NILGA Executive Meeting Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn City Council 13th March 2020 Attendance

Party/ Position Present Apologies Absent President: Cllr Frances Burton (MU) Vice-President: Cllr Matt Garrett (BCC) Vice-President: Ald Danny Kinahan (A & N’abbey) Vice-President: Cllr Martin Kearney (MU) Vice-President: Ald Alan McDowell (AND) ALL: Cllr Sharon Lowry (LCCC) Cllr Carole Howard (BCC) Ald Stephen Martin (LCCC) Cllr Peter Lavery (ABC) Cllr Billy Webb (A & N’abbey) Ald Noel Williams (MEA) DUP: Ald Robert Gibson (AND) Cllr Paul Hamill (A & N’abbey) Cllr Audrey Wales (MEA) Cllr Uel Mackin (LCCC) Ald Sharon McKillop (CCG) Ald Stephen Moutray (ABC) Ald Tommy Sandford (BCC) SDLP: Cllr Dermot Curran (N, M&D) Cllr John Coyle (F&O) Cllr Seamus de Faoite (BCC) Cllr Roisin Lynch (A & N’abbey) Cllr Jim McKeever (D&S) Cllr Christine McFlynn (MU)* Cllr Margaret Anne McKillop (CCG) Cllr Joe Boyle (AND)**** SF: Cllr Charlie Casey (N,M&D) Cllr Ian Friary (MEA) Cllr Catherine Kelly (F&O) Cllr Rosie Kinnear (A & N’abbey) Cllr Kieran McGuire (D&S) Cllr Sean McPeake (MU) Cllr Dermot Nicholl (CC&G) UUP: Cllr Alex Baird (F&O) Cllr Joan Baird (CCG) Cllr Robert Burgess (N, M&D) Ald Angus Carson (AND)**** Ald Jim Dillon MBE (LCCC) Ald Michael Henderson (LCCC)**** Cllr Jenny Palmer (LCCC) Cllr Hazel Legge (LCCC)*** Ald Jim Speers MBE (ABC) GREEN: Cllr Aine Groogan (BCC) Cllr Stephen Dunlop (AND)

CHIEF Mr David Burns (LCCC) EXECUTIVES/ COUNCIL OFFICIALS: *Partnership Panel Reps **NILGA Full Members ***NILGA Network Members ****NAC Representatives

NILGA: Karen Smyth (Head of Policy and Governance) Lisa O’Kane (Programmes Manager) Sarah Little (Business Services Officer) Helena Quinn (Regional Policy Officer, Seconded from Mid )

SENI: Colin Jess (Director)

1 1. Welcome /Apologies / Starter Business Actions/Outcomes Cllr Frances Burton, the President welcomed everyone to Lagan Valley Note: No pecuniary / Island and thanked Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for hosting the nonpecuniary declarations made per governance meeting. She welcomed David Burns Lisburn and Castlereagh’s Chief protocol. Executive and also Colin Jess from Social Enterprises NI.

The President went through the minutes of the NILGA Executive Meeting of Friday 14th February 2020, firstly for accuracy and then for discussion. The minutes were proposed by Cllr Curran, seconded by Ald Dillon as an accurate record of the meeting and members agreed them for adoption. Karen Smyth went through Paper A1, the outcome note, explaining that the work has been completed or is in progress as outlined in the paper. Outcomes were noted, along with an update on the figures for roadside maintenance. Ald Jim Dillon queried how many times Road Service has AGREED: Minutes and charged landowners for works carried out on their behalf? Actions arising from NILGA Executive Meeting, 14th Feb It was also noted that information on 5G has been included in the 2020. documents distributed within the pack for this meeting. 2. Presentation from Colin Jess, Social Enterprises Colin thanked the members for inviting him to present to the meeting today. Colin noted that he is happy to be one of NILGA’s Strategic Partners and that SENI has 280 members, Social Enterprises do not have shareholders, and use any profits for social issues. It was the SENI Conference last week and the Social Enterprises Awards, there has been a growth in the awards, which gives an indication that there is a growth in the Social Enterprise sector in general. Colin gave an update on their engagement progress and the lobbying that SENI have carried out for the sector with Permanent Secretaries during the hiatus at the Assembly and are now engaging with the new Ministers. There has been good work done regarding the Dormant Accounts consultation and we should have more information after June, DoF is very keen to have SENI involved. Northern Ireland is currently the only region that does not include Social Value as an aspect of procurement, trying to lobby on this issue. SENI have a new scheme to get university students involved in social enterprises to give them good experience working within a social enterprise, allows them to view it as a potential future option, and that social enterprises have to work as well as private businesses. SENI have been meeting with the 11 councils and there is an all-party group on Social Enterprises which meets quarterly with MLA’s, SENI held their AGM last week signing up MLA’s for a further year. Colin discussed the role of SENI as assisting new social enterprises, similar assistance needed by many start-ups. They offer a mentoring service and 2 tendering and procurement skills. For Social Enterprises to keep flourishing, they need to be involved in supply chains, which means larger businesses choosing them in tendering exercises and this needs the wider sector to value the social aspect in line with value for money. The Social Value Act for NI would be a step in the right direction, so SENI will keep lobbying for it. Question and Answer Cllr Kelly from District Council, commented that the Rebalancing the Economy Report has 4% of Social Enterprises in Tyrone and Fermanagh, and that there is also a disparity between rural and urban areas, are some areas being neglected? Cllr Jenny Palmer, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, what can councils do to better promote Social Enterprises? Colin Jess commented that SENI tries to work with social enterprises from across Northern Ireland, the 4% would be in relation to the responses to the survey so may not represent the complete picture in Tyrone and Fermanagh. That is why they also embarked on meeting with the 11 councils, to get a wider picture. If there is a rural /urban disparity it is outside the control of SENI, which is in place to support its members and work across NI. In order to promote social enterprises, try to use social value as an aspect of procurement, to encourage these businesses into supply chains, include them in business awards, social enterprises are businesses too. Members queried when the Social Value Act is likely to come into law, Colin noted that there is movement on this, there would be a push for it in this mandate, but it might be in the next mandate. Cllr Frances Burton thanked Colin Jess for his presentation. 3. Policy and Consultations Update Karen Smyth introduced Helena Quinn who has been seconded from Mid- Ulster District Council to assist with Policy work, she is working two days a

