30 March 2016
Chairman: Alderman S P Porter Vice-Chairman: Councillor A McIntyre Aldermen: W A Leathem and J Tinsley Councillors: N Anderson, B Bloomfield MBE, R Butler, J Gallen, A Givan, J Gray MBE, V Kamble, H Legge, T Morrow, S Scott and R Walker Ex Officio: The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor R T Beckett Deputy Mayor, Councillor A Redpath
The Monthly Meeting of the Leisure and Community Development Committee will be held in the Chestnut Suite, Island Civic Centre, The Island, Lisburn, on Tuesday, 5 April 2016, at 4.00 pm, for the transaction of business on the undernoted agenda.
Please note that hot food will be available from 5.00 pm in Lighters Restaurant.
You are requested to attend.
DR THERESA DONALDSON Chief Executive Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
Agenda
1 Apologies
2 Declarations of Interest
3 Minutes
3.1 Minutes of the Leisure and Community Development Committee meeting held on 1 March 2016
4 Deputations
4.1 Presentation by Representatives from Otium Consultants re Audit Analysis and Draft Pitches Strategy
5 Report from Director of Leisure & Community Services
5.1 Departmental Rolling Absenteeism Report 5.2 Estates Strategy 5.3 Departmental Budget Report
5.4 Report from Mr Ryan Black, Head of Service (Cultural & Community Services)
5.4.1 Presentation of the Council’s 2016/2018 Community Development Strategy 5.4.2 IPB Pride of Place 2016 5.4.3 Review of Bonfire Management Programme 5.4.4 Young Artist of the Year Award
5.5 Report of Mr Ross Gillanders, Head of Service (Parks & Amenities)
5.5.1 Grant Aid to Third-Party Organisations 2016-2017 5.5.2 Kilmakee Activity Centre 5.5.3 Pitches Strategy 5.5.4 Play Park Opening Times 5.5.5 Ulster Grand Prix Working Group 5.5.6 Request to Rent Car Park Spaces at Hydebank 5.5.7 Mayor’s Parade and Family Fun Day 5.5.8 Request for Use of Moira Demesne 5.5.9 UEFA Championships
5.6 Report of Mr Brendan Courtney, Head of Service (Sports Services)
5.6.1 Request from Education Authority to Provide Financial Assistance for Special School Summer Scheme 2016 5.6.2 Request to use Grounds Adjacent to Dundonald International Ice Bowl for Cyclocross Place 5.6.3 Recruitment of Quality Systems Manager 5.6.4 Hillsborough Boys’ Festival of Football – Request for Financial Assistance 5.6.5 Northern Ireland Amateur Football League –v- Scottish Football League: Downshire Young Men’s Request for Financial Assistance 5.6.6 European Referendum, Thursday, 23 June – Use of Council Facilities for Polling and Count Venue 5.6.7 Health and Wellbeing Officer – Financial Assistance from Public Health Agency 5.6.8 Request for Financial Assistance – Mary Peters Trust 5.6.9 Potential Extension City of Lisburn Salto Gymnastics Centre - Update 5.6.10 Sports Services Facilities – Closure Dates 2017
6 Confidential Report from the Director of Leisure & Community Services
6.1 Tender Report – Appointment of a Contractor to Carry Out Construction Works in Respect of Lisburn North Community Centre Confidential for reason of information relating to financial or business affairs of the organisation concerned (including the Council holding that information) 6.2 Tender Report – Operation of a Mobile Kiosk in Wallace Park, Lisburn Confidential due to information relating to financial or business affairs of the organisation concerned (including the Council holding that information) 6.3 Tender Report – Provision of Stewarding and Crowd Control Services Confidential due to information relating to financial or business affairs of the organisation concerned (including the Council holding that information) 6.4 Request from Department for Social Development – Provision of Some Match-Funding from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council towards Resurgam Community Development Trust’s Core Costs in 2016-2017 Confidential due to information relating to financial or business affairs of the organization concerned (including the Council holding that information) 6.5 Application for Voluntary Severance under RPA Confidential for reason of information relating to individuals
Members are requested to access the confidential report on Sharepoint under the Confidential Folder – Leisure & Community Development
7 Any other Business
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To: Members of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
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LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the proceedings of the Leisure and Community Development Committee Meeting of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, held in the Island Civic Centre, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, on Tuesday, 1 March 2016, at 6.30 pm
PRESENT Alderman S P Porter (Chairman)
The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor R T Beckett
Aldermen: W A Leathem
Councillors: N Anderson, B Bloomfield MBE, R Butler, J Gallen, A Givan, J Gray MBE, H Legge, A McIntyre, T Morrow, S Scott
OTHER MEMBERS Councillors: A Grehan, Jenny Palmer, John Palmer
IN ATTENDANCE Director of Leisure & Community Services Head of Service (Cultural & Community Services) Head of Service (Parks & Amenities) Head of Service (Sports Services) Museum Curator Committee Secretary
Commencement of Meeting
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Leisure and Community Development Committee.
1. Apologies
It was agreed to accept apologies from Alderman J Tinsley, Councillor V Kamble, Councillor R Walker
2. Declarations of Interest
The Chair 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 to complete Declaration of Interest forms in this regard, which had been provided at the meeting. The following declarations of interest were made:
Items 4.4, 4.5 and 5.6 – Councillor Gray on the basis that she is a member of the Museums Council
3. Minutes of the Leisure and Community Development Committee Meeting held on 2 February 2016
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It was agreed that the minutes of the Leisure and Community Development Committee meeting held on 2 February 2016, as adopted at the meeting of Council held on 23 February 2016, be confirmed and signed.
4. Report from the Director of Leisure & Community Services
It was agreed that the report and recommendations from the Director of Leisure & Community Services be adopted, subject to any decisions recorded below.
Items for Decision
4.1 Leisure and Community Services: Draft Departmental Plan 2015-2017
Members were reminded that, at the previous meeting, it had been agreed to defer consideration of the Draft Departmental Plan 2015-2017 to the March meeting.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council adopt the Leisure and Community Services Departmental Plan 2015-2017, subject to the following amendment:
Part 1 – Point 1.3: Inclusion of the theme ‘Strong & sustainable economy and growth’ Part 2 – Parks & Amenities (Countryside & Open Spaces): add Lagan Canal Trust to the list of groups included in the Leisure and Community Services Departmental Plan 2015-2017
4.2 Mayor’s Parade and Family Fun Day 2016
Members were advised that, in consultation with the Right Worshipful the Mayor and the PSNI, arrangements were being progressed for the Mayor’s Parade and Family Fun Day 2016 to be held on 14 May 2016. Members were asked to note the proposed route for the Parade. Following completion of the Public Realm scheme, the route would revert to arrangements operating in the former Lisburn City Council, with the Mayor taking the parade salute in front of the Irish Linen Centre / Lisburn Museum.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council adopt the proposed route for the Mayor’s Parade and Family Fun Day on 14 May 2016, as outlined in the report from the Director of Leisure & Community Services.
Items for Noting
4.3 Air Conditioning Ducting Cleaning and Building Closure
Members noted that the earliest date the appointed contractors were able to start the air conditioning ducting cleaning in the Irish Linen Centre & Linen
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Museum was 7 March 2016. As this late start would delay exhibition programming and anniversary-led exhibitions would be seriously delayed, it had been agreed, in consultation with the Chairman, to change the work programme to a ten-day timeframe during the day. To facilitate this schedule, it had been necessary to accept that the Irish Linen Centre & Linen Museum would be closed to visitors from 7 - 12 March inclusive.
4.4 Northern Ireland Museums Council Profiling Project
Members noted that the Northern Ireland Museums Council had informed the Museum that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure had agreed to provide 100% of the cost of funding for the Visitor Profiling project, therefore there would be no charge on the Museum budget in the 2015- 2016 or 2016-2017 financial years.
4.5 Northern Ireland Museums Council Community Engagement Project Grant
Members noted that the Northern Ireland Museums Council had offered 100% grant funding of £4,000 for a further Community Engagement project. The offer had been accepted in principle, subject to reporting to the Committee. It was noted that an investigation of a potential cross-section of groups that might participate in the programme had commenced.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the offer of 100% grant of £4,000 from the Northern Ireland Museums Council for a further Community Engagement project and that the project be undertaken in the coming months.
4.6 Culture and Identity Grant Offer to Lisburn North Community Investment
Members noted, following a request at the February Committee meeting to investigate further the potential of a late offer of grant funding to North Lisburn Community Investment that, following a meeting and a reworked project, a maximum grant funding of £450 had been agreed with the group for a programme to be completed in early March.
4.7 Organisational Design Update
Members noted that the Head of Human Resources & Organisation Development intended to present a composite update report for Members through the Corporate Services Committee in March.
4.8 Departmental Rolling Absenteeism Report
Members noted the information tabled in relation to Departmental absenteeism in the period 1 April to 31 December 2015.
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4.9 Arrangements for the Monthly Meetings of the Leisure and Community Development Committee in April and May 2016
Members were advised that, following consultation with the Chairman, it had been agreed that the April meeting of the Committee would begin at 4 pm and that the May meeting of the Committee would be rescheduled for 11 May 2016 at 5.30 pm.
4.10 Report from Head of Service (Cultural & Community Services)
Items for Decision
It was proposed by Councillor S Scott, seconded by Councillor A McIntyre and agreed that the report and recommendations of the Head of Service (Cultural & Community Services) be adopted, subject to any decisions recorded below.
4.10.1 Appeals Procedure – Community Funding
Members were provided with details of a generic appeals procedure that had been developed as a fair and consistent process for considering appeals in relation to Cultural & Community Grant Funding Programme decisions.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the appeals procedure for consideration of appeals in relation to Cultural & Community Grant Funding Programme decisions.
4.10.2 Third Party Funding Allocations
Members were provided with a list of funding allocations to organisations that delivered facilities and programmes to support and develop local communities and which had been monitored against a set of key targets, in line with the Council’s Community Development priorities. It was confirmed that provision for the funding allocations had been made in the Estimates 2016-2017.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the release of payments (where appropriate on a staged basis), subject to an Agreement / Letter of Offer and receipt of each organisation’s most recent approved accounts being in place.
4.10.3 2016/2017 Good Relations Action Plan
Members were provided with a copy of the Council’s 2016/2017 Good Relations Action Plan for consideration. The action plan was in line with the Council’s Good Relations Strategy and built on projects and initiatives
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delivered in 2015/2016. Members were also reminded that the Council was required to submit a plan to OFMDFM annually in order to access 75% funding for approved projects and staffing costs under the District Council Good Relations Programme.
The Chairman asked that officers work to ensure that the Action Plan projects are accessible by children and young people with special needs and are promoted to ensure multi-cultural participation.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the 2016/2017 Good Relations Action Plan, subject to the inclusion of a strategy in respect of persons with special needs and a strategy in respect of multi-cultural and intergenerational issues.
4.10.4 Bonfire Arrangements
Members were reminded that, at the November Committee meeting, it had been agreed to liaise with bonfire groups affected by a change in the funding and management arrangements for bonfires and to report back to the Committee to indicate the number of groups that were affected and the work required to facilitate those groups in applying for Community Festival Funding.
Members were advised that while a report on this matter had recently been finalised, the Director had been unable to circulate it in time to allow Members adequate time to consider it at the Meeting. In view if this it was agreed to postpone consideration of the report on bonfire arrangements to the April Committee meeting. In the interim and in line with the decision of the Committee in November 2015, subsequently adopted by Council, it was agreed that groups seeking assistance in organising community events around the Twelfth July Holiday celebrations in 2016 should be directed to apply through the Community Festivals Fund.
4.10.5 John Hewitt Summer School – Request for Additional Bursaries
Members were provided with correspondence from the Director of the John Hewitt Society to the Chief Executive regarding bursaries for the annual John Hewitt Summer School. Members were advised that both former councils had offered one annual bursary each in relation to the Summer School, and that provision had been made for Lisburn & Castlereagh Council to provide two bursaries in 2015/2016. This provision had been maintained in the agreed Financial Estimates for 2016/2017.
On behalf of the John Hewitt Society, its Director, in his correspondence, had requested that the Council consider providing four bursaries in 2016/2017, which would result in an additional cost of approximately £700 to the Council.
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It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the provision of two bursaries to the John Hewitt Summer School in the financial year 2016/2017.
Items for Noting
4.10.6 Peace IV Update
Members noted the requirement to submit a Peace Action Plan by May 2016 for consideration by the Special European Union Programmes Body to allow for the drawdown of funding to support Peace & Reconciliation delivery in the Council area. Members noted that Blu Zebra Consultants had been appointed to develop and consult on the Council’s Peace IV Action Plan.
4.10.7 Arts Grants
Members noted that the third round of the Council’s Arts Grant scheme for 2016/2017 had closed for submission of funding applications on 29 February 2016 and that ten applications had been received. Following assessment by a panel, and in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, the Head of Service had accepted the recommendations from the Arts Grants Panel and award letters had been issued accordingly.
The next round of the Arts Grants scheme was due to close on 29 April 2016 for funding applications for projects taking place in August to October 2016 and beyond.
4.11 Report from Head of Service (Parks and Amenities)
Items for Decision
It was agreed that the report and recommendations from the Head of Service (Parks and Amenities) be adopted, subject to any decisions recorded below.
4.11.1 Playability Audit
Members were reminded of a presentation on the Playability Audit given by representatives from Play Board. Details of how the assessment audit had been applied were also provided for Members’ information. Recommendations on replacement as part of a three-year rolling capital programme were made in respect of lower-ranking play areas and a comprehensive rationale of these recommendations was provided for Members’ consideration.
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Councillor J Gallen raised concerns in respect of the lack of playpark provision in some areas, therefore he proposed that officers review the provision of playparks to take into consideration demographic need. The Chairman stated that the recommendation before the Committee arising from the Playability Audit report was in regard to the introduction of a three- year rolling refurbishment programme, which should be considered as a separate issue from the development of new playparks. He proposed that officers table a separate report at the next Committee meeting in respect of the provision of new playparks for Members’ consideration.
Councillor R Butler left the meeting at 7.17 pm.
Members also raised concerns in respect of enforcement of developers’ commitment to provide community facilities, including playparks. The Director of Leisure & Community Services advised that a report in respect of these issues would be tabled at a future Committee meeting.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council adopt the Playability Audit and accept the recommendations contained in the Officer`s report in relation to the facilities to be included in a three-year rolling programme of playpark refurbishment.
It was further agreed that officers table a report in respect of the development of new playparks in the Council area at the May Committee meeting for Members’ consideration.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor R T Beckett, left the meeting at 7.22 pm.
4.11.2 Circus Request
Members were advised that a circus had approached the Council requesting permission to locate on the Council-owned ‘dust’ car park adjacent to Distillery FC / Drumbo Park. A number of alternative dates had been provided to avoid Friday and Saturday nights when the facility was open for business. Members were also advised that there had been objections from local residents to the circus using this site.
It was agreed to decline the request from a circus for permission to locate on the Council-owned ‘dust’ car park adjacent to Distillery FC / Drumbo Park.
Councillor Jenny Palmer and Councillor John Palmer left the meeting at 7.23 pm.
4.11.3 The Big Weekend Event – Moira Demesne
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Members were advised that a request had been received from a group of local churches to hold a religious event in Moira Demesne on 10 – 13 June 2016, called the Big Weekend. Technical assistance had been requested in the form of free portable toilets, supply of barriers, supply of staging and bleacher seating for 1000 persons and free use of the park.
Members were also advised that the Council’s staging and bleacher seating would not be available on these dates and the cost involved, including Operational Services staff wages to deliver, set up and dismantle the event had yet to be determined.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the request from a group of local churches to hold The Big Weekend event in Moira Demesne on 10 - 13 June 2016 and that the Council provide technical assistance.
4.11.4 Park Life - Performances
Members were reminded of previous approval to deliver the Park Life programme in Wallace Park and Moat Park in 2016. Several of the participating groups did not charge for their services but historically the Council had made a donation to each group in lieu of payment.
Following consideration it was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the following donations in support of the Park Life programme:
Zephaniah Dancers - £120 Royal Scottish Country Dance Society - £120 Canal Boxing Club - £1,000
4.11.5 Pitches Audit & Strategy
Members noted the Consultants previously appointed to undertake the above work, were now in a position to make a presentation to the Committee on their findings following it having been completed.
It was agreed to receive a presentation from the Consultants at the April Committee meeting on the audit analysis and the Draft Pitches Strategy.
Items for Noting
4.11.6 UEFA Championships
Members noted that a report from officers in regard to the possible public screening of the forthcoming Northern Ireland fixtures at the forthcoming UEFA championships was still being collated and would be tabled for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.
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4.11.7 Correspondence re Skate Board Park Provision
Members noted receipt of correspondence from the Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP appending a petition gathered by a ten-year-old constituent who was petitioning for a skate board park to be built in the city area. Members further noted that the Director of Leisure & Community Services had responded to the MP advising that the Council did not have specific plans in its current Capital Programme for the provision of a skate board park.
4.12 Report from Head of Service (Sports Services)
Items for Decision
It was proposed by Councillor A Givan, seconded by Councillor McIntyre and agreed that the report and recommendations from the Head of Service (Parks and Amenities) be adopted, subject to any decisions recorded below.
4.12.1 Salto City of Lisburn National Gymnastics Centre 10th Anniversary Junior International 24 – 27 November 2016
Members were provided with a copy of correspondence from the Chief Executive of Salto City of Lisburn National Gymnastics Centre, outlining plans to host a junior international competition involving four countries as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the centre’s opening, and requesting financial assistance toward the cost of staging the event.
It was agreed, following consideration, to recommend that the Council approve a contribution of £6,000 towards the cost of Salto City of Lisburn National Gymnastics Centre holding a junior international competition to mark its 10th anniversary.
4.12.2 Revised Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Buddycard Scheme
Members considered a report recommending the extension to all relevant Council facilities of the Buddycard scheme, which had operated in the former Lisburn City Council, to allow customers with a disability to be accompanied by another person who could assist them in participating in activities.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the revised Buddycard scheme and its extension to all appropriate Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council facilities, on the basis of a ‘one off’ charge of £5.00 per Buddycard to cover administration costs. It was further agreed that officers write to participants of the former Buddycard scheme advising them of the new scheme.
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4.12.3 Northern Ireland Creative Movement and Aerobic Championships (NICMAC)
Members were provided with a copy of correspondence from Fitness NI, the organisers of the above at Lagan Valley LeiusurePlex on 4 – 6 March 2016, requesting consideration of sponsorship from the Council for the event. Members noted, no details of expenditure and projected income in relation to the event had been provided by the organisers.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council decline the request to sponsors the NICMAC event organised by Fitness NI but that the Council would take an advertisement in appropriate event promotional material if available.
4.12.4 Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh Elite Athlete Club: Rio 2016
Members were advised that Elite Athlete Club [EAC] members were entitled to receive vouchers for 30 complimentary visits to appropriate Council facilities. Officers had been approached by some EAC members who had been selected or were hoping to be selected for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, requesting unlimited access prior to the Games to assist preparation for the games.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve that Elite Athlete Club members who had been selected for, or aspired to be selected for, the 2016 Rio Olympics/Paralympics Games should receive unlimited access to appropriate Council facilities in the run up to the respective Games and that normal access entitlement would apply thereafter.
4.12.5 Club Development Officer Funding 2016/2017
Members were reminded that the Council had provided financial assistance to five clubs in 2015/2016 towards the cost of the appointment of a Club Development Officer. Members were also provided with a copy of an application form and information letter issued in April 2015 for consideration whether they should form the basis of the 2016/2017 application form.
Members were advised that the clubs would be informed that the Council intended to stop the provision of financial assistance after this year for this purpose due to budget restrictions.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve a maximum of five grants of up to £2,000 to local sports clubs, provided they met the criteria to appoint a Club Development Officer, and that this would be the last year in which the grant scheme would be available but a new scheme would be reported on at a later date.
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4.12.6 Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Business Awards 2016
Following consideration it was agreed to recommend that following the shortlisting of Lagan Valley LeisurePlex in the “Best Tourism Amenity Award” category the Council approve the purchase of five tickets at a cost of £60 per ticket for the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Business Awards 2016 Gala Dinner in La Mon Hotel & Country Club on 11 March 2016 and that the following Members and officers be invited to attend:
Chairman, Leisure & Community Development Committee Director of Leisure & Community Services or nominee Two members of Lagan Valley LeisurePlex staff
It was further agreed that, should the Chairman be unavailable to attend, the Vice-Chairman should attend in his place.
