0 -1,788 118,000 97,167 97,379 212 4740 City Centre management 7,657 7,743 115,000 50,717 50,466 -251 4780 CCTV 0 0 141,600 0 0 0 4860 Physical Regeneration 0 0 23,224 0 0 0 ======Totals For 4216 41,068 40,732 683,394 265,837 264,264 -1,573

======Urban Regeneration & Comm. Development41,068 40,732 683,394 265,837 264,264 -1,573

Democratic Representation & Management

3614 Staff Conferences

0100 Conferences & Courses 0 0 850 0 0 0

Page 5 of 10 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

======Totals For 3614 0 0 850 0 0 0

======Democratic Representation & Management 0 0 850 0 0 0

Corporate Management

3854 Development HQ

0120 Single Status - Costs 0 -7,223 0 0 4,607 4,607 ======Totals For 3854 0 -7,223 0 0 4,607 4,607

======Corporate Management 0 -7,223 0 0 4,607 4,607

Trading Services

4402 Markets and Fairs

1030 Rates 0 0 14,350 3,521 3,410 -112 1200 Security Contracts 0 0 6,500 104 103 -1 ======Totals For 4402 0 0 20,850 3,625 3,513 -112

Page 6 of 10 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

======Trading Services 0 0 20,850 3,625 3,513 -112

======Totals For Development 229,669 191,460 3,767,139 1,880,984 1,867,990 -12,994

======229,669 191,460 3,767,139 1,880,984 1,867,990 -12,994

5 Development

Tourism

0602 Tourism Development

6062 OSM - Income 0 0 -30,970 -1,710 -1,710 0 ======Totals For 0602 0 0 -30,970 -1,710 -1,710 0

0604 Courthouse VIC

6130 Other Income -432 -388 -9,000 -5,867 -6,917 -1,050 ======Totals For 0604 -432 -388 -9,000 -5,867 -6,917 -1,050

Page 7 of 10 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

0606 Lisburn VIC

6130 Other Income -3,780 -5,728 -30,000 -25,000 -21,507 3,493 ======Totals For 0606 -3,780 -5,728 -30,000 -25,000 -21,507 3,493

======Tourism -4,212 -6,116 -69,970 -32,577 -30,134 2,443

Economic Development

4202 Econ Develop. Admin.

6410 ERDF Grant 0 0 -25,594 0 0 0 6412 Govt Grant - Salaries 0 0 -77,000 -22,281 -22,281 0 ======Totals For 4202 0 0 -102,594 -22,281 -22,281 0

4206 Economic Development Projects

6414 Govt Grants - International Trade 0 0 -28,500 0 0 0 6416 Govt Grants - Enterprise Lisburn 0 0 -308,750 -41,842 -41,842 0 6418 Govt Grants - SME Dev. Programme 0 0 -131,000 -20,093 -20,093 0 6440 Govt Grants Inward Investment 0 0 -237,400 -178,050 -178,050 0 6442 Eu Co-op Govt Grant 0 0 -195,000 0 0 0 ======Totals For 4206 0 0 -900,650 -239,985 -239,985 0

Page 8 of 10 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

4208 Lagan Rural Partnership

6058 Lagan Rural Partnership Income -72,118 -72,118 -270,060 -120,423 -120,423 0 ======Totals For 4208 -72,118 -72,118 -270,060 -120,423 -120,423 0

======Economic Development -72,118 -72,118 -1,273,304 -382,689 -382,689 0

Urban Regeneration & Comm. Development

4216 Regeneration

6438 City Centre Revitalisation Grant 0 0 -70,000 -2,400 -2,400 0 6444 Rural Village Renewal 0 0 -66,750 0 0 0 ======Totals For 4216 0 0 -136,750 -2,400 -2,400 0

======Urban Regeneration & Comm. Development0 0 -136,750 -2,400 -2,400 0

Trading Services

4402 Markets and Fairs

6124 Outdoor Stallage -1,750 -1,858 -21,000 -16,520 -16,663 -143

Page 9 of 10 01-Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Monthly Budget Report 20/01/2016 14:36

Budget for Current Annual Budget YTD Budget Total Act & Variance to Month Act/Comm Comm date