week. Helena thanked members and started her presentation on the Energy th Strategy, a Call for Evidence. The response deadline is 20 March 2020, there are a range of policy options and the Draft Strategy should be out for consultation in December 2020.

Helena split the response into sections:

• Energy in Transition in NI – need to look at this is terms of a split between rural/urban areas of how we deal with any changes to fuel. • Role of Consumers – needs to be for the benefit of consumers also, also need to be aware of the most vulnerable

• Energy Efficiency – will also help with fuel poverty, this is a massive 3 task, especially the retrofitting of old buildings • Power – we need the grid capacity, need balanced decision making,

offshore power has issues that need teased out. • Transport – high dependency of cars in NI, transport hubs, infrastructure need to be looked at for alternatives (electric cars or hydrogen), the Zero target needs a lot of things to be in place, we

will need to work together • Community and Planning – decarbonisation needs to be a council objective, we need to work with the community to educate, amplify the messages and need retrofitting energy schemes.

• Working with Businesses – energy is a big cost for businesses, they need to be on board with any carbon reduction, need to look at best practice.

Key Challenges

• Regulations, targets and powers • May need additional powers • Need resources to allow councils to be a major player.

Comments

Many members made comments in relation to the requirements of carbon reduction and how this goes against the building of new roads, there was great support for the redevelopment of the trainline across Northern Ireland, specifically into Fermanagh and bus services into rural areas.

Members discussed the possibility of having a NILGA rail transport subgroup, as had been the case in the past.

Members also discussed plastics, and a contemporary deposit return scheme for returning empty bottles etc.

Need a robust joined up response and approach to any developments on this.

Cllr Áine Groogan noted that it is good that Northern Ireland have met the target for renewable energy. Important to try and get the target date unified across Northern Ireland.

Cllr Jenny Palmer echoed other members comments about the importance of infrastructure across Northern Ireland, she added that she is frustrated with people discussing building a bridge across to Scotland, when we need connectivity within Northern Ireland first.

Members also discussed the infrastructure for electric cars, how expensive electric cars are and also noted the need for looking at the whole picture and having a range of solutions, so that the needs of a wider range of people are addressed.

Karen thanked Helena for the presentation and all the work she did on this response, she noted that this is a call for evidence so there will be further

4 consultations that build on this that we can respond to in the future.

SEUPB – Peace Plus Programme – Lisa O’Kane informed members that the draft response had been submitted, however it can be amended or added to if members have any comments, there are a number of issues involved:

• Rail connectivity • Ability to make changes to budgets

• Keen to meet on this subject. Innovation Strategy

• very internally focused

• Need councils to be included Community Safety Strategy

• Working together with councils • Highlighted success of multi-agency hub approach

• Develop relationships • Awaiting information on social housing

Members noted that NILGA is looking into suitable training for elected members who have been called as professional witnesses.

Members discussed issues around social housing, in particular the waiting lists and how certain people can find it more difficult to find homes, also the management of housing and that a concentration of certain types of housing can proliferate certain behaviours in certain areas. Members

discussed the issues that currently occur with the points system and GDPR. Waste Prevention Programme Responses to all Consultations • Circular economy to be submitted as • appropriate following Supporting a lot of the points put forward additions and amendments. Cllr Curran proposed that all the responses be submitted as drafted, Cllr Kelly seconded, and Members agreed. 4. NILGA / SOLACE Updates David Burns Chief Executive of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council gave an update from SOLACE. Comments included the Executive Office Update / Public Health England regarding Coronavirus. He commented that the

important things for Councils are to ensure that the Waste services and other main services are covered during this time. HR communications will be circulated. Cllr Matt Garrett commented that there is a special meeting in City Council taking place tonight. Cllr Matt Garrett asked that David request that all councils cross-circulate any Ministerial Meetings with details to NILGA and SOLACE, to keep everyone up to date.

5 David also informed members on the current work regarding landlord registration, as a possible power to be transferred to councils, Scotland currently have this power and it can make the councils some profit. 18% of

the rental sector is private in Northern Ireland. There would need to be powers transferred as well, which may take some time to make sure this is NILGA to continue to work with David Burns and SOLACE right as just being the custodian of the database would not be an attractive on landlord registration. offer but with the right powers it could be good for councils. We would also need a suitable information sharing protocol. David said he would keep SOLACE & NILGA to request that meetings at Ministerial NILGA informed. level by councils are sent to Local Government Conference both bodies. Karen informed members that the staff had already had an internal debrief which raised the following: • Some issues around timing • Looking at shortening the day • Looking at pros and cons of holding the Conference and Awards on separate dates. Karen took members comments: • Compere for the day – could this role be done by Office Bearers • Give more time for questions • Take more care over the presentations, there were some similar presentations, and some were too technical, not really for the audience. • Issue with attendance, number of bookings and people not attending when they had registered. • Too much on the agenda. • Allow more time in the morning for official photos and greeting Ministers. • Members thanked the staff for their hard work in organising the conference. Karen stated that these comments would be considered when organising the next Conference. 5. Council and NILGA Regional Issues Civility Report – Lisa O’Kane informed members that NILGA along with the LGA’s from England, Wales and Scotland are working together on this, the

report provides an update for members.

Letter from Sue Gray, Department of Finance – Karen informed members that the work outlined would be taken forward with Sue Gray. APSE Local Commission 2030 – Karen commented that she gave evidence on this to APSE, there were also some prepared presentations from some of the councils.

Meeting with Education Minister, 3rd March 2020 - the following issues

6 were discussed: • Encouraging Education Authority to work with councils more effectively • more of a partnership approach with Education Authority, Councils and the Department NILGA Reform Consultation – Councils are working away on this. Meeting with TEO and collaboration with SOLACE re PfGNI (2022) - look at co-designing PfG for 2022, there will be several collaborative meetings. 6. NILGA Policy and Learning Networks / Working Group The last meeting of the Audit, Risk and Sustainability working group took place on 4th March 2020, the Risk register was updated regarding Covid-19. Members noted the upcoming meeting dates. 7. Meetings and Events Members discussed the Study Trip to Fife this is part of an accredited scheme “The Planning Programme” which has 10 modules. It was also noted that the next Elected Member Development Programme will be going out

shortly. The Planning and Leadership Programmes are substantial learning programmes which need to have a lot of time dedicated to them.

Members discussed the possibility of a learning event on Universal Credit, look at Advice NI. Caring Councils Event – 27th March 2020 – Members discussed this event in line with the COVID-19 Crisis and discussed whether it should be cancelled. Cllr Matt Garett commented that advice is still coming in, but it would be prudent to cancel the event. Members felt that even if the event was held, people may not attend. Members discussed this and some members felt that at this time as Government Advice had not got to this stage, the event

should be kept in the diary until government advice changes. Await further guidance After a vote that had 7 for and 7 against cancelling, the President decided regarding possible that for the time being the event would go ahead until government advice cancellation of Events. changes. We will await future advice re COVID-19 before cancelling future events. 8. Open Council – New / Emerging Issue, Raised by Member Council(s) Cllr Martin Kearney queried when the Tourism brown signs had last been reviewed by the Tourist Board, members commented that the brown signs pay an important role in tourism in rural areas, but it needs to be clearer NILGA to investigate current what is tourism and what isn’t. legislation around brown Lisa O’Kane commented that the policy was reviewed but it would have tourism road signs and how they could be reviewed in the been some time ago, will look into when it will be reviewed again. future. Members noted the NILGA Bulletin.

7 Close and Lunch Cllr Frances Burton thanked members for their attendance and for a good interactive meeting. The meeting closed at 12.51pm.

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