4.12.7 Lisnagarvey Hockey Club – Request for Support to Host Qualification Playoffs for 2016/2017 EY Hockey League – 16/17 April 2016
Following consideration it was agreed to recommend that the Council approve financial support of £400 to Lisnagarvey Hockey Club towards the cost of hosting the qualification playoffs for the 2016/2017 EY Hockey League.
5 Confidential Report from the Director of Leisure & Community Services
It was agreed that the Confidential Report and recommendations from the Director of Leisure & Community Services be adopted subject to any decisions recorded below.
The Director reported that the items contained in his Confidential Report required to be considered in Committee due to the reasons outlined:
Item 5.1: Confidential for reasons relating to the financial and business affairs of the organisation concerned (including the Council holding that information) Item 5.2: Confidential for reasons relating to the financial and business affairs of the organisation concerned (including the Council holding that information) Item 5.3: Confidential for reasons relating to the financial and business affairs of the organisation concerned (including the Council holding that information) Item 5.4: Confidential for reasons of information relating to individuals Item 5.5: Confidential for reasons of information relating to individuals Item 5.6: Confidential for reasons of information relating to individuals Item 5.7: Confidential for reasons of information relating to individuals
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It was proposed by Councillor A McIntyre, seconded by Councillor J Gray and agreed that the items in the Confidential Report be considered ‘In Committee’ in the absence of members of the press and public.
In Committee
5.1 Provision of Generalist Advice Services: Tender Report
Members were provided with a copy of the report for the meeting of the Sub- Committee of the Cultural & Community Development Committee held on 8 February 2016, relating to the tenders received in respect of generalist advice services. By the closing date of 5 February 2016, one tender had been received from Citizens Advice Lisburn & Castlereagh, which had been found fully compliant with the requested specification.
Councillor A Grehan advised that she had recently attended a seminar in respect of welfare reform, which was due to take effect later in the year, and attendees had been informed that the sum of £1.25 million would be made available by the Department for Social Development (DSD) to assist with the implementation of the changes. Councillor A Grehan suggested that the Council write to the DSD asking for clarification how the welfare reform would affect Council-funded advice services and whether funding would be allocated to councils.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the award of the Generalist Advice Services contract to Citizens Advice Lisburn Castlereagh for the period 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2019, with the flexibility to extend for a further two years. It was further agreed to recommend that the Council write to the DSD to seek clarification regarding the effects of welfare reform on Council-funded advice services and whether additional funding would be allocated to councils.
5.2 Appointment of an Environmental / Management Consultant to Undertake a Biodiversity Audit of Council-Owned Sites, create a Local Biodiversity Action Plan and Implementation Plan
Members were advised that invitations to tender for the appointment of an Environmental / Management Consultant to undertake a biodiversity audit of Council-owned sites and create a Local Biodiversity Action Plan and Implementation Plan had been issued through E-Sourcing NI. Eight submissions had been received by the closing date / time of 12.00 noon on 5 February 2016.
It was agreed following consideration of the Tender Report to accept the recommendation therein, namely that the Council approve the award of the contract to undertake a biodiversity audit for Council-owned sites and create
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a Local Biodiversity Action Plan and a Biodiversity Implementation Plan to Mantella Environmental at a cost of £16,045.15.
5.3 CCTV Upgrade Phase 2: Wallace Park
Members were reminded of the agreement for Lisburn Commerce Against Crime to upgrade the CCTV in Wallace Park, with work commencing in mid- March.
Phase 2 of this work was scheduled for the next financial year, involving the upgrade of the last seven cameras at a cost of approximately £35,000. This would give the Council full infrared night vision capability across the park and audio capability.
It was agreed to recommend that the Council approve the expenditure of £35,000 on Phase 2 of the upgrade of CCTV in Wallace Park by Lisburn Commerce Against Crime.
5.4 Operational Organisational Design Sports Services
Members were reminded of previous agreement regarding the management and supervisory levels of the organisational design in the Sports Services Unit. A breakdown of Organisational Design in regard to operational posts in the unit was provided for Members’ consideration, showing almost no change proposed post-RPA.
Members’ attention was drawn to some recommended changes in Dundonald International Ice Bowl, where a number of posts were covered by staff in an acting-up capacity, with their posts being covered by casual / relief workers. Furthermore, in the catering operation, a number of staff had reduced their hours of work, leaving a shortfall of 31 hours. Approval was sought to cover this shortfall with a part-time post.
Members were advised that there remained a reliance on casual / relief staff, which could only be addressed through appointment of more permanent staff at an additional cost. It was confirmed that the recommended changes could be met within the staffing budgets in the 2016/2017 Estimates.
Members noted the breakdown of operational posts in Sports Services, which had remained primarily unaltered post-RPA as well as the recommended changes in Dundonald International Ice Bowl regarding the catering operation, all of which could be met in the 2016/2017 Estimates.
5.5 Request from a Private Collector to set up a Temporary Display in Lisburn Museum
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Members were reminded of agreement at the February Committee meeting to defer consideration of a request from a private collector to set up a temporary display in Lisburn Museum, pending officers meeting the gentleman involved.
The Director of Leisure & Community Services confirmed the Museum Curator had since viewed the collection, and arising from this the Director provided Members with an outline of its content and focus. The material for display consisted of a fairly comprehensive collection of items relating to the period of the modern Troubles post-1968, focusing on the Police (B- Specials and RUC) and the Army (UDR, Royal Irish Regiment and other British regiments and services) It was noted that while the collector had a number of mannequins to assist in the display of uniforms, he had limited access to display cases and supporting interpretative material.
The Director advised that exhibition space at the Lisburn Museum would be extremely limited over the next few months due to its own exhibition programme, including the preparation of the Somme related section of the World War I Commemoration Exhibition, and the Exhibition to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II`s 90th Birthday.
In addition the Museum presently has no spare display cases, and staff time to assist in ensuring a satisfactory quality of interpretation and display for the requested exhibition would be extremely limited.
It was agreed given the above to recommend that the Council approve that officers, together with the collector, explore the possibility of hosting the display in an alternative Council-owned facility.
5.6 Lisburn Museum / Irish Linen Centre: Curatorial Arrangements
Members were advised that the former Assistant Director (Cultural & Community Services / Museum Curator) was due to cease his employment with the Council through voluntary redundancy on 31 March 2016, although he had indicated that he would defer his leaving date for one year if the Council required him to do so.
Members were reminded that the Museum Service was currently involved in a number of ongoing projects, and in his capacity as Museum Curator his professional knowledge would be to the Council’s benefit in regard to these.
Members welcomed the opportunity to retain the services of the former Assistant Director (Cultural & Community Services / Museum Curator) for another year and it was agreed to recommend that the Council approve an extension of his employment until 31 March 2017, at which time he would be made redundant in accordance with the RPA Severance Scheme.
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It was proposed by Councillor W A Leathem, seconded by Councillor A McIntyre and agreed to come out of committee and normal business was resumed.
Resumption of Normal Business
6 Any Other Business
There were no items raised under Any Other Business.
There being no further business, the meeting ended at 8.02 pm.
______Chairman
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LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF THE LEISURE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 5th APRIL 2016
REPORT BY DIRECTOR OF LEISURE & COMMUNITY SERVICES
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 Council. The following items are for noting; The Monthly Report on Departmental Absenteeism An update report in regard to the Estates Strategy The budget report for Leisure & Community Services The following items are for consideration It is recommended Members consider the report from the Head of Service [Cultural & Community Services] It is recommended Members consider the report from the Head of Service [Parks & Amenities] It is recommended Members consider the report from the Head of Service [Sports Services]
ITEMS FOR NOTING
1. DEPARTMENTAL ROLLING ABSENTEEISM REPORT Attached at Appendix 1 for the information of Members is a report providing information on the level of Departmental absenteeism for the period 1st April 2015 to 31st January 2016. The figure for the period to 31st December 2015 is also included for comparison. Recommendation It is recommended Members note the attached report.
2. ESTATES STRATEGY
Members will be aware that work to produce an Estates Strategy is now in progress. Whilst the project is being led by Environmental Services, this is a corporate project which will require input from the full Council, including Members and staff. This process has three parallel work streams incorporating an Estates Strategy, Condition Survey and Energy Survey. The latter two work streams will feed into and inform the overall Estates Strategy in terms of estate condition, property maintenance gap, planned maintenance programming, energy use, energy saving potential, sustainable energy capability and expenditure forecasting. Attached under Appendix 2 is an overview of the Estates Strategy work streams.
Field work to support the development of the strategy will require the input of key stakeholders, all of whom will inform the overall needs of the Council. This will include a combination of interviews or workshops with Elected Members, Corporate Management Team members, Heads of Service, Team Members and staff occupying a number of buildings. Further specific work in the form of space utilisation surveys, focus groups and an intranet based questionnaire will also contribute to the process of determining and forecasting the overall needs of the Council. Key to the process of determination is the input of Members at the outset of the project and to this end it is planned to hold a workshop in April which will give an overview of the project, the key deliverables and also harvest Members’ views of assets, future use, future needs and options within which the Council can deliver its services to the community. At this stage Member Services is identifying a date upon which the workshop can be held. For those Members who can’t attend the workshop there will be alternative arrangements put in place for securing their input to the process.
An important element of the Estates Strategy work plan is the completion of a Workplace Study of a number of key Council buildings. This will ascertain how space is currently used and this will include working with managers and staff to determine how we can use the space more efficiently in the future. The study is purely an observational study focused on how space is used, looking at the use of work stations, offices and meeting rooms. This will help to provide a clearer picture of the current use being made of current accommodation so that there is a good evidence base to support decisions made about future use. The study will be facilitated by staff currently hosted at the key Council buildings at the Island Civic Centre, Bradford Court, Bridge Community Centre, Irish Linen Centre and Museum, Lagan Valley Leisureplex and Dundonald International Ice Bowl and they will advise of the current utilisation within the existing office space. This part of the process will require corporate facilitation and all Heads of Service have been asked to nominate appropriate observers to assist in the study for which training will be provided. Training for these staff has been scheduled to take place on 6th April 2016 with the survey being undertaken 11th to 15th April 2016.
The overall Estates Strategy work programme is 32 weeks with a due completion in early October 2016. The Condition Survey and Energy Survey work streams progressing in parallel will progressively feed information to the Estates Strategy work stream over a 24 week period by which time the latter two work streams will have furnished their completed reports by early August 2016.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members note the Estates Strategy work programme update and information contained in Appendix 2.
3. DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET REPORT Attached at Appendix 3 for the information of Members is a copy of the Budget report for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 setting out the position as at 31 January 2016. Recommendation It is recommended Members note the attached report setting out the budget position as at 31 January 2016. 4. REPORT FROM MR RYAN BLACK, HEAD OF SERVICE [CULTURAL & COMMUNITY SERVICES] Please find attached at Appendix 4 the report from the Head of Service [Cultural & Community Services] Recommendation It is recommended Members consider the report of the Head of Service [Cultural & Community Services] 5. REPORT FROM MR ROSS GILLANDERS, HEAD OF SERVICE [PARKS & AMENITIES] Please find attached at Appendix 5 the report from the Head of Service [Parks & Amenities] Recommendation It is recommended Members consider the report of the Head of Service [Parks & Amenities] 6. REPORT FROM MR BRENDAN COURTNEY, HEAD OF SERVICE [SPORTS SERVICES] Please find attached at Appendix 6 the report from the Head of Service [Sports Services]. Recommendation It is recommended Members consider the report of the Head of Service [Sports Services]
James D Rose Director of Leisure and Community Services 24 March 2016 LCCC ROLLING YEAR ABSENCE FIGURES 01 APRIL 2015 - 31 JANUARY 2016
Leisure & Community Services January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 Total Possible Days 45,924.19 53,462.82 37,051.38 Days Lost Through Short Term Sickness 427.42 348.18 364.92 Days Lost Through Long Term Sickness 1,683.64 2,303.78 1,522.43 Short Term Lost Time Rate 0.93% 0.65% 0.98% Long Term Lost Time Rate 3.67% 4.31% 4.11% Total Lost Time Rate 4.60% 4.96% 5.09% Days lost per employee 10.20 11.01 11.31 APPENDIX 6 TE
ESTATES STRATEGY PROJECT
1.0 NEED AND PURPOSE OF THE ESTATES STRATEGY
In April 2015, as part of the Local Government Reform Programme (LGRP), Lisburn City Council and Castlereagh Borough Council merged to form Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (L&CCC). The creation of the new authority along with additional functions has provided an opportunity to review service delivery and ensure that the Council’s estate and resources are best utilised for the provision of quality services. The new Council area encompasses 50,278 hectares and has a population of nearly 137,000. In preparation for the Council moving forward, Members have agreed the need to produce an estates strategy to provide a long term vision and action plan to develop and manage the estate in a sustainable way that meets the needs of the Council, its ratepayers and customers. A well thought out estate strategy is essential to the provision of safe, secure, high quality buildings and facilities capable of supporting current and future needs. The estate strategy cannot be developed in isolation and will be an integral part of overall service planning which will assist in identifying service led changes to the estate over a 10 year period and define high level estate performance requirements. To progress the strategy, regard must be given to service specific operational plans and strategies that should be considered in informing the overall needs of the Council e.g. Waste Management Plan and the Pitches Strategy. The estate strategy will also assist in informing the financial planning process. Work on service design for the new Council has been completed. It has become apparent that a review of the accommodation requirements of the new Council needs to be undertaken, taking into consideration the various functions that have transferred to the new Council. The Planning Service has been relocated to the Lagan Valley Island and has increased pressures on accommodation. The Council has decided that the headquarters will be at Lagan Valley Island and ultimately it needs to accommodate all of the staff with the exception of the OSU (Operational Service Unit) which will continue to be based at Altona Road, Lisburn. Two separate projects are being carried out in parallel with this project, the results of which will inform some of the outcomes of the estate strategy. They consist of a condition survey and an energy survey of all of the assets. The results of these projects will be made available to the estate strategy consultants during the later weeks of the project term, however, earlier liaison with the project teams will be facilitated through the Council project officer.
1.1 SCOPE OF ESTATES STRATEGY WORK STREAM
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The estate strategy needs to describe the overall use of the estate, occupancy costs, service and organisational constraints and inform both revenue and capital investment decisions and forecasting. The Council needs to know how the current supply of capital assets meets the current service needs and the needs of the ratepayers and customers, and how assets will change through investment, acquisition or disposal to meet future needs. Value for money will also be an important factor in these matters. The preparation of an estate strategy framework is based on three questions: Where are we now?
This requires a comprehensive analysis of the current position and performance of the Council in relation to the estate that it uses. The key objective of this stage is to establish a baseline against which estate development planning can take place and will include collating information on: the current service profile; the current property schedule; the current estate value; estate occupancy costs; analysis of current estate performance and utilisation; analysis of environmental impact assessments; any backlog maintenance costs and risks; risk register; a summary of the priorities to be addressed and a conservation brief for the historic buildings.
Where do we want to be?
Align the estate with the Councils new Corporate Plan and vision and also the environmental strategy covering energy, water, waste and transport management. For example, a waste harmonisation project is being undertaken and a waste management spatial analysis on the population centres in order to address local facilities and increase recycling opportunities across the entire Council area. This must be fully considered and integrated into the estate strategy. Estate performance criteria should be established including benchmark guidance, these criteria may include improvements to the quality of the operational estate over time, statutory compliance and risk reduction, energy performance, revenue costs, usage improvements etc.
How do we get there?
The strategy document will need to align with the organisation’s strategic priorities and aims as set out in its draft Corporate Plan and vision and in that context should consider and appraise the current and transferred property assets, the usage of those assets and propose options for:
o Potential options, with estimated costs, for dealing with the process of transformation from the newly formed super council to the ideal service delivery model (Rationalisation and/or expansion to maximise savings or improve productivity). A capital investment programme should be prepared as part of the project; o Modernisation of the asset stock to increase value and sustainability; o Delivery of “local” services to support communities; 2
o Maximising value for money from the Council’s property estate; o Programming for replacement and refurbishment; o Provide best practice guidance on budget allocation for programmed maintenance, energy improvements, development and expansion; o Budgeting for designing and implementation of a renewable energy strategy; o Monitoring improvements in the estate performance; o Risk management to assess and document the risks faced by the Council should proposals not proceed and how to mitigate or manage the risks.
The Council requires these questions to be addressed for its estate and a detailed strategy to be prepared looking towards the next 10 years and beyond. This will inform the annual capital plan and the long term revenue and capital planning for the Council. Much of the current data on the existing estate provided to the consultant and the two parallel projects consisting of the condition survey and the energy survey will add further detail which must be considered in the overall estate strategy. The first stage of the project is to determine the suitability of the existing accommodation for the delivery of existing and transferring services and also to investigate the potential to accommodate a more effective working environment for all staff. The accommodation review will therefore include but not be limited to: An analysis of the current provision for staff accommodation in the main administration buildings of the existing Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council authorities, including occupancy surveys and the consideration of space utilisation efficiency and space planning. Key elements of the buildings are also to be fully detailed including the IT systems and infrastructure, HVAC services, WC and welfare accommodation etc. This part of the project will be carried out within the first 8 weeks to assist with short term interim accommodation decisions in order to optimise the accommodation usage and ensure the efficient and effective use of the space available and the efficient operation of Council functions. An analysis and review of other current operational buildings and facilities essential to the operation of the essential Council services, including waste management. It is important that critical services are not dispersed across a number of locations in order to accommodate numbers at the detriment of that service and it is vital that public facing services are accessible to all. Technological methods can be considered in the proposals. The potential for the expansion and/or restructuring of existing facilities, to provide more effective services, with an estimate of potential disruption and associated costs. The potential, right across the new area, to collaborate with others in purchasing or leasing additional space with option appraisal and projected associated costs. The identification of assets which may be considered surplus to requirement including both areas of land and buildings.
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The second stage is the estate strategy document which will need to align with the Council’s strategic priorities and aims as set out in its Corporate Plan and in that context should consider and appraise the current and transferred property assets, the usage of those assets and propose options for: Potential options, with estimated costs, for dealing with the process of transformation from the newly formed super council to the ideal service delivery model (Rationalisation and/or expansion to maximise savings or improve productivity). This will include the Council’s role in the community planning process and the local area plan; The outcomes of on-going community engagement workshops will need to be considered as part of the estate strategy; Modernisation of the asset stock to increase value and sustainability; Delivery of “local” services to support communities; Maximising value for money from the Council’s property estate; Programming for replacement and refurbishment; Provide best practice guidance on budget allocation for programmed maintenance, energy improvements, development and expansion; Budgeting for designing and implementation of a renewable energy strategy; Property management system to consider the suitability, sufficiency and building criteria of assets.
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1.2 KEY OBJECTIVES
The Council has key objectives which need to be considered and developed into performance indicators for inclusion in the estate strategy, as follows: Promoting the efficient and effective use of space; Energy management including a review of operating costs, carbon emissions and waste; Environmental Issues; Accommodation usage; Capital investment & financing objectives; Recommend model for effective estates management moving forward, including buildings maintenance; Overview of the implementation of the Strategy, including development of operational plans. The Council’s organisational structure has been developed and is based on principles which the estates strategy must follow. They include: Access to services both traditional and technological; Avoiding duplication of services where possible and maximise opportunities for synergies; Clearly defined roles, accountability and performance measures; Supports the development of a single, unified new organisation but recognising the importance of the community plan and the local area plan; Enables effective and efficient delivery of high quality services; Focuses on integrating the new and transferred functions; Facilitates effective partnership commissioning and delivery; Minimises disruption and enables the implementation through the initial transition and into the transformation stage.
1.3 SUMMARY OF ESTATE PROPERTY The council is currently responsible for assets summarised below: Buildings (including associated land) o Main administrative buildings – 2nr. o Main leisure facilities – 4nr. o Activity centres – 4nr. o Community centres – 11nr. o Sports facilities (golf course clubhouse) – 2nr o Maintenance depots – 3nr. o Welfare accommodation – 7nr. o Public conveniences – 3nr. o Tourist information – 2nr.
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o Sports changing facilities – 17nr o Bus shelters – 4nr. o Other – 14nr Land o Golf courses – 2nr. o Parks – 15nr. o Playing fields – 14nr o Informal playing fields – 3nr. o Multi-use games areas – 9nr. o Play areas – 47nr. o Cemeteries – 10nr. o Informal open space – 31nr. o Off street carparks – 12nr. o Former landfill site – 2nr o Household Recycling Centre – 3nr. o Other (vacant) – 1nr Bridges – 7nr War memorials – 5nr.
2.0 NEED AND PURPOSE OF THE CONDITION SURVEYS As part of the Estates Strategy the Council will undertake condition surveys of council property, to collect information on the general condition of its stock. The information gathered shall be used to inform the council’s Estate Strategy.
2.1 SCOPE OF CONDITION SURVEY WORK STREAM Carry out a non-invasive asset condition survey of council property, relative to external elements, internal elements and building services. Carry out an access audit of council buildings.
2.2 KEY OBJECTIVES Assemble property information about physical make up and condition of assets. Deliver a technical report on the general condition of council property, quantifying defects and short comings. Deliver a prioritised repair and maintenance plan complete with an estimate on repair expenditure. Deliver risk assessments on repairs. Ensure and demonstrate the council’s compliance with current legislation, standards, and good practice. Deliver an access audit of council buildings, make recommendations on reasonable adjustments to allow the council to meet its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 complete with an estimate of expenditure. Deliver an asbestos removal program. Deliver a legionella management program. Deliver a cyclical maintenance schedule typically to include: o Air conditioning, air handling and ventilation systems. 6
o Automatic doors o Boiler plant and associated plant. o Building energy o CCTV o Combined heat and power plant. o Control of legionella. o Electrical fixed wiring installation testing. o Emergency lighting. o Fire alarm, smoke extract, and fire suppression systems. o Firefighting equipment. o Gas detection systems. o Intruder alarms o Lifts. o Lightning conductor. o Refrigeration plant. o Roller shutters. o Safe access systems. o Sewerage pumps. o Thermostatic radiator valves. o Traffic access systems. o Wind turbine.
3.0 NEED AND PURPOSE OF THE ENERGY SURVEY WORK STREAM The Council wishes to manage its estate in an environmentally sustainable and exemplary way. As part of this L&CCC will conduct audits on all its premises to ascertain each building/ property’s current and potential energy performance with a gap analysis to obtain its potential. Utility spend in L&CCC is a top 3 expenditure, consequently the Council needs to prioritise management of energy and utilities in an exemplary way for both sustainable and fiscal reasons.
3.1 SCOPE OF ENERGY SURVEY WORK STREAM A comprehensive energy management survey will be carried out of the complete Council Estate to fully identify the sites, functions and services, taking cognisance of information obtained from fuel invoices, metered consumptions, observations and calculations and information provided from Client. Energy improvement measures will be identified with Summary Payback information followed by a more in depth Project Appraisals.
The survey will address all energy aspects of council property covering the following minimum information, o Heating plant (Boilers and Combined Heat & Power) o Space heating o Domestic hot water o Electrical power and lighting o Air conditioning and ventilation o Water o Catering and other energy use o Building fabric
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o Controls
3.2 KEY OBJECTIVES Provide a desktop energy usage review & audit Identify areas of potential energy & cost savings Provide a consumption and cost estimate of potential annual energy savings with implementation costs and payback periods Identify how methods of energy management should be developed to achieve, maintain and recognise further potential savings and what resource, systems, procedures and works would be required to implement this. Document a metering strategy with direction on implementation of meters and location and type of meters along with a meter asset register formation Make recommendations for further investigatory works outside the scope of this document Identify opportunities for income from utilities and energy. E.g. energy generation e.g. solar / wind etc., identifying opportunities for demand side units A review of Current and Impending Legislation and their implication to L&CCC. A review of funding and financing opportunities
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Month:- Feb-16
Department Annual Budget Total Actual Total Budget to date & Committed Variance Expenditure:
Parks and Amenities 1,926,430 1,623,378 1,690,842 67,464
Sports Services 8,109,997 6,977,292 7,094,971 117,679
Cultural and Community Services 4,403,419 3,300,488 3,200,924 (99,564)
Total Expenditure: 14,439,846 11,901,158 11,986,737 85,579
Income:
Parks and Amenities (322,436) (155,890) (107,637) 48,253
Sports Services (5,319,177) (4,742,971) (5,219,773) (476,802)
Cultural and Community Services (1,456,830) (424,202) (324,491) 99,711
Total Income: (7,098,443) (5,323,063) (5,651,901) (328,838)
Overall Net Position:
Parks and Amenities 1,603,994 1,467,488 1,583,205 115,717
Sports Services 2,790,820 2,234,321 1,875,198 (359,123)
Cultural and Community Services 2,946,589 2,876,286 2,876,433 147
Total Net Overall Position 7,341,403 6,578,095 6,334,836 (243,259) 1402 282,508 269,008 - 13,500 1404 228,552 218,552 - 10,000 1406 71,067 71,067 - 1408 580,400 541,900 - 38,500 1409 38,681 38,681 - 1410 308,955 308,955 - 1412 271,376 271,376 - 1413 231,660 231,660 - 1414 69,151 82,651 13,500 2002 89,682 89,682 - 4214 819,808 819,808 - 4806 16,250 54,750 38,500 3,008,090 2,998,090 - 10,000 ------` APPENDIX 4 REPORT OF HoS (CCS)
LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF LEISURE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – TUESDAY 5 APRIL 2016
REPORT BY HEAD OF SERVICE (CULTURAL & COMMUNITY)
The following decisions are required:
1. To agree to receive a presentation from Sector Matters at the May Committee meeting on the Draft Community Development Strategy.
2. Consider the request from Co-operation Ireland in relation to the “Pride of Place” Scheme, and determine if the nominations should be submitted from the Council for the 2016 Scheme.
3. Consider and agree the future delivery option for Bonfire Management.
To note the:
4. Young Artist of the Year award to Wendy Ward
ITEMS FOR DECISION
1 PRESENTATION OF THE COUNCILS 2016/2018 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Members will recall that the Council had engaged the services of Sector Matters to ascertain stakeholder needs in shaping & informing the Council Community Development Strategy 2016 – 2018. The consultants have been working over the last number of months in pulling together community consultation data, evaluating programs and initiatives from the former Councils and reviewing the local and regional polices to ensure a strategic fit.
Officers have been working closely with both consultants to bring the plans to a state of readiness and it is anticipated that these will be ready to be presented for Committee consideration in May 2016.
Members are therefore asked to receive a short presentation from Sector Matters (Community Development Strategy) at the May meeting of the Leisure & Community Development Committee.
Recommendation
Members are recommended to agree to receive a presentation from Sector Matters Consultants on the Draft Community Development Strategy at the May Committee meeting.
` APPENDIX 4 REPORT OF HoS (CCS)
2 IPB PRIDE OF PLACE 2016
Members are advised that the IPB Pride of Place competition is hosted annually in association with Co-operation Ireland, to acknowledge the work of communities all over the island of Ireland. Historically the former Lisburn City Council submitted nominations annually to the event, however during the 2015 call for applications the current Leisure & Community Development Committee agreed that the Council would not make any nominations for that particular year.
The Council has now received correspondence from Co-operation Ireland seeking nominations for the 2016 event, at a cost of £500 per application for consideration and presentation at an awards ceremony in November 2016. Due to the Council not participating in the programme during 2015, no financial provision has been made within the 2016/2017 estimates.
Members should note that the closing date for nominations is 6th May 2016 and should the Committee agree to proceed with nominations, it is suggested that these are agreed in conjunction with the Chair & Vice Chair of the Leisure & Community Development Committee.
Recommendation
Members are asked to consider the request from Co-operation Ireland and determine if the nominations should be submitted from the Council for the 2016 Scheme.
3. REVIEW OF BONFIRE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
By way of background, the former Castlereagh Bonfire Management Programme engaged with 14 of the 20 ‘official bonfire’ sites operating across the former Council area (through the Castlereagh Community Cultural Forum) and worked with community representatives and statutory agencies to support communities in the celebration of their culture; to work with local communities to bring about improvements in bonfire management and to reduce the adverse health & environmental impacts of bonfires. The scheme operated agreed ‘tidy bonfire guidelines’ and, through the inter-agency approach, supported community representatives to deal with illegal dumping, unsafe structures, removal of prohibited material and any anti-social behaviour issues. A cultural fund was developed as an integral part of the scheme and was funded via the Council’s Good Relations programme. The funding scheme provided up to £1,000 per site, channeled through the Castlereagh Community Cultural Forum, to support costs associated with family friendly activities around the July period.
Whilst the scheme was successful in terms of community engagement around bonfires and ensuring represented sites were better managed, it did also present a number of issues that could have potentially caused conflict and liability issues in terms of the Councils facilitation role. These issue include;
A conflict between the Council’s role in promoting Good Relations versus its statutory and enforcement responsibility for legislation such as Litter Act, Air pollution legislation etc.
` APPENDIX 4 REPORT OF HoS (CCS)
The lack of formal agreements with site owners, where this was not the Council, and the potential issues that this could create around liabilities. (it should be noted that all landowners were represented as part of the inter- agency group and of the 14 represented sites 5 were on Council land, 7 on NIHE land and 2 on DRD land).
The potential for insurance liability falling to the Council, when it provided grant aid to a Forum that acted as an umbrella organization and represented end users not necessarily members of a constituted organization holding its own insurance.
Based on the above findings Officers have presented a number of options for Members to consider in relation to the future of the programme. The options presented are summarised below;
Future Delivery Options
(i) Option 1 Extend the bonfire management scheme to include bonfire sites from across the former Lisburn City Council area and continue to expand and build on the programme as a Good Relations Initiative.
Implications/Considerations This option would mean a continuation of building on the development of the current bonfire programme to fulfil the above aims and objectives of the programme and the commitment of bonfire representatives in adhering to and promoting the Tidy Bonfire guidelines having a significant impact in terms of addressing social, environmental and health and safety issues.
There will be financial implications for the coming 2016/2017 Good Relations programme as part of the Good Relations programme funded 75% by OFMDFM, the Council has previously ring-fenced funding to support family friendly activities and festivals over the 11/12 July period at sites who signed up to the programme and adherence to the Tidy Bonfire guidelines.
The Forum acting as an umbrella organisation applied for funding on behalf of the bonfire representatives and their respective sites. It should be noted this option does not address the concerns identified in the bullet points above.
(ii) Option 2 Re-focus the bonfire management group into a strategic player’s Forum and widen the remit to include developing a programme to
` APPENDIX 4 REPORT OF HoS (CCS)
engage communities and agencies in wider good relations and cohesion issues.
Implications/Considerations This option would require developmental support from the Good Relations Officer in developing this Forum, in terms of developing a Terms of Reference, ensuring key stakeholders are involved and have ownership of this forum. There will be financial implications and additional implications in relation to time in terms of developing an appropriate programme of support in relation to skills development and capacity building to address good relations issues. The concerns identified in the bullet points above would still remain to be addressed.
(iii) Option 3 Dissolve the bonfire management inter-agency and re-direct and support the Castlereagh Community Culture Forum and/or their membership groups to access other Council or other external funding opportunities (i.e. Community Festival Fund).
Implications/Considerations Of the eight sites from the former Castlereagh Council area only the bonfires at two sites namely Moneyreagh and Killynure are linked to constituted community organisations. As the remaining sites are not linked to constituted groups they cannot apply for Council funding or external funding. Historically the two groups Moneyreagh and Killynure have applied for funding from the Community Festivals Fund for festivals during the year outside of the July period.
Support will be required from Community Services to assist these groups who are not linked to a constituted group in developing a constitution in order to consider applying for funding. As the Community Festival Fund is due to be opened mid-March 2016, this will mean that there is unlikely to be sufficient time to support the bonfire representatives to ensure good governance procedures such as forming a group, developing a constitution and holding a public meeting in line with best practice are adhered to. In line with the requirements of the Community Festivals Fund support will require to be channeled through constituted community groups. In addition any assistance being offered will require to meet the criteria of the Community Festivals Fund, and be toward the wider community event rather than the organization of the bonfire in itself.
Recommendation
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Members are recommended to consider the attached report and agree the preferred future delivery option moving forward,
ITEM FOR NOTING
4. YOUNG ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
Members are advised that the open call for the Council’s ‘Young Artist of the Year Award’ closed on the 26th Feb 2016. At the closing date one application was received and was assessed against the scheme criteria. The assessment panel recommended the award to Wendy Ward for £1,000 towards the cost of exhibiting her porcelain lighting range at an international trade show in London in July 2016.
In line with the Council’s scheme of delegation, the assessments panel’s recommendation was agreed by the Head of Cultural & Community Services and an award outcome has been issued.
Recommendation
Members are asked to note the Young Artist of the Year award to Wendy Ward.
RYAN BLACK HEAD OF CULTURAL & COMMUNITY SERVICES
24 March 2016
APPENDIX 5
LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF LEISURE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – 5TH APRIL 2016
REPORT BY HEAD OF SERVICE (PARKS & AMENITIES)
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The purpose of this report is to set out for Members’ consideration a number of recommendations relating to the operation of the new Council.
The following decisions are required:
To approve the release of the five (5) listed payments (where appropriate on a staged basis payment), subject to a Letter of Offer / SLA being in place and the provision of the organisation’s most recent approved accounts.
To approve Officers progressing the Freehold purchase of lands at Kilmakee Activity Centre:
a. the ‘L’ shaped portion of land at a valuation of £12,750 to rectify the encroachment;
b. the playpark at a valuation of £20,000.
To receive at the April Committee Meeting a short presentation from representatives from the Council`s consultants, Otium Lesiure Consultancy on the Playing Pitches Audit and subsequent Playing Pitches Strategy.
To approve the revised opening / closing hours for Johnston Park Play Park, Glenavy as detailed in the report.
To consider Council nominations to the 2016 Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week Working Group.
To consider the request to rent 25 car park spaces at Hydebank Playing Fields to a local business in order to alleviate congestion in the surrounding residential area.
To consider whether the proceeds of the rental fees from the fun fair and food and non-food traders at the Mayor’s Parade and Family Fun Day, are to be donated to the Mayor’s Charity in 2016 and in subsequent years.
APPENDIX 5
To consider the request for free use of Moira Demesne on Fri 9 Sep 16 in order to erect a marquee to hold a fund raising event in aid of Water for Life.
To note the intention for officers to provide a verbal report to the April Committee on the potential to provide a public screening of UEFA championship fixtures.
ITEM(S) FOR DECISION
1. GRANT AID TO THIRD PARTY ORGANISATIONS 2016-17
In line with provision in the Council’s financial estimates for 2016-17, Members are asked to approve the following payments:
Lagan Valley Regional Park £41,000 Belfast Hills Trust Partnership £17,620 Lough Neagh Partnership £3,500 Lough Neagh Rescue £1,750 Voluntary Services Lisburn (Environmental squad) £28,500
Members should note that payment will be subject to either acceptance by each organization of a formal Letter of Offer from the Council, or where appropriate a Service Level Agreement setting out the conditions of the financial assistance.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members approve the release of the above payments (where appropriate on a staged basis payment), subject to a Letter of Offer / SLA being in place, and the provision of the organisation’s most recent approved accounts.
2. KILMAKEE ACTIVITY CENTRE
In December 2015, the Leisure & Community Development Committee were briefed on the lands comprising the Kilmakee Activity Centre. The lands comprising the Children’s play area and part of the car park area are leased from the NIHE. This lease expired in September 2014. The building and the majority of the car park are in the ownership of the Council.
An anomaly in the Land Asset Map was identified prior to the lease expiring and the former LCC had been in correspondence with NIHE in find a resolution. Members will recall a small corner of the building was depicted as being leased from NIHE. Officers were tasked with seeking an LPS valuation for both this encroachment and the freehold of the playpark.
APPENDIX 5
Land and Property Services have confirmed the following valuations:
£20,000 (twenty thousand pounds) Freehold value of the play-area site Appendix 1A [P&A]. £12,750 (twelve thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds) for the freehold of the encroachment area Appendix 1B [P&A].
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members approve Officers progressing the Freehold purchase of:
a. the ‘L’ shaped portion of land at a valuation of £12,750 to rectify the encroachment;
b. and the playpark at a valuation of £20,000.
3. PITCHES STRATEGY
Members will recall commissioning an Audit of pitch provision in the Council area leading to the preparation of a Playing Pitches Strategy. The brief for the commission was to prepare a Playing Pitches Strategy that assists the Council in making decisions regarding future pitch provision, and assists with targeting of financial investments and the supports the delivery of sports development programmes.
The copy of the Audit and Draft Playing Pitches Strategy 2016 is attached at Appendix 2A & 2B [P&A] respectively for Members’ consideration.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members agree to receive a short presentation from representatives from Otium Lesiure Consultancy at the April Committee on the Audit and Draft Playing Pitches Strategy.
4. PLAY PARK OPENING TIMES :JOHNSTON PARK
In September 2015, Members were advised of anti-social activity in the Johnston Park Play Area, Glenavy and subsequently approved the installation of protective gates. These gates have now been installed. An arrangement has been reached with a local resident to open/close the gates.
Ongoing anti-social behaviour requires a review of the opening times in order to enable the PSNI to enforce them and remove miscreants from the park. It is suggested that the following times would enable child enjoyment of the park whilst addressing the concerns of local residents:
APPENDIX 5
0930-1900 hrs – 1 April to 31 Aug 0930-1700 hrs – 1 Sep to 31 Mar
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members approve the revised opening/closing hours for Johnston Park Play Area, Glenavy as detailed above.
5. ULSTER GRAND PRIX WORKING GROUP
Members are asked to nominate 3 Members to serve along with the Mayor on the 2016 UGP Working Group, which is tasked with meeting with representatives of the DMCC / UGP Committee to ensure the smooth execution of the event.
The UGP Bike Week will be launched in the Lagan Valley Island on Monday 4th July with the main events scheduled for the week 8th – 13th August 2016.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members consider the nominations to the 2016 UGP Working Group.
6. REQUEST TO RENT CAR PARK SPACES AT HYDEBANK
Attached at Appendix 3 [P&A] is correspondence received from a business with offices adjacent to Hydebank Playing Fields, requesting permission to rent 25 car park spaces from the Council during normal working hours Monday to Friday. The request is to alleviate the need for the organization`s staff to park in adjacent residential areas, which is causing annoyance to local residents.
The car park is not used by the Council during these times. The former Castlereagh City Council had a similar albeit reverse agreement with the owners of Forestside, and if members were minded to approve this request in principle, a suitable rental valuation will be obtained.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members consider the request to rent 25 car park spaces at Hydebank Playing Fields to a local business in order to alleviate congestion in the surrounding residential area.
7. MAYOR’S PARADE AND FAMILY FUN DAY
Members are advised that it had been custom and practice in the former Lisburn City Council, for the proceeds of the rental fees from the Fun Fair and food & non-food traders at the above event to be donated to the Mayor’s APPENDIX 5
Charity. Members should note that the Estimates include an income target of £2,000 for this event. Members are asked to consider if they wish to continue with this practice for the forthcoming 2016 event.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members consider whether the proceeds of the rental fees from the Fun Fair and food & non-food traders at the Mayor’s Parade and Family Fun Day, are to be donated to the Mayor’s Charity in 2016.
8. REQUEST FOR USE OF MOIRA DEMESNE
A request has been received for the use of Moira Demesne for a fund raising event for Water for Life (www.waterforlifeni.com). The fund raisers wish to hold the event of Friday 9 September 2016 and would require to erect a marquee for 400-450 guests on the football pitches which would require scheduled matches to be relocated on that weekend.
The organisers are still confirming details, but are keen to confirm a venue at this stage and have requested consideration be given to free use of the facility. If Members are minded to support and approve this request then Officers can progress the booking as more information becomes available and without recourse to Committee.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members consider the request for free use of Moira Demesne on Friday 9 September 2016, in order to erect a marquee to hold a fund raising event in aid of Water for Life.
ITEMS FOR NOTING
9. UEFA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Officers were asked to consider options for the public screening of the forthcoming Northern Ireland fixtures at the UEFA Championships. Officers are continuing to gather information as not all Councils have decided yet on whether to show the games. At the time of compiling this report, 5 Councils have decided not to screen the games and 5 Councils are undeclared with similar reports going to Committees in early April. In some cases debate ensues as to the need or otherwise to screen both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland matches.
At present there are several potential hurdles:
a. The PSNI have expressed reservations about crowd control/safety and alcohol; b. There remains an issue with the Council’s own screen managed by Economic Development; APPENDIX 5
c. There are limited screens for hire in the island of Ireland and most seem to be already reserved for those intending on block booking the screens for more than one match; d. There is no financial provision in the Financial Estimates to support staging this event.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Members note the intention for officers to provide a further verbal report to the April Committee Meeting on the potential to provide a public screening of UEFA championship fixtures.
R J R GILLANDERS MBE HEAD OF SERVICE (PARKS & AMENITIES)
16TH MARCH 20 Kilmakee Activity Centre: Rowan Drive
This Material is Crown Copyright and is reproduced with the permission of Land and Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright and Database rights NIMA ES&LA209.3 Author: ´ 1:1,250 Date: 11/01/2016 Kilmakee Activity Centre: Rowan Drive
This Material is Crown Copyright and is reproduced with the permission of Land and Property Services under delegated authority from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright and Database rights NIMA ES&LA209.3 Author: ´ 1:1,000 Date: 22/07/2015
A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches
September 2015
Broughshane House, 70 Main Street, Broughshane BT42 4JW Tel: 028 2586 2070 Mob: 07962 300361 Email: [email protected]
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches
1. Aghalee Playing Fields 2. Barbour Memorial Playing Fields
3. Billy Neill Playing Fields
4. Carryduff Park
5. Cairnshill Playing Fields
6. Drumbo Playing Fields ( Drumbo FC) 7. Dungoyne (Ballybeen) Playing Fields
8. Glenmore Activity Centre
9. Hydebank Playing Fields
10. Kirkwood’s Road Playing Fields
11. Laurelhill Sports Zone 12. Lisburn Leisure Park
13. Lough Moss Leisure Centre
14. Moat Park
15. Moneyreagh Playing Fields
16. Moira Demesne
17. Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields 18. Rushmore Playing Fields (Ballymacash)
19. Seycon Park ( Derriaghy FC)
20. Wallace Park
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Introduction
This is a record of playing pitches and ancillary accommodation in the ownership of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council. Comments and photographs that appear here were recorded in September 2015 by Otium Leisure Consultancy in association with Whole Moon Engagement Ltd as part of their work to audit all playing pitches in the Council area covering association football, gaelic sports, rugby, hockey and cricket. This record supplements the non-technical inspection of the Council’s pitches carried out in accordance with Sport England’s ‘Towards a Level Playing Field: A Playing Pitch Model’ as part of the audit process. The non-technical inspection of each playing fields site (pitches and ancillary accommodation) results in a quality score which is presented in the audit report. A statistical summary of the Council’s playing pitches stock(1) is useful here; each site is linked to one of five areas – Lisburn Urban, Lisburn Rural, Castlereagh Urban, Castlereagh Rural, Carryduff Urban.
No. Site Identification Area Type Size Remarks pitches Aghalee Playing Lisburn Grass 1 Full Used by Aghalee Village FC – Fields Rural pitch inspection noted that run offs behind goals are not adequate.
Barbour Lisburn Grass 1 Full The site is topographically Memorial Playing Urban Grass 1 Full sloped. Of the three pitches Fields Grass 1 Full those closest to the changing Total at site 3 rooms are those most affected by these slope.
Billy Neill Playing Castlereagh Grass 1 Full Large multi-pitch site in a rural Fields Urban Grass 1 Full setting, south of Dundonald Grass 1 Full with 9 full size pitches. All are Grass 1 Full grass association football Grass 1 Full pitches – none is floodlit. Site Grass 1 Full also includes changing Grass 1 Full accommodation for up to 20 Grass 1 Full teams. Two pitches are Grass 1 Full summer only – i.e. not Total 9 available for winter matches
(1) A comprehensive inventory can be found in the audit report. Page | 1
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches
No. Site Identification Area Type Size Remarks pitches Carryduff Park Carryduff Grass 1 Junior Junior grass pitch only suitable Urban for small sided games training and matches – surface uneven – there is no parking or changing accommodation. Only access to pitch is off the busy main Saintfield / Downpatrick Road.
Cairnshill Playing Castlereagh Grass 1 Full In the middle of a residential Fields Rural Grass 1 Junior area and adjacent to a primary Total 2 school. Open site, with dog walking evident.
Drumbo Playing Lisburn Grass 1 Full Leased to Drumbo FC. Fields Rural Ancillary accommodation, including changing unit, upgraded in 2013. Very tidy site.
Dungoyne Castlereagh Grass 1 Full No changing facilities, pitch Playing Fields Urban inspection noted significant surface damage including a number areas with reduced grass cover – goal posts and nets showing signs of wear and tear.
Glenmore Lisburn Grass 1 Full Used by Lisburn Ladies FC Activity Centre Urban Grass 1 Full during summer who noted it is Total at site 2 difficult to ensure the pitch is marked out for their summer season matches.
Hydebank Castlereagh Grass 1 Full Site also accommodates a Playing Fields Rural Grass 1 Full baseball pitch used by Belfast Grass 1 Full North Star Baseball Club. Grass 1 Full Grass 1 Full Grass 1 Junior Total 6
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches
No. Site Identification Area Type Size Remarks pitches Kirkwood’s Road Lisburn Grass GAA 1 Full Leased to St Patricks GAC club Playing Fields Urban Grass GAA 1 Junior – comprises 2 pitches 1 x junior Total at site 2 and 1 x full used for Gaelic and Hurling training and matches.
Laurelhill Sports Lisburn Astroturf 1 Full Floodlit AstroTurf pitch Zone Urban (Hockey) managed jointly by Laurelhill Community College and the Council – used extensively by local hockey and association football clubs.
Lisburn Leisure Lisburn Grass 1 Full A number of small-sided 3G Park Urban Grass 1 Full caged pitches are also located Grass 1 Full on the site – used for IFA Small Grass 1 Full Sided Games league. One of Total at site 4 the 4 grass pitches is leased to Lisburn Rangers.
Lough Moss Carryduff Grass 1 Full Gaelic pitch is used extensively Leisure Centre Urban Grass 1 Full by Carryduff GAC, hockey pitch Grass 1 Full by Annadale Men’s Hockey. Grass GAA 1 Junior Home match venue for Astroturf 1 Full Carryduff Colts FC and Total at site 5 Carryduff Athletic FC.
Moat Park Castlereagh Grass 1 Full A number of teams were Urban Grass 1 Full relocated to the Billy Neill Total at site 2 Soccer Centre due to maintenance works.
Moneyreagh Castlereagh Grass 1 Junior Pitch bookings managed by Playing Fields Rural Moneyreagh Community Centre adjacent to pitch – no formal changing facilities are provided – used informally mostly by schools.
Moira Demesne Lisburn Grass 1 Full Used by Moira FC and Moira Rural Grass 1 Full Albion FC. Total at site 2
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches
No. Site Identification Area Type Size Remarks pitches Queen Elizabeth Lisburn Grass 1 Full Pitches in good condition. II Playing Fields Urban Grass 1 Full Changing units in poor repair Grass 1 Full and needing replaced. Total at site 3
Rushmore Lisburn Grass 1 Full Leased to Ballymacash Rangers Playing Fields Urban FC who are responsible for pitch upkeep and maintenance.
Seycon Park Lisburn Grass 1 Full Pitch is of Amateur League Urban quality – leased from Council by Derriaghy FC. All pitch upkeep and maintenance carried out by Council.
Wallace Park Lisburn Grass 1 Full Lisburn Cricket club is also Urban Grass 1 Full located at this site. Grass 1 Full Total at site 3
42 x Full Grass Association Football 1 x Full Grass GAA 2 x Full Astroturf 4 x Junior Grass Association Football 2 x Junior Grass Gaelic 51 x Pitches in total
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Aghalee Playing Fields
Grid Reference: J121 648
Aghalee Playing Fields is in the centre of the village of Aghalee. Located beside a fairly modern play facility, the site consists of a single soccer pitch and a prefabricated changing unit. The pitch itself is of good length and very good condition. However given the site limitations there is an issue about run-off at each end with stop fencing only a few feet behind each goal. There is excellent parking. The changing facilities while serviceable are clearly in need of some work. Inspection of one of the showers revealed a floor that may be a hazard, requiring an immediate technical inspection.
The prefabricated changing unit at Aghalee The run-off behind the goals at Aghalee The pitch at Aghalee Playing Fields has a Playing Fields is small but adequate. Floor Playing Fields is very limited. The ball stop spectator banner and ball stop fencing.
covering in the shower area needs fence separates the pitch from a children’s attention. play area.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Barbour Memorial Playing Fields
Grid Reference: J273 638
Barbour Playing Fields is located on the Saintfield Road in Lisburn, accessed via a very narrow entrance from the Old Ballynahinch road. The site is topographically tilted/sloped depending from which angle it is viewed. Of the three pitches those closest to the changing rooms are most affected by these slopes. The pitches are in very good condition and while they have a slight slope are very even.
There are six changing rooms of the standard prefabricated type and these appear to be in good condition from a maintenance point of view. However on the day of inspection, there was some litter and toilet smells in one changing room. There is excellent parking.
A toilet facility at Barbour Playing Fields. The prefabricated changing units at Barbour The three pitches at Barbour Playing Fields Playing Fields are similar to those found are on a slight slope as can be seen from this elsewhere in the Lisburn area. photograph. The surfaces are in good condition.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Billy Neill Playing Fields
Grid reference: J435 723
This facility located on the eastern extreme of the new district and is accessed on the main road from Dundonald to Comber. The facility is an ‘IFA Centre of Excellence’. It consists of 9 full size pitches plus some 18/20 changing rooms depending on demand. The overall condition of the playing surfaces is generally ‘Excellent’ as is the number and condition of the changing facilities. However there would appear to be quite a problem caused by rabbits on the pitches closest to the main road. The Council is currently involved in developing proposals for possible additional uses for parts of the site.
Billy Neill Playing Fields. A modern pavilion of recent construction with 9 association football pitches.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches
Changing facilities are well presented at Billy Neill Playing Fields. Toilet and hand-washing facilities at Billy Neill Playing Fields.
The shower blocks are a good size. A view of the pitches at Billy Neill Playing Fields – all 9 pitches are assessed as ‘excellent'.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Carryduff Park
Grid Reference: J276 658.
The facility is located in Carryduff on the main road to Saintfield /Downpatrick. The facility is a small ‘kickabout area’. Access is problematic and possibly dangerous in that it borders a very busy road. There is no obvious parking or layby to facilitate drop off etc. There are no changing facilities. While the markings on the small area are very good the surface is uneven and in some instances dangerous
Carryduff Park, a simple kickabout area with no ancillary accommodation.
Access to Carryduff Park is from the busy Carryduff-Saintfield Carryduff Park, showing the area adjacent to the access gate; road. There is no on-site parking. there is a risk of balls going onto the road.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Cairnshill Playing Fields
Grid Reference: J356 691.
The facility is located in the middle of a residential area and adjacent to a local primary school. It is poorly signposted and difficult to find without local knowledge. The site consists of a small changing facility with 2 changing rooms, a full size (competition) pitch and a smaller green space area that doubles on occasions as a training facility. The changing facility is quite old and is showing signs of wear. The building suffers from vandalism externally and visually is unappealing. Internally the showers and toilet facilities are very poor in terms of provision; the smell from the toilets is a particular issue. The playing surface is generally good but has permanent ‘reference points’ that are there to help grounds staff mark the pitch, are in some instances constitute a hazard due to their depth. There is a lot of dog walking on the site.
A view of the full size association football pitch at Cairnshill Palisade protection for the building makes it unsightly. Playing Fields.
The building’s exterior is subject to graffiti vandalism.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Drumbo Playing Fields (Drumbo FC)
Grid Reference: J323 648
Located on Middle Road, Drumbo, ancillary accommodation was upgraded in 2013. There is a single full size association football pitch and a pre-fabricated changing unit offering changing for two teams and spectator toilets. The site is very tidy with good car parking.
Drumbo Playing Fields is designated as Drumbo FC’s ‘home’ ground.
The new changing unit at Drumbo Playing Fields is The recently refurbished vehicle area and parking somewhat unappealing visually, however it provides a accommodation at Drumbo Playing Fields is well good standard of changing accommodation for 2 presented and welcoming. teams.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Dungoyne (Ballybeen) Playing Fields
Grid Reference: J418 736
This facility is located in a social housing estate just off the main dual carriageway between Newtownards and Dundonald. The facility consists of a single association football pitch which is subject to significant levels of use as an open space, with damage to the surface being evident. There is no changing facility. A significant amount of rust is evident on the goal posts.
The goal posts at Dungoyne are rusty but still serviceable.
The pitch at Dungoyne Playing Fields has some surface
damage as can be seen here.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Glenmore Activity Centre
Grid Reference: J276 658
Glenmore Activity Centre is located in the village of Hilden near Lisburn. There are two pitches and associated changing facilities located in the adjacent Community Centre run by the Council. During the inspection there was a significant amount of dog walking going on. The pitches are located within a wooded area and suffer damage from various animals digging on the surface. The changing facilities in the Community Centre have recently undergone an upgrade with the installation of new showers.
The changing accommodation at Glenmore Activity Centre The pitch at Glenmore Activity Centre is subjected to has been upgraded recently. damage by burrowing animals, causing significant risk of injury to users.
Glenmore Activity Centre also offers a sports hall.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Hydebank Playing Fields
Grid Reference: J340 684
Situated in the Newtownbreda / Belvoir area of the Knock dual carriageway, Hydebank has 5 full size association football pitches and 1 junior size supported by a changing facility for 12 teams. The pitches are of excellent standard except for the problem of ‘reference marks‘ for pitch marking which in some instances may constitute a hazard. The positioning of some of the goal posts may also cause a hazard. The changing facility exterior is subject to vandalism as the site is not secured. At the north-western side of the site there is a batting cage facility (without catch nets) for Baseball. The proximity of the B205 to this cage may result in baseballs hit onto the road. However it is known that a cage-type structure with nets will be installed in early 2016, complete with a ‘roof’ to address this risk. Work will also be carried out to better facilitate a full baseball ‘diamond’ which will result in the loss of the junior pitch.
The practice of creating ‘reference marks’ to assist in lining work A view of one of the 5 association football pitches at Hydebank Playing Fields. may constitute a hazard in some instances. Photographed here at Hydebank Playing Fields it is also evident at other Council sites.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches
The proximity of goal posts to adjacent pitches may cause a hazard at Hydebank Playing Fields.
The changing accommodation at Hydebank Playing Fields is somewhat dated; the building’s exterior is subject to graffiti vandalism.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Kirkwood’s Road Playing Fields (St Patrick’s GAC)
Grid Reference: J262 661
Kirkwood’s Road Playing Fields is located in the north of Lisburn on land leased by the Council from the Ministry of Defence. The main GAA pitch which is regulation length was undergoing drainage upgrading works at time of inspection. There is a second pitch on the site which, while it is potentially full size for association football is actually being used for gaelic sports in a training capacity. However on the day of inspection there were 5-a-side goal posts in place. There are two sets of changing facilities. One (prefabricated with two large changing rooms) belongs to the gaelic club and is in very good condition. The other (prefabricated with two small changing rooms) belongs to Council and is showing signs of wear.
Kirkwood’s Road Playing Fields; the changing unit to the right of the The club’s changing unit is finished to a high standard and is in picture is the Councils; the unit to the left belongs to St Patrick’s GAC. good condition internally.
The main gaelic sports pitch at Kirkwood’s Road is undergoing a drainage upgrade at time of inspection.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Laurelhill Sports Zone
Grid Reference: J249 652
Laurelhill Sports Zone, located at Laurelhill Community Centre in the grounds of Laurelhill College was developed as a partnership project between the former Lisburn City Council and the former South Eastern Education and Library Board. It comprises a floodlit and fenced AstroTurf pitch and changing accommodation. Adjacent to the AstroTurf pitch is a large shale/gravel surface area.
The shale/gravel surface at Laurelhill Sports Zone looking towards the AstroTurf pitch. The AstroTurf pitch was re- carpeted recently and is in good condition.
The changing accommodation at Laurelhill Sports Zone is well appointed and in good condition.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Lisburn Leisure Park
Grid Reference: J260 637
Located close to Lisburn City Centre, Lisburn Leisure Park is the base for a series of 3 full size association football pitches and a development of 3G pitches (or ‘cages’) for small sided (5&7-a- side) games. All the grass pitches are in excellent condition despite being subjected to significant ‘desire routing’ by locals accessing various parts of the complex and the town. There is significant use by dog walkers. There is also a minor litter issue. Of interest as well is the use of box section (square) posts. Box section posts are soon to be replaced with ‘tube’ posts at all of the Councils 21 pitches where they are currently in use. The dedicated changing pavilion provided for the pitches contains 10 small changing rooms which are supplemented by the changing facilities inside the main LeisurePlex building.
‘Dry-side’ changing accommodation at Lisburn Leisure Park which supplements an outdated pavilion (not pictured). The pavilion’s changing rooms are small.
The use of box section (square) posts may pose a hazard at Lisburn Lisburn Leisure Park is an extremely busy site, popular for general Leisure Park. These are soon to be replaced with ‘tube’ posts. recreation and consequently suffers from litter.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Lough Moss Leisure Centre
Grid Reference: J359 651
Lough Moss Leisure centre is located on the Hillsborough Road on the western side of Carryduff. It offers 3 full size association football pitches, 1 small gaelic training pitch and a full size AstroTurf pitch. All the surfaces at this location are of excellent standard as are the changing facilities which are provided within the curtilage of the main Leisure Centre building. The gaelic pitch is not full size and indeed there are issues about the safety margin at the southern end of the pitch due to its proximity to the pathway. The AstroTurf pitch is home ground to Annadale Hockey Club.
The changing accommodation at Lough Moss is sizeable and A view of the AstroTurf pitch at Lough Moss, ‘home’ ground in good condition. to Annadale Hockey Club.
The gaelic sports pitch at Lough Moss; run-off behind the goal is very limited.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Moat Park (Dundonald)
Grid reference: J418 736
Moat Park is located on the Comber Road in Dundonald and is adjacent to Dundonald Primary School. On the day of inspection there were two pitches available for use. The pitches are served by changing facilities in an adjacent modern building which also serves as a bowling pavilion. The changing facilities are modern and very well maintained. Although in an urban setting the pitches have very good fencing and do not appear to suffer from any vandalism.
.
A view of the two pitches at Moat Park. They are well presented and benefit from surround fencing.
The changing/bowling pavilion at Moat Park provides modern changing accommodation that is well maintained.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Moneyreagh Playing Fields
Grid Reference: J406 670
This pitch is located beside the Moneyreagh Community Centre and Moneyreagh Primary School. It is not a full size pitch but is of sufficient quality to be a significant training resource daylight permitting. While the pitch is managed by the staff of the adjacent community centre they do not provide changing facilities for the pitch even though such changing appears to exist as part of the service for normal centre users. The staff indicated that all users of the pitch are informal and come changed, including children from the Primary School.
The Moneyreagh pitch is pleasantly situated in a rural setting. Low- level surround fencing and ball stop fencing makes it ideal for training, light permitting.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Moira Demesne
Grid Reference: J147 610
Moira Demesne has two full size association football pitches supported by pre-fabricated changing units offering 4 team changing rooms. The site is located within the picturesque setting of Moira Demesne. The pre-fabricated units were upgraded in 2011. The pitches are of good quality although one has a slight slope. An overhanging branch at a corner of the pitch closest to the changing accommodation may present a hazard to players. The park is also served by a MUGA which is in good condition.
The changing accommodation at Moira Demesne, recently A tree overhanging one of the pitches at Moira Demesne may upgraded. present a hazard.
The MUGA at Moira Demesne is a very useful asset for recreational sports and team training, weather and daylight permitting.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields.
Grid reference: J242 649
The Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields is located on the Knockmore Road in Lisburn. The site has 3 full size association football pitches and a small grass kickabout area. Prefabricated changing units offer 9 changing rooms. The pitch surfaces are in good condition, however the changing units are generally in poor repair; the former Lisburn City Council carried out an appraisal in 2014 with a view to replacing them in the near future. The Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields was pledged to ‘Fields in trust’ in 2012 (formerly the National Playing Fields Association), guaranteeing it continued use by the community.
The three pitches at Queen Elizabeth II Playing The general presentation of the changing units at Queen Fields are side by side, creating a large open Elizabeth II Playing Fields is poor; they are due to be replaced.
space which is surrounded by mature trees.
This air vent at Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields changing Wooden decking between the changing units at Queen accommodation has been vandalised and birds have taken up Elizabeth II Playing Fields presents a significant hazard. residence. Page | 23
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Rushmore Playing Fields (Ballymacash)
Grid Reference: J246 647
As the crow flies this pitch is about three hundred yards from the Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields on the Knockmore road. The pitch is leased to Ballymacash Rangers FC. The club is attempting to develop the site but resources are an issue. The site is very well secured with substantial fencing. The frontage of the site is unattractive with various pieces of old equipment lying about and a not insignificant amount of litter and detritus at time of inspection. The pitch is full size, with a newly developed training area to the western end. While the surface is flat, the evenness of the surface is hampered by significant weed growth which may be the result of the club not having the resources to apply appropriate chemical treatment. There are also some areas of subsidence, apparently caused by the existence of a sizable sewage pipe which traverses the site. The changing facilities are prefabricated and are in good condition.
A view of Rushmore Playing Fields. The site is secured by fencing whilst the pitch is surrounded by a spectator barrier.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches
The prefabricated changing units at Rushmore Playing Fields are well presented and in good condition.
A view of the shower area in the changing accommodation at Rushmore Playing Fields.
The pitch at Rushmore Playing Fields has substantial weed ingress. Page | 25
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Seycon Park (Derriaghy FC)
Grid Reference: J289 673
Seycon Park (also spelt ‘Seacon’) is located to the rear of the Seymour Hill Estate in Lisburn and is managed by a local club which plays in the Amateur League. While the club manage the whole site the Council still retains responsibility for maintenance of the pitch and changing facilities. The pitch is full size and is enclosed all round by a waist high spectator barrier. The whole site is secured by a more substantial fence. The pitch is very good quality and is well maintained. The changing facilities (2 changing rooms) are well maintained but are small. There are good parking facilities. The site is very tidy.
The pitch at Seycon Park is pleasantly situated. Surround fencing and a spectator barrier help to control access during matches and at all other times.
Car parking at Seycon Park is more than adequate. The site is The available indoor accommodation at Seycon Park is well utilised for physiotherapy and team tactics as well as changing. very tidy.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches Wallace Park
Grid Reference: J267 649
Wallace Park offers 3 association football pitches and a cricket ground. The Pavilion/Changing rooms are shared facilities with the adjacent inflatable Tennis Dome. At the time of inspection the pitches appear to be of good quality, however it is known they do not hold up well in prolonged wet periods. There is also a MUGA to the west of one of the pitches. Wallace Park is also used for public events such as firework displays – this may contribute to compaction of the surface of the pitches.
The modern changing pavilion at Wallace Park accommodates a range of functions.
Wallace Park is an important urban green space in the centre of A view of the tennis dome and cricket square at Wallace Park –
Lisburn. As well as pitches it has a children’s adventure play facility. the cricket square is bounded by a wall and strategically placed ball stop fencing. Page | 27
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council A Record of an Inspection of Council Pitches
A view of the high quality changing accommodation at Wallace Park which also accommodates people with disability.
The small MUGA at Wallace Park; it’s ideal for casual recreational activity but not for midweek team training during the winter months.
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Yu7777777777777777
Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
March 2016
Broughshane House, 70 Main Street, Broughshane BT42 4JW Tel: 028 2586 2070 Mob: 07962 300361 Email: [email protected]
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No 1. Introduction 1 Commission Background Strategic Context
2. Audit Findings 4 Demand Supply Adequacy of Provision Team Generation Rates Quality Summary
3. Training Needs 13 Introduction Demand and Supply Facility Preferences and existing Barriers Summary
4. Consultation 18 Sport NI Education Sector Governing Bodies Association Football Leagues
5. Recommendations 23 Introduction Strategic Recommendations Operational Recommendations Accessibility Concluding Remarks
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
1. Introduction Commission
1.1 Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council commissioned an audit of pitch provision in the Council area leading to the preparation of a Playing Pitches Strategy. The Council recognises the need to:‐
“Review the extent and quality of the existing playing pitch provision across the whole of the new Council area and the wisdom of adopting a strategic approach to the provision of adequate facilities that meet current and future demand.”
1.2 The methodology is based on ‘Towards a Level Playing Field’, developed by Sport England and the Central Council for Physical Recreation and published in July 2011 with an update in 2013. The audit, presented in a separate report(1) addresses association football, gaelic sports, hockey, rugby and cricket; this therefore is the Strategy.
1.3 The Council’s brief for the commission is to prepare:‐
“A Playing Pitches Strategy that allows the Council to make informed planning decisions regarding pitch provision and assists with the targeting of financial investment and the planning of the delivery of sports development programmes.” Background
1.4 The provision of playing fields is an emotive subject, often making national headlines when pitches/playing fields are sold off to make way for development. The playing fields ‘watchdog’ is Fields in Trust. Recommendations made by Fields in Trust have been incorporated in the ‘National Planning Policy Framework’; specific reference is made in the policy framework to the need to assess provision of open space, sports and recreational facilities when considering planning applications. It is also recommended that in applications where open space, sports and recreational facilities are due to be lost, the developer should replace them to at least an equivalent standard in the vicinity.
1.5 In Northern Ireland, the Department of the Environment recognises the need for provision of outdoor recreation space in Planning Policy Statement 8: Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation. Section 5.15 states. “In large developments there may be a need to provide more formal outdoor recreation facilities such as playing pitches to meet the needs generated by the development. In such cases the Department will consult closely with the recreation department of local district Councils.” It is therefore appropriate for local authorities to audit the provision of
(1) Audit of Pitch Provision 2015; Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, December 2015. 1 | Page
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
pitches to inform discussion in relation to planning applications and in the strategic development of opportunities for participation in sport.
1.6 Four of Northern Ireland’s former local authorities are known to have carried out similar pitch audits in recent years to inform playing pitch strategies. These are Strabane, Derry, Belfast and Newtownabbey, all having followed Sport England’s Playing Pitch Model. Whilst the pressure of urban development is a key factor in looking at pitches in the Lisburn Castlereagh area there are other important factors, not least:‐
The need to ensure equality of opportunity in relation to age, ability, gender and different sports. The increasing interest in team sports, especially amongst children, largely the result of successful sports development initiatives by local authorities, Sport NI and sports governing bodies. The availability of artificial turf pitch technology in the form of ‘AstroTurf’ and ‘Third Generation’ surfaces. The more recent Third Generation or 3G surfaces provide an alternative to natural grass that have the potential to totally transform how local authorities look at playing pitches. The limited capacity of natural grass surfaces for winter use, usually two, or at most three games at the weekend with a three to four month rest period in the summer. The match capacity of any natural grass pitch is determined by a range of technical issues as well as the maintenance regime and the operator’s policy. Sports clubs’ limitations when it comes to developing facilities to accommodate and encourage growing demand. Schools’ attitudes in terms of facilitating community access to school‐based pitches, both grass and ATP’s. The potential to develop shared facilities on school sites, ie, school and community. The AstroTurf pitch at Laurelhill Community College is a good example of this. Governing body influence, most notably in association football (eg, the Small‐Sided Games initiative) and in all large ball sports accepting 3G surfaces for competition. The development of pitches by local authorities in the Greater Belfast area. Strategic Context
1.7 The strategic context for reviewing the adequacy of provision of pitches is quite simply to provide better quality facilities for a better quality experience, so encouraging more participation. Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is not alone in moving to provide adequate facilities that encourage more people to be more active. The particular challenge is to make best use of resources and to do so through partnerships that can deliver more by working together than working in isolation. The new Council’s vision reflects this:‐
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
“To be a progressive dynamic and inclusive Council, working in partnership to develop our community.”
This strategy is about developing people by encouraging active lifestyles through the provision of facilities. The audit evidences the Council’s lead role in the provision of sports pitches and therefore in the development of opportunities for active and healthier lifestyles. The strategy comes at a time when an active lifestyle is recognised as vitally important in helping to reduce the incidence of a range of life‐limiting diseases. It also makes significant contributions to at least three of the Council’s strategic themes in its Corporate Plan – Community & Culture, Place & Environment, Health & Well‐Being.
1.8 The strategy and audit is also timely in that it gives the new Council a complete picture of the profile of five key sports in the new Council area which serves a population of 137,000, stretching from the villages of Moira and Glenavy in the West, across the City of Lisburn to Dundonald in the East. As well as creating an inventory of sports pitches it identifies and provides membership information on every sports club across the five sports. This information is invaluable not only in planning future sport facilities but also when planning sports development programmes.
1.9 Sport NI’s(2) ‘Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation’ recognises the relationship between adequate and fit for purpose sports facilities and increased participation in sport and physical recreation. This is reflected in the action; “By 2019 to ensure that 90% of the population have quality accredited, multi‐sport facilities, that have the capacity to meet demand, within 20 minutes travel time.” Whilst this informs the provision of all sports facilities spatially, Sport NI’s ‘Active Places’ research assesses the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area as having a shortfall of around 100 pitches. The Council’s audit reveals something less of a shortfall – 56 pitches – however there is agreement that there are not enough pitches for the size of the population(3) in the new Council area.
2. Audit Findings
(2) ‘Sport Matters’; The NI Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation 2009‐2019. Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure/Sport NI. (3) Both Sport NI and the Council’s audit use the standard of 3 acres of pitchesper 1,000 population set by Fields in Trust. 3 | Page
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
Demand
2.1 The audit reveals there are 60 clubs operating 414 teams across the five sports in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area during the period of the review. The breakdown for clubs and teams is:‐
Table 2.1: Clubs and Teams by Sport
Teams Sport No of Clubs Male Female Total Teams % Teams % Teams % Association Football 48 234 66 10 17 244 59 Gaelic sports 4 50 14 25 43 75 18 Hockey 5 40 12 23 40 63 15 Rugby 1 16 4 0 0 16 4 Cricket 2 16 4 0 0 16 4 Totals 60 356 100% 58 100% 414 100%
2.2 A summary of players reveals there are 5,601 male participants and 804 female participants giving a total of 6,405 participants across the five sports. The breakdown is as follows:‐
Table 2.2: Participants by Sport
Male Female Sport Totals Junior Adult Junior Adult Association Football 2,107 1,889 126 94 4,216 Gaelic Sports 624 252 382 59 1,317 Hockey 62 164 54 85 365 Rugby 250 55 0 0 305 Cricket 135 63 4 0 202 Totals 3,178 2,423 566 238 6,405
Supply
2.3 It was considered important to prepare and present an inventory of all known pitches for the five sports in the Council area. The inventory and this study deal only with pitches suitable for competition, therefore Multi Use Games Areas are outside the scope of this study. The summary shows there are 108 pitches suited to competition at some level across the five sports. This includes a number of Small Sided Games facilities such as the eight 3G courts/cages at Lisburn Leisure Park.
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Table 2.3: Summary of Pitches
GRASS ARTIFICIAL TURF PITCHES
TOTALS Assoc Gaelic Rugby Cricket SSG Assoc Gaelic Hockey SSG Football Sports Football Sports (Astro) LCCC 37 0 0 0 9 0 0 2 9 57 Leased from 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 the Council Education Sector 6 3 7 2 0 0 1 4 0 23 Clubs 7 3 3 2 3 0 0 2 3 23
Totals 54 7 10 4 12 0 1 8 12 108 Adequacy of Provision
2.4 Adequacy of provision of is assessed for each sport against three scenarios:‐
Reference Description Scenario 1 All pitches
Scenario 2 Pitches with secured community use and pitches used by the community, but not secured (excludes pitches not available to community use).
Scenario 3 Council pitches only
Whilst the audit report presents adequacy of provision across the Council area for each sport and each scenario it is suggested Scenario 2, summarised here, is the most realistic picture of adequacy of provision given that it includes all pitches that are made available for competitive play, regardless of ownership.
Adequacy of Provision – Scenario 2
Sport Association Football Gaelic Sports Hockey Rugby Cricket Category SSG + Go SSG Junior Games Adult Adult Junior Adult Adult Junior Junior Adult Pitches Pitches & Pitches Pitches Pitches Pitches Pitches Pitches Pitches Pitches U7‐U10 U11‐ Junior U12 Pitches Adequacy ‐8 +11 +10 ‐1 0 +1 +1 +1 +1 0 ‐2 of Provision
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Remembering that the ‘Towards a Level Playing Field’ model looks only at adequacy of provision for competitive play, the results show that for:‐
Association Football, the four youngest age groups in Small Sided Games (SSG) have a collective shortfall of 8 pitches, although this is partially mitigated by SSG matches accessing junior pitches which are seen to have an over‐supply. The adult game has an over‐supply of 10 pitches.
Gaelic sports, there is a shortfall of 1 pitch for younger players and neither a shortfall or over‐supply for the adult game.
Hockey, there is over‐supply of 1 pitch for both junior and adult players. Three school pitches are included in the assessment for hockey as local clubs have access to them for Saturday matches.
Rugby, again there is an over‐supply of 1 pitch for both junior and adult players. The assessment for Scenario 2 only considers 3 pitches (those at the club) although the education sector provides a further 7 pitches.
Cricket, there is a shortfall of 2 pitches for adult cricket and neither a shortfall or over‐supply for junior cricket. Team Generation Rates
2.5 Team Generation Rates (TGR) are quite simply a way of showing how much demand there is for a sport for a given age group and gender. The calculation looks at the known number of teams along with population statistics to say how many people it takes to provide one team. The results are very useful for sports development planning as they evidence where an effort may be needed to increase participation. The following table shows the TGR’s for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council alongside those for the former Council areas of Belfast, Newtownabbey and Strabane(4), and England, allowing certain comparisons. To help understand the results, if an average TGR for a particular sport is 1 : 500 (ie, 500 people are needed to generate 1 team), then 1 : 100 is a high TGR showing the sport to be very popular within the age group, whereas 1 : 1,000 is a low TGR, showing participation within the age group to be low. The attention of sports development professionals should be drawn to the low TGR results.
(4) TGR’s for the new Belfast City Council area and the new Councils that embrace Newtownabbey and Strabane will reflect the new populations in these areas. At time of writing revised TGR’s for these new populations are not available. 6 | Page
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Table 2.4: Team Generation Rates (TGR’s) for Lisburn Castlereagh (2015) and Comparators Sport/Category No of Lisburn Belfast Newtownabbey Strabane England Teams Castlereagh TGR TGR TGR TGR TGR (2014) (2013) Association Football Mini game – Mixed 74 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 86 people 84 people 319 people 331 people 431 people Junior – Boys 60 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 85 people 57 people 96 people 106 people 195 people Junior – Girls 5 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 0 teams 1 team per 1,065 people 644 people 474 people 4,038 people Adult – Men 92 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 283 people 239 people 407 people 296 people 452 people Adult – Women 3 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 9,070 people 5,957 people 4,385 people 7,740 people 19,467 people
Gaelic Sports Mini Gaelic 36 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per n/a n/a (boys & girls) 231 people 114 people 469 people Junior Gaelic – Boys 18 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per n/a 243 people 101 people 468 people 113 people Junior Gaelic – Girls 10 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per n/a 457 people 188 people 467 people 137 people Adult Gaelic – Men 7 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 2,598 1 team per n/a 3,462 people 885 people people 167 people Adult Gaelic – 4 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per n/a Women 6,332 people 3,258 people 16,409 people 484 people
Hockey Junior – Boys 20 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1,776 0 teams 1 team per 213 people 653 people people 4,304 people Junior – Girls 14 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 795 1 team per 1 team per 318 people 326 people people 1,704 people 5,229 people Adult – Men 15 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 6,453 0 teams 1 team per 1,736 people 2,861 people people 7,944 people Adult – Women 9 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 6,211 1 team per 1 team per 3,023 people 1,680 people people 3,870 people 8,943 people
Rugby Junior – Boys 3 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 0 teams 1 team per 1,459 people 672 people 200 people 2,105 people Junior – Girls 0 0 teams 1 team per 0 teams 0 teams 1 team per 1,204 people 19,524 people Adult – Men 3 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1,268 1 team per 1 team per 8,079 people 1,603 people people 7,770 people 7,032 people Adult – Women 0 0 teams 1 team per 1 team per 0 teams 1 team per 15,478 people 25,776 people 43,770 people
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
Cricket Junior – Boys 8 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 476 1 team per 1 team per 757 people 485 people people 126 people 1,480 people Junior – Girls 0 0 teams 0 teams 0 teams 0 teams 1 team per 21,052 people Adult – Men 8 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 1,566 1 team per 1 team per 3,030 people 2,638 people people 316 people 1,415 people Adult – Women 0 0 teams 0 teams 1 team per 1 team per 1 team per 39,597 people 3,253 people 54,815 people
2.6 Table 2.4 reveals a number of key observations regarding Team Generation Rates for each sport as follows:‐
Association Football
At 1 team per 86 people the TGR for the mini game is nearly as high as Belfast’s 1 team per 84 people and significantly higher than the three other comparators. This picture is consistent with the TGR for junior boys – 1 team per 85 people. The demand for junior association football is clearly very high, reflecting the growth of the Small Sided Games initiative and the work of the IFA’s Grassroots Development Officers and the Council’s Sports Development team.
The TGR for junior girls, at 1 team per 1,065 people is a good deal lower than Newtownabbey’s (1 team per 474 people) and Belfast’s (1 team per 644 people). The TGR for adult women at 1 team per 9,070 people is similarly low in comparison to Belfast and Newtownabbey. This is reflected in the low number of females playing association football in the Council area – 172 female participants compared to 3,996 male participants, or 4% of total participants. In Belfast it was found that 18% of participants are female. This suggests the need to focus attention on developing female participation in association football to address the latent demand that exists.
The TGR for adult men at 1 team per 283 people is slightly lower than Belfast but higher than Strabane and Newtownabbey.
Gaelic Sports
The TGR’s for Lisburn Castlereagh are overall lower than for Belfast but higher than Newtownabbey’s except for adult men. The highest TGR for Lisburn Castlereagh is for the Mini Gaelic age group suggesting growth at this age group. TGR’s for girls and women are significantly lower than for boys and men, reflecting lower participation rates for females.
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
Hockey
All TGRs for Lisburn Castlereagh are higher than all the comparators. For example at 1 team per 213 people the junior boy’s TGR is significantly higher than Belfast (1 team per 653 people) and a lot higher than England (1 team per 4,304 people). For Lisburn Castlereagh junior boy’s hockey has the highest TGR; this is in contrast to Belfast, Newtownabbey and England where junior girl’s has the highest TGR. The TGR for adult men in Lisburn Castlereagh is almost twice as high as for adult women in contrast to both Belfast and Newtownabbey.
Rugby
All TGR’s for Lisburn Castlereagh are lower than for both Belfast and Newtownabbey. Adult men’s TGR is significantly lower than all the comparators suggesting a higher latent demand for adult male rugby.
Cricket Junior boy’s TGR is significantly lower than for Belfast, Newtownabbey and Strabane but higher than for England. Adult men’s TGR is lower than for Belfast but higher than for Newtownabbey.
2.7 It is particularly useful to be able to compare Lisburn Castlereagh’s TGR’s with Belfast and Newtownabbey given that the research for Belfast’s audit was carried out in late 2013 and for Newtownabbey in late 2012 and is reasonably current. From a sports development viewpoint, the broad picture is that females are under‐represented within the Council area and in comparison with other local authorities within the Province. In association football whilst the TGR for junior boys is 1 : 85, for junior girls it is 1 : 1,065 and in the adult section, for men it is 1 : 283 and for women it is 1 : 9,070. Whilst these results for females are considerably better than those for England they are a good deal worse than the local comparators. This suggests there is an unmet demand for female participation in association football that better facilities and sports development intervention could help address. In gaelic sports all of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council TGR’s are lower than Belfast and Strabane but, with the exception of adult men, higher than Newtownabbey. This picture reflects the number of clubs in these areas; Belfast has 19 clubs, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has 4 clubs whereas the former Newtownabbey area had only 1 club. The number of clubs in any sport is clearly linked to that sport’s ability to encourage more participation. Looking at hockey the results reflect that whilst the sport often has more female than male participants, the opposite is true for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council. The stark picture for both rugby and cricket is that there are no female teams, although cricket has 4 junior female participants.
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Quality
2.8 The Sport England model includes a quality assessment of pitches and ancillary accommodation using a ‘Non Technical Visual Quality Assessment’ tool. This is an assessment system wherein the marks for a number of technical elements are converted to a percentage score and grade. A total of 50 Council pitches and their associated changing accommodation were inspected in the period September to October 2015.
2.9 Looking at all 50 inspected pitches the average total percentage score is 84% giving a good grade. Seven grass pitches achieved the top score of 92% giving an excellent grade: 6 of these pitches are located at the Billy Neill Soccer Centre and the seventh pitch at Lough Moss Leisure Centre. Two grass pitches achieved an average grade. The inspection of Dungoyne Playing Fields noted poor grass coverage, no changing facilities and goal posts and nets in poor condition whilst Kirkwood’s Road Playing Fields is presently undergoing drainage upgrade works. The lowest recorded percentage score of 39% for Carryduff Park noted that the pitch is not full size, surface is uneven and has poor access – this pitch, whilst included in the audit is not presently used for competitive matches. Moneyreagh Playing Fields achieved a good grade at a score of 65%, only just above the average grading band, primarily due to size and lack of changing facilities available to users (the pitch is not used for competitive fixtures).
2.10 Both of the Council’s AstroTurf pitches (ATPs) achieved a good grade with scores of 84% for the ATP at Laurelhill Sports Zone and 89% for the ATP at Lough Moss Leisure Centre. However, from the club questionnaire the main ATP user at Lough Moss Leisure Centre rated the pitch overall as ‘Poor’ and noted the following: “Lough Moss pitch is bouncy, it plays well when wet but poor when dry and facilities for spectators could be improved” – the club would welcome further discussion with the Council regarding hockey pitch development in the area.
2.11 Of the 21 Council sites inspected, 3 do not have dedicated changing accommodation: Carryduff Park(5), Dungoyne Playing Fields and Moneyreagh Playing Fields. For the remaining 18 sites the average score is 72%, giving an overall good grade. The top score is 100%, assessed for Hillsborough Village Centre and Laurelhill Sports Zone. A rating of excellent was achieved for: Billy Neill Soccer Centre, Glenmore Activity Centre, Lisburn Leisure Park, Lough Moss Leisure Centre and Moat Park. The lowest score is 29%, assessed for Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields ‐ changing accommodation here is to be upgraded as part of the Council’s capital investment works. Aghalee, Cairnshill and Kirkwood’s Road changing accommodation are rated average, generally scoring less on overall quality, showers, toilets and public transport links – Cairnshill shows evidence of vandalism and therefore scored less on security. It is noted that Rushmore Playing Fields changing accommodation scored a comparatively low 61%, only just within the Good grade with reduced scores on showers, toilets and
(5) Some changing accommodation available at nearby community centre. 10 | Page
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overall quality. The Council’s stock of changing accommodation is overall in good condition with 18 of the 21 sites scoring 72% on average.
2.12 Allowing for comments on a small number of pitches and changing facilities, the Council’s stock, mainly association football pitches, is in good condition. The quality assessment is stand alone in that it is not linked to the carrying capacity of pitches, therefore it does not have any influence on adequacy of provision. However it’s reasonable to assume from the assessment that each association football pitch has the capacity to accommodate a number of Small Sided Games fixtures, a junior match and an adult match each Saturday during the playing season, the equivalent of approximately 2 adult matches per week. Whilst some pitches may have the capacity to accommodate, say 3 matches per week, making this a reality would require flexibility in match scheduling. Summary
2.13 The audit presents a comprehensive and detailed picture of playing pitches and clubs across the five sports. It is also a complete and accurate picture given that information was obtained for all the clubs operating in the Council area across the five sports. Here are the key findings:‐
Demand . There are 60 clubs operating 414 teams across the five sports. Association football comprises 80% of the clubs and 50% of the teams; gaelic sports comprise 7% of the clubs and 18% of the teams. . There are 6,405 playing members in clubs across the five sports of which 87% are male, 13% female.
Supply . There are 108 pitches suited to competition at some level across the five sports of which 87 are grass and 21 are ATP’s. . The Council provides 62 pitches of which they operate 57 directly, leasing 5 to clubs.
Adequacy of . Association football is assessed as having a shortfall of 8 Provision pitches for Small Sided Games and an over‐supply of 11 junior pitches and 10 adult pitches. . Gaelic sports is assessed as having a shortfall of 1 pitch for under‐age play and neither a shortfall or over‐supply for adult play. . Hockey and rugby are each assessed as having an over‐supply of 1 pitch for junior and adult play whilst cricket has an under‐ supply of 2 pitches for adult play.
Sports . There is a latent demand for female participation in all the Development sports with the possible exception of girl’s hockey.
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. 70% of female participation is in the junior age categories. Whilst 38% of all playing members are adult male, only 4% are adult female. . There are no female playing members in the rugby club and only 4 in cricket’s two clubs. . Females make up 33% of playing members in gaelic sports and 5% in association football.
Quality . The average grade for the Council’s pitches and changing accommodation is ‘good’. . Of the 21 Council sites inspected, 3 do not have dedicated changing accommodation.
2.14 The findings for adequacy of provision are directly related to what is happening at the moment in each of the five sports, that is, present level of activity. They do not reflect on latent demand within the population as a whole. The accepted standard for the provision of sports pitches, established by Fields in Trust, is 3 acres of pitches per 1,000 population. In Lisburn Castlereagh this suggests there should be 164 pitches for the 137,000 residents; currently there are 108 pitches, a shortfall of 56 pitches for the size of the population. It is suggested the Fields in Trust result should be viewed as a high level benchmark for provision of pitches against which the audit findings can be compared.
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3. Training Needs Introduction
3.1 A key consideration in the strategic development of pitches is the need for training facilities. As ‘Towards a Level Playing Field’ focuses on competitive play when assessing adequacy of provision it was deemed necessary to look at training needs as a separate issue. Given that association football accounts for nearly 60% of the teams across all five sports and that as a sport it relies more heavily on Council and other facility providers for training accommodation than the other sports, the focus here is on association football. It’s also useful to note that mid‐ week training for association football now generally takes place on outdoor synthetic surfaces – polymeric and 3G – whereas before synthetic surfaces came along a good deal of training took place indoors. As 3G surfaces become increasingly accepted for competitive play as well as training, their development and design needs to consider both types of use. Grass pitches are not a viable option for mid‐week training for association football (winter season), however gaelic sports (summer season) use their club‐based grass pitches extensively for training and competitive play. It is also important to note that any recommendations for more 3G pitches that come out of the analysis of training needs will benefit gaelic sports and rugby as well as association football given that 3G surfaces are endorsed by the governing bodies of all three sports. Demand and Supply
3.2 The total number and breakdown of L&CCC association football teams by age is presented below together with an estimate of the total number of one‐hour training slots needed to accommodate their training needs on a weekly basis.
Age Group No. of LCCC teams Number of one‐hour training (from survey) slots(6) per week U7, U8, U9, U10 (SSG) 73 73 U11, U12 (SSG) 33 66 U13 to U18 (Junior) 60 120 Adult 74 148 Total 237 401 one‐hour slots
3.3 An inventory of facilities suitable for mid‐week training (i.e. floodlit, community accessible(7) and synthetic surface) is presented together with as estimate of the number of one‐hour training slots available for SSG, Junior and Senior age groups:‐
(6) It is assumed that U7 to U10s will require one training slot per week and U11 to adults will require 2 one‐ hour training slots per week. (7) This includes Council and Club owned facilities. 13 | Page
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Number of SSG and Junior slots Number of Senior slots Facility type and venue available from 6pm to 9pm available 9pm to 10pm Monday to Thursday(8) Monday to Thursday
Polymeric ‐ Floodlit Hillsborough Village Centre (1 x Junior) 12 4 Milltown Play Area (1 x Junior) 12 4 Rathvarna Play Area (1 x Junior) 12 4 Lagan Park, Dromara (1x Junior) 12 4
Astroturf ‐ Floodlit Laurelhill Community College (1 x full) 24(9) 4 The Grove Activity Centre( 2 x 5 aside) 6 0 Maghaberry Community Centre (1 x 12 4 Junior) Lough Moss Leisure Centre (1 x Full) 24 8
3G Indoor Hillsborough Boys Indoor 3G 12 4
3G Outdoor ‐ Floodlit Lisburn Leisure Park (6 x 5 aside) 18 0 Lisburn Leisure Park (2 x 7aside) 24 8 Ballyoran Community Centre (1 x 7aside) 12 4 Totals 180 48
Overall Total (Junior and Senior) 228
3.4 From above, the total number of training slots needed for 237 teams is a prudent 401 one‐hour slots (this may be more if SSG teams train more than once per week). The total number of available (Council and Club) one‐hour training slots is 228, that is, an undersupply of 173. It is noted that the following venues are used to meet training needs; all but 3 are outside the Council area.
1 Aquinas Grammar School 13 Hanwood Centre, Belfast
(8) Calculated as 3 x one‐hour slots per evening for 4 evenings (Monday to Thursday) would give a total of 12 one‐hour training slots. (9) It is assumed that the pitch is big enough to be split into training areas therefore doubling the number of one‐hour training slots to 24. 14 | Page
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
2 Ashfield High School 14 Lisnagarvey School (summer) 3 Ballysillian Leisure Centre Belfast 15 Ormeau Park Leisure Centre 4 Belfast Waterworks Complex 16 Playball, Civil Service, Dundonald 5 Black’s Road 17 Queen’s Pavilion, Malone Road, Belfast 6 Boy’s Brigade Pitches Belvoir 18 Rathmore Grammar School 7 Cooke / Instonians Rugby Club 19 Sarsfield GAC 8 Cregagh Community Centre 20 St Aloysius Primary School, Lisburn 9 Crumlin Leisure Centre 21 Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn 10 Finaghy Primary School 22 Wallace High School 11 Grosvenor Grammar School 23 Wedderburn, Belfast 12 Hammer Leisure Centre Facility Preferences and Existing Barriers
3.5 Clubs were asked in the survey if they are willing to travel to use facilities within the Council area. The table below presents the number of clubs who responded ‘Yes’ to travelling to use facilities together with preferred facility location – these are correlated with the club base.
Location of facility Total number of clubs Lisburn based Castlereagh based clubs development who responded ‘Yes’ clubs who responded ‘Yes’ who responded ‘Yes’ Lisburn Leisure Park 24 22 2 Lough Moss Leisure Centre 12 7 5 Billy Neill Soccer Centre 11 9 2 Hydebank Playing Fields 15 8 7 Former Maze Site 24 23 1
Comments . It is important to note there are fewer clubs based in the Castlereagh area than the Lisburn area:‐
Number of Lisburn based clubs 28 Number of Castlereagh based clubs 20 Total number of clubs in survey 48
3.6 Clubs were also asked to record the barriers (if any) to accessing outdoor training facilities; responses are presented in the table and graph below.
Barrier to accessing outdoor No. of clubs % of clubs of clubs training facilities Availability of floodlit venues 7 21% Can't get booking slot 4 12% Finding venues with suitable training surface 10 29% Hire cost ‐ too expensive for club 12 35% Location ‐ too distant to club base 1 3% Total 34 100%
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Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Playing Pitches Strategy 2016
Barriers to accessing outdoor training facilities 40% 35% 35% 29% 30%
25% clubs 21% of 20%
15% Number 12% 10%
5% 3%
0% Availability of Can't get booking Finding venues Hire cost ‐ too Location ‐ too floodlit venues slot with suitable expensive for club distant to club training surface base
Comments . 35% of responses record ‘Hire Cost’ as a significant barrier to accessing training facilities . A combined total of 62% (29% + 12% +21%) of responses are related to the availability of floodlit facilities with suitable surfaces and spare booking slots. Summary
3.7 The assessment of training facilities for association football reveals that many teams from within Lisburn Castlereagh access facilities outside the Council area for mid‐week training sessions; this includes facilities as far distant as Ballysillan Leisure Centre in north Belfast and Ashfield School in east Belfast. Here’s some key facts:‐
An estimated 401 weekly training slots (one hour) are needed for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s teams. It’s reckoned Council and club facilities can accommodate 228 slots leaving an under‐supply of 173 slots, or 43% of the need.
Teams based in the Council area have access to 11 Council and/or club facilities within the Council area; 2 Schools and Thiepval Barracks are also used. To supplement these facilities, teams access 20 facilities in other Council areas.
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Should the under‐supply of 173 weekly training slots be fully accommodated within the Council area, it is estimated a total of 7 (seven) 3G pitches would be needed for current demand, each one accommodating around 25 one hour bookings on weekday evenings (see footnotes 8 and 9 on page 14).
Barriers to accessing outdoor training facilities focus on poor availability of suitable venues (and hire cost); location is not a significant barrier.
Preferred facility locations within the Council area and willingness to travel to these facilities highlighted Lisburn Leisure Park, Lough Moss Leisure Centre, Billy Neill Soccer Centre and Hydebank Playing Fields. Also noted is the former Maze site, should it be developed as a sports hub.
3.8 It’s important to point out that sports clubs and teams do not necessarily respect local authority boundaries when looking for training facilities, therefore there will always be clubs and teams based in the Council area using training facilities outside the Council boundary. This is especially evident in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area presently due to the shortfall in training facilities.
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4. Consultation
Four main interest groups were consulted; summary points are as follows:‐ Sport NI
4.1 As the main development agency for Northern Ireland sport, Sport NI’s research document on the provision of sports pitches and facilities, ‘Bridging the Gap’ looks at the quantity of pitches in each local authority. The original document, published in 2009 did not include pitches in the education sector, however the 2014 ‘Active Places’ update includes ATP’s located in schools in recognition of the potential value of school sports facilities in addressing shortfalls in the provision of sports facilities across Northern Ireland.
4.2 Sport NI reckons that the Castlereagh area is generally under‐provided in terms of pitches, especially artificial turf pitches; Lisburn is also seen as being under‐ provided although to a lesser extent. Some artificial turf pitches are coming to the end of their life‐cycle and will need to be re‐carpeted at least in order for them to continue to be serviceable. Multi‐sport 3G pitches (floodlit) are increasingly favoured as a way to embrace the three main large ball codes ‐ association football, gaelic sports and rugby – on a single site. Typically a multi‐sport 3G pitch measures approximately 140m x 90m and can be multi‐marked for 2 association football pitches, 1 gaelic sports pitch and 1 rugby pitch. Examples are at Crumlin Leisure Centre, Scroggy Road Playing Fields (Limavady) and Valley Park (Newtownabbey). Education Sector
4.3 Given that most schools have sports pitches the education sector is a key stakeholder. Strategically, the Department of Education (DE) promotes use of schools by non‐school groups to help build stronger links with parents and local communities. DE’s policy for school improvement, ‘Every School a Good School’ states “School premises are a valuable facility for community use and schools are actively encouraged to consider making their premises available as a community facility where possible.” DE sees schools as a hub for community activity, which can only be achieved through a pro‐active stance by school Governors. To encourage more community use of schools and assist schools in setting up community use DE has produced ‘Community Use of School Premises: A Guidance Toolkit for Schools’.
4.4 Insurance is often put forward as a barrier to community use; DE makes clear that responsibility for on‐site control and supervision of community activities rests with the user group so there is an expectation that user groups will hold public liability insurance. However this is not always the case; a group of people wanting to come together to play recreational five‐a‐side in a school hall or on a pitch is not likely to have insurance and is unlikely to want to take out insurance just for
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a kick‐about amongst friends. Requiring insurance of user groups may actually create a barrier to the very people DE wants to encourage.
4.5 Schools are not obliged to open their doors to community use; it’s often down to individuals, either staff or Governors to champion community use. When this happens the benefits often lead to an expansion of community use. Secondary schools that develop sports pitches with public funding from, say, Sport NI or a local authority are required to make the funded facilities available for community use. Laurelhill Community College is a good example. However pricing structures for community use must be reasonable. Community use ideally should be a coming together of the local authority, the Education Authority and the school, each bringing their particular skill and resource to the project. Governing Bodies
4.6 The Irish Football Association has recently launched its new strategy for youth football – ‘Let Them Play; Irish FA Youth Football Strategy 2015‐2025’ – which aims to increase youth football participation from around 50,000 currently to 75,000 by 2020 and 100,000 by 2025. The obvious implication of a 100% increase in participation for local authorities and other facility providers is pressure on facilities for training and competition for youth participation and for adult participation as players mature. The IFA’s Small Sided Games initiative has redefined the under‐age game; there are 94 teams in the Lisburn Castlereagh SSG project using 8 facilities each Saturday morning, including 2 outside the Council area. The project aspires to have fewer but bigger facilities in which to base their activity with a preference for open spaces rather than enclosed ‘courts’. A mix of 3G and natural grass surfaces is ideal, however the point is made that 3G facilities have to be accessible in terms of cost. SSG is likely to expand to include Under 13’s for nine‐a‐side. Other issues for SSG include (i) the need to open up school facilities on Saturday mornings; (ii) car parking, especially at Hydebank where approximately 40 car parking spaces are available to over 200 users (children, parents, coaches) for each of the three hours of play; (iii) children moving on from the SSG Leagues are often disillusioned by the on‐going opportunities for football – this is a development issue; (iv) indoor 3G must be the next step for SSG – inclement weather results in around four to five cancelled Saturday mornings each year; (v) storage of posts at each SSG location is an issue.
4.7 The Ulster Council GAA was given an opportunity to comment on the provision of pitches in the Lisburn Castlereagh area. Specifically they were asked to comment on (i) the influence of facility developments in neighbouring Council areas (eg, Belfast City Council’s pitch developments at Fall’s Park, Cherryvale, Ardoyne and Woodlands), and (ii) their strategic view on any future development of the Maze site(10) for sports use. Their response is summarised as follows:‐
(10) This is the site of the former Maze prison also known as Maze/Longkesh. 19 | Page
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Regarding facility developments in neighbouring Council areas, “GAA clubs have a tradition of self‐provision of facilities which in most circumstances is the model which best serves the needs of GAA clubs and communities. However the GAA is fully appreciative of the need for Council‐ owned/managed facilities with GAA clubs widely accessing such facilities, for example the Mid Ulster Sports Arena continues to be substantially used by a variety of GAA entities. In accessing facilities, proximity to its users is key. Pitches provided by Lisburn/Castlereagh City Council are therefore likely to be used by Clubs from within and close the catchment area. Points of note: (i) GAA clubs from within a Council area may use facilities from outside their Council area; (ii)GAA clubs in the Lisburn/Castlereagh area, through community consultation and needs analysis undertaken through their Club Development Plans, may determine that developing club‐owned facilities is the best option in addressing their club and community needs.”
Regarding future development of the Maze site for sports use, “Ulster GAA favours the development of a multi‐sport facility at the Maze with access to local club users. The use of any developed facilities would need to be re‐ examined for future development of the Maze site. Ulster GAA feels any facilities must be suitable for local club use, particularly for youth activities, which Ulster GAA sets as an important aspect of any development moving forward. Ultimately Ulster GAA are in full support of the Maze site being developed for the provision of sporting activities.”
Ulster GAA further commented that “3G and 4G surfaces are suitable for training and competition provided that they fulfil the GAA specifications (for these surfaces).”
4.8 The IRFU Ulster Branch focuses a good deal of its attention and efforts on domestic growth with a 3/5 year strategic plan for attracting more players to the game in Schools and Clubs. Rugby is structured as ‘mini’ (Under 12’s), Youth (Under 19’s) and adult.
4.9 Mini rugby is played across the Province in grammar schools as well as high schools, mostly in the controlled and voluntary sectors but also in the maintained sector. Mini rugby is often compromised when there is demand for pitches from youth rugby so there is a need for more availability through improved or additional facilities.
4.10 It’s generally recognised that the ‘24/7’ society has had a detrimental effect on rugby wherein the traditional Saturday afternoon club fixture is increasingly difficult to sustain. The Ulster Branch recognises the need to have more flexibility in match scheduling, looking to mid‐week evening fixtures which, given that rugby has an autumn/winter season, requires floodlights.
4.11 The Ulster Branch reports there is a good deal of pressure on pitches in some areas. Clubs have often looked to use schools’ rugby pitches, however getting
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permission is often down to personalities – community use policies are rarely in place in schools. Location of 3G pitches is important to rugby. It’s felt that clubs would travel to 3G pitches close to the club’s ground. The point is made that rugby clubs are operated as a business and they really need to have matches at club grounds.
4.12 The Ulster Hockey Union reports that participation is increasing with around 16,000 players registered in Ulster with players in the greater Belfast area (clubs and secondary schools) accounting for 20% of this figure. However in recent years the sport is facing the challenge of losing AstroTurf ATP’s to 3G carpets; AstroTurf carpets have been replaced by 3G carpets in several locations across Ulster. It is also the case that new ATP’s currently being developed outside of hockey clubs and hockey playing schools are almost exclusively 3G as these provide the best potential for use and income. Whilst some hockey clubs and schools have their own AstroTurf facilities (sand dressed or water based) many still rely on local authority facilities. With the removal of AstroTurf pitches coupled with the fact that fewer AstroTurf pitches are being constructed, the Ulster Hockey Union clearly faces a significant challenge as it seeks to continue to build on recent successes in grassroots participation in the greater Belfast area.
4.13 Cricket Ireland reports that the sport across Ireland is enjoying substantial growth in participation and it would appear the two regional Unions covering Northern Ireland are the strongest of the five unions in Ireland. The governing body is well organised – Cricket Ireland’s ‘Strategic Plan 2012‐2015’ sets out a well‐structured approach to development. The appointment of a dedicated development officer to the Northern Cricket union is reported to have greatly aided development at club, regional and national levels with particular growth in female participation rates. Both cricket clubs in the Council area highlight the need for facility development in the area. Derriaghy CC report the need for Council provision of a synthetic wicket and Lisburn CC highlighted their need for a second dedicated cricket pitch suitable for the 3rd and 4th XI teams as current use of Wallace High School pitch is not available beyond early July. Lisburn CC also noted the need for the provision of disability access at Wallace Park pavilion. Given the enthusiastic uptake of girl’s cricket at local schools over the last three years the NCU sees the need for facility development in the Council to accommodate expected growth. The NCU is looking for a more central location to deliver coach education courses and regional squad training – it has identified Lagan Valley LeisurePlex as a potential venue although some investment in lighting, nets and flooring would be needed.
Association Football Leagues
4.14 Lisburn Junior Invitational League has been running for over 20 years, covering U11’s to U16’s; the U11’s play Small Sided Games. All clubs have to apply to register each season and new clubs are only accepted on submission of detailed
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information and statistics. The League currently has approximately 120 teams registered including a number of teams from outside the Council area. Mostly the League tries to use pitches in the Lisburn area, that is, the former Lisburn City Council area, even for teams some distance away, eg, North End (Ballymena) v’s Chimney Corner (Antrim) will play at Barbour Memorial Playing Fields.
4.15 The South Antrim Football League has 31 adult teams playing on pitches in Belfast, Lisburn & Castlereagh – approximately 10 of these teams are based in the Lisburn Castlereagh area; these 10 teams are each responsible for booking Council pitches for their Saturday afternoon matches. It’s reported that at least two well established Lisburn Castlereagh clubs/teams have experienced difficulties in booking Council pitches for home matches; the perception is that clubs from outside the Council area are given preference. It’s also perceived (by the SAFL) that the Mid Ulster League is given priority bookings on pitches in the Lisburn area. These perceptions lead to a sense that Lisburn based teams need to be given more priority when it comes to bookings.
4.16 There is a pressing need for football training facilities – the 3G courts at Lisburn Leisure Park are reckoned to be small for adult training but suitable for juveniles. Currently teams have to travel outside the Council area to access training facilities. With no Council‐operated 3G facility in Lisburn Castlereagh suited to adult training the Leagues feel Lisburn Castlereagh compares poorly to other Council areas. Harmony Hill FC explored the possibility of booking the synthetic pitch at Wallace High School for training but found the hire charge (£90 per half pitch) was not affordable.
5. Recommendations Introduction
5.1 The outworkings of the audit inform a range of recommendations that “allow the Council to make informed planning decisions regarding pitch provision and assist
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with the targeting of financial investment and the planning of the delivery of sports development programmes.” To this end the recommendations address both strategic and operational issues. The backdrop to the recommendations is the key findings of the audit, that is:‐
For association football there is an over‐supply of pitches for matches. However the demand for training sessions by teams/squads greatly exceeds supply within the Council area; the audit reveals a shortfall of around 173 training periods – teams presently make use of around 20 training venues outside the Council area for mid‐week training.
For gaelic games, the supply of pitches is only just meeting demand for senior teams whilst there is a shortfall of one pitch for demand by junior teams. Whilst gaelic sports clubs have a “tradition of self‐provision” they also access multi‐sports hubs for training and for youth activities helping to better manage natural grass pitches back at the club. The Ulster Council GAA endorses the use of appropriately specified 3G surfaces both for training and competitive play. Should the Council proceed with the development of additional 3G surfaces, it is suggested they be specified and promoted as multi‐sport facilities, capable of accommodating a range of sports. This approach was adopted by the former Newtownabbey and Antrim Councils wherein recently developed 3G pitches can accommodate gaelic sports, association football and rugby, both for training and competitive play (see below for more details).
For hockey the audit reveals a slight over‐provision of 1 pitch, that is, an AstroTurf ATP. With the increasing popularity of 3G pitches there is a tendency to push hockey to the side and some local authority AstroTurf pitches have been removed to make way for 3G. This has not happened in Lisburn Castlereagh and the Council remains committed to providing 2 AstroTurf pitches, one at Laurelhill Community College, one at Lough Moss Leisure Centre. Recent AstroTurf pitch developments at Wallace High School and Friend’s School (both in Lisburn) have enhanced the overall provision of AstroTurf pitches across the Council area.
For rugby the audit reveals a slight over‐provision of 1 pitch, counting the single rugby club’s pitches and pitches operated by the education sector. As with gaelic sports, rugby tends to self‐provide at club locations, however Council‐promoted sports development programmes at Council facilities can usefully complement a club’s programme.
For cricket there is an under‐provision of 2 pitches. Cricket Ireland sees the Lisburn Castlereagh area as a regional or sub‐regional centre of excellence involving an indoor centre.
5.2 The recommendations also reflect trends in the provision of pitches, especially for training purposes and the development of sport. Examples include the recently
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opened facility in Crumlin village, developed by the former Antrim Borough Council. It comprises a large multi‐sport floodlit 3G pitch, approximately 140m x 90m, marked for gaelic sports, rugby and association football; a similar facility has opened recently at Valley Park in Newtownabbey. Also noteworthy is the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown, offering grass and synthetic surfaces for gaelic sports, rugby and association football including a covered dual surface facility. The Cookstown facility also has strength & conditioning facilities, changing accommodation and seminar rooms, complementing the outdoor facilities. Whilst the Crumlin facility is intended to serve local sports interests, the Mid Ulster Sports Arena is a regional centre, drawing user groups from a wide catchment. Strategic Recommendations
5.3 These strategic recommendations are designed to address the shortfall in pitch provision for competitive play but more especially for training. Taken together they will benefit all five sports, ie, association football, gaelic sports, hockey, rugby and cricket.
Recommendation 1 Develop a series of 3G pitches across the Council area at existing facilities, suitably sized and specified to better facilitate training and sports development programmes in association football, gaelic sports and rugby. Suggested sites are; Hydebank Playing Fields, Laurelhill Community College, Lough Moss Leisure Centre and the Billy Neill Soccer Centre. It is suggested that one pitch be developed at each site.
Rationale The Council does not currently operate any full‐size 3G pitch facilities although it has developed 3G five‐a‐side and seven‐a‐side ‘cages’ at Lisburn Leisure Park. Whilst 3G pitches only accommodate large ball sports, ie, association football, gaelic sports and rugby, these three sports account for 53 of the 60 clubs in the Council area and 94% of the playing membership. By locating 3G pitches at existing sites the intention is to fully utilise the sites for matches and for training, making use of changing accommodation on weekday evenings. The spread of locations across the Council area facilitates access by as many user groups as possible and by the IFA’s Small Sided Games programme. To give an idea of the number of 3G pitches needed it’s noted that if the present shortfall of 173 one hour mid‐week training slots (for association football alone) is to be addressed by the provision of 3G pitches, a total of 7 pitches would be needed(11). Undoubtedly these pitches would be in demand not only by Lisburn Castlereagh residents for association football, gaelic sports and rugby but also by teams and clubs from neighbouring Council areas; the Council may wish to consider priority booking/pricing for Council based clubs and teams. These 3G pitches can be used for matches as well as training, helping to reduce the pressure on existing grass pitches, especially in periods of inclement weather. With a
(11) Assumes each 3G pitch is approximately 90m x 60m (association football size) and accommodates around 25 one hour mid‐week evening bookings weekly each booking using half of the pitch. 24 | Page
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carrying capacity of around six times that of grass pitches, 3G pitches will help to facilitate a growth in participation in the three ‘big’ sports. Laurelhill Community College is included as a potential site in the knowledge that the Council intends to convert an existing shale pitch to a floodlit 3G pitch at the school, subject to a satisfactory business case. It is also known that Lisburn Leisure Park has been ruled out from consideration for a full size 3G pitch due to technical constraints. A supplementary recommendation is to consider the possibility of creating an additional junior association football grass pitch at Lough Moss Leisure Centre, located on ground adjacent to the existing pitches that is not presently in use. There are some technical considerations to be checked out before progressing the project.
Recommendation 2 Develop Laurelhill Community College as a multi facility/sports hub, accommodating a number of sports in a range of facilities, including pitches.
Rationale The former Lisburn City Council and the former South Eastern Education and Library Board in partnership with Laurelhill Community College built a floodlit AstroTurf pitch at the school some 15 years ago to facilitate hockey development in the school and the community. It was one of the first examples of dual use projects and its success has encouraged the development of similar dual use projects across the Province. This recommendation is made with the intention of building on this success by further developing the partnership. From a pitches perspective the Council intends to develop a floodlit 3G pitch at the Laurelhill site adjacent to the AstroTurf pitch by converting a redundant shale pitch. Beyond this there is significant potential to broaden the sports offering to programme activity for several sports including hockey, association football, boxing and volleyball. Whilst facilities exist or are planned for three of these sports it will be necessary to construct a purpose‐built boxing facility to accommodate local clubs and boxing development.
Recommendation 3 Develop Billy Neill Soccer Centre as a sports and leisure park, encouraging access by the whole community.
Rationale The Billy Neill Soccer Centre, developed by the former Castlereagh Borough Council is a 100 acre site that presently has 9 grass association football pitches and a changing pavilion.
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It is located in the north‐east of the Council area on the edge of a densely populated area that is still growing through on‐going new housing projects. Whilst the present focus at the site is association football there is considerable potential to develop it as a multi activity facility making best use of topography, the lake, wooded areas and natural habitat. This is the largest leisure site in operation in the Council’s ownership: the Comber Greenway passes through it. Encouraging the community to make full use of the site will increase awareness of all the sports and activities on offer. A Master Plan is being prepared that lists outdoor activities such as cycling, canoeing, walking and outdoor adventure; indoor activities could include fitness classes, seminars, exhibitions, etc.
Recommendation 4 Develop a multi‐sport facility at the former Maze site.
Rationale Multi‐sport facilities make a good deal of sense as they bring together several sports on a single site, helping to develop better links and better understanding between sports. The idea here is to create a local/regional/national facility that will address the training, competition and development needs of a range of sports primarily for Lisburn residents but also for sports people from a much wider catchment. The site allows a project of sufficient scale and scope to create a multi‐sport complex whilst its location and the surrounding roads network expands the catchment across the country. At this stage a definitive list of sports and/or facilities for inclusion is not being put forward, however based on research and consultation carried out for the audit, a draft list is presented here for discussion within the Council and with governing bodies and potential funders:‐
Outdoor 3G training facilities, addressing the needs of association football, gaelic sports and rugby. A water‐based AstroTurf pitch for hockey. A grass multi‐sport pitch, approximately 140m x 90m. An indoor/covered training hall with a multi‐sport artificial surface suited to the needs of association football, gaelic sports, hockey, rugby and cricket. Strength & conditioning facility. Seminar and conference rooms. Changing accommodation.
Consultation with the IFA revealed interest in locating some governing body operations at the Maze site should it be developed. This could help with establishing the site as a training and development ‘hub’ for local and regional interests. So for example, as well as skills development taking place in the training facilities, coach education can take place in the seminar and conference rooms. Other governing bodies may also have an interest in locating some activities at the proposed facility. In presenting this recommendation it’s accepted that it may address some of the need to increase the Council’s stock of 3G facilities. However, care should be exercised in ensuring that 3G facilities, especially for
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training, can be readily accessed across the Council area. The vision for this facility could be extended to include residential accommodation, opening up opportunities to host residential ‘camps’ and development squads. This sort of provision is presently lacking in the Province.
Recommendation 5 Develop a second tier of artificial turf pitches for training and recreational play.
Rationale The demand for outdoor facilities for mid‐week training by clubs and teams based in the Council area greatly exceeds supply. Whilst the development of 3G pitches (see Recommendation 1) will help to address this, training‐size facilities such as the one at Maghaberry Community Centre supplement the supply. It is understood that work will be carried out this year to existing facilities at Dromara and Hillsborough to upgrade them from polymeric to ATP. There may be other sites suited to the development of training‐ size facilities within the Council area. Having this second tier will enable more clubs and teams to remain within the Council area for training sessions which in itself will encourage greater participation. It will also encourage and facilitate more recreational play (eg, five‐ a‐side groups) which is increasingly being moved out of sports halls to make way for sports that can only take place indoors.
Recommendation 6 Develop a Council‐operated cricket pitch.
Rationale The audit revealed an under‐provision of two cricket pitches in the Council area. Cricket is a growing sport and Irish cricket is able to compete at a global level. The governing body has expressed an interest in Lisburn Castlereagh as a regional or sub‐regional ‘hub’, possibly involving an indoor training facility – this could potentially be accommodated at
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an existing indoor centre(12) or within a multi‐sport facility as suggested above. The particular need in cricket in Lisburn Castlereagh is to encourage female participation – the audit reveals only four female participants in the two local clubs and no female teams. By way of comparison, Belfast’s pitches audit also revealed no female cricket teams whereas Newtownabbey’s audit revealed a high Team Generation Rate for female cricket implying a high level of activity. Ideally, the cricket pitch should complement existing cricket activity within the two cricket clubs with the involvement of one or both of the clubs in its programmed use encouraged. It’s noted that the Council supports the employment of development staff at both clubs during the cricket season.
Operational Recommendations
5.4 The following five recommendations have more of an operational feel to them so it is deemed appropriate to separate them from the foregoing strategic recommendations. The consultation process for the audit has brought them to the surface and they reflect sports development challenges, for example the low level of female participation, and practical challenges such as car parking and toilet facilities. Whilst they do not relate directly to the provision of pitches they are important issues in their own right that will (i) help to develop the use of the pitches through increased participation and, (ii) help make the experience of using these important Council facilities safer and more enjoyable.
Recommendation 7 Consider the requirements of Small Sided Games within facility developments.
Rationale The IFA’s Small Sided Games programme has transformed the delivery of competitive association football for Under 11’s(13) over the past few years. Often the organisers make‐ do with existing facilities, marking out small‐sided pitches with cones and bringing in moveable goal posts. Increasingly the preferred surface type for Small Sided Games is 3G, therefore an opportunity exists as the Council considers more 3G facilities to incorporate Small Sided Games in their design.
Recommendation 8 Support the development of female participation.
Rationale The audit revealed low participation rates amongst girls and women in association football compared to the former Council areas of Belfast, Newtownabbey and Strabane; there are no women’s rugby or cricket teams. This is not to say there is no sports development work
(12) Cricket Ireland suggests the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex. (13) Small Sided Games may be extended to embrace Under 13’s. 28 | Page
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with females in these sports, however there is no apparent linkage between development work that the Council may be undertaking and development work within sports clubs.
Recommendation 9 Create more car parking at Hydebank Playing Fields.
Rationale The Lisburn Castlereagh Small Sided Games project operates 6 courts/pitches at Hydebank Playing Fields each Saturday morning for 24 weeks between September and the start of May. The organisers report that the approximately 40 car parking spaces cannot cope with the movement and parking of vehicles which sees around 200 users (children, parents, coaches) entering and leaving the site each hour over a three hour period. The ‘pinch’ points are at the overlap periods between the first and second hour and between the second and third hour when up to 400 users are leaving or entering the site simultaneously. Creating more car parking spaces would potentially reduce the number of pitches, however this would be mitigated by the development of a 3G pitch; it’s not clear whether more land adjacent to the site could be acquired to help address parking issues.
Recommendation 10 Encourage more community use of school sports facilities.
Rationale Schools are encouraged by the Department of Education to consider community use of their premises where possible. This is a challenging idea for schools, whose core purpose is focused on teaching and learning rather than community use of facilities. However where it has been achieved with sports facilities, for example at Laurelhill Community College, the benefits are clear in that the sports facilities are used to their maximum potential and the school creates important links with the local community simply by sharing their resources. Given the Council’s existing partnership with Laurelhill Community College there is an opportunity to expand community use to include grass pitches and indoor sports facilities as well as the proposed 3G pitch.
Recommendation 11 Provide toilet facilities adjacent to the 3G ‘cages’ at Lisburn Leisure Park and the lower pitches at Billy Neill Soccer Centre.
Rationale
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Up to 24 junior teams are involved in Small Sided Games and junior matches each Saturday morning at Lisburn Leisure Park during the season. The League organisers report that the toilet facilities in the LeisurePlex building are quite a distance from the playing facilities, causing particular difficulties for young children who need escorted and supervised to/from toilets. Whilst the need for toilet facilities at Lisburn Leisure Park was identified through consultation it’s noted that there is also a need for a review of toilet accommodation at the Bill Neill Soccer Centre given the distance of some of the pitches from the pavilion block. Accessibility
5.5 The approximate positioning of each of the proposed 3G pitch sites is shown on the map overleaf; the multi‐sport facility at the Maze is also shown. The circles show a radial travel distance of 5 miles around each site. In terms of area approximately 75% of the Council area is covered by the sites collectively although given this includes the major urban areas the sites cover a greater percentage of the population. The 5 mile catchment clearly takes in a good part of Belfast, the Newtownards/Comber area and Saintfield. The Council may wish to consider how to ensure Council‐based clubs and teams are not squeezed out by clubs and teams from elsewhere when it comes to bookings.
5.6 Five miles is the median distance clubs and teams indicated they are prepared to travel within the Council area to use facilities; nearly two thirds of the association football clubs and all of the gaelic sports clubs expressed a willingness to travel. Concluding Remarks
This strategy, supported by extensive and detailed research and consultation, seeks to give Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council a blueprint for the provision and development of pitches and ancillary facilities to address existing and future demand. Growth in demand will largely be the result of sports development initiatives by the Council itself and by governing bodies rather than significant increases in population. For example, the IFA’s new youth football strategy aims to double participation in youth football by 2025; if achieved, this alone will put a great deal of pressure on local authorities who are the main facility providers for this sport. So the strategy’s key recommendations look to support planned and anticipated increases in participation in all five sports specified by the Council rather than trying to play catch up when it’s realised that demand outstrips supply. Whilst a time period is not imposed on the strategy it’s reckoned that it will take the Council through to at least 2026, a period of ten years, before a major review is needed. Having said this it’s recommended that the baseline audit of demand and supply is repeated on a period basis, say, every three years.
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Billy Neill Soccer Centre
Hydebank Playing Fields
Laurel Hill Community College Lough Moss Centre
The Maze Sports Hub
Map of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area showing suggested sites for development of 3G and other facilities ‐ approximate radial travel distance of 5 miles indicated for each site
APPENDIX 6 REPORT OF HoS (SS)
LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF LEISURE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TUESDAY 5 APRIL 2016
REPORT BY HEAD OF SERVICE (SPORTS SERVICES)
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The purpose of this report is to set out for Members’ consideration a number of recommendations relating to the operation of the Council.
The following items are for decision:
Request from Education Authority to provide financial assistance for the organisation’s Special School Summer Scheme 2016 Request to use grounds adjacent to Dundonald International Ice Bowl for Cyclocross race Recruitment of Quality Systems Manager Hillsborough Boys Festival of Football – request for Financial Assistance Northern Ireland Amateur Football League v Scottish Football league – Downshire Young Men FC request for financial assistance
The following items are for noting:
European Referendum Thursday 23 June – use of Council Facilities for Polling and Count Venue Health & Wellbeing Officer – Financial Assistance from Public Health Agency Request for financial assistance – Mary Peters Trust Update potential extension City of Lisburn Salto Gymnastics Centre Sports Services Facilities – closure dates 2017
ITEMS FOR DECISION
1. REQUEST FROM EDUCATION AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIAL SCHOOL SUMMER SCHEME 2016
I attach at Appendix 1 (SS) correspondence from the acting Assistant Principal Officer in the Education Authority requesting that Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council once again provide financial assistance to assist in meeting the costs associated with running the above Summer Scheme in 2016.
The Summer Scheme will cater for approximately 700 children, aged 3 – 19 years with severe and complex learning difficulties, medical conditions, physical, and mental or sensory disabilities. The former Lisburn City Council, and subsequently last year Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, provided APPENDIX 6 REPORT OF HoS (SS)
£5,000 annually in financial assistance, and I can confirm the same level of provision has been included in the 2016/17 Revenue estimates.
Recommendation
It is recommended Members approve financial assistance of £5,000 to the Education Authority to assist in meeting the costs associated with running the 2016 Special Schools Summer Scheme.
2. REQUEST TO USE GROUNDS ADJACENT TO DUNDONALD INTERNATIONAL ICE BOWL FOR CYCLOCROSS RACE
I attach at Appendix 2 (SS) correspondence from Kinning Cycles requesting permission to use Council grounds to the rear of Dundonald International Ice Bowl to host a cyclo-cross event on Sunday 23rd October 2016.
The event will include senior and junior races and hopes to attract in excess of 400 competitors who will avail of the facilities internally to Dundonald International Ice Bowl for registration and refreshments. A similar event has been hosted in the past at Moira Demesne with the organisers agreeing to pay for any work requiring to be undertaken by Council Operational Services staff to ‘make good’ areas damaged by the competitors.
It is likely any work required at this location will be limited in comparison to ‘a public park’ area such as the Demesne. I can confirm I have spoken to colleagues in Operational Services and they are happy for the event to proceed on a similar basis to the events in Moira Demesne. Organisers have also agreed to provide the appropriate insurance cover.
Recommendation
It is recommended that on receipt of the appropriate fee and proof of insurance cover, Kinning Cycles be given permission to host a Cyclocross Event at Dundonald International Ice Bowl, it being noted the company must cover the costs of any work to be carried out on the land to repair damage caused by participants.
3. RECRUITMENT OF QUALITY SYSTEMS MANAGER
Members will be aware that the agreed organisational design structure for Sports Services contains the new post of Quality Systems Manager to be appointed on a temporary fixed term basis.
The main focus of the post will be the standardisation of Health & Safety practices, Employment/HR procedures and identification of potential efficiency APPENDIX 6 REPORT OF HoS (SS)
savings across Sports Services, but specifically in Dundonald International Ice Bowl and Lagan Valley Leisureplex.
Given the importance of this post within Sports Services, it is proposed to initiate a recruitment exercise in accordance with “Recruitment protocol for Appointments to post under L.G.R.J.F. procedures for filling posts in New Council Structures and accompanying Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council protocol for filling of posts.
This will be on the understanding that if the post is not filled internally it will come back to Committee for approval prior to any external recruitment.
Recommendation
It is recommended Members approve the recruitment of a Quality Systems Manager in accordance with “Recruitment protocol for Appointments to post under L.G.R.J.F. procedures for filling posts in New Council Structures and accompanying Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council protocol for filling of posts, it being noted in the event of the post not being filled internally it will come back to the Committee for approval prior to any external recruitment.
4. HILLSBOROUGH BOYS FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL – REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Attached at Appendix 3 (SS) is correspondence from Hillsborough Boys Football Club requesting the Council consider providing financial assistance towards the costs associated with hosting its Festival of Football which will take place over the weekend 13th/14th August 2016. The Club has also requested the use of the facilities of the Football Factory and Lisburn Recreation Centre for the duration of the tournament.
The Club has provided details of income and expenditure from the 2015 event, which reflects a Council grant of £1,000, although the event had to be cancelled on the Sunday due to adverse weather in an effort to protect the pitches. A total of 54 teams will be competing over the course of that weekend with many travelling from outside the Council area. The Club will have to pay for facility hire to the Council (£1,100) and trophies, with £1,000 provided in assistance in 2015. It is recommended that, pending approval from Environmental Services for the use of the pitches, that Council agree to provide financial assistance in the sum of £1,000 to Hillsborough Boys to offset the cost of hosting its Festival of Football.
Recommendation
It is recommended Hillsborough Boys FC be allowed the use of the Football Factory, Lisburn Recreation Centre and associated facilities over the weekend APPENDIX 6 REPORT OF HoS (SS)
13th/14th August 2016 and receive a contribution of £1,000 to offset costs incurred in the hosting of the 2016 Festival of Football.
5. NORTHERN IRELAND AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE –v- SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE: DOWNSHIRE YOUNG MEN’S REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Members will recall that in February 2016 following Committee recommendation the Council agreed to host a reception to mark the N.I. Amateur Football League hosting its Scottish counterparts in a match for the Britton Rosebowl on Saturday 14th May at the grounds of Downshire Young Men FC.
I attach at Appendix 4 (SS) a subsequent e-mail received from Downshire Young Men FC requesting additional financial support from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to offset costs associated with the hosting of the event. Whilst the Council has previously supported local clubs in relation to unforeseen additional costs this has not included what could be viewed as ongoing pitch maintenance, and for this reason it is recommended that Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council provide £500 in financial assistance to Downshire YM FC to cover costs associated with the hiring of marquee and portable toilets.
Recommendation
It is recommended financial assistance of £500 be provided to Downshire Young Men to help offset costs associated with hosting the Brittan Rosebowl on Saturday 14th May 2016.
ITEMS FOR NOTING
1. EUROPEAN REFERENDUM THURSDAY 23 JUNE – USE OF COUNCIL FACILITIES FOR POLLING AND COUNT VENUE
Members are advised the Council has received requests from the Electoral Office NI to avail of Lagan Valley LeisurePlex as a count venue, and for other facilities including Kilmakee Activity Centre and Loughmoss Leisure Centre to be made available for use as polling stations. The Electoral Office NI has been provided with the relevant booking forms and associated costs. It should be noted the use of Council facilities for both the Assembly and EU vote will have an adverse effect on centre income.
Recommendation
It is recommended Members note the approach from the Electoral Office NI to use Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council facilities in relation to their use as APPENDIX 6 REPORT OF HoS (SS)
Count Venues and Polling Stations for the 2016 European Referendum and the adverse effect this will have on income.
2. HEALTH AND WELLBEING OFFICER – FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY
Members have previously approved the appointment of a dedicated Health & Wellbeing Officer with the postholder having a target of recouping the vast majority of their salary through the referral fee paid by the Public Health Agency for each client who takes part in the scheme.
Given the understandable ‘bedding in’ period it may not be possible in year 1 to cover all of the salary costs by this method and in anticipation of this I approached the Public Health Agency with a view to obtaining some additional financial support. Subsequently I am pleased to inform Members that the Public Health Agency has agreed to provide additional funding of £10,000 for 2016/17 to assist in covering the initial salary costs of the Health & Wellbeing Officer.
Recommendation
It is recommended Members note the additional funding of £10,000 provided by the Public Health Agency towards the appointment of a Health & Wellbeing Officer in the Financial Year 2016/17.
3. REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE – MARY PETERS TRUST
I attach at Appendix 5 (SS) correspondence from the Mary Peters Trust containing a request for financial assistance from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and outlining awards made in the last year to residents of the Council area.
I can confirm that provision of £1,000 has been made in the 2015/16 estimates as a contribution to the Mary Peters Trust and the Director of Leisure & Community Services has, under delegated authority, approved the payment of £1,000 to the Mary Peters Trust.
Recommendation
It is recommended Members note the request of financial support from the Mary Peters Trust and the subsequent award of £1,000 made under delegated authority reflecting the provision in the 2015/16 estimates.
APPENDIX 6 REPORT OF HoS (SS)
4. POTENTIAL EXTENSION CITY OF LISBURN SALTO GYMNASTICS CENTRE: UPDATE
I attach at Appendix 6 (SS) for Members’ information a brief update on the progress of the proposed extension to City of Lisburn Salto Gymnastics Centre.
Recommendation
It is recommended Members note the update on the proposed extension to City of Lisburn Salto Gymnastics Centre.
5. SPORTS SERVICES FACILITIES – CLOSURE DATES 2017
Attached at Appendix 7 (SS) for Members’ information are the closure dates for Sports Services Facilities in 2016/17.
Recommendation
It is recommended Members note the closure dates for Sports Services facilities in 2016/17.
BRENDAN COURTNEY HEAD OF SPORTS SERVICES
24 March 2016
APPENDIX 2 (SS)
From: Kinning Cycles [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 09 February 2016 15:23 To: KANE, Mark Subject: Proposal letter for cyclocross race
Hi Mark, Many thanks for agreeing to meet to view the area for our potential Cyclocross event. To keep you informed, here’s a little insight into the world of Cyclocross. What is Cyclocross? Cyclocross is a bicycle racing event which comprises of cross terrain disciplines taking in grass, tarmac, sand, hills, steps & obstacles. Competitive events are split into rider age categories. The sport is increasingly popular with participants per race growing from only 6 entrants ten years ago to circa 450 per race, in 2015. Kinning Cycles Promoting Cyclocross Through Kinning Cycles, we aim to raise the standard of Cyclocross in Northern Ireland. We are working hard to achieve the support of the local community in securing 4 local venues for the 2016-2017 Cyclocross season, each with their own unique feature: 1. Orangefield Park, which has a Velodrome; 2. Hazelbank Park, which has a beach; 3. Stormont, with its iconic scenery; 4. Icebowl Cross, difficult climbs & technical decents Your Help Kinning Cycles hope to gain your support to host the penultimate race at the proposed Icebowl Cross Venue. Our aim at this venue is to host a race that will be comparable to international courses and help prepare riders for larger events such as Belgium. Your support and backing will be most helpful in raising the profiles riders here at home and help those with their preparations for the international and world stage. As discussed, it would be beneficial for the Icebowl to get the return on food and drink supplies. Kinning Cycles is a local business and we aim to build positive relations within the community with the intention of securing the venue for as an annual community event and an annual event on the Cyclocross Calender.
Icebowl Cyclocross We predict the Icebowl race will attract 400-500 people, comprising of riders, spectators, helpers and staff. Our vision is to have a sign on inside the Icebowl complex. We aim to have races which cater for all groups and abilities. The schedule for the day will kick off with the Under Fun 6 race beginning at 10am, while the main event of the day- the Senior A race would commence at 2pm. We expect riders from all over Ireland to travel to this event.
On the day, Kinning Cycles will take full responsibility for installing and removing all race equipment (Barriers, tape, timing equipment, obstacles boards etc) as well as maintaining, marshalling and cleaning up after the event. We aim to introduce tents and stalls creating a small village area at the Start - Finish. Kinning Cycles are a member of Cycling Ireland (The governing body for cycling in Ireland), all paperwork and insurance is available for review on request. I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your time to date and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Glenn Kinning Cycles www.kinningcycles.com www.twitter.com/glenn_kinning
APPENDIX 3A (SS) Hillsborough Boys Junior Football Club
Secretary CHAIRMAN
Paul Alexander Colin Adams 30 Rosevale Meadows 28 Greenburn Way Lisburn, Lisburn, Co Antrim,BT281JF BT27 4LT
Mob: (077)1247 9585 Mob: (078)6870 0724
Dear Sir, As you are aware we at Hillsborough Boys JFC have successfully organised a Festival of Football at Lisburn Recreational Playing Fields on the first weekend of August Last year.
Each year the festival has grown bigger & better with teams participating from all areas of Ireland, North & South, last year we had also 1 teams make the journey from Scotland to take part. In total we have 54 teams to compete over two days . This year some of the teams that will be talking part are as follows local team lisburn ladies ,Bertie Peacock youth Coleraine, Cliftonville ,Cookstown Youth, ST Oliver Plunkett West Belfast, Glentoran Lisburn youth just to name a few.
The volume of people descending on Lisburn over the 2 day period will continually topped the 2500 mark; this has generated great revenue around the area & indeed last year stretched to hotel rooms in the Lisburn Borough.
We were extremely grateful last year for the financial support Lisburn City Council granted us to help pull the event off witch we did not use as on the second day the event was cancelled
In order to continue the good work we have started over the years we require facilities on a Saturday, Sunday in the Lisburn Borough to make it happen,
The facilities we would require would be Lisburn Recreation Centre Cage Facility, and also the 3 full size football pitches The preferred dates we have are our standard dates of 13th &14th August 2016
I would be obliged if this could be raised at council or indeed we would be happy for delegates to meet with council to discuss opportunities or avenues that may be open to help make this work.
We are a cross community club and have just received charitable status our main focus is offering children / young people competitive football in a fun filled environment.
I also feel that this is a great opportunity for Lisburn City Council to promote sport & healthy lifestyle activities during the summer months. Also as you are aware the financial side of things can be quite difficult to cover the budget required so if council could assist again with the hire of facilities and marking out of pitches and also toilets we would be extremely grateful
I look forward to hearing from you. Regards Paul Alexander Secretary Hillsborough Boys J.F.C. APPENDIX 4 (SS)
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 22 March 2016 15:27 To: Jim Rose Subject: Downshire YM FC
Hi Jim, I have been given your contact by Councillor John Palmer ref the forthcoming football match between Northern Amateur Football League and their Scottish equivalent to be played at our Grounds in Hillsborough on Saturday 14th May. This annual match is being sponsored by the Council and as proud hosts of this fixture we are endeavouring to have our Ground at the highest possible standard. We shall be carrying out general tidying by our members but there are several issues / tasks which shall incur additional financial costs to our Club and would wish the Leisure Committee to consider the provision of some financial support to assist our Club make this day a success. The areas are :- 1. Hiring of Marquee to extend clubhouse – 3metre x 8 metre - £250 2. Hiring of portable toilets - £50 + VAT / toilet, min 6 Off - £300 3. Verti-draining pitch, early April to improve playing surface - £360. Note, Council has this facility. 4. Fertilising pitch, early April - £350 I would appreciate your help and would be very grateful if the Council could consider supporting us on any or all of these points. If you require any further information, please contact me by email or mobile 07411012732 ASAP.
Regards, Noel Ogle, Secretary, Downshire YM FC
APPENDIX 5 (SS)
APPENDIX 6 (SS)
Update
Potential Extension City of Lisburn Salto Gymnastics Centre
Members will be aware that Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has agreed to provide land adjacent to the present premises of Salto to facilitate a proposed extension. Furthermore, the Council has also provided financial assistance of £5,000 to assist with the development of the business case to support the application for DCAL funding. This process has also included input from both DCAL and Sport NI. The Club has been led to believe that significant financial assistance would be provided by either or both DCAL and Sport NI.
I recently attended a meeting involving Officers from all stakeholders during which both DCAL and Sport NI indicated that, due to ongoing budgetary pressures and the re-organisation of Government Departments, the expected level of financial support would not be forthcoming in the short to medium term. Whilst all parties could see the merits and need for the project it was highlighted if the project was to proceed there are two potential options:
i. It is progressed incrementally on a much smaller scale allowing for further development in the future.
ii. Salto investigate a number of other funding sources to potentially create a ‘cocktail’ of funders, allowing the extension to progress on the initial scale.
It was agreed that Salto can use the existing business case and economic appraisal to approach potential funders but the next step in the development process would have to be decided by the Board of Directors of Salto.
It was highlighted that any decision to progress with full planning at this stage whilst making the project ‘spade ready’ would be at the financial risk of the Club.
BRENDAN COURTNEY HEAD OF SPORTS SERVICES SPORTS FACILITIES 2015/16 CLOSING DATES
2015 LVLP Glenmore Grove Kilmakee Aberdelghy Laurelhill Sports Loughmoss Castlereagh Dundonald Golf Course Zone Leisure Centre Hills GC Ice Bowl Easter Sunday 5 April Friday 3 April Friday 3 April Friday 3 April Saturday 4 April Saturday 4 April Saturday 4 April Monday 6 April Monday 6 April Monday 6 April Monday 6 April Sun 5,Mon 6 Apr Tuesday 7 April Tuesday 7 April Tuesday 7 April Tuesday 7 April
May bank hols Monday 4 May Monday 4 May Monday 4 May Monday 25 May Monday 25 May Monday 25 May July Public Holidays Sat 11 July (early Sat 11 July (early Sat 11 July (early closure 6pm) Monday 13 July Monday 13 July Monday 13 July Monday 13 July closure 4pm) closure 6pm) Sunday 12 July Tuesday 14 July Tuesday 14 July Tuesday 14 July Sun 12 July Sun 12 July Mon 13 July August bank hol Mon 31 August Mon 31 August Mon 31 August
Remembrance Day
Christmas Holidays Thurs 24th Dec Thurs 24th Dec Thurs 24th Dec Thurs 24th Dec Thurs 24 Dec Thurs 24 Dec(close Thurs 24 Dec (early at 3.30pm) closure 6pm) Friday 25 Dec Friday 25 Dec Friday 25 Dec Friday 25 Dec Friday 25 Dec Friday 25 Dec Fri 25 Dec Fri 25 Dec Fri 25 Dec Saturday 26 Dec Sat 26 Dec Sat 26 Dec Sat 26 Dec Sat 26 Dec Sat 26 Dec Sat 26 Dec Sat 26 Dec Mon 28 Dec Mon 28 Dec Mon 28 Dec Sun 27 Dec Tues 29 Dec Tues 29 Dec Tues 29 Dec Wed 30 Dec Wed 30 Dec Wed 30 Dec Thurs 31 Dec (early Thurs 31 Dec Thurs 31 Dec Thurs 31 Dec Thurs 31 Dec (early Thurs 31 Dec (early closure 6pm) close @ 3.30pm) close @ 6pm) 2016 New Year Holidays Friday 1 Jan Fri 1 Jan Fri 1 Jan Fri 1 Jan Fri 1 Jan Fri 1 Jan 16 Sat 2 Jan St Patrick's Day Thurs 17 Mar Thurs 17 Mar Thurs 17 Mar Easter Holidays Sunday 27 Mar Fri 25 Mar Fri 25 Mar Fri 25 Mar Sat 26 Mar Sat 26 Mar Sat 26 Mar Mon 28 Mar Mon 28 Mar Mon 28 Mar Mon 28 Mar Sun 27, Mon 28 Tues 29 Mar Tues 29 Mar Tues 29 Mar & Tues 29 Mar APPENDIX 7 (SS)
SPORTS FACILITIES 2016/17 CLOSING DATES Good Friday 14 April 2017
2016 LVLP Glenmore Grove Kilmakee Aberdelghy Loughmoss Castlereagh Dundonald Golf Course Leisure Centre Hills GC Ice Bowl
May bank hols 2ND & 30TH 2nd & 30th 2ND & 30TH
July Public Holidays 12TH 12TH & 13TH 12th & 13th 12TH & 13TH 11th July closing 3.30pm early closing at 6pm on 12th & 13th 11th 14th closing 3.30pm Closed 12th
August bank hol 29TH 29th 29TH
Christmas Holidays 24,25,26th 24 ‐ 31 Dec 24‐29 Dec 24‐31 DEC 25th Dec 25,26,27th Dec 25th & 26th Closing 6pm 24th 30 Dec 9‐5pm 31st Dec closing 3.30pm 25 & 26 Dec 31 Dec 9‐4.30pm Closing 6pm 31st
2017 New Year Holidays 1st Jan 2nd Jan 2nd 2ND 1st Jan closing 3.30pm
St Patrick's Day 17th March 17th March 17TH March
Easter Holidays Sun 16th April Fri 14 Apr to 15, 16 & 17 April Tues 18 April
Open Loughmoss reviewing May Day as potential closure date