======Totals For 4402 -1,750 -1,858 -21,000 -16,520 -16,663 -143

======Trading Services -1,750 -1,858 -21,000 -16,520 -16,663 -143

======Totals For Development -78,080 -80,092 -1,501,024 -434,186 -431,886 2,300

======-78,080 -80,092 -1,501,024 -434,186 -431,886 2,300

======Grand Totals 151,589 111,368 2,266,115 1,446,798 1,436,104 -10,694

Page 10 of 10 Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Appendix 2.5 ED Restricted - Not to be Reproduced Risk Assessment Form Completed by: R S Lawther Date completed: 15th December 2015

Risk Risk Assessment of Risk Risk Assessment of Residual Risk Responsible Review Number Control Frequency Impact Likelihood Risk Impact Likelihood Residual

14 Information Security 4 3 12 CRR/15/15 4 2 8 Director of Quarterly CS

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 30th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/K Connelly

Risk Control Measure: CRR/1/15

One: Potential fatalities and serious injuries

Two: Prosecution – fines for body corporate and/ or fines/imprisonment for individual(s)

Three: Claims

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Foster a Customer (Citizen and Business) focused council, meeting the customer needs in an effective and efficient manner

Theme 3 Priorities - Place & Environment

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

Existing Actions:

New Actions:

• Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) reduction plans

O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head ED\Appendix 2 5 ED - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16 re saved.doc 29/01/2016 14:15 - 4 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced • Review of policies to deal with operational issues such as Legionella, Asbestos and fire safety • PR plan to be developed to deal with serious incidents • Budgetary control on property income and expenditure • Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) Programme to be reviewed • Regular inspection and maintenance contracts in some areas • Training / CPD for staff • Produce Estate Strategy for L&CCC assets • Continued development & enhancement of current safety management system • Continue Health & Safety audits of safety management culture within the Council as part of rolling planned programme • Health and well-being support plan being developed • Risk Management process, procedure and training for assessors to be put in place • Employees consulted about Health and Safety issues through Safety Rep inspections, Safety Rep Meetings and reports to Health and Safety Committee • Arrangements for trained first aiders to be put in place • New web based health and safety recording, reporting, monitoring and auditing to be introduced • Health and Safety reports quarterly standing item at CMT

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 15th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther

Risk Control Measure: CRR/2/15

Description: Failure to implement Codes of Practice and Legislation

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities

• Lead on Community Planning to develop and implement a shared vision for the area

Theme 3 Priorities - Place & Environment

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Provide strong Governance with clear purpose and focus; and effective and accountable decision-making

Existing Actions:

New Actions:

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Corporate Services

Date of Risk Review: 15th November2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/ L Scott

Risk Control Measure: CRR/3/15

Description: Fraud and corruption

One: Do not have effective budgetary and internal control system in place

Two: Breakdown of Internal financial processes and controls which could lead to:

• Suppliers may submit fraudulent invoices • Staff may abuse systems for personal gain

Corporate Objective:

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Provide strong Governance with clear purpose and focus; and effective and • accountable decision-making

Existing Actions

New Actions: • Review of Accounting Manual • Study of Internal and external audit taking place

Risk Action Plan Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 1st December 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/K-A McKibbin

Risk Control Measure: CRR/4/15

Description: Loss of corporate image and reputation due to performance management culture not embedded within the Council

One: Risk of legal action or sanction if Council does not carry through performance initiatives

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Foster a Customer (Citizen and Business) focused council, meeting the customer needs in an effective and efficient manner

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

Mitigating Factors:

• Code of Conduct for Members and staff in place • Performance targets assigned from Local Government

Existing Actions:

• Relevant and achievable Corporate Vision and Objectives in place • Effective business plans being developed and will be reviewed regularly

New Actions:

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Chief Executives Office

Date of Risk Review: 30th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/K Connelly

Risk Control Measure: CRR/5/15

Risk Description: Failure to have effective Emergency and Business Continuity Plans

Corporate Objective:

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

Mitigating Factors:

Existing Actions:

• Emergency Plan in place • Having appropriate committee/council approval for these plan

New Actions:

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/L Scott

Risk Control Measure: CRR/6/15

Description: Potential failure to secure an appropriate budget and adequate resources to meet departmental needs and demands for effective service delivery

One: Staff structure required to deliver efficiency savings and service changes, due to resource pressures

Two: Service Review and Improvement plan to deliver more effective services

Three: Expenditure incurred where no budgetary provision exists

Four: Failure to ensure the procurement process provides best value, resulting in reduced levels of service provision and increased costs

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community & Culture

• Foster a Customer (Citizen and Business) focused council, meeting the customer needs in an effective and efficient manner

Theme 2 Priorities – Strong and sustainable economy and Growth

• Engage with regional, national and European organisations to attract and optimise funding opportunities to support the area

Theme 3 Priorities – Place & Environment

• Create a positive, place to live work and visit and preserve the natural environment for the future • Promote sustainable development though planning, policy and action

Theme 4 Priorities – Health and Well-being

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head ED\Appendix 2 5 ED - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16 re saved.doc 29/01/2016 14:15 - 14 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies • Focus on affordability and financial planning to provide financial assurance and accountability by driving down costs and waste; ensuring efficiency not avoidance and finding ways to increase income opportunities

New Actions:

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Chief Executive Office

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/ C McWhirter

Risk Control Measure: CRR/7/15

Risk Description: Community Plan

One. Failure to prepare Community Plan in legislated timescale

Two: Failure to demonstrate inclusivity in the delivery of Community Plan including Partnerships not managed effectively and key service outcomes not achieved

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

Mitigating Factors:

Existing Actions:

New Actions:

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Environmental Services

Date of Risk Review: 30th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/A Reynolds

Risk Control Measure: CRR/8/15

Description: Failure of Leachate Management Systems at former Landfill Site

One: Failure of Containment of System

Two: Withdrawal of insurance Cover for pre-existing condition

Three: Refusal of NIW to accept Leachate for treatment at NIW treatment works

Four: Fines due to failure to comply with requirements of retrospective application of Article 13 of Landfill Directive

Five: Failure to secure adequate level of resources to carry out functions and services

Corporate Objective:

Theme 3 Priorities - Place & Environment

• Increase rates of recycling, reduce energy consumption and promote sustainable outcomes by working with residents and businesses

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

• We are committed to promoting safe healthy communities and active lifestyles, wellbeing and independence of people and communities

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies Initial Risk Evaluation: Residual Risk Evaluation: Likelihood 3 Likelihood 2 Impact 4 Impact 4 Overall Rating 12 Overall Rating 8 Officer Risk Owner: Director of Environmental Services O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head ED\Appendix 2 5 ED - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16 re saved.doc 29/01/2016 14:15 - 19 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced Overall Responsibility: Environmental Services Committee Target Date: Monthly Proposed Actions to deal with risk:

Mitigating Factors:

Existing Actions:

New Actions:

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Environmental Services

Date of Risk Review: 30th November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/A Reynolds

Risk Control Measure: CRR/9/15

Description: Waste Management

One: Failure to meet waste management targets

Two: Failure to correctly dispose of waste

Three: Requirement for Contingent Liability provision in relation to the Arc21 Residual Waste Treatment Project

Corporate Objective:

Theme 3 Priorities - Place & Environment

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

• We will provide a clean, healthy environment maintaining parks and open spaces, manage street cleaning and collect bins from the 48,000 householders it will serve

• We are committed to promoting safe healthy communities and active lifestyles, wellbeing and independence of people and communities

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies

Mitigating Factors:

• Procurement process and rules • Availability of resources

Existing Actions:

New Actions:

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: Development and Planning Directorate

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/B Elliot

Risk Control Measure: CRR/10/15

Description: Planning and area planning

One: Failure to deliver planning in partnership with key stakeholders

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

Theme 3 Priorities – Place & Environment

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

• We will provide a clean, healthy environment maintaining parks and open spaces, manage street cleaning and collect bins from the 48,000 householders it will serve

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Ensure service delivery is as good as it can be with appropriate resourcing and performance management and measurement to drive improvements whilst maximising efficiencies

New Actions:

• To progress to next key stage of the Local Development Plan following preparatory stage • To deal with the potential increase in the number of applications by ensuring adequate resources are available • Meet key performance indicators and develop monthly reporting mechanisms to review performance and enhance service delivery • Publication of the Statement of Community Involvement outlining opportunity for stakeholder participation • Review of Protocol for operation of planning committee and Scheme of Delegation as required O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head ED\Appendix 2 5 ED - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16 re saved.doc 29/01/2016 14:15 - 25 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced • Explore with other Council’s the future operational I.T requirements post 2019 (Planning Portal in place for 4 years post RPA) • Consider introduction of new procedures to assist with improved service delivery

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project:

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther/ L Scott

Risk Control Measure: CRR/11/15

Description: ICT

One: ICT strategy fails to support the organisation moving forward

Two: Systems not rate payer and customer friendly

Three:Systems are not successfully integrated with one and other

Four: Drain on resources as staff work around the systems

Five : Over reliance on outsourced provision

Corporate Objective:

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

• Customer Feedback Process in place • Business Continuity Management being developed • Network design resilience being developed

New Actions:

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project:

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther

Risk Control Measure: CRR/12/15

Description: Funding from Central Government and other bodies

One: A major reduction in public sector funding, including consequences of changes in funding arrangements for other bodies

Two: Impact on balancing the budget – significant change and financial savings required

Three: New policies and regulations place a major financial burden on the Council

Four: Change in monetary direction of National and Regional Government

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Working in partnership, maximise the economic contribution into the Council area by attracting spend from inward investors and visitors as well as residents

Theme 2 Priorities - Strong and sustainable economy and Growth

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing

Mitigating Factors:

Existing Actions:

New Actions:

Risk Action Plan

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther

Risk Control Measure: CRR/13/15

Description: Income Generation

One: Significant reduction of income streams and external funding, or significant change in project or service development resulting in insufficient funding in place

Two: Collapse in regional markets leading to loss of income

Three: Low economic growth or recession reduces income and impacts on balancing the budget – significant change and financial savings required

Four: Under-utilisation of assets

Corporate Objective:

Theme 1 Priorities – Community and Culture

• Working in partnership, maximize the economic contribution into the Council area by attracting spend from inward investors and visitors as well as residents

Theme 2 Priorities - Strong and sustainable economy and Growth

Theme 4 Priorities - Health & Wellbeing O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head ED\Appendix 2 5 ED - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16 re saved.doc 29/01/2016 14:15 - 31 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced

Mitigating Factors:

Existing Actions:

New Actions:

O:\Corporate Services\Members Services\LCCC\Committees\Development\2016\2016 02 03\Report Lead Head ED\Appendix 2 5 ED - Corporate Risk Register version 1 1_Jan_16 re saved.doc 29/01/2016 14:15 - 32 - Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Corporate Risk Register Version 1.1/15 Restricted - Not to be Reproduced budget • 4 year budget to improve forecasting and planning • Review income streams to finance priority services • Estates strategy/Management plan produced • Ongoing Capital Programme review of major schemes • Risk assessment included in project planning • Continuous Treasury Management to assess the Council’s existing investments and consider future opportunities available • Improved information available from Financial Management System • Workforce Plan being produced • Development of a five year Rates Strategy that will examine income generation both within and outside of the Council. It will also consider the sustainability of income streams over the next five years

Corporate/Department/Section/Unit/Project: All Departments

Date of Risk Review: 1st November 2015 Prepared by: RS Lawther

Risk Control Measure: CRR/14/15

Description: Information Security

One: Sensitive and/or personal data is sent to the incorrect recipient or not kept securely, or is lost

Two: Failure to encrypt all portable devices. Equipment loss or theft could lead to the organisation being compromised and / or fined by the Information commissioner

Three: Failure to adequately structure and protect data in shared filing to reflect various organisational changes

Four: Communication on social media which has an adverse effect on Council reputation

Five: Shared filing is not fully owned / managed by the business and sensitive data may be accessible to those who should not be able to access it and could be leaked / used inappropriately

Corporate Objective:

Theme 5 Priorities - Good Governance & Service

Existing Actions

New Actions: