ARDS AND NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL
29 August 2019
Dear Sir/Madam
You are hereby invited to attend a meeting of the Regeneration and Development Committee of the Ards and North Down Borough Council which will be held in the Council Chamber, 2 Church Street, Newtownards on Thursday 5 September 2019 commencing at 7.00pm.
Tea, coffee and sandwiches will be available from 6.00pm.
Yours faithfully
Stephen Reid Chief Executive Ards and North Down Borough Council
A G E N D A
1. Apologies
2. Declarations of Interest
3. Pickie Funpark Quarter 1 2019/20 (Report attached)
4. Bangor Marina Quarter 1 (Report attached)
5. Gifted Craft Fair 2019 (Report attached)
6. GAP Programme 2019-2020 – The Growth Achievement Programme (Report attached)
7. Economic Development Performance Report Q1 2019/20 (Report attached)
8. Regeneration and Development Budgetary Control Report – July 2019 (Copy attached)
9. Regeneration Unit Performance Report Q1 2018/19 (Report attached)
10. Tourism Service Unit Performance Quarter 1, 2019/20 (Report attached)
11. Ards and Bangor Business Awards (Report attached)
12. Women in Business Awards 7 Nov 2019 – Crowne Plaza Hotel – Attendance & Support (Report attached)
13. Food and Drink Development Update (Report attached)
14. Tourism Development Update (Report attached)
15. Notice of Motion Update on North Channel Swim Interpretive Panel and Commemorative Medal (Copy attached)
16. Economic Impact of Pipe Band Championship in Newtownards 2019 (Report attached)
17. Visit Belfast End of Year Report 2018/19 (Report attached)
18. Exploris Car Park Development (Report attached)
19. Village Renewal – RDP Capital Application – Village Signage Scheme (Report attached)
20. Rural Development Programme – Village Renewal Update (Report attached)
21. Village Renewal – SEAFLAG Application – Portavogie Environmental Improvement Scheme (Report attached)
22. Portaferry Steering Group Committee Minutes- 5 August 2019 (Copy attached)
23. Ward Park 3 Review (Report attached)
24. Queen’s Parade – Verbal Report
25. Belfast Region City Deal – Verbal Report
ITEMS 26-27 ***IN CONFIDENCE***
26. Exploris Quarter 1 2019/20 (Report attached)
27. Tender for Ards Villages – Environmental Improvement Works to Carrowdore, Cloughey & Kircubbin (Report attached)
***NOT IN CONFIDENCE***
28.Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Walker and Alderman McDowell
That this Council acknowledges the decision not to pass down Regeneration Powers and Budgets as part of the Review of Local Government (RPA) prevents us from effective long-term planning and agrees to write to the Secretary of State requesting that he urgently reverse the decision and allow Councils the opportunity to create long-term, costed and effective plans to regenerate every town and village in their Borough or District. And further agrees to write to every Council Chief Executive requesting that they support this Motion.
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28. Any Other Notified Business
***IN CONFIDENCE***
Bangor to Belfast – Potential Water Taxi – Verbal Update
MEMBERSHIP OF REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Alderman Menagh Councillor Douglas Alderman McDowell Councillor Dunlop Alderman Smith Councillor Gilmour Councillor Adair Councillor Kennedy Councillor Armstrong-Cotter Councillor McClean Councillor Blaney Councillor McKimm Councillor Brooks Councillor Walker Councillor Cummings Councillor Wilson
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Unclassified
ITEM 3
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development Committee
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Economic Development Service
Date of Report 02 August 2019
File Reference 171006
Legislation None
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Not Applicable ☐
Subject Pickie Funpark Quarter 1 (April - June 2019)
Attachments None
Following the redevelopment of Pickie Fun Park and re-opening in April 2012 the park is now in its eighth year of trading.
As members are aware, the new Operator, Pickie Limited, took over the management of the Fun Park in January 2019. The Quarter 1 review meeting between the new operator Pickie Ltd and officers from Ards and North Down Borough Council was held on Thursday 1 August 2019.
Visitor Numbers/Spend – Quarter 1 The visitor numbers to the park in the first quarter totalled 112,136 which is 4% higher than the same period last year.
Status The Park is awaiting a re-grading for the 2019-20 season for the Tourism NI Star Grading Award. This will be reported on at a later date following the re-grading process.
The Park has received a five-star Food Hygiene Rating.
Page 1 of 3
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Marketing Pickie Ltd presented a comprehensive marketing report for the upcoming months with the following elements being delivered:
Printed, Outdoor and Online Advertising have included:
Print • Print - NI Kids; Belfast Telegraph; Sails and Sounds Programme; Local Women; In Your Pocket; The Big List
Outdoor Advertising • Impact Wrap Campaign (Bus Stops) • Bus Back Campaign
Online • Social media paid for targeted advertising campaign. • New website launch • Continued use of all social media platforms.
Competitions • Facebook • Pickie Café
Pickie Ltd has been encouraged by the visitor numbers following its campaigns although is conscious that the weather, which in general has been fair, greatly influences visits.
Going forward Pickie Ltd also is planning additional joint marketing with Exploris to encourage longer stays within the borough and to make best use of both an indoor and outdoor attraction.
Complaint and Accidents In the first Quarter no complaints were received. One accident report received.
A summary of the areas reviewed is noted below:
Weekly Checks and Reports – Quarter 1
Accident One accident reported – 1 Minor report Log Complaints No complaints received
Activity Usage breakdown – Quarter 1 Adults Children Grand Total Swans 5,415 5,415 Train 3,830 4,458 8,288 Golf 1,692 1,970 3,662
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Unclassified
Cars 1,406 1,406 Ducks 2,614 2,614 Zorbs 1,907 1,907 Total 5,522 12,355 23,292
Family Passes – Quarter 1 Family Pass Option Number of Passes Sold All day wrist band 89 Family Golf 1,396 Combo Pass 3 Family Train 1,956 Grand Total 3,444
The percentage of visitors using the paid for attractions, including family passes but excluding the café in Quarter 1 is 24%.
Pickie Ltd plans to install new ticketing kiosks to make the process for customers less time consuming.
The next meeting will take place with Pickie Limited in November 2019 to assess the second quarter figures after which a further report will be brought to Council.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council notes this report.
Page 3 of 3
Unclassified
ITEM 4
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development Committee
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Economic Development Service
Date of Report 13 August 2019
File Reference 141671
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Bangor Marina Quarterly Report April - June 2019
Attachments Appendix 1: Quarterly Report April - June 2019 Report
Members will be aware that Quay Marinas operate Bangor Marina on behalf of Council. As part of the agreement, Quay Marinas provide a quarterly report which is presented to Committee as received.
Attached is the first quarter report for 2019/20. The report covers the entire range of activities that are undertaken in the Marina.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council notes this report.
Page 1 of 1
ARDS AND NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL – QUAY MARINAS LIMITED
BANGOR MARINA AND HARBOUR
FIRST QUARTER REPORT APRIL – JUNE 2019
GENERAL
The period of settled weather during the latter part of Quarter enabled many boat owners to enjoy time afloat.
Our year to date operating profit of £46,707 is £15,179 up on budget and £15,617 up on last year. The main improvement in this first quarter relates to contract income which is £13k up on budget and £19k up on last year. All other income categories are in line with the budgeted figures and whilst costs are running slightly ahead of budget it would appear to be a very strong start to the year.
General UK Economy
Our economy is the relationship between the production and consumption of goods and services, and the supply of money. Our UK economy is the second biggest in Europe and has been growing, however it suffered its first quarterly contraction in seven years, a closely watched survey suggests, as the looming threat of a no-deal Brexit subdues business activity. Growth in the UK’s dominant services sector came to a near standstill in June, confirming a gloomy outlook for a month in which the manufacturing and construction industries plunged into reverse. The figures indicate that the British economy contracted by about 0.1% in the three months to June, according to IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.
Sounding alarm bells over the health of the economy before Britain is scheduled to leave the EU by 31 October, failure to rebound in the third quarter would mean the country sliding into a recession before Brexit. Unfortunately, our economy is carrying high levels of public and private debt, which means that it could be more vulnerable to a shock. The last time GDP shrank for one quarter was in the final three months of 2012. Two consecutive negative quarters constitute a recession.
The Northern Ireland Economy
The Northern Ireland economy didn’t pick up much underlying momentum in the first quarter of 2019. Services output fell over the quarter, and while production activity increased, this was likely related to stockpiling in anticipation of the original Brexit deadline. The outlook for economic growth in Northern Ireland remains subdued, as Brexit, local political uncertainty and weaker global growth are continuing to take a toll on the economy.
Despite the recent fall in overall services output, the information & communication, administrative & support and professional services sectors are expected to be the fastest growing over the next two years. Danske Bank are forecasting that overall economic growth will average just 1.0% in 2019, rising slightly to 1.3% in 2020
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 1 of 28
The Weather
April
April started off cold and showery with snow mainly on high ground. Easterly winds dominated from the 5th to 16th, and it turned warmer initially but was generally colder from the 10th to 16th. It was settled and warm with some sunshine between the 17th and 23rd but from the 24th onwards it was mostly cloudy and wet.
The mean temperature for April was provisionally 0.9 °C above the long-term average. Rainfall was 105% of average and sunshine was 87% of average. Rainfall was near or just above normal everywhere while sunshine was below normal in the west but near normal in the east.
May
It was generally cool during the first nine days, with fairly widespread frosts on the 4th and 5th. It turned warm and sunny between the 10th and 15th, but the second half of the month was generally cloudy and unsettled, with temperatures close to or rather below the seasonal average.
The mean temperature for May was provisionally 0.3 °C below the long-term average. Most of the country had a fairly dry but cloudy month, and Northern Ireland as a whole had 81% of average rainfall and 87% of average sunshine.
June
June was a generally unsettled month but with close to average sunshine. There was some warm sunny weather in the last third of the month, particularly between the 26th and 28th, but it was generally cool until the 20th and especially cool in the second week.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 2 of 28 The mean temperature for June was provisionally 0.1 °C below the long-term average. Rainfall totals showed considerable regional variation but were mostly somewhat above normal, with 148% of the average overall. Sunshine was 104% of average.
1.0 INCOME
1.1 Contract income
At the end of the quarter, 332 berthing contracts have been completed representing at this stage 95.7 % of annual target income.
Data Research
To better understand our resident customer base and look at marketing opportunities we have researched the home locations of boat owners and traveling distances to Bangor Marina
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 3 of 28
Interestingly, if a line were drawn directly down the middle of Belfast Lough – 98% of Bangor resident berth holders would live south of that line.
1.2 Casual (Visiting Boats)
During the past quarter 545 individual visiting boats stayed 1927 nights. Income generated through visiting boats was £29.4k (£26.5k LY) which is approximately £874 above budget.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 4 of 28
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 5 of 28 Data Research
Home locations of UK Visitors
Competition - Belfast Harbour Marina
The 45 berth marina is located in the heart of Belfast's Titanic Quarter and was installed to host the Belfast Tall Ships Festival in August 2009. The facility has 425m of pontoons available and is dredged to a depth of 4m below CD. The Marina continues to attract foreign visitors, the draw being the Titanic Museum and its city centre location. Overnight berthing at Belfast Harbour is fixed at £18.10 per vessel (up to 15 meters) and includes electricity, water and use of facilities including a free laundry. Belfast Harbour will expand the Marina this year and new pontoons have been installed
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 6 of 28 TransEurope Marinas
We continue to actively promote the TransEurope Marinas organisation. The underlining benefit of this organisation is to stimulate movement between marinas. During the past quarter 28 members stayed 74 overnights.
International visitors during the past quarter.
France – 27, Denmark – 5, Germany – 5, Switzerland – 1, Russia- 1, Netherlands – 2, USA – 1, Norway - 2, Belgium – 2
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 7 of 28
Noteworthy Visitors
TS Royalist – 6th June
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina whole-heartily support the work of the Sea Cadets. We were delighted to welcome TS Royalist to Bangor on 6th June.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 8 of 28 TS Royalist is the Sea Cadets flagship, a training brig that takes twenty-four cadets to sea for 5/6 day voyages. The vessel was designed by Acubens, built during 2014 / 2015 at the Spanish shipyard of Astilleros Gondan.
The brig design draws on large faster yachts, offering greater use of space, with better all-round sailing ability and performance. Faster and easier to handle than the previous flagship, it is more economical to run – ideal for providing young people offshore sailing, assisting them to learn greater seamanship and sailing skills.
Maritime heritage and nautical training, including leadership and teamwork run deep in the charity’s ethos and culture. As the flagship of Sea Cadets, TS Royalist continues to play a pivotal part in this. For many young people, a voyage can be a life changing experience, leaving them with a profound sense of achievement, self-worth and the confidence to take on the challenges of adult life.
We continue to support the work of Bangor and Newtowanrds Sea Cadets
Photo – Bangor Sea Cadets – Facebook Page
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 9 of 28 HMC Seeker – 10th April 2019
HMC Seeker is a Border Force cutter of the United Kingdom. She was launched by Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands in 2001 and is one of four 42-metre (138 ft) cutters formerly operated by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, then from 2008 it was operated by the UK Border Agency and after its dissolution in 2013 operated by the Border Force.
Much effort has been expended in making her quiet to reduce crew fatigue; her engines are raftmounted, decks throughout the ship are of a floating type, and her compartments are constructed on a box-within-a-box principle
She is fitted with twin Caterpillar 3516B DI-TA Elec engines driving twin 4-bladed controllable-pitch propellers through a pair of 3.5:1 reduction gearboxes. The total installed power of 4,176 kW (5,600 hp gives her a top speed of 26 knots. A single Promac bow thruster is fitted for slow speed manoeuvring in confined spaces. Electrical power is supplied by a pair of 106kWA generators.
Border Force has a total fleet of five cutters and six coastal patrol vessels.
GXS Viking
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 10 of 28
The 18.2m crew transfer / survey vessel GXS Viking was based at Bangor Marina for a period of approximately 47 days. During that time she was engaged in crew transfers duties to a cable ship which was making repairs to an underwater cable in the North Channel. Constructed of aluminium in 2011, this vessel, powered by two Caterpillar C32 engines has a top speed of 27 knots and can carry 12 passengers in comfort.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 11 of 28 1.3 Fuel
During the past quarter 88879 lts of Marine Grade Gas Oil (MGO) and 8103 lts of Petrol were dispensed.
The increase in litres dispensed can be attritubuted to the crew tranfer vessel Viking.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 12 of 28
1.4 Harbour Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 13 of 28
Norma – Plough Dredger, berthed alongside the Eisenhower Pier – 15th May.
Nine fishing vessels have entered into the annual berthing and landing contracts for this year. Three of these vessels are small boats using the harbour pontoon.
At this stage, 17% of annual target has been achieved.
1.5 Miscellaneous
Income is £495 above target
2.0 OVERHEADS
Overheads are £2k below target.
3.0 ACCOUNTS
Accounts are in order at this time.
4.0 DEBTORS
At the end of this quarter, three-month debt was £2333
5.0 PERSONNEL
All team members are working well and customer comments on the standard of service and the maintenance of facilities at Bangor Marina continue to remain positive.
Nomination - Small business award at the 2019 European Alliance for Apprenticeships Awards
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 14 of 28 We are delighted that Bangor Marina has been nominated by Intern Europe for the small business award at the 2019 European Alliance for Apprenticeships Awards. These awards aim to recognise achievements of companies committed under the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, as well as their apprentices, for outstanding achievements in promoting apprenticeships.
We work closely with Intern Europe to provide work placements for Italian nautical students. Over the past three years, we have hosted 11 apprenticeship programmes. The most recent group of students completed their work placements at the end of June 2019 and are pictured together with Bangor Marina Senior Berthing Master, Tommy Burns.
As a company we endeavour to promote and foster quality relationships with placement students; we challenge and encourage them to develop skills which will be beneficial to their future seagoing careers.
The awards celebration event is scheduled to take place on 17th October in Helsinki.
Harbour Masters Diploma
Kevin Baird, the Marina Manager and Harbour Master has been awarded the Harbour Masters Diploma with Distinction from Lloyds Maritime Academy.
Since 1999 the Diploma for Harbour Masters has been recognised internationally as a foremost qualification for Harbour Masters as well as being used by many governments, port companies and terminal operators as part of their own internal training programmes.
The Diploma is endorsed and supported by the International Harbour Masters' Association, the United Kingdom Harbour Masters' Association and the International Association of Ports and Harbours. It is recognised by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) as a professional foundation and development programme.
Kevin is also a Certified Marina Manager (CMM), an accedition which represent the elite in the marina and recreational boating industry. CMMs are marina professionals who have completed an extensive training and certification process through the internationally recognised Global Marina Institute and embrace the continuance of education and training for themselves and those who work within the industry. There are currently 404 Certified Marina Managers across the world, working on Marinas in UK, Europe, Australasia, Americas and Asia.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 15 of 28
6.0 PORT MARINE SAFETY CODE
The ‘Port Marine Safety Code’ sets out a national standard for every aspect of port marine safety. Its aim is to enhance safety for everyone who uses or works in the port marine environment. It applies to all harbour authorities and other marine facilities, berths and terminals in the UK.
Under the Bangor Harbour Marine Safety Management System (MSMS) the following incidents were recorded during the past quarter.
Record No. Brief description of incident
432 Report of vulnerable 19-year-old female about to enter water at the Long Hole. Female located and taken into Police care.
433 Boat owner fell overboard at the fuelling berthing. Assistance given by Philip R, Tommy B. & Kevin B. Kevin B. took boat owner home.
434 Report from Crew Transfer Vessel ‘Viking’ that a small un-identified speed boat did not comply with the COLREG’s when transiting Harbour entrance.
435 Report of access pontoon coming adrift from the main pontoon system. Bolts replaced by Berthing Masters.
436 Report from HMCG of a Bangor based boat not complying with COLREG’s and crossing close ahead of the Stena Superfast ferry. Outside Bangor Harbour jurisdiction.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 16 of 28 437 Report of misunderstanding over the amount of clean fuel supplied to a customer who had inadvertently received contaminated fuel in 2018.
438 Assistance given to extract injured crew man from yacht. Crew man taken to hospital by ambulance.
439 Report of boat owner slipping and falling on BJ Marines pontoon.
440 Report of damage to quay ladder – repaired by Berthing Masters.
441 Report of person going to enter water, clothes found on the slipway, harbour and marina searched. PSNI were able to locate person by tracking their mobile phone. The person was found safely ashore.
442 Report of crewman falling overboard while vessel was manoeuvring within the marina. Crew man was wearing a lifejacket, he was quickly recovered from the water.
443 Report of a facial injury to a crewman, advice given, and transport organised to hospital.
444 Report to PSNI of vessel being stolen from Bangor Marina. The report was hoax, the vessel was safely and securely moored alongside the pontoons. The vessel was locked.
445 Berthing masters observed a vessel lying low in the water. Vessel entered and pumped out, owner contacted.
446 Report that the car park exit barrier was not function correctly.
447 Report of anti-social behaviour by group of youths on the Pickie Pier. Berthing Master requested them to leave the pier.
448 Report of vessel collision – C pontoon. No visible damage, owners contacted.
449 Report of vessel collision – C pontoon. No visible damage, owners contacted.
450 Report of extensive damage to a vehicle parked in the Marina Car Park. PSNI ref 1122 29/06/19. CCTV footage and access report submitted as evident to PSNI.
Port Marine Safety Code - MSMS – KPI’s
Incidents Ashore: 9
Incidents Afloat: 10
Total Incident: 19
Navigational Incidents: 4
Navigational Incidents
Vessel collisions 2
COLREG Non-Compliance 2
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 17 of 28 Port Marine Safety Code - Risk Assessment of Safety Equipment
A recent risk assessment of water safety equipment identified 3 locations within Bangor Harbour were improvements could be made. New lifebelts, fire extinguishers and first aid boxes were fitted to the commercial fishing pontoon, BJ Marines pontoon and the Pickie pontoon. A rescue pole and hook, throw lines and alarm bell will be fitted on the Commercial Pier.
Casualty Review Panel - Maritime Coastguard Agency
Every year a panel of experts meets to analyse the year’s fatal maritime incidents. The panel makes a judgment about whether it is probable, possible or unlikely that the person involved could have been saved had they been wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid. At the start of the year the panel reviewed 22 fatalities from 2018 and agreed that 11 lives could have been saved if they had been wearing a lifejacket. This figure is slightly lower than last year’s figure of 13 lives (out of 27 fatalities).
In the twelve years that the panel has been meeting, is has recorded that 200 lives could have been saved by wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 18 of 28
From 1st April all contractors working afloat at Bangor Marina are required to wear an automatic lifejacket. We introduced the compulsory wearing of lifejackets for contactors as a safe working practice under the Port Marine Safety Code. During the Autumn 2018, we engaged and consulted with all the businesses operating from Bangor Marina and advised them of our intentions to introduce mandatory wearing of lifejackets while afloat. During that process we did remind all contractors of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order. We did not receive any feedback during the consultation process. To the best of our knowledge, Bangor Marina would be one of the first marinas in the UK to adopt common safety practices which are already enforced within the commercial sector.
7.0 PROMOTION & EVENTS
During the past three months there have been a number of events held under the RYA Activie Marina Banner, one of the the most notable being:
Sea Safety Day
On Saturday 27th April, Quay Marinas -Bangor Marina organised a Sea Safety Day in partnership with the RNLI and Belfast Coastguards. Unfortunately the weather during Saturday was extremely wet, however the morning started with a Manx Kipper and Toast breakfast hosted by Quay Marinas. The underlying purpose of this event was for boat owners to have their lifejackets checked by the RNLI and for the ‘Float to Live’ message to be highlighted to all. During this event there was also an opportunity for everyone to meet Max the Resuce Search Dog
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 19 of 28
Other Notable Events.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
At the beginning of the season we issued a Notice to Mariners to let everyone know that there are fantastic opportunities for sport, leisure and recreational activities to take place on the sheltered waters of Bangor Harbour and we want to encourage and support these activities.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 20 of 28 Of course, the leisure use of Bangor Harbour must be balanced safely with its role as a commercial harbour. We encouraged all using Bangor Harbour to have mutual respect for each other’s needs and advised that the following organised marine leisure activities now take place within the Harbour.
1. Rowing 2. Kayaking 3. Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
Organised rowing and kayaking already takes place in the Harbour with the Donaghadee Coastal Rowing Club, the Bangor and Newtownards Sea Cadets being the most active users.
The newcomer to this group is Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) which is the fastest growing water sport today, as it provides an easy access, safe and fun way to get on the water.
This year, we have worked alongside Iain McCarthy. Iain is an absolute SUP expert and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge. After working with Maeve Killingbeck as part of the ‘Go For It’ programme to support new businesses, and more recently with Maura Bettes of the ‘Economic Development Team’ of Ards and North Down Borough Council, Iain took the plunge and formed SUPHubNI Ltd.
Working alongside Iain, we have established safety protocols and operating procedures for Stand Up Paddle Boarding to take place and we are happy to promote the use of the Harbour by SUPHUB.
We echo Iain’s aim of building a water sports hub in the heart of Bangor to make the most of the beautiful waters that surround us.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 21 of 28
Sea Bangor Maritime Festival
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina were delighted to help facilitate and to assist with the organisation of this event. We were again pleased to sponsor the Bangor Rowing Challenge race which was won by a team from the Council.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 22 of 28
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 23 of 28 Tall Ship Phoenix – Sea Bangor Maritime Festival
Tall Ship Phoenix – Captain, Eric Henry is originally from Bangor, in 2009 North Down Borough Council and Quay Marinas sponsored Eric’s voyage across the Atlantic on a Tall Ship which was taking part in the Tall Ships Race. During that voyage Eric, painted a picture of the Bark Europa, which, I believe hangs in the Mayors Parlour. Ten years later, Eric is now master of the Tall Ship Phoenix.
Blue Flag Award
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
We are pleased to announce that after a rigorous environmental audit Bangor Marina was awarded the Blue Flag for the 2019 season.
During the award ceremony which was held at the Marine Court Hotel, Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, said: "For your health, for good old fashioned ‘screen free’ fun and for helping us realise the wonder of our natural environment, it is hard to beat a visit to our coast or lough shores. Behind every enjoyable experience is a small team of committed beach and marina operators who toil year-round to keep these places in pristine condition. These awards are one way of recognising their ongoing dedication and of course advertising the best very places to take a holiday."
It was extremely pleasing to be presented with this award by our Mayor, Alderman Bill Keery.
All who attended the award ceremony were invited to visit Bangor Marina and to view our wonderful coastline on an organised ‘Around the Bay’ boat trip hosted by Quay Marinas and Brian Meharg.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 24 of 28 The 2019 Blue Flag flying over Bangor Marina
Cruise Ship Visit – Hebridean Princess – 3rd May
On 3rd May we welcomed 40 passengers ashore after Captain Kirkwood anchored the Hebridean Princess of Bangor on a ‘Captains Surprise Cruise’. The passengers visited Grey Abbey House and gardens before returning to Bangor. Thankfully the sea conditions moderated during the day and the passengers were tendered safely back onboard. Passenger tender operations are always subject to favourable weather and sea conditions. Most cruise ship masters would prefer to berth alongside rather than go to anchor and tender passengers ashore.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 25 of 28 8.0 GETTING SPLICED – A NAUTICAL UNION THAT WILL MAKE KING NEPTUNE & BOATOWNERS SMILE
We are pleased to announce that Quay Marinas and Dean & Reddyhoff Marinas have agreed to merge. We have a similar outlook on how to run friendly marinas that offer great facilities. All our sites are character locations with their own identities and quirks bound together by a strong sense of customer service and willingness to go the extra mile.
By joining together, we are combining the strengths of both our organisations to provide more choice and an even better experience for our visitors and berth holders.
The deal is expected to complete in the next three months and the combined business will operate the second largest number of coastal marinas with the widest network around the coast of the UK.
Simon Haigh, Managing Director of Quay Marinas, said: “We are all looking forward to a busy boating season. We are confident that our visitors and berth holders can look forward to us making it even easier for them to spend time out on the water. Whether they are cruising, racing, fishing or diving, behind the scenes we’ll be working hard to make sure that our new company puts what our customers want at the heart of our business.”
Michael Prideaux, Managing Director of Dean & Reddyhoff, comments: “Our customers at all our marinas know what they are getting – a friendly, warm, professional experience and a great atmosphere. By merging with Quay Marinas, we will be bringing together the strengths of both companies and our joint ambition is to make our marinas the destination of choice for all types of boaters in the UK, across the whole of the UK.”
The new business will offer visitors and berth holders access to the boating destinations of Cowes, Hamble and Portsmouth Harbour, Dorset, the Bristol Channel, Irish Sea and the Clyde.
We’ll be sharing more news at Southampton Boat Show in September.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 26 of 28
9.0 SEABIN
This project is one of many to be paid for by the council’s Recycling Community Investment Fund, established from money saved by residents engaging with Ards and North Down Borough Council’s recycling scheme.
As a company we are committed to working in partnership with ANDBC in helping reduce the impact of marine litter around our coastline through education and raising awareness. We welcome school and group visits to see the Sea Bin in action.
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 27 of 28
10.0 SUMMARY
We continue to offer boat owners the very best standards of service and we strive to exceed customer expectations. We are committed to upholding Bangor Marinas reputation as Northern Irelands premier leisure maritime destination.
We are passionate about promoting Bangor and our Borough to resident and visitor boat owners. We proactively maintain the facilities at Bangor Marina to the very highest standard and encourage responsible environmental stewardship of our coastal waters.
As we look to future, we welcome the opportunity of engagement with the Council though Urban Water Sports Stakeholder group. Our ultimate aim is to provide a world class marine facility of excellence for both resident and visitor boat owners.
As a team, we want the Marina and Harbour to enhance Bangor and our Borough as a place to live and work. We want boatowners and those who prefer to keep their feet on the shore to visit our wonderful coastline and we want companies as well as individuals to invest in our future.
Photo – Cool FM Facebook Page - Stephen Mitchell
Quay Marinas – Bangor Marina April – June 2019 Page 28 of 28 Unclassified
ITEM 5
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Economic Development Service
Date of Report 13 August 2019
File Reference ED 94
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Gifted Craft Fair 2019
Attachments
Background:
In December 2018, Council agreed to proceed with supporting Creative Craft businesses in attending the Gifted Fair in Dublin from the 4-9 December 2018 (inclusive) as a pilot project.
The Integrated Strategy identifies the creative industries as a significant sector of our local economy and the need to promote and support it. In addition, helping businesses to grow their potential to develop new markets and export opportunities allows for potential referral to Invest NI support.
Budget was allocated to assist the increase of business visibility, sales (both direct and trade), market exploration as well as export development capacity.
In January 2019 a report was submitted to Council evaluating the success of the event. It was stated in that report that a further evaluation would be carried out 6 months post event to ensure programme targets had been met.
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The agreed aims of the programme:
• Develop export capacity and support business growth within the creative sector • Develop new markets and support additional sales for designer-makers • Profile the creative economy in the Ards and North Down Borough.
This report follows on from the evaluation report presented in January 2019. This report focuses on the recommendation detailed below:
Evaluation An Evaluation will be carried out directly after the event and again 6 months after the event to ensure targets have been met.
In the previous report it was detailed that:
The three makers all identified 2 new retail outlets, at an evaluation meeting on Wednesday 16th January one maker had successfully placed orders with two online retailers. Two other makers were chasing their leads and hoped to place orders within the next 6 months. This was to be followed up within 6 months post event to ensure this target had been met.
Update 6 months after the event:
One maker successfully met all of the targets for the programme and identified 2 new retailers as well as growing its customer base.
A second maker was successful in securing leads and while at this stage has not secured new orders is hopeful that with further pursual orders will be secured. This company has raised its profile and gathered new support for its work in RoI. It met all other targets set by the programme and is extremely positive about the experience.
The third maker followed leads but was unable to secure orders from its contacts to date but did meet all other targets and overall was satisfied with the experience.
Assessment of the pilot phase:
It was felt by both the makers and the ED section that the programme was very worthwhile. The participants were satisfied with the event and met all their personal objectives as well as mostly meeting the objectives of the programme. It is likely that the three makers will continue to exploit the contacts made at the Gifted Fair to further develop their customer base in the longer term.
This opportunity was not only a great opportunity for the Makers who attended to explore the export potential of their business and secure new contracts, but allowed
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Ards and North Down Borough Council to showcase the area as a Creative Region and a tourist destination through the participation and contribution of the Tourism Unit on the stand during the fair.
Going forward: The Economic Development section believes there is value in running a similar programme for a new group of makers in December 2019. It is hoped that, by planning earlier, the section will secure a better location in the main hall and be able to take 4 stands to give 4 makers the opportunity to exhibit, sell and represent our borough as a creative region.
The Gifted Craft fair features a display of products like ceramic, jewelry, digital, photo, fibre, metalwork, sculptures, glass, mixed media, wood, graphics, painting and much more. Many independent Creative Businesses, Craft Designer Maker businesses and other larger commercial businesses will be attending the fair with an estimated 500+ businesses being represented across the duration of the event (4th to 8th December). The fair is open to both the public and to trade visitors and anticipated visitor figures are estimated to be between 20,000 - 50,000.
Objectives of the Programme
• Develop export capacity and support business growth within the creative sector • Develop new markets and support additional sales for designer-makers • Profile the Creative economy in the Ards and North Down Borough.
Targets
Key Activity Objective & Output Recruitment of attendees – Craft Designer Recruit 4 Craft Designer makers to Makers attend the fair across the 4 days. To generate sales and identify potential • To meet an agreed sales retail outlets for sales at an international target over the duration of their Gift/Craft Fair time exhibiting • Grow customer base (Specific targets will be agreed per Craft Designer Maker during Training) • Identify 2 new retail outlets within 6 months of the event taking place Recruit trainers/facilitators to deliver Deliver 3 training sessions for the Exhibitor Training group of Craft Designer Makers in preparation for the fair on marketing, product pricing for an international market and stand display. Invite the Tourism Section to nominate a Tourism officer to promote the Ards member of staff to attend the event and and North Down Borough with Fair market the AND Borough during the event visitors. Evaluation An Evaluation will be carried out directly after the event and again 6 months after the event to ensure targets have been met.
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The process of recruiting designer makers will potentially begin in September 2019. All training will be delivered in October and November. The Fair itself will run from 4-8 December 2019. It is proposed that an Economic Development and a Tourism representative will be on site for set up of the event to assist participants and attend as required through these days.
Costs
The budget anticipated for the development and delivery of the Programme is £9,800 and comes from the existing internationalisation budget. It is expected that Ards and North Down Borough Council will pay for the following:
Stand Costs After 2018’s event makers 4 stands within the main hall with feedback that they would prefer to be in the main hall. The costs for 10% discount 7920 (euro) the main hall are higher.
£7089.00 (dependent on exchange Within the budget we can acquire 4 stands taking 4 makers to the rate) event. £1500.00 Fee for Trainer x 3 sessions £1000.00 Staff Costs (Including cost of tourism staff) and Expenses £9,589 Total Costs
*Staff required for set up of event not necessarily the entirety of the event
Applications will be sought by Ards and North Down Borough Council from professional designer/makers who would like to be considered to attend the Crafted Gift Fair. The successful applicants will be supported through a programme of events culminating in the fair itself. The programme is designed to assist Creative Businesses and Craft designer-makers to attend a trade / retail fair to sell directly to customers as well as explore export potential for international Markets.
Exhibitors recruited under this programme will be expected to pay for their own travel, accommodation, insurance and subsistence costs and to make their own arrangements.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council: 1) notes the outcome of the pilot phase 2) agrees to proceed with the Gifted Fair proposal 2019 as described in the report 3) gives council officers permission to travel to, and take part in the event.
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ITEM 6
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Economic Development Service
Date of Report 08 August 2019
File Reference ED93
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject GAP Programme 2019-2020 - The Growth Achievement Programme
Attachments
Background
The GAP Programme is a Post Start-up Business Support Programme with tailored mentoring and workshops in the areas of business support and growth. The GAP (Year 1) Programme ran from January - August 2019 with 29 local post start-up businesses successfully receiving up to 10 hours mentoring and attending 5 business support workshops. Year 1 will be evaluated at 18 months post-completion in order to assess the final outcomes and impact of the programme and a further report will be brought to Council.
The Economic Development section earmarked budget of £25,000 for the financial year 2019-20 to continue running the GAP Programme to recent start-up businesses and Core Consulting Business Growth Advisors Ltd has been appointed as delivery agent.
The GAP programme 2019-2020 will provide business support with the following objectives:
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• To support and encourage new businesses with high growth potential • To support local business growth, sustainability and job creation • To create a structure that supports growth and upscale the business • To enhance the reach and quality of interaction between the Council and its local businesses • To strengthen the local economy and create jobs
The programme is aimed towards:
• Post start-up entrepreneurs that have established their business within the last three years of trading and can demonstrate that the business is scalable and has growth potential and/or • Newly created businesses that have progressed through the Northern Ireland Business Start Up Programme ‘Go For It’ and can demonstrate that the business is scalable and has growth potential
The Council’s Integrated Strategy for Tourism Regeneration and Economic Development (ITRDS) has a target to create 7,500 jobs by 2030 with an output to achieve significant increases in business start survival and enhance the levels of business growth. Therefore, post start-up support plays a key role in achieving the strategic goals and contributing to increased levels of employment and economic productivity. In addition, the GAP programmes feeds into the SHINE programme which is the main business support mechanism offered by the Council to local businesses which have been established for more than three years and have a potential to grow and create employment.
As part of our Council’s drive to increase entrepreneurship and job creation the GAP Programme 2019-2020 Programme will:
• Guide and support participants to the next level of growth through one-to-one mentoring and group networking workshops that will provide support to suit the needs of post start-up businesses. • Assist post start-up and newly established businesses to identify their areas of need to help them grow their business. The support will be tailored to individual needs to achieve defined outcomes.
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Targets
Key Activity Objective & Output To assist in the capacity and To recruit up to 30 capability building of businesses businesses/participants onto the (year 1 to 3 of trading) with a view ‘GAP’ programme. to increase turnover and profit. To provide one-to-one mentoring Up to 30 participant businesses support on topics impacting receiving a maximum of 10 business start-up and development hours tailored one-to-one including specialist topics where mentoring over the course of the necessary programme. To improve knowledge of the To deliver 5 group networking programme participants in key workshops (3.5 hours per business areas workshop) to be defined as agreed and according to the needs of the participants. To support participants to develop Up to 30 action plans delivered a three-year action plan on completion of mentoring advice and workshops To support participants to increase Participants will be able to avail their website and social media of photography services to platforms in promoting their promote their product/service as business part of this programme To contribute to wealth generation 20 new jobs created by and job creation in the Borough participating companies within 18 months of the end of the ‘GAP’ programme.
The Programme is multi-sectoral but will target those businesses which have identified specific areas of assistance which will lead to sustainability, growth and job creation. The Programme (Year 2) will run for 8 months with recruitment starting in September 2019 and the first workshop on 1 October 2019. This first workshop will include a soft launch which will be promoted in the press and on the Council’s social media platforms. The Programme delivery of workshops and mentoring will be completed by 31 March 2020, with job creation figures being monitored 18 months after completion.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council approve the continuation of the Gap Programme for 2019/20.
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ITEM 7
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development Committee
Date of Meeting 5 September 2019
Responsible Director Choose an item.
Responsible Head of Head of Economic Development Service
Date of Report 15 August 2019
File Reference 160167
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes X☐ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Economic Development Performance Report Q1 2019-2020
Attachments
Context
Members will be aware that Council is required, under the Local Government Act 2014, to have in place arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the exercise of its functions. To fulfil this requirement Council approved the Performance Management Policy and Handbook. The Performance Management Handbook outlines the approach to Performance Planning and Management process as:
• Community Plan – published every 10-15 years • Corporate Plan – published every 4 years (2015-2020 plan in operation) • Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) – published annually (2018/19 plan published 30 June 2018) • Service Plan – developed annually (approved April 2018)
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The Corporate Plan 2015-20 sets out 17 objectives for the plan period based on themes of People, Place, Prosperity and Performance. The Council’s 16 Service Plans outline how each respective Service will contribute to the achievement of the Corporate objectives including, but not limited to, any relevant actions identified in the PIP.
Reporting approach
The Service Plans will be reported to relevant Committees on a quarterly basis as undernoted:
Reference Period Reporting Month Quarter 1 (Q1) April – June September Q2 July – September December Q3 October – December March Q4 January - March June
The report for the first Quarter of 2018/19 is attached.
Key points to note:
• Challenges still remain in delivery of the Business Start Programme. Officers are constantly monitoring and working with Enterprise NI and the agencies on remedial actions. While the target has been missed for this quarter we are hopefully that we can get delivery back on track throughout the year. • The staff attendance figure is under target due mainly to one team member being off with long-term illness. We will continue to monitor and support the staff member and have in the short-term employed an agency member to take on some of the key responsibilities to ensure consistent delivery of services to our client companies.
Key achievements:
• Despite staff illness we have maintained good interaction with the business base and take up of advice and research services remains high with feedback that they make a positive contribution to business development. • Budgets are being well manged and better controls have been implemented to allow key team members to better manage and plan.
Emerging issues:
• While the ED Forum has been established more work needs to be done to ensure that it will deliver outcomes to meet business needs and help to deliver the objectives of our strategy. • Long-term staff sickness will need to be managed to ensure delivery of the business support services and to minimise pressure on other staff members to fulfil gaps.
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• Targets for the Business Start programme present challenges going forward and will require constant monitoring and actions to ensure the performance is maintained.
Action to be taken:
• Continued regular quarterly meetings with the delivery agents for the Business Start programme are taking place and communication with the parent organisation, Enterprise NI to ensure the programme targets and any related issues are flagged and remedial actions agreed to ensure programme funding requirements are met.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council notes this report.
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Quarterly Performance Report - Economic Development
Generated on: 15 August 2019
Last Update Q1 2019/20
Performance PI Short Name Performance Data Performance Data Data Traffic Current Value Current Target Light Icon Conduct annual business survey 1 1
Number of meetings Economic Development Forum 1 1
Satisfaction levels for the use of the conference and meeting facilities at the Signal Centre 94% 85%
% spend against budget 96.47% 100%
% staff attendance 90.01% 95%
Pride and Performance interview completed and including review will all staff 100% 100%
Team Brief to be communicated to all available staff monthly (unless Sick or on leave) 100% 100%
Effective draw down and utilisation of grant claims 100% 100%
Monitor contracts through operational agreements via monthly and quarterly meetings 100% 100%
No of workshops/group interventions 3 3
No of 1:1 Business Advice sessions 33 30
Number of business research assignments 43 28
Number of commercial premises and land inquiries 8 6
No of new jobs promoted through NIBSUP 29 35
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ITEM 8
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Finance Service
Date of Report 09 August 2019
File Reference FIN45
Legislation Section 5 Local Government Finance Act (NI) 2011
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☐ No ☐ Not Applicable ☒
Subject Regeneration and Development Budgetary Control Report – July 2019
Attachments -
This Regeneration & Development Budgetary Control Report covers the 4-month period 1 April to 31 July 2019 and is set out in Report 1 on page 3. The net cost of the service is showing an under spend of £45,152 (3.2%) – box A.
Explanation of Variance
The Regeneration & Development budget performance is further analysed on page 3 into 3 key areas: -
Report Type Variance Box Report 2 Payroll Expenditure £45,503 favourable B Report 3 Non-Payroll Expenditure £29,434 adverse C Report 4 Income £29,083 favourable D
Boxes B, C and D add up to the overall favourable variance (Box A - £45,152).
This variance can be summarised in the following table: -
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Type Variance Comment £’000 Mainly due to range of small payroll Payroll Expenditure (45.5) variances in Tourism due to vacant posts throughout the year (£32.4k). Non-Payroll Mainly Events - £26.1k which is mainly Expenditure 29.4 Easter event (£22.5k)
Small favourable income variances for Income (29.1) Events (£4.9k) and Tourism (£12.1k) Total (45.2) Box A
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REPORT 1 BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT Period 4 - July 2019 Year to Date Year to Date Variance Annual Variance E Actual Budget Budget O Y £ £ £ £ % £ Regeneration & Development 300 Regen, Dev & Planning HQ 49,632 53,300 (3,668) 487,100 6.9 310 Regeneration 246,243 246,300 (57) 1,130,300 0.0 320 Economic Development 346,567 356,300 (9,733) 1,218,100 2.7 340 Tourism 709,405 741,100 (31,695) 2,129,600 4.3
Total 1,351,848 1,397,000 A (45,152) 4,965,100 3.2
REPORT 2 PAYROLL EXPENDITURE BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT
£ £ £ £ % £ Regeneration & Development - Payroll Expenditure
300 Regen, Dev & Planning HQ 48,375 48,000 375 142,800 0.8 310 Regeneration 196,291 208,700 (12,409) 619,700 5.9 320 Economic Development 209,049 210,100 (1,051) 630,000 0.5 340 Tourism 338,281 370,700 (32,419) 1,031,800 8.7
Total 791,997 837,500 B (45,503) 2,424,300 5.4
REPORT 3 NON-PAYROLL EXPENDITURE BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT
£ £ £ £ % £ Regeneration & Development - Non-Payroll Expenditure
300 Regen, Dev & Planning HQ 1,257 5,300 (4,043) 344,300 76.3 310 Regeneration 136,758 122,200 14,558 1,021,400 11.9 320 Economic Development 264,415 263,200 1,215 1,069,100 0.5 340 Tourism 432,903 415,200 17,703 1,164,800 4.3
Total 835,334 805,900 C 29,434 3,599,600 3.7
REPORT 4 INCOME BUDGETARY CONTROL REPORT
£ £ £ £ % £ Regeneration & Development - Income
300 Regen, Dev & Planning HQ - - 0 - 100.0 310 Regeneration (86,806) (84,600) (2,206) (510,800) (2.6) 320 Economic Development (126,897) (117,000) (9,897) (481,000) (8.5) 340 Tourism (61,780) (44,800) (16,980) (67,000) (37.9)
Totals (275,483) (246,400) D (29,083) (1,058,800) (11.8)
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Committee notes this report.
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ITEM 9
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development Committee
Date of Meeting 5th September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Regeneration Service
Date of Report 14th August 2019
File Reference
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes X No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Regeneration Unit Performance Report, Quarter 1 2018/19
Attachments None
Context
Members will be aware that Council is required, under the Local Government Act 2014, to have in place arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the exercise of its functions. To fulfil this requirement Council approved the Performance Management Policy and Handbook. The Performance Management Handbook outlines the approach to Performance Planning and Management process as:
• Community Plan – published every 10-15 years • Corporate Plan – published every 4 years (2015-2020 plan in operation) • Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) – published annually (2018/19 plan published 30 June 2018) • Service Plan – developed annually (approved April 2018)
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The Corporate Plan 2015-20 sets out 17 objectives for the plan period based on themes of People, Place, Prosperity and Performance. The Council’s 16 Service Plans outline how each respective Service will contribute to the achievement of the Corporate objectives including, but not limited to, any relevant actions identified in the PIP.
Reporting approach
The Service Plans will be reported to relevant Committees on a quarterly basis as undernoted:
Reference Period Reporting Month Quarter 1 (Q1) April – June September Q2 July – September December Q3 October – December March Q4 January - March June
The report for the first Quarter of 2019/20 is below.
Key points to note:
• Two posts remain vacant, but the recruitment process is underway. • All staff who were on long term sick have returned to work or left the Council’s employment. • All village plan projects have been identified.
Key achievements:
• The Working Groups tasked with assisting with the development of the Bangor Waterfront Project have now been formed. • The Development Agreement for the Queen’s Parade project has been signed with Bangor Marine.
Emerging issues:
• The Department for Communities (DfC) has confirmed that as yet it has not been advised of its budget for urban development projects. This will have a knock-on effect for Council projects. • The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has confirmed an extension until December 2019 for the issue of letters of offer for village renewal and co-operation projects under the Rural Development Programme.
Action to be taken:
• DfC has now advised that it will be unable to commit to the redevelopment of the Old Gun Power Store and the Motte project in Donaghadee. A revision of the Outline Business Case is underway.
RECOMMENDATION
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It is recommended that the Council notes this report.
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Quarterly Performance Report - Regeneration Unit
Generated on: 14 August 2019
Last Update Q1 2019/20
Performance PI Short Name Performance Data Performance Data Data Traffic Current Value Current Target Light Icon % spend against budget 97.7% 100%
% staff attendance 96.28% 95%
The monthly team brief delivery to all staff who are not on leave/maternity/long term sick 100% 100%
No of staff meetings including updates on service plan delivery 8 7
To continue the activity at Project 24 in order to provide a mean-while use facility and to animate the site 100% 100%
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ITEM 10
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration, Development and Planning
Date of Meeting 5 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Tourism Service
Date of Report 13 August 2019
File Reference TO/TD15
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☐x No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Tourism Service Unit Performance Qtr 1 2019/20
Attachments
Context
Members will be aware that Council is required, under the Local Government Act 2014, to have in place arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the exercise of its functions. To fulfil this requirement Council approved the Performance Management Policy and Handbook. The Performance Management Handbook outlines the approach to Performance Planning and Management process as:
• Community Plan – published every 10-15 years • Corporate Plan – published every 4 years (2015-2020 plan in operation) • Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) – published annually (2018/19 plan published 30 June 2018) • Service Plan – developed annually (approved April 2018)
The Corporate Plan 2015-20 sets out 17 objectives for the plan period based on themes of People, Place, Prosperity and Performance. The Council’s 16 Service
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Plans outline how each respective Service will contribute to the achievement of the Corporate objectives including, but not limited to, any relevant actions identified in the PIP.
Reporting approach
The Service Plans will be reported to relevant Committees on a quarterly basis as undernoted:
Reference Period Reporting Month Quarter 1 (Q1) April – June September Q2 July – September December Q3 October – December March Q4 January - March June
The report for the first Quarter of 2018/19 is attached.
Key points to note:
• During the quarter three new or vacant posts have been filled including Borough Marketing Manager, Food and Drink Development Officer and Marketing Officer. The addition of these extra resources will greatly assist in successfully securing key objectives in 2019/20.
Key achievements:
• Key achievements made in the Tourism Development and Food and Drink Development units within the Tourism section are detailed in separate reports to the Committee in September. Significant strategies (Borough Marketing Strategy and Borough Events Strategy) were taken through the early (including consultation) phases of development during the quarter and will come to fruition later in the year. • Highlight performance achievements were the number of hits achieved on the tourism website, doubling the target, and an excellent performance in terms of attendees at tourism events, 35% above target for the quarter. • Tourism’s performance against budget and staff attendance targets was excellent.
Emerging issues:
• On the PI “Value of PR Secured”, the original annual target has been set in the Service Unit Plan at 700,000 however due to a change in the way the PR monitoring system used operates, that total is now thought to be over-stated and is no longer accurate or feasible. With Committee’s approval it is proposed to reduce the target to 595,000 by Q4.
Action to be taken:
• Continue to monitor the long-term sickness absence of one staff member.
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RECOMMENDATION
1) It is recommended that the Council notes this report. 2) It is recommended that the Council approves an amendment to the Performance Indicator “Value of PR secured” from an annual total of 700,000 to one of 595,000.
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Quarterly Performance Report - Tourism
Generated on: 13 August 2019
Last Update Q1 2019/20
Performance PI Short Name Performance Data Performance Data Data Traffic Current Value Current Target Light Icon Delivery of ezines to tourism trade database (cumulative) 1 1
No. of tourist information touch points 38 38
% spend against budget 98.77% 100%
% staff attendance 97.13% 95%
No. of collaborative projects 0 0
Value of PR secured via press, online, radio and tv coverage (cumulative) £338,880.00 £140,000.00
Visitardsandnorthdown.com user figures 106,784 50,000
Secure resource to develop Borough Marketing Strategy Yes Yes
Number of attendees at events (cumulative) 82,000 60,600
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ITEM 11
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development Committee
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Economic Development Service
Date of Report 15 August 2019
File Reference 160094
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Not Applicable ☐
Subject Ards and Bangor Business Awards
Attachments
Background Members will be aware that Council officers have been working closely with the Chambers of Commerce in each of the towns, to engage and develop the business capacity of the chambers.
Each Chamber developed a business plan outlining the main issues alongside actions to assist the Chambers to grow, develop and better support the traders in each town. Updates have been regularly reported to Committee.
Ards and Bangor Chambers of Commerce included within their actions a plan to run an annual Business Awards event to celebrate the work and successes of local businesses in the area. Ards and North Down Borough Council is the principal sponsor for each event.
Year 2019-20 This year the Ards Business Awards event is planned for the evening of Saturday 2 November at the Orange Tree, Greyabbey.
The Bangor Business Awards will take place on the evening of Friday 11 October 2019 at the Clandeboye Lodge.
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As part of Council sponsorship, complimentary tickets per event are made available for Elected Members, as below, based on capacity of each venue:
Ards Business Awards: 5 Elected Members Bangor Business Awards: 10 Elected Members
Please note, the Mayor will be invited as a guest of each Chamber under a separate invitation, and Bangor Chamber may invite some additional Council Members with whom they have interacted over the years.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council:
1) nominates 5 Members to attend the Ards Business Awards in November 2019 2) nominates 10 Members to attend the Bangor Business Awards in October 2019.
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ITEM 12
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Economic Development Service
Date of Report 21 August 2019
File Reference 500516
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Not Applicable ☐
Subject Women in Business Awards 7th November 2019 - Crowne Plaza Hotel - Attendance and Support
Attachments
The Women in Business NI Awards celebrate the hard work and achievements of many business women who make a valuable contribution to the economic life of Northern Ireland. It showcases the best in innovation, enterprise and leadership.
Now in the ninth year, the Awards continue to recognise the women at the cutting edge of our economy. The Women in Business NI Awards 2019 will build on the success of the previous eight years.
Last year almost 500 business women and men attended the Awards Ceremony at the new Crowne Plaza Hotel & Spa to celebrate the success of entrepreneurs, business leaders and senior managers at the only ceremony of its kind in Northern Ireland.
As in previous years, the 11 councils have been asked to sponsor these awards as part of their work to promote new business starts in Northern Ireland. Belfast City Council coordinated attendance from, and respective invoicing to, the Councils in previous years and is proposing to take on that role again this year.
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Category sponsorship includes: • Logo featured and acknowledgement in Awards Application • Logo on all event material including invites, backdrop, display boards etc • Logo featured in extensive billboard campaign if commissioned • Logo on the Women in Business NI website • Social media updates on Facebook Twitter and LinkedIn promotion of the organisation • Company logo to rotate on stage screen with other sponsors throughout the course of the evening • Significant PR and publicity opportunities pre/post event with Media partner Irish News • Category sponsorship acknowledgment by host • Presentation of Category Award on the evening • 10 places at the Awards ceremony gala (value £100 + VAT each).
Award Categories: • Award for Best New Start Up • Award for Outstanding Management / Leadership • Award for Best Small Business • Award for Advancing Diversity • Award for Best Exporter • Award for Outstanding Innovation • Award for Best Marketing Campaign • Award for Best Customer Service • Award for Best in Professional Services • Award for Young Business Woman of the Year • Award for Excellence in IT • Awards highlighted in yellow are still available.
It is proposed that the councils support the Best New Start Up Category.
As part of this sponsorship, each council is requested to nominate one Elected Member who will sit at the Councils’ table to represent its Council area. It is suggested that this should be the Chair of the Regeneration and Development Committee.
Cost:
The overall cost of supporting the above mentioned category will amount to £4,000 and will be divided by the number of participating councils. It is expected that the investment will be in the region of £350 per Council, should all Councils attend.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council:
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1) Agrees to support these awards at an estimated cost of £350 which can be met from existing budgets 2) Nominates the Chairman of the Regeneration and Development Committee to attend the awards.
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ITEM 13
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Tourism Service
Date of Report 07 August 2019
File Reference TD173
Legislation Not Applicable
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Food and Drink Development Update
Attachments None
Background
In September 2018 the Council launched its Food Destination Development Plan. A new post of Food and Drink Development Officer (FDDO) was approved and the officer took up post in April 2019 to deliver the objectives of the 3-year Plan to make Ards and North Down a premier food tourism destination on the island of Ireland. Although the post sits within the Tourism section, the officer works directly with the food and drink producers and also in close collaboration with the Economic Development section. This report provides an update on work during the period April – July 2019.
Food Network
A new Ards and North Down Food & Drink Network was launched via a business conference at Clandeboye Courtyard in May 2019 attended by 28 producers and hospitality businesses. The network has agreed that to be effective its meetings and events should take place six times a year and include key industry support sessions. These will be organised by the FDDO working with key partners to begin forging a strong network that will see local businesses working together to develop, support
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Unclassified and improve the food and drink sector within Ards and North Down, and to create a strong food tourism destination with the potential to boost visitor numbers and spend.
The first formal meeting of the Network will take place in Bangor during September with the second scheduled for Castle Espie in November.
Industry Liaison
This is a crucial element of the FDDO’s role and strategic objectives. The Food Officer has begun to develop relationships with producers and hospitality businesses, visiting 58 businesses to date across the borough.
Relationships have also been established with key delivery partners including Food NI, Tourism NI (who have also employed a Food Officer to drive forward the national tourism development of food), Newry, Mourne and Down DC and SERC.
Feedback to date has been positive with the industry appreciative that the Council is focusing on the development of a sector where it is felt sufficient support has been lacking. Building and maintaining trust alongside the development work will therefore be essential
Events
The Food Officer has contributed to event planning for the joint Tourism NI & Tourism Ireland initiative “Taste the Island” (TTI) which runs from September to November 2019. A total of 21 events across Ards and North Down will be promoted including several new evening food tasting “tours” in villages in the borough. These are based on the Donaghafeed model developed in 2018, which involves visitors moving between restaurants to sample/experience different courses.
For 2019, Donaghafeed was renamed Taste of Donaghadee as requested by two of the restaurants involved this year, and to fit with the Tourism NI “Taste the Island” initiative. The Donaghadee event (5th September) involved four restaurants and Copeland Spirits. Another version of the event (6th September) named ‘Red Hot Donaghadee’ has been based on a ‘chilli’ theme in homage to the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, the headline act at Donaghadee Lights Up on 7th September.
A Taste of Greyabbey will cover four restaurants and cafes in the village and also take in a short tour of the Abbey including a talk on the use of herbs, spices and botanicals in local food in the past (this forms the theme of the event). Echlinville Distillery and Friends of Greyabbey are also partners in the event. The first event is likely to be in October, with the businesses having expressed interest in holding monthly food tours of the local area.
A Taste of Comber is also in development and will include four restaurants and cafes.
It is hoped that these tasting tours will be a regular feature every autumn and the intention is to see them expand to Lisbane/Balloo, Holywood and Bangor next year.
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TTI is a 3-year programme being led by the TNI and Failte Ireland. As such planning for events in 2020 is also in progress within Ards and North Down. For example the tasting tours programme will be extended to include more towns and villages across the borough. A new weekend event taking place this year in late August, the “Clandeboye Foodie Festival”, with input from Clandeboye Estate, Food NI and the Council will, if successful in 2019, move to September in 2020 and become a larger event.
Also for 2020, an additional food event for the Ards Peninsula is under investigation, in conjunction with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. This would potentially be held in late May and involve villages, especially fishing villages, along the Irish Sea coast.
All of the food events planned will be considered in the light of the new Borough Events Strategy, currently in the later stages of development.
Outreach Events
Two showcasing events for local food and drink producers have taken place with “A Taste of Ards and North Down” represented at the Balmoral Show 2019 in May and at the Hillsborough Castle Food Festival in July.
At Balmoral, ANDBC facilitated a full-day slot for three producers and at Hillsborough five producers were afforded the opportunity to showcase or sell across the three-day event. Participating businesses included:
• Bara Bakehouse (artisan breads), • Broom Cottage (preserves, sauces and condiments) • Copeland Distillery (gins) • Farmageddon Brewery (craft beer) • Habanero Steve’s (sauces) • Noisy Nuts (snacks) • Peninsula Kelp Co (flatbreads, salts, butters, spreads and dips) • Springmount Farm (honey and eggs)
The producers were complementary and positive in their feedback about this, as for many the opportunity to attend would be cost/labour prohibitive without the Council facilitating. Development of further outreach activity for 2020 is in planning.
Development of training needs and databases
Work has begun to develop a programme to address training needs identified during the FDDO’s engagements with food and drink businesses, to be run through the AND Food Network. Training requirements identified at this stage relate to social media, pitching to buyers and applying for awards. The FDDO has also initiated a questionnaire conducted with businesses during site visits to aid training development.
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Work is progressing on the development and establishment of trade/industry specific databases. These include local food and drink businesses, food and drink awards bodies and a food and drink product database.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council notes this report.
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ITEM 14
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head ot Tourism Service
Date of Report 07 August 2019
File Reference Ref TO/TD57
Legislation N/A
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Tourism Development Update
Attachments Group Press Trip details Golf Coverage Scottish Sun Coverage online and print
Background:
This report is an update on work currently being delivered via the Tourism Development (TD) Unit on experience and product development and media relationship building in particular. A separate report on Food and Drink Development is also being presented to this month’s Committee.
Familiarisation Trips (FAMs): TD has hosted several FAMs to date this year. These trips are delivered to upsell the borough to a variety of groups including media, tour operators and tourism agencies. Relationship building with key contacts and embedding with them a knowledge profile of the Borough’s tourism products and experiences is critical to growing tourism numbers in the medium to long term.
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Snow Patrol Concert - During the weekend of the Snow Patrol concert in May, working with contacts in Visit Belfast, TD secured five representatives from the top three Tour Operators/Destination Management Companies in Dublin – Abbey Tours, Jac Travel and Irish Welcome Tours - for a 2-day FAM. Working in partnership with Tourism Ireland (GB) and Corporate Communications, a number of media including a journalist from the Scottish Sun newspaper, Irish Star, Irish Mirror, 104 FM and travel bloggers came over to attend the concert and see the Borough (coverage from the Scottish Sun attached which reached 162,435 readers in print).
The group stayed for two nights and experienced a varied itinerary on Friday and Saturday including the following tourism businesses: Mobile Team Adventure, Echlinville Distillery, Mount Stewart and Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen. They then attended the concert on Saturday evening.
Christian Heritage - The TD unit hosted five Swiss Journalists in June, again in conjunction with colleagues at Visit Belfast. The focus of the visit was Celtic Saints. The group stayed at the Grand Central Hotel. Their FAM took them to the St Patrick’s Centre, Nendrum, The Old Inn at Crawfordsburn, Bangor Abbey and North Down Museum.
Hastings Group - In June the Hastings Hotel Group brought several national journalists to the Borough to experience their “Art in the Garden” event at the Culloden Estate and Spa. The journalists were from the social media feeds of the Daily Express and Sunday Mirror, Stella Magazine, the Sunday People and Ophir PR. The TD unit was asked to facilitate a FAM promoting the borough to complement this. The 1- day tour included Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen and Mount Stewart, with gin/food tasting at the Temple of the Winds. The journalists’ social media has already featured coverage of the trip (see attached) with print coverage to follow in September. TD is also following up with one of the journalists regarding a FAM specifically of the Borough’s food tourism offering.
Back Roads Touring– This tour operator FAM, in conjunction with Visit Belfast, had an itinerary including NI Food Tours, Echlinville Distillery and Mount Stewart, with the operator then staying at the Old Inn, Crawfordsburn. As a result of the FAM Back Roads Touring has contracted the first three of these businesses for 21 dates in their 2020 programme.
Countryfile Magazine – Tourism Development Officers (TDOs) worked with journalist Helen Moat, commissioned by the BBC’s Countryfile Magazine, to prepare an itinerary including accommodation and experiences. Ms Moat spent 10 days in all in County Down, including Ards and North Down and Newry Mourne and Down. Her article is due to appear in Countryfile Magazine in spring 2020. On the back of her visit she was also commissioned to write an article for travel website wanderlust.co.uk: https://wanderlust.co.uk/content/things-to-do-county-down-
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northern-ireland/. This piece included references to canoeing on Strangford Lough, Grey Abbey, Helen’s Bay, the Ulster Folk Museum, the North Down Coastal Path, Echlinville Distillery, Pier 36 and the Portaferry Hotel inter alia.
Samples of coverage obtained through these media and tour operator relationships are attached in appendices, with further coverage anticipated later in the autumn.
Golf: Working closely with the 11 Golf clubs and two driving ranges in the borough, the TD unit has produced a dedicated promotional Golf Guide. The guide has to date been distributed directly or by mail to all local golf clubs, Visit Belfast, Scottish ports and 140 golf societies at GB clubs located near air- and ferry ports with direct links to Belfast. The brochure was also a key promotional tool during the 148th Open at Royal Portrush, with 300 copies distributed. A database of RoI golf societies is in development to facilitate distribution there also.
The Tourism Manager and a TDO attended the Open on the 18th and19th July as part of the Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI) marquee. Both officers worked on the TNI stand on the first two days of the championship and raised awareness of ANDBC’s golf product via the Golf brochure and branded golf merchandise. The AND golf product was also promoted via outdoor advertising in the north coast region including billboards and adshels (adshel sample included in appendices).
The officers also attended a Northern Ireland Golf Convention in the Slieve Donard Hotel in April comprising a networking event followed by a full day of appointments with Golf Tour Operators. This provided a platform for ANDBC to showcase the golf product and wider borough tourism offering to Tour Operators from the UK, Ireland, Europe and North America.
Visitor Outreach: Throughout the year the Visitor Information Service (VIS) exploits opportunities to reach visitors across the borough and further afield at a range of events and shows via the mobile VIC unit, pop-up information points or external site stands. Through one-to-one interactions or provision of literature the aim is to inspire event-goers to visit and/or explore the borough. To date this year VIC outreach has added over 3500 engagements to those secured by the static VICs in Newtownards, Bangor, Groomsport and Portaferry. A full performance report for the VIC service will be brought to the Committee later in the year, but some of the key outreach events to date have included:
Balmoral Show - over 1000 enquiries relating to activities, food and accommodation.
Sea Bangor - over 900 enquiries, including in relation to other Bangor events such as Summer Sundays and Open House Festival.
Comber Earlies Food Festival – over 350 enquiries.
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Hillsborough Castle Food Festival – over 350 pieces of visitor literature distributed via a stand of local partner food and drink producers.
The VIS has also provided visitor literature packs for various third-party events including the Bangor Choral Festival, UK Strong Man, the All British Archery Championship at Mount Stewart, the Ards Half Marathon and Portaferry Triathlon. At time of writing, the team is scheduled to attend the Portavogie Seafood Festival, Clandeboye Foodie Festival and Mount Stewart Conversations, and will continue to provide visitor literature to the 30+ Tourist Information Points across the borough.
Long Distance Heritage Trail Development:
The TD team has led the procurement and project management of a feasibility study on the development of a long distance heritage walking trail stretching from Armagh through Newry, Mourne, Fermanagh and on to Ards and North Down, finishing in Bangor. This project is in conjunction with the other relevant local authorities and Tourism NI. The study, which incorporates Christian Heritage as well as other heritage considerations, will examine the viability of such a trail, market demand and costs to secure a suitable combination of on- and off-road walking. A full report on the outcome of the study will be brought to Committee later in the autumn.
Strangford Lough Cluster Group: The Strangford Lough Cluster came into being after members of the Portaferry Cluster, previously established with support from the TD unit, successfully applied for funding from the Invest NI Collaborative Growth Project. The Cluster is facilitated by consultants and comprises key tourism trade and stakeholders from the Strangford Lough region, in both Ards and North Down and Newry, Mourne and Down. The group will be part of a year-long scoping project to develop and commercialise packages/experiences for visitors to the Strangford Lough region. Echlinville Distillery (as an Invest NI client) is the lead partner and will draw down the funding.
The Cluster first met in April and continues to be supported by AND. The group has been invited to a networking session in October with special guest Davina Allen – founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School. This element of the programme will facilitate shared learning with other cluster groups such as the Seamus Heaney Cluster and Taste Causeway.
Other Initiatives: Over the next period the TD unit’s priorities will include; developing a staged approach to taking forward the recommendations of the Accommodation Audit recently approved by Council and, the development of a coastal route visitor product, working with the Regeneration section to combine an audit of the stopping points and points of interests in the borough’s towns and villages with identification of necessary infrastructure to enhance and complement these.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council notes this report.
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OPHIR PR Culloden Estate & Spa Group Press Trip
Friday 21st June – Sunday 23rd June 2019 Summary
From Friday 21st June – Sunday 23rd June 2019, Ophir hosted a group of UK journalists at the Culloden Estate & Spa to experience the ‘Art in the Garden’ exhibition.
Ophir secured 5 UK media to cover the trip (4 of which attended).
Ophir liaised with Tourism Ireland and Ards & North Down Borough Council to support flights and put together am itinerary to showcase all that Northern Ireland has to offer. Guests from the UK media included…
• Anna Clarke The Sunday Telegraph’s Stella Magazine
• Vickiie Oliphant The Daily Express & Sunday Mirror
• Louisa Gregson Sunday People
• Jasbir Authi Trinity Mirror
• Ajay Teli City AM (Still running coverage despite unable to attend) What the Press said…
“The hotel is amazing. It is ideal for everyone; single travellers, spa seekers, those on business, couples and families. It is also ideal for those who want to be active on their holidays as it is right on the doorstep of the North Coastal route – perfect for running, hiking and cycling.”
“The communal areas are well appointed and generous and the food was delicious and plentiful.”
Jasbir Authi, Trinity Mirror
“An excellent and very professional press trip. The itinerary was very thoughtful and gave everyone enough time between the day and evening plans.”
“All the activities were extremely enjoyable and also relevant to what a reader what might to do on a trip to Northern Ireland. The hotel is stunning, friendly people and a lot of fun.”
Louisa Gregson, Sunday People What the Press said…
“The trip was fantastic, I really enjoyed it and it was great to see things I’d not done before in Northern Ireland. The off road experience was hilarious and I really enjoyed the gin tasting. ”
“Such a stunning venue and the restaurant and pub were brilliant, the spa too of course! Such a great location and convenient for the city centre and airport. The cloud beds were a real highlight and the staff were great the whole trip so can't fault it at all. ”
Vickiie Oliphant, The Daily Express & Sunday Mirror
“I had a great time in Northern Ireland, which I’d never visited before. So easy to get to and the hotel provides a really lovely relaxed environment so I felt easily at home. ”
“The Art in the Garden exhibition was a really unique experience and looked absolutely beautiful in the hotel grounds. I also really loved the afternoon tea, spa, Titanic Museum and Saturday day trip.”
Anna Clarke, Stella Magazine Social Media Coverage Vickiie Oliphant 260 Instagram followers The Daily Express & Sunday Mirror Vickiie Oliphant 260 Instagram followers The Daily Express & Sunday Mirror Vickiie Oliphant 260 Instagram followers The Daily Express & Sunday Mirror Vickiie Oliphant 260 Instagram followers The Daily Express & Sunday Mirror Anna Clarke 336 Instagram followers Stella Magazine Anna Clarke 336 Instagram followers Stella Magazine Louisa Gregson 4,120 Twitter followers Sunday People Louisa Gregson 4,120 Twitter followers Sunday People Louisa Gregson 4,120 Twitter followers Sunday People Ophir PR 4,120 Instagram followers Ophir PR 4,120 Instagram followers Ophir PR 4,120 Instagram followers Ophir PR 4,120 Instagram followers Ophir PR 4,120 Instagram followers Ophir PR 4,120 Instagram followers Ophir PR 4,120 Instagram followers Ophir PR 4,120 Instagram followers
One example of Ards and North Down outdoor advertising during the Open fortnight in Portrush / Portstewart. The campaign saw a mix of billboards and adshels as pictured.
The Royal Belfast Golf Club Featuring on internal advertising within the Tourism Northern Ireland Marquee in the Open spectators’ village.
1SM Saturday, August 3, 2019 ...... 47
IT’S 32°C IN RHODES — IT’S 26°C IN GRAN Edited by LISA MINOT & HEATHER LOWRIE a week at the 4H Ata- CANARIA — seven lanti Boutique Hotel nights’ room-only at hot in Faliraki is from hot the 3H Apartments £417pp. The price Cala Nova in Puerto spot is based on half- spot Rico is from £384pp. board with flights Fly from Glasgow on from Glasgow on October 3. See August 10. See tui.co.uk barrheadtravel.co.uk lBLACKPOOL has a new grand dame double-launch rollercoaster, have been lFAMILIES can Make It A Monster LEGOLAND Hotels and selected nearby — the luxury Boulevard Hotel, right, pulling in the crowds of thrill-seekers Summer with buy one get one free on hotels. Prices start from £42pp at a located slap bang on Ocean Boulevard, along with Valhalla — recently named the tickets to the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort. partner hotel or stay at the LEGOLAND next to the golden sands. world’s best water ride for the fourth year Until August 16 guests can buy one Resort Hotel from £118pp. Book online by The £12million hotel has 120 rooms, in succession. full-priced ticket for £60pp and get a midnight on September 2 at legoland including eight junior suites, two park- The hotel is the latest addition to the second ticket free, when they book online holidays.co.uk/offers/kids-go-free view suites and eight coastal suites, some Pleasure Beach accommodation at legoland.co.uk/buyonegetonefree Guests enjoy exclusive early access with views of the attractions and offerings, which also includes the award- The offer is valid for visits until into the theme park to ride the new rollercoasters at the nearby Pleasure winning Big Blue Hotel. Both properties September 3. Those looking for the Haunted House Monster Party. Plus Beach. are part of the Blackpool Pleasure Beach ultimate LEGOLAND break should grab there’s loads of evening entertainment New rides including Red Arrows portfolio. the Kids Go Free sale where children get with the Monster Rocker Summer Disco Skyforce and ICON, the nation’s first See blackpoolpleasurebeach.com into the theme park and stay for free in the and summer LEGO build activities.
LET IT CRO: A week self-ca- lates tering for six sharing a for . . . three- AWESOME WARD PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL IS REAL HIT bedroom Toscanini Lounge mobile home at Camping In Park Umag in Istria, Croatia, from August 7 is from £1,554. Travel not included. Find out more at alfresco-holidays.com or call 0161 332 8900. . . . HUNT FOR NESSE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Properly Banging the 4H Hotel Festa Panorama in Nessebar, ON SONG . . . impressive Bulgaria, is from £582pp, Bangor marina, crowds at leaving Glasgow on August Ward Park 3 festival at the 11. See balkanholidays.co.uk Main Stage, right, and the or call 0207 543 5555. Salty Dog Hotel, below . . . MAUR THAN A FEELING: A week half-board at the 5H The Residence Mauritius is from £1,275pp, leaving Glasgow between September 1-30. See emiratesholidays.com or call 0208 972 8949. . . . WE DON’T LIKE CRICCIETH, WE LOVE IT: Rhos Ddu is one of Rhos Country Cottages’ dog- friendly farmhouses near Criccieth in Snowdonia, Wales. Sleeps four and costs from £760 for a week arriving August 17. See premiercottages.co.uk or call 01758 720047. . . . SANTA BABY: Seven nights’ half-board at the 4H Zafiro Rey Don Jaime in Santa Ponsa, Majorca, is
from £609pp, leaving GAME FOR A Prestwick on August 29. See LAUGH . . . Ian and loveholidays.com Alex at Game Of . . . FUNKY TOWN: A 13-night Thrones exhibition South Africa tour including four nights in Cape Town, above, one in Franschhoek, two in Oudtshoorn, three nights in Plettenberg Bay, and a three-night safari at Pumba Bush Lodge is from £2,345pp, leaving Heathrow WHEREVER you go in Ireland Bangor, plus a vintage Sea- (regional flights available) on side Revival and a major selected dates in September. you will have a banging time. GO: BANGOR outdoor artisan food and See african-pride.co.uk But it will be a real hit if you drink event called the GETTING THERE: For best deals on ferry Sundown Market. There’s a wide . . . THAI A YELLOW take on the Ward Park 3 music a spectacular night for the 45,000 RIBBON: A week B&B at the festival in Bangor just south of crossings from Stranraer to Belfast see range of live music available most poferries.com nights in the town’s bars and clubs. crowd — even more so when Bono 5H Cape Dara Resort in Belfast. appeared Bono to sing One Love. Pattaya, Thailand, is from STAYING THERE: Open House Festival These small venues practically The trip doubled up as a 50th have a three-day Premium package (Aug burst at the seams in the evenings. Next day we headed off to Belfast £899pp, leaving Glasgow on birthday present for my younger We called in at Fealty's Bar just for The Game of Thrones Exhibition August 27. See 23-26) from £495 (two sharing) and a two- brother Ian, but it is fair to say that day Regular package, (Aug 24-25) from after opening and enjoyed one of the (gameofthronesexhibition.co.uk) kenwoodtravel.co.uk we were both blown away by the best pints of Guinness I’ve ever There’s no hiding the passion . . . SQUARE GO: A night at event, the people and the country. £345 (two sharing) for Scottish Sun ‘Thronies’ like me have for this epic readers. Includes accommodation, tasted. the 3H ibis Styles Edinburgh Bangor sits proudly at the top of We later headed off into the heart fantasy and it was great to get up St Andrew Square in the Ards peninsula — the bit of breakfast, dining and music events. See of the beautiful Ards peninsula to close and personal with props and Edinburgh is from £103.99 Northern Ireland you see on a clear openhousefestival.com/packages visit Northern Ireland’s only farm costumes. day from the southern tip of Dum- Rooms at the Salty Dog Hotel start from distillery. Echlinville Distillery (ech- Ian, though, has never watched an with Accor Hotels’ 25 per linville.com cent off promo. See fries and Galloway. £99 a night. See saltydogbangor.com ) offer a Tour And Tipple episode in his life so this was a Often referred to as Belfast’s MORE INFO: See ireland.com experience, which is a great way to chance for me to convert him to the accorhotels.com Brighton, Bangor is a great escape sip whiskey and award-winning gin. cause. . . . PALM OF MY HAND: A for the city’s inhabitants. Its large You get a real sense of the passion After a delicious lunch in the bis- week all-inclusive at the 4H ist. The pods are in an area which the owner has for what started out marina dominates the seafront and includes an open space where artists tro in the Titanic Experience build- Riadh Palms Resort & Spa in has become a focal point as the as a “hobby” but now sees Jawbox ing we wandered round the docks, Port el Kantaoui, Tunisia, is and musicians can perform and arti- Gin exported across the world. town reinvents itself as a centre for san food makers can promote their enjoying the sunshine. from £376pp, leaving Back in Bangor it was time for If Belfast is on your places to visit arts and culture. local produce. Ward Park 3. The large public park Glasgow on September 16. After a hearty breakfast at The It’s all part of a programme of list, take the time to get out and See travelsupermarket.com regularly hosts live music events and Red Berry, with delicious local events created by the charity group is great exposure as local boys done visit Bangor and the Ards peninsula . . . KNOCK ON WOOD: bacon, we wandered along Queens Open House — an independent music good, Snow Patrol, bring together while you are there. Three-night self-catering Parade to check out Project 24, a and arts charity that runs an annual other local bands. It’s a beautiful region, with great weekend break at a choice of collection of artists’ pods where you summer festival for the whole of This year included budding super- people and top music, art and cul- Center Parcs around the UK can find a diverse range from candle August. stars Two Door Cinema Club as well ture they create. It’s banging! is from £729 for up to six makers to painters, cake decorators They also promote concerts as Foy Vance, ASH, SOAK and a ALEX McLEOD sharing a two-bedroom to felt makers and even a tattoo art- throughout the year in Belfast and whole range of other talents. It was Win trip to Bangor — Page 48 Woodland Lodge on selected dates. See centerparcs.co.uk Unclassified
ITEM 15
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Tourism Service
Date of Report 07 August 2019
File Reference 180614
Legislation Not Applicable
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Notice of Motion Update on North Channel Swim interpretive panel and commemorative medal
Attachments Proposed design for Commemorative Medal
Background
Following a previous Notice of Motion regarding the recognition and promotion of the North Channel Swim between Donaghadee and Portpatrick, officers had been requested to deliver installation of an interpretive panel for the North Channel Swim and produce a commemorative medal for swimmers successfully completing it.
Update
Officers have finalised content for the panel, including details on the Swim, Tom Blower (the first Briton to complete it in 1947) and the “Oceans Seven” challenge, of which the North Channel is one. Planning permission has subsequently been granted for the panel which will be designed and installed later in the year.
The new panel will be located on the promenade in Donaghadee close to the slipway entry point used by the “Chunky Dunkers” open water swimmers.
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With regard to the commemorative medal, as reported in July 2019 a proposed design is now being brought to Council for consideration requesting approval (see appendix). The name on the design currently says “Finisher” but Council might also consider whether the term “Conqueror” would be more fitting. As there are no winners or champions as such, those descriptors have been discounted.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council notes the report and approves the design for the production of a commemorative medal to be awarded to swimmers successfully completing the swim.
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ITEM 15
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Tourism Service
Date of Report 07 August 2019
File Reference 180614
Legislation Not Applicable
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Notice of Motion Update on North Channel Swim interpretive panel and commemorative medal
Attachments Proposed design for Commemorative Medal
Background
Following a previous Notice of Motion regarding the recognition and promotion of the North Channel Swim between Donaghadee and Portpatrick, officers had been requested to deliver installation of an interpretive panel for the North Channel Swim and produce a commemorative medal for swimmers successfully completing it.
Update
Officers have finalised content for the panel, including details on the Swim, Tom Blower (the first Briton to complete it in 1947) and the “Oceans Seven” challenge, of which the North Channel is one. Planning permission has subsequently been granted for the panel which will be designed and installed later in the year.
The new panel will be located on the promenade in Donaghadee close to the slipway entry point used by the “Chunky Dunkers” open water swimmers.
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Unclassified
With regard to the commemorative medal, as reported in July 2019 a proposed design is now being brought to Council for consideration requesting approval (see appendix). The name on the design currently says “Finisher” but Council might also consider whether the term “Conqueror” would be more fitting. As there are no winners or champions as such, those descriptors have been discounted.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council notes the report and approves the design for the production of a commemorative medal to be awarded to swimmers successfully completing the swim.
Page 2 of 2
Unclassified
ITEM 16
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Tourism Service
Date of Report 13 August 2019
File Reference TO:EV64
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Not Applicable ☐
Subject Economic Impact of Pipe Band Championship in Newtownards 2019
Attachments
Background
In response to a request from Council, the Events Manager had prepared a report for Committee in October 2018 providing an evaluation and costs for holding the 2019 County Down Pipe Band Championship at either its traditional location of Castle Park in Bangor, or a venue in Newtownards (the airfield at Newtownards Airport was the confirmed location). Subsequently Council agreed to bid to hold the Championship at Newtownards and to rotate back to Bangor in 2020.
Council also requested that an Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) be conducted to assess the relative impact of the event at both Newtownards in 2019 and Bangor in 2020.
This report details the economic impact of the 2019 event to Newtownards and its surrounding area.
Pipe Band Championship 2019
It should be noted that the event is owned and organised by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland (RSPBANI). The Council bids for and pays Page 1 of 6
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RSPBANI to bring the event to the Borough. The fee for the 2019 event was £14,000 with the total cost of the event to Council, being just under £29,000.
The event was held on Saturday 11 May with 33 bands participating. Spectators and competitors were estimated at 5,000. (Compared to Bangor in 2018 the corresponding figures were 40 bands and 7000 attendees). RSPBANI report the drop of band numbers participating was due to internal band related issues and not linked to change of venue.
Council Officers had ensured comprehensive ancillary activities on site including a funfair, bar, mini highland games, face painting and 24 food and drink stalls, 11 of which were from the Borough. Free shuttle buses ran between the Airfield and the town throughout the day.
Ards Airfield was an excellent venue for the event in many respects, allowing extensive hard surface on-site parking and ample space for the competition. Based on the 2019 experience, Council and Pipeband Officials have agreed the Airfield could lend itself to hosting one of the larger pipe band competitions, eg European Championship.
The change of location and date of the event were marketed extensively with a campaign including outdoor billboard and press advertising plus social media.
Officers used the regular sessions of the Newtownards Event Engagement Group and attended a Newtownards Chamber meeting to encourage local traders to have a presence on the competition site, however the businesses did not take up this offering, indicating that they were too busy at the weekend to spare additional staff.
Translink reported that the shuttle bus service was very well used in both directions - by event-goers travelling to the Town Centre and people attending the event. Officers’ own direct observations corroborated this. In subsequent years further incentives and offers could be developed to encourage more travel into the town centre; for instance Ards Blair Mayne Wellness and Leisure Complex had created an offer for participants which was printed in the event flyer. The ‘use by date’ of this offer will encourage people to come back to Newtownards over the coming months.
Feedback from traders and the ancillary activities at the Airfield indicated a very slow day’s trading – it appears Pipe Band enthusiasts are focussed on the competition itself and did not spend much time on other activities.
Traffic management was effective with the assistance of PSNI and event officials, and there were no substantial queues at any point during the day.
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Economic Impact Assessment
Ards and North Down Borough Council commissioned specialist consultants Market Research NI to carry out an economic impact assessment (EIA) of the event at Ards Airfield. The cost of the EIA was £6,000.
The EIA will then be compared with a further EIA to be conducted in 2020 when the event returns to Castle Park.
The EIA analysed: ▪ footfall ▪ cost benefits to local traders/businesses ▪ the economic return for both visitor and accommodation spend ▪ participation by local businesses and their view on economic return ▪ whether the event site worked as a driver for economic benefits ▪ feedback from end users
The consultants developed a visitor questionnaire (325 responses – against a target of 250) and separate trader questionnaire (50 responses) to capture impacts. The visitor questionnaire was administered on the day of the event, the trader questionnaire in the week following it. The analysis was supplemented by information provided by Council Officers and Pipe Band Association organisers on funding, income, expenditure and estimated number of attendees/visitors.
Research Outcomes
Attendees:
Gender Age
Female 55% 16-24 9%
Male 45% 25-44 41%
45-64 36%
65+ 14%
Transport:
77% of people who attended the event travelled by car and 2% by motorbike, while 8% walked to the site. 12% used public transport however this information is not broken down into those who used the shuttle buses from Newtownards town centre and those who used standard Translink routes.
Satisfaction:
97% of event-goers reported being either very or quite satisfied with the event. 8 out of 10 people had no recommendations to make to improve future events however 7% would like more seating, 1% improved toilet facilities and 1% better car parking.
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Group Composition:
33% of event-goers attended the event with family including children, illustrating the strong appeal of the Pipe Bands to the family market.
22% of people attended with a partner and 18% with friends.
Families with no children under 18 made up 11% of the total attendees with 9% of attendees coming alone.
7% of people attended in an organised group. This is significantly below the figure for the 2018 event at 35.44% and is likely to be associated with the reduced number of pipe bands competing.
Efficacy of Promotional Channels:
Most people surveyed at the event (51%) reported “Told about it by family and friends” as the source of their awareness of the event. Facebook also scored highly with 20% of people engaging with online event promotion. 8% of people had seen a billboard and 7% a newspaper advert.
Origin of Attendees:
51% of event-goers were from Newtownards and the surrounding area, 41% were from elsewhere in Northern Ireland. The remaining 8% of visitors came from the Republic of Ireland (6%) or Great Britain (2%).
Attendee Expenditure:
The average expenditure at the event was £22.92 – this exceeds the average event expenditure per day quoted by Tourism NI of £18.
79% of the spend was allocated to food and drink however, surprisingly, only 23% of overnight visitors reported spending on this. One possible explanation is that 20% of overnight visitors surveyed, said they stayed in a caravan or campsite, with 30% noting ‘other’ which included staying with friends/family. Hence they may have brought supplies with them.
Day trippers spent more on entertainment than overnight visitors with 9% of their total spend in this area. Overnight visitors spent more on shopping (8% vs 5% for day trippers).
A very positive finding was that the event was confirmed as a reason for overnight visitors to extend their trip to the Borough (3.3 days in comparison to the 2.4 days they would have stayed otherwise), with an average expenditure per trip of £414.36. Those staying overnight indicated they had spent the extra time in Newtownards itself, rather than in County Down or Northern Ireland more widely. The total expenditure included an average of £48 per night on accommodation, slightly lower than the TNI average figure of £55.
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The table below shows the spread of bednights across the accommodation types.
What type of accommodation are you staying in?
Pipeband Championships B&B 10.00% Hotel 40.00% Self Catering 0.00% Motor Home 0.00% Caravan / camp site 20.00% Air BnB 0.00% Other 30.00% N/A 0.00%
The gross visitor expenditure for the event was £193,000 which was reduced to £119,000 by taking out the deadweight and displacement figures (these are economic adjustments to account for the fact that people who would have been in Newtownards even if the event not taken place would have spent some money anyway).
The event itself was directly responsible for £71,000 of Gross Value Added (GVA), which is a net direct impact from visitor expenditure, and provided 2.0 job years (equivalent to one person being employed for two years as a direct result of the event). When indirect (effects on business supply chain) and induced (increased household income) impacts of the event are added to this, the GVA figure increases to £88,000 and job years to 2.3 years.
Note: The GVA figure quoted relates only to visitor expenditure and does not take into consideration the Council’s costs or any impact of the event on suppliers.
This is a Return on Investment of 3:1.
Business Impact beyond Event Site:
83% of businesses surveyed indicated they had not increased supplies or staffing before or during the event. Those who did adjust resources mostly took on additional staff (10%), purchased extra stock (6%) or extended the hours of existing staff (4%). Only 4% increased their physical capacity as a result of the event being held, with only 2% extending their opening hours or advertising the event at their premises.
18% of businesses reported an increase in spend resulting from event spectators. Businesses could propose offers and enticements which would be promoted as part of the event publicity to increase expenditure in future years. 8% of businesses said they would consider increasing advertising at their premises, online or in print, to
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Unclassified take advantage of the extra visitors in future, while a further 12% would increase their staff or stock capacity.
Despite well-filled shuttle buses running between the town centre and the venue, 12% of businesses reported that they believed the event had in fact reduced the footfall in Newtownards town centre. The possibility must be acknowledged that the distance to the Airfield from the town centre was a factor. This does not, however, explain why the town centre would be quieter than on a normal Saturday, unless many regular shoppers chose either to visit the event rather than the town, or decided against visiting the town because of the event.
Recommendations proposed by the businesses included moving the event to the Town Centre (Conway Square), although this would not be feasible due to limited space, given that the Championship requires a number of practice locations also. Some businesses, and also the Council Officers, would also wish to see better communication between the organisers, the Council and businesses in future years.
A full comparison between the event at the sites in Newtownards and Bangor can be made once a similar report is produced in 2020.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council notes this report.
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ITEM 17
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Tourism Service
Date of Report 09 August 2019
File Reference 170871
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Not Applicable ☐
Subject Visit Belfast end of year report 2018 - 2019
Attachments Visit Belfast - 12 month evaluation report
Background
Council has been a member of Visit Belfast since 2006 when legacy North Down Borough Council joined the Greater Belfast Regional Tourism Partnership. This membership has continued since Council merger. In February 2019 the Council approved continued Local Authority membership of Visit Belfast at £30,000 for 2019/20.
The purpose of the partnership is to facilitate communication between the partnership councils with regards to tourism development and for Visit Belfast to create effective marketing communications and visitor servicing platforms that are efficient and represent value for money for each of the council areas. Summarised below and detailed in the appendix is the 12-month review of activity for 2018/19.
The evaluation report includes data on the Council’s return through the following themes of activity. Print publications, online (web and social media), business and conference tourism, travel trade and consumer promotions, visitor servicing and industry information.
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Annual membership activity summary 2018/19 year:
The following is a summary of the activity generated via the Council membership during the year, full detail in attached appendix. For note Ards and North Down Borough Council (along with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council) falls under the “Belfast Plus” promotional strapline.
• Hard copy
o Full page ad/editorial per edition of Visit Belfast City Guide (3 p.a. print run of 230K) o Belfast Plus visitor guide 30k print run o Belfast Visitor guide foreign language editions (6 languages x 20k print run) o Featured on Belfast Plus map in Belfast Welcome Centre o Business and Conferences: Guides distributed to key business tourism contacts and international exhibitions including IMEX Germany and USA. o Belfast Visitor Map with Belfast Plus promotion. (100k print run)
• Online
o visitbelfast.com 2m web visits and 5m page views p.a. – Various listings for Ards and North Down e.g. “what’s on” section o Email marketing: Ards and North Down products and events have been included in email marketing (resulting in +150,000 email communications) to the Visit Belfast consumer database. o Dedicated Belfast Plus web pages including coverage in the “Things to do” sections including 20 key properties in Ards and North Down o Dedicated Belfast Plus activity via Visit Belfast’s social media o Belfast plus ezines: 6 (bi-monthly) o 16 e-zines (covering Concierge/What’s On e-zines and consumer) o Ards and North Down attractions/experiences featured in 150,000 email communications. This saw a drop from previous year due to the implications of GDPR compliance in May 2018, however this is now a verified and highly engaged audience o Dedicated Belfast Plus social media: Facebook / Twitter highlighting Ards and North Down attractions/experiences o Business and Conferences: In addition to approximately 500 hard copy guides, 3383 digital downloads were accessed. Online/e-version of the guide was distributed to key business tourism contacts
• Belfast Plus Easter Digital Campaign (value £6K). A digital campaign took place from 29 March-11 April 2018. Marketing to NI and ROI through online activity (added value promotion). Results included 1.8million social media impressions.
• Business, conference, consumer and trade promotion: Ards and North Down products, services and events represented at various international trade shows including IMEX, World Travel Market, IBTM Barcelona, London Sales
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calls etc. 1000 printed guides plus online version distributed. Business tourism website: Featured sections on the newly launched business tourism website encouraging pre and post tours around a conference.
• Cruise Belfast: Ards and North Down information included in printed material for trade shows e.g. Seatrade Miami. Information included on daily itinerary literature handed to non-excursion passengers via on board information desk. Ards and North Down promoted to ground handlers during autumn familiarisation visits. Area promoted to ground handlers and cruise operators via Ards and North Down staff attending World Travel Market in London. Scenic Tours and Scenic Cruises familiarisation visit to Ballywalter Park, Mount Stewart and Culloden and meeting with Tourism Manager.
• Visitor Servicing: Visit Belfast Information centre and both airports maintain prominent racking of Ards and North Down literature. Promotion via plasma screens at information centre, airports, Great Victoria Street station. Access to utilise centre “member desk” for promotion four times per year. Visit Belfast staff serviced over 14.5k specific area related queries during the year and approx. 34k pieces of Borough literature distributed.
• Trade liaison: Weekly concierge what’s on issued, recruiting of new Ards and North Down members (8 new partners in 2018/2019, total number currently 57 partners) and servicing of these members, annual attendance opportunity for Tourism team to “meet the buyer” event.
• PR: Opportunity for Ards and North Down press releases / images included in news / press area of Visit Belfast corporate website, included releases for Mount Stewart and Echlinville Distillery.
• Additional familiarisation trip: Back Roads Touring – NI Food Tours, Echlinville, Mount Stewart and client stayed overnight in The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn. This has resulted in contracting of NI Food Tours, Echlinville Distillery and Mount Stewart for 21 dates for 2020 tours.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council notes this report.
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REGIONAL TOURISM PARTNERSHIP 2018/19
12 MONTH EVALUATION
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Ards and North Down Borough Council & Visit Belfast Service Level Agreement 2018/19 – 12th Month Evaluation
North Down Borough Council joined the Greater Belfast Regional Tourism Partnership in 2006. The purpose of the partnership is to facilitate communication between the partnership councils with regards to tourism development and for Visit Belfast to create effective marketing communications and visitor servicing platforms that are efficient and represent value for money for each of the council areas.
Ards and North Down Borough Council’s contribution to Visit Belfast’s activity is £30,000 for the financial year 2018/19 and is detailed below.
Visit Belfast’s Marketing and Visitor Servicing Plan focuses on attracting overnight visitors to the City region from those markets that offer the best prospects. The marketing and visitor servicing platforms below have been identified as promotional opportunities for tourism products and services within Ards and North Down Borough Council area.
Marketing and Visitor Servicing Activity and Promotional Platforms – 12th Month Evaluation
PLATFORM DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY OUTPUT (April 2018 – March 2019)
Belfast Plus Develop dedicated regional Dedicated web pages include all Ards and North Down product listings and a ‐ Regional partnership promotion off and on‐ dedicated Belfast Plus section under the ‘Ideas’ menu on the main homepage. partner line for Ards and North Down promotion Borough Council (and Lisburn and Email Marketing Castlereagh City Council), promoting Ards and North Down products and events have been included in email marketing specific activity/trail/itinerary (resulting in +150,000 email communications) to the Visit Belfast consumer database. products/events etc. E‐zine campaigns include:
Dedicated Belfast Plus web pages ‐ Belfast Plus Easter Campaign (11 April) featuring Mount Stewart, Ulster Folk Belfast Plus e‐zines: themed and Transport Museum, Exploris, Echlinville, Day Trips to Ards and North Down focus. 6 bi‐monthly e‐zines either and links to Belfast Plus Guide where all products are listed independent or integrated based ‐ Top April Activity (11 April) Culloden Estate and Spa, on content as appropriate. ‐ Top August Events (2 August) featuring Portavogie Seafood Festival, ‐ Halloween in Belfast (16 October) featuring Mount Stewart, 2
Dedicated #BelfastPlus activity ‐ Top November Activity (8 November) featuring Day Trips to Ards and North on Visit Belfast’s social‐media Down Winter Walks, accounts: Facebook / Twitter ‐ February Half Term (19 February) featuring Tim Peak at Ulster Transport Full page ad or editorial per Museum and Exploris Aquarium. edition of Visit Belfast City Guide (3 p.a.) Ards and North Down events have been included in the weekly What’s On Concierge Full page editorial in Belfast ezine including: Visitor Guide (6 languages) Belfast Plus printed promotional Portaferry Sails & Sounds Festival (Portaferry), Gardens and Gin Tour (Mount collateral. Stewart), Tour Of The Ards Peninsula (Ards Peninsula), Jazz In The Gardens (Mount Belfast Plus featured on Visit Stewart), Donkey Breed Society Championship Show (Ulster Folk and Transport Belfast Welcome Centre map. Museum), Aspects Festival (Various Locations), Groomsport Music & Fireworks (Groomsport Harbour), Mount Stewart Conversations Festival (Mount Stewart), European Heritage Open Days (Mount Stewart), Red Squirrel Day (Mount Stewart), Big Brent Event (Castle Espie), Warrior Assault Course (Bangor Aurora), Seapark Fireworks (Seapark Recreation Grounds), Model Railway Day, Days of Christmas Past, St Patricks Day Celebrations, Tim Peak Spacecraft (Ulster Folk and Transport Museum) and Giant Brick Trail (Castle Espie).
Ards and North Down products have featured in over 150,000 email communications through 16 concierge and consumer ezine campaigns.
Dedicated Belfast Plus Social Media: Facebook / Twitter Ards & North Down products have been promoted across Facebook and Twitter highlighting key attractions, events and blog posts/themed sections using #BelfastPlus, including Mount Stewart, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Castle Espie, Comber Earlies Festival, Sea Bangor Maritime Festival, Groomsport Harbour, Exploris at Half Term and Tim Peak event at Ulster Transport Museum.
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ADDITIONAL ADDED VALUE Belfast Plus Easter Digital £6k Campaign A digital campaign took place from 29 March to 11 April 2018 featuring Belfast Plus products and events in the lead up to and around Easter. The campaign included Facebook advertising and email marketing in NI and ROI, blog posts and dedicated Belfast Plus web section, organic social media activity and competitions which resulted in almost 2 million digital impacts including 1.8 million social media impressions. During the campaign Mount Stewart, North Down Coastal Path, North Down Museum, Grey Abbey, Ark Open Farm, Exploris and other key products and events were promoted.
Printed promotional collateral Full page ad or editorial per edition of Visit Belfast City Guide (3 p.a. 230,000 annual print run) ‐ Summer edition (100,000) complete ‐ Autumn/Christmas edition (86,000) complete ‐ Spring edition (60,000) complete
ADDITIONAL ADDED VALUE Belfast Visitor Guide 2019 – launched at World Travel Market in November 2018. 20,000 copies including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian & Mandarin editions.
ADDITIONAL COMMERCIAL SPEND Half page ad in annual Belfast Visitor Guide at additional cost of £500 with artwork translated in to 5 foreign languages at no additional charge.
Belfast Plus printed promotional collateral – third edition printed in July 2018 (5,000 print run), fourth edition printed March 2019 (25,000 print run)
Belfast Visitor Map updated and reprinted in June (100,000 copies) with Belfast Plus promotion included.
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Website Main visitor portal for the Greater Listings for up to 20 key council properties in relevant sections e.g. Visitor www.visitbelfast.com Belfast area: 2m visits p.a. Attractions.
Focus: what’s on, attractions and key Ards and North Down products have dedicated listing pages which are featured in visitor information. all relevant categories under the ‘See & Do’ section of the site, e.g. activities, attractions, and arts and entertainment. These listings include pages for Bangor Listings for up to 20 key council Castle, Exploris Aquarium, North Down Museum, Pickie Fun Park, Mount Stewart properties in relevant sections and more. e.g. Visitor Attractions. Key Ards and North Down events listed in ‘What’s On’ section Key Ards and North Down events listed in ‘What’s On’ section All submitted Ards and North Down Borough Council events have been listed in the Dedicated Belfast Plus web What’s On section, for example: Ards and North Down Pipe Band Championships, section on visitbelfast.com, Ards Christmas Light Switch On and Lantern Parade, Ards International Guitar under ‘Ideas’ area, including key Festival 2018, Ards Puppet Festival 2018, Aspects Festival 2018, August Family Fun Ards and North Down Borough at Portaferry VIC, Bangor Castle Walled Garden Tour, Bangor Christian Heritage Council products. This area has Walk, Branta Bernicla Hrota: Art In The Loft, Brendan Popplestone and Silver Fish, its own unique URL: Coast: Art In The Loft, Comber Earlies Food Festival 2018, Connecting With The belfastplus.com Land: Art In The Loft, Connla, Donaghafeed Food Tour, Early 1900s World of Ards and North Down Borough Crafts: Exhibition, Easter Celebrations at North Down Museum, Fair Weather Council profile/ links on Fridays, Felt Alive: Art In The Loft, Festiv'Ards 2018, Gardens and Gin Tour, conference, cruise and corporate Portaferry Sails and Sounds Festival, Seapark Fireworks, Sea Bangor Maritime websites (as appropriate). Festival and Young! Holywood Culture Night 2018, Aspects Festival, Ards Dedicated planned activity on International Guitar Festival, Frankenstei (Ards Arts Centre), Carol Ship on Visit Belfast’s social‐media Strangford Lough, Merry Fishmas at Exploris, Edelle McMahon, Bangor Christmas accounts: Facebook / Twitter. Light Switch‐On and Newtownards Christmas Tree Switch‐On.
Dedicated Belfast Plus web section on visitbelfast.com, under ‘Ideas’ area, including key Ards and North Down Borough Council products.
This area has its own unique URL (belfastplus.com) and features recommended highlights under accommodation, activities, attractions, arts, events and food and drink categories. There is also a dedicated section for family fun in Belfast Plus which includes all relevant Ards and North Down products.
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Ards and North Down products have been featured in a number of blog articles and themed sections on the website including: ‐ Halloween Firework Displays ‐ Scariest Places to Visit this Halloween ‐ Family Friendly Halloween Events ‐ Mother’s Day in Belfast ‐ Historic Houses and Stately Homes ‐ Spring Walks ‐ Family Events this Spring ‐ Spring Family Fun in Belfast ‐ Family Fun in Belfast Plus ‐ Things To Do Within Half Hour’s Drive of Belfast ‐ Day Trip to Ards and North Down ‐ Discover and Explore Belfast Plus.
Ards and North Down products were also featured in the following campaign webpages: ‐ Halloween campaign page ‐ Spring campaign page
Ards and North Down Borough Council profile/ links on conference, cruise and corporate websites (as appropriate). ‐ Featured on the recently launched new conference website (meetbelfast.com) in the Destination Appeal / Gateway to Northern Ireland sections. The Cruise website features a dedicated North Down and Ards Peninsula Tour.
Cruise Belfast Target cruise operators to include 2018 Cruise Season: ‐ Belfast & NI Belfast / NI on cruise schedules partner (UK/Northern Europe) – secure ‐ Final confirmed figures: 115 Cruise Ship calls brought potential visitors of just promotion business that will bring 160,000 over 195,000 passengers and crew to Belfast/NI. cruise visitors 2018‐19. ‐ ‘What’s On’ leaflets provided for every ship and tailor made for that day. VB Develop and provide itinerary ideas Visitor Servicing and Cruise Teams distribute to passengers at desk on board 6 for Ground Handlers and update the ship, in the arrival marquee, as passengers embark on shuttlebuses and them on ‘what’s new’ – regional are also available in VBWC. Ards and North Down events/attractions were spread includes attractions / tours featured (as appropriate) including Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Mount available in Ards and North Down Stewart, North Down Museum and Walled Garden and specific events taking Borough Council area. place on cruise ship days.
Relevant Ards and North Down product ‐ Visit Belfast have had several meetings with ground handlers in Aug, Sept and featured in the presentation Oct to evaluate the 2018‐19 cruise season and to discuss potential new delivered at Seatrade Miami and in itineraries for 2019‐20 season. Attractions and tours from Ards and North the rotating images that display on Down Borough Council area have featured in these discussions and in follow the stand screens. up emails.
Daily what’s on leaflet printed for ‐ At World Travel Market in Nov 2018 Visit Belfast met with one ground handler cruise visitors, inc. Ards and North and one cruise operator. Two representatives from the tourism team of Ards Down Borough Council and North Down Borough Council were present and able to promote the events/attractions as appropriate. regions potential for cruise visitors.
‐ Scenic Tours and Scenic Cruises FAM – Ballywalter Park, Mount Stewart and a meeting with Alex Irvine at The Culloden where the client (Vicko Bacic) was staying.
2019 Cruise Season Update ‐ 148 Cruise Ship calls bringing potential visitors of 285,000 passengers and crew are confirmed for 2019‐20, including several new ships which have not visited Belfast before.
‐ Visit Belfast have scheduled meetings with several ground handlers and cruise lines during Seatrade Miami 8‐11th April to discuss potential new itineraries. Images of Mount Stewart, Echlinville Distillery, Ulster Folk Museum and Ulster Transport Museum will feature on the digital image wall displayed on the Cruise Ireland stand. Information on Ards and North Down will also be included in the new Cruise Belfast brochure which will be distributed during the event.
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Business / 1,000 guides produced + online / e‐ A digital version of the Conference & Meetings Guide was sent to key clients as follow Conference Tourism version distributed to key business up from tradeshows and events. It is used as a key sales tool during in‐market events. Belfast and NI tourism contacts and through sales It is an important upselling tool for Visit Belfast Client Services Manager in Conference & calls, exhibitions and business communicating with event organisers who are looking for pre and post tour ideas, Meetings Guide tourism events. partner and extender programmes for delegates. 2018 ‐ 2020 Dedicated Ards and North Down Business Tourism events attended from April 2018 to March 2019: Borough Council page and 4 images ‐ The Meetings Show (London) contained in the ‘Belfast & NI ‐ C&IT Association Forum Conference and Meetings Guide ‐ Meet GB 2018‐20’. ‐ IMEX Frankfurt ‐ Ireland meets the West End The guide will be utilised in overseas ‐ HBAA Forum markets and at tourism events, ‐ C&IT Agency forum exhibitions and sales calls over the 2 ‐ IBTM Barcelona year period. ‐ CHS Show ‐ Confex Show ‐ AIPCO conference ‐ Visit Britain Meeting Makers ‐ Belfast showcase events in London & Amsterdam
Plus sales calls with key agencies and corporates including MCI, Delegate wranglers & EMA.
Business tourism Featured sections on the newly Ards and North Down included in the following areas of meetbelfast.com: website launched business tourism website ‐ Things to See and Do sections meetbelfast.com encouraging pre and post tours ‐ Belfast the Gateway to Northern Ireland around a conference. ‐ 10 things to do within half an hour of Belfast
Consumer & Trade Ards and North Down Borough Partnership at World Travel Market Nov 2018 Promotion Council tourism products, services Visit Belfast facilitated key meetings during the day that Ards and North Down ‐ Leisure and and events represented (as attended and also made introductions with tour operators during the Visit Belfast business tourism appropriate and agreed) at each of Welcome event that took place on the Tuesday evening of WTM.
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events, site these selling opportunities and The A&ND tourism team were consulted on which products and tours should feature inspections, promoted through Visit Belfast in the following: exhibitions, fam collateral and Visit Belfast sales staff. ‐ World Travel Market presentation and promotion trips and sales ‐ “What’s New for 2019” presentation given to ROI operators at an event in calls. 150 sales Option for attendance at Holiday Dublin exclusively targeting travel trade. opportunities. World Dublin by an A&ND Officer as ‐ Several travel trade e‐zine themes e.g. Castles, Stately Homes & Gardens and appropriate/required (travel and Unique & Quirky itineraries. accommodation at own cost). A&ND region was show cased in the following FAM’s Opportunity to partner at World ‐ Scenic Tours and Scenic Cruises – Ballywalter Park, Mount Stewart and a Travel Market (travel, meeting with Alex Irvine, Tourism Manager at The Culloden Hotel where the accommodation and attendance fee client (Vicko Bacic) was staying. at own cost). ‐ Back Roads Touring – NI Food Tours, Echlinville, Mount Stewart and client stayed overnight in The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn. Securement of at least one consumer/trade familiarisation trip into the A&ND area. The Back Roads Touring FAM has resulted in this tour operator now contracting NI Food Tours, Echlinville Distillery and Mount Stewart in their Ards and North Down Borough 2020 tours (21 different dates). Council area concierges to be added to the Visit Belfast Concierge ezine database. Visitor Servicing Target: handle 886,000 enquiries in 2018‐19 Total Enquiries: 879,318 2018‐19 Visit Belfast Welcome Prominent branded racking of Ards and North Down Borough Council collateral in Visit Centre, George Best Prominent racking of Ards and North Belfast Welcome Centre as well as racking at both GBBCA and BIA VICs. Belfast City Airport & Down Borough Council collateral in Belfast International Visit Belfast Welcome Centre as well Ards and North Down Borough Council literature racked in VBWC Airport VICs as racking at both GBBCA and BIA VICs. ‐ Belfast Plus ‐ 5000 ‐ Ards and North Down Arrive and Revive Accommodation – 1,107 Accommodation Ards and North Down Borough Council ‐ Ards and North Down Borough Council Events Guide 2018 ‐ 1095 booking imagery digitally showcased in VBWC: ‐ Ards and North Down Borough Council Tours ‐ 902 Literature Belfast Plus branding to be developed ‐ Discover Ulster‐ Scots Heritage in Ards and North Down – 1,101 9
distribution and displayed at VBWC to strengthen ‐ Discover Ulster‐Scots Heritage in Ards and North Down Driving Map – 1,213 Travel advisory and increase awareness of the brand. ‐ Discover Ulster Scott’s Heritage in Holywood ‐ 512 service ‐ Strangford Lough Visitor Guide ‐ 1098 Event Information Listings on self‐serve screens in VBWC ‐ Strangford Lough Visitor Map ‐ 1050 Ticketing service and external screens at airports, ‐ Individual Attraction/Events fliers for the Area – 11,423 Central Station, Great Victoria Street Total ‐ 24,501 Bus Station and Applegreen for agreed key council‐owned properties. Ards and North Down Borough Council literature racked in BIA ‐ Belfast Plus ‐ 2000 Regional promotional opportunities ‐ Ards and North Down Arrive and Revive Accommodation ‐ 400 utilising VBWC member desk – 4 days ‐ Ards and North Down Visitor Guides ‐ 500 p.a. or substitute for the events island ‐ Strangford Lough Visitor Guide ‐ 700 takeover promotional package. ‐ Strangford Lough Visitor Map ‐ 800 Total ‐ 4,400 Gold Partner Information Island Package (at additional cost) Ards and North Down Borough Council literature racked in GBBCA ‐ Belfast Plus ‐ 2000 Dedicated enquiry and literature ‐ Ards and North Down Arrive and Revive Accommodation ‐ 600 monitoring across VIC points (every 6 ‐ Ards and North Down Visitor Guides ‐ 600 & 12 months). ‐ Bangor Town Walk and Cultural Trail ‐ 100 ‐ Holywood Town Walk and Cultural Trail ‐ 100 ‐ Christian Heritage in Ards & North Down ‐ 100 ‐ Discover Ards and North Down App – n/a ‐ Bangor Tear off Map ‐800 ‐ Exploris ‐ 150 ‐ Castle Espie ‐150 ‐ Strangford Lough Visitor Guide ‐ 200 ‐ Strangford Lough Visitor Map ‐250 Total ‐ 5,050
Total combined literature distribution : 33,951 Specific enquiry monitoring at VBWC as well as GBBCA & BIA VICs: ‐ Visit Belfast Welcome Centre – 6,462
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‐ George Best Belfast City Airport –4,450 ‐ Belfast International Airport – 3,600
Belfast Plus videos and imagery played on 16 screen video wall (see images) There are currently 67 products from Ards and North Down Borough Council listed on the touch screens. Gold Island space to include literature racking and priority placement on Beyond Belfast Island (additional commercial spend)
VBWC Promotional Opportunities Ards and North Down promoted their spring campaign ‘Loughs and Laughs’ on the VBWC external screen for one month from 11 March. The VBWC front window display was also dressed to be used for the same campaign promotion for one week from 25 March. Trade Liaison (local) Concierge Programme – Weekly Key Ards and North Down Borough Council events highlighted. ‐ Regional ’What’s On’ ezine sent to relevant partnership B2B accommodation properties and promotion, relevant members across RTP area. recruitment and information Visit Belfast Partnership Team to Potential partners approached: actively recruit private sector Combers Farmers Market – contacted in March but no response. partners with the Ards and North Eden pottery – partnership discussed during a site visit, but informed that their Down Borough Council area to business does not require further promotion. enhance the product profiled within Dog House Gallery / Glass House / Comber craft shops: all small enterprises that do Belfast Plus. Provision of local partner not have the budget for partnership, especially due to the cut in council funding in database, agreed target for increase arts sector. and 6 and 12 month monitoring.
Networking opportunities for Ards 24 May 2018: Ards Puppet Festival, Sea Bangor Festival, Comber Earlies Food Festival, and North Down Borough Council Summer Sundays, Portavogie Seafood Festival, Groomsport Music and Fireworks. tourism development team to engage 2 October 2018: Halloween Walking Tours, Seapark Fireworks, Survive a Zombie with Visit Belfast front of house staff Apocalypse, Halloween at Cockle Row Cottages, A Deadly Affair: Murder Mystery to showcase new products and Night. 11
events at industry briefing sessions. 11 December 2018: A&ND staff unable to attend. 26 February 2019: Bangor’s Big Easter Weekend, Project 24, Cockle Row Cottages, North Down Museum, Portaferry VIC. PR Ards and North Down Borough Following press releases received and included in Latest News section of website: ‐ Regional partner Council press releases / images Mount Stewart to host Gardener’s Question Time Summer Garden Party 2018 PR support included in ‘latest news / press area’ (27/04/18) section of Visit Belfast corporate Echlinville Distillery raise a glass on its Fifth Birthday (03/08/18) website Administration Annual Industry Partnership To take place in June 2019. ‐ Forum & Officer’s event to take place with Group meetings enhanced RTP attendance and engagement. This event enables industry stakeholders to network and exchange information as well as gaining an understanding of the wider strategic activity for planning purposes. Officer’s Strategic Group to meet First meeting took place on Friday 21 September. twice a year with a pre‐agreed Second meeting took place on Wednesday 6 March. agenda focusing on tourism development projects that will enhance the product portfolio in the wider city region. Officer’s Operational Group to No meetings as yet. meet as and when required to discuss and agree individual marketing platforms and projects. Jennifer Hempton will be the 1:1 meeting took place on Thursday 26 July. dedicated Visit Belfast liaison for 1:1 meeting took place on Wednesday 30 January. Belfast Plus and will hold regular 1:1 meetings throughout the year.
12 Conference Guide 2018‐20 Belfast Visitor Guide 2019 City Guide – autumn edition
Cruise Guide
1 Belfast Visitor Map 2018/19 Window Display Promotion (Spring Campaign 2019)
World Travel Market 2018
Front Window Screen Promotion (Spring 2019) 2
Belfast Plus Guide 2019
3
VBWC Video Wall & VBWC Promotion Screens – Animated Video Frames
4 belfastplus.com BelfastPlus Twitter
5
6
Gold Island Sponsorship Cruise Belfast ‘What’s On Today’
Cruise On‐board Visitor Servicing
7 Unclassified
ITEM 18
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development Committee
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Regeneration Service
Date of Report 15 August 2019
File Reference REG 24
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Exploris Car Park Development
Attachments New Design
Existing Design
The car park at Exploris occupies a site owned by the Council. The current capacity is 46 spaces in the main car park and 36 spaces along the Ropewalk (total 82 spaces).
Currently at the Ropewalk section there is no footpath, making visitors walk around the back of cars and into the roadway. There is also no coach parking or the space for a coach to turn.
The current caravan park and shower block have been out of use for some time and the current toilet arrangements in the ‘kiosk’ are far from satisfactory with numerous complaints.
As members will be aware with the success of the revamped Exploris the visitor numbers to Portaferry have greatly increased and the lack of car and coach parking at the facility has caused major issues.
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Unclassified
It is also believed that if the caravan park was reopened this would help boost tourism numbers to the area and encourage more time to be spent in the area.
New Design
A scheme has been proposed that enhances the car parking facilities and brings the caravan park and shower block back into use. This maximises the opportunity for additional car parking, coach parking, a new footpath, a new public toilet block, the installation of the turbine blade as a piece of public art and the resurfacing of the Ropewalk.
The new design uses existing Council land and creates 117 spaces in the main car park, 29 spaces at the Ropewalk (with 5 new disabled bays) and 3 coach parking spaces (total 151 spaces).
It also brings back into use the caravan park with 12 spaces, with new electric/water points, a refurbished shower and toilet facility and a new public toilet facility at the front of the existing shower block. This can be accessed from the Ropewalk.
All this work can be done under permitted development.
The turbine blade will be located outside the new toilet and existing shower block opposite the old Rope works.
If the caravan park is reopened a procurement exercise will be undertaken to find an operator who will run the facility in conjunction with the Council.
Next Steps
The new scheme has been costed at circa £350K which can attract up to 75% grant from the Rural Development Fund (RDF). The remaining budget required can be met from existing budgets. An application will be made to the RDF for funding and a further detailed report on costs will be brought back to the Committee in due course.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council agrees to:
1. Accept the scheme, 2. Submit an application to the Rural Development Fund, 3. Undertake a detailed costing analysis for the scheme and 4. Proceed to quotation for the works being proposed.
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2600
remove stone walls
New Wall
1400 5500
6000
2200
1200
Remove existing toilet block
Drop off
EXISTING CAR PARKING 46 Car Park 36 Ropewalk
82 Spaces Total
PROPOSED CAR PARKING
117 Car Park Spaces 29 Rope Walk Spaces 5 Disabled 3 Coach Spaces
151 Spaces Total + 3 Coach Spaces
CARAVAN PARK
12 Spaces
Client Designed Drawn BG BG Internal Project No. Checked Approved Date ANDBC 1005 DS BD 06/08/19 Scale @ A1 1:500
Project Title
CONSTRUCTION RISKS MAINTENANCE / CLEANING DEMOLITION RISKS RISK PORTAFERRY Ards and North Down Borough Council In addition to the hazard/risks normally associated with the types of work detailed on this drawing take note of above. It is assumed that all works on this ROPEWALK drawing will be carried out by a competent contractor working, where appropriate, to an appropriate method statement. SCHEME
SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION BOX
Ards &North Down document this anyBorough usefor ofand Council accepts noliability Drawing Title www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk By it is intended only for the purposeswastheintended whichfor onlyis prepared forit andit provided. Revision Details Date Suffix PROPOSED Only written dimensionsOnly written beused. shall Check 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50m Contractor to confirm all dimensions. Contractorconfirmall to Purpose of issue Drawing Number Rev © Ardsand North Down Borough Council SITE NOTES CONCEPT DESIGN RIBA STAGE 2 SCALE 1:500 PLAN ANDBC-SC-1005-S3-PTY-002B Unclassified
ITEM 19
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Regeneration Service
Date of Report 20 August 2019
File Reference 160135
Legislation N/A
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Village Renewal - RDP Capital Application - Village Signage scheme
Attachments Appendix 1 - Balloo Appendix 2 - Ballygowan Appendix 3 - Ballywalter Appendix 4 - Carrowdore Appendix 5 - Cloughey Appendix 6 - Conlig Appendix 7 - Cotton Appendix 8 - Crawfordsburn Appendix 9 - Greyabbey Appendix 10 - Groomsport Appendix 11 - Helen's Bay Appendix 12 - Kircubbin Appendix 13 - Lisbane Appendix 14 - Millisle
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Unclassified
Appendix 15 - Six Road Ends Appendix 16 - Whiterock
As Members will be aware the Rural Development Programme provides funding support for village renewal through needs identified within their village plans. It was previously reported that new entrance signage was a priority in 15 villages and has been identified as such within each of their village plans. Therefore, a Borough wide village entrance signage scheme is currently under development. Each village has been given the opportunity to select a symbol to represent their local area, which has been incorporated into the design of the entrance sign. Please note that this project does not include Portavogie as new entrance signs were installed in the village as part of a previously funded SEAFLAG programme of works in August 2015.
Officers have been working closely with AECOM to undertake the technical design to progress the village entrance signage. In order to ensure consistency across the Borough the signs:
- Will not include straplines; - Will not have text/content on the back of the sign; - Will include “formerly” for those villages that have requested this text, namely Ballywalter sign will include ‘Formerly WHITKIRK’, Ballyhalbert sign will include ‘Formerly TALBOTSTOUN’ and Greyabbey will include ‘Formerly GREBA’ and; - Will only be installed in villages that currently have existing entrance signage and, as far as possible, will be installed in the same locations to reduce technical and land ownership issues.
Two community representatives were nominated from each village to attend a meeting in November 2018 where consultants from AECOM presented a range of options for the style of the signage. Over the last number of months, each village has been asked to provide an image or symbol which they felt best represented their area for inclusion on the sign.
Village Entrance Signs
The following villages have been presented with the final design of their signage as per attached appendices;
• Ballygowan – the symbol represents the Presbyterian Church Hall • Ballywalter – the symbol is an image of the beach in the village, to include formerly WHITKIRK • Carrowdore – the symbol is an image of a castle, representing Carrowdore Castle • Cloughey – this is an image of the beach/bay • Conlig – the image is of Helen’s Tower • Crawfordsburn – the image is of the waterfall representing the Burn • Greyabbey – the symbol is of the Abbey, and crows, to include formerly GREBA • Groomsport – the image is of a boat, representing the Eagle Wing
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Unclassified
• Kircubbin – the image is that of Monaghan Bank with a Flying Fifteen in the foreground • Helen’s Bay – the image of the beach in the village • Lisbane – the image is of a tractor, representing farming in the area • Millisle – the image is of a windmill representing Ballycopeland Windmill.
Agreement, in terms of a symbol, has not yet been reached for the following villages;
1. Ballyhalbert
AECOM presented the signage to community representatives with the symbol ‘E’, representing Burr Point being the most easterly point on the island of Ireland. Following the meeting, correspondence was received on behalf of Ballyhalbert Community Association with the choice of a Spitfire for their signage which they felt best represented the history of RAF in Ballyhalbert during WW2. However, correspondence has since been received from other members of the community who felt they had not been consulted. Their preference is for the symbol of the ‘E’, initially presented by the consultants.
Once agreement has been reached on the symbol, the sign will also include the text, ‘formerly TALBOTSTOUN’ on the final design.
As a consensus has not been reached, the Council will have to agree to use either option 1 – the Spitfire, or option 2 – the ‘E’.
2. Killinchy
At the initial signage meeting held in November, Killinchy was not represented by any of the community. AECOM had prepared a sign for the village using the image of a cyclist, representing Killinchy’s links with cycling. Recently, community representatives have been liaising with officers and have provided an image of the drumlins for inclusion on their signage. Members’ approval is sought for officers to continue to work with community representatives to agree a final symbol.
3. Portaferry
At the initial signage meeting in November, representatives from Portaferry were presented with an image of the ferry boat. However, they had preference for an image with the Market House in the foreground and Windmill Hill in the background. However, AECOM advised that this did not work from a design perspective, and AECOM provided an updated sign depicting solely the Market House. The Community are currently in discussions to agree an alternative as they are unhappy with the current sign. Approval is sought for Officers to continue to work with community representatives to agree a final symbol.
Other settlements
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Unclassified
The following communities are smaller settlements that form part of Village Plans, and currently have existing legacy signage. In order to distinguish between the level of settlements in the rural Borough, it is suggested that the ‘Welcome to’ sign is used which does not include a symbol, as per the attached sample template.
• Balloo – place name sign only, as per attached Appendix 1 • Cotton – place name sign only as per attached, Appendix 8 • Six Road Ends – place name sign only (subject to land permissions), Appendix 18* • Whiterock – place name sign only, as per attached, Appendix 19
*Note: there is no existing entrance signage at Six Road Ends. However, a village plan was developed for Six Road Ends in 2013 and the installation of entrance signage was an agreed action in that plan. Officers will investigate the possibilities of installing entrance signage from a land ownership perspective.
Straplines
As stated earlier it was envisaged that there would be no straplines included on the signage. However, within the Ards Peninsula Village Partnership this has not been well received. The Council has now received correspondence from representatives from Greyabbey, Millisle, Carrowdore, Cloughey and Portaferry seeking a strapline to be included which makes reference to the Ards Peninsula. Representatives from Kircubbin have confirmed that they are happy with the proposed sign which has no strapline and there has been no response from representatives of Ballywalter.
Planning Permission
It was previously agreed that an application would be submitted to the Rural Development Programme for funding for the production and installation of the signage. If required, planning permission must be granted as a pre-requisite. It has been determined that each sign will require advertising consent and work has commenced on preparing applications for submission.
Initially, it was anticipated that planning permission would not be required for this scheme, however, confirmation has been received that advertising consent is required for each sign.
Costs
The fee for each planning application is £193 totalling at £6,755. In addition, and in order to inform the planning application, an engineer’s survey is required to be undertaken for each of the signage locations at a further cost of £4,500. An additional cost of circa £8,000 will be incurred to prepare the planning applications. Therefore, the total cost is circa £19,255, which can be met from existing budgets.
It is estimated that total project costs for the production and installation of village entrance signage is £36,050. This figure is based on 35no. signs - the exact number of signs will be confirmed following site surveys.
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Unclassified
A funding application can only be made on the receipt of the planning approvals, therefore, a report will be presented in due course once final details are known.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. In order to ensure consistency across the Borough, the signage does not include straplines and does not have any text/content on the back of the sign.
2. “Formerly” be included for those villages that have requested this text, namely the Ballywalter sign to include ‘Formerly WHITKIRK’, the Ballyhalbert sign to include ‘Formerly TALBOTSTOUN’ and the Greyabbey sign to include ‘Formerly GREBA.
3. The new signage is only installed in villages that currently have existing entrance signage and, as far as possible, is installed in the same locations to reduce technical and land ownership issues.
4. The symbols are agreed as presented for Ballygowan, Ballywalter, Carrowdore, Cloughey, Conlig, Crawfordsburn, Greyabbey, Groomsport, Kircubbin, Helen’s Bay, Lisbane and Millisle per attached appendices.
5. Members select a symbol for Ballyhalbert, choosing either Option 1 the Spitfire or Option 2 the ‘E’ to represent the most easterly point in Ireland.
6. Officers continue to work with Killinchy and Portaferry to finalise their artwork.
7. The Council agrees to install ‘Welcome to’ signage, without a symbol in The Cotton, Balloo and Whiterock, as these are smaller settlements and not villages. It is further recommended that Officers investigate whether it is possible to obtain land ownership permissions to install a ‘Welcome to’ sign at Six Road Ends.
8. Officers proceed to submit planning applications and any other necessary pre- requisites to make a funding application under the Village Renewal Scheme, recognising that submission of this application is subject to planning approval being in place for the December 2019 deadline, and recognising that associated costs for the preparation of this application will be met from existing budgets.
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Unclassified
ITEM 20
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Regeneration Service
Date of Report 22 August 2019
File Reference
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Rural Development Programme - Village Renewal Update
Attachments Appendix A - Moss Road Environmental Improvement Scheme, Ballygowan Appendix B - Village Hall Ballygowan
Background
As previously reported, a number of village renewal projects have been identified in the Village Action Plans across the Borough. The Rural Development Programme (RDP) provides funding support for village renewal projects as identified within the village plans.
There is now also a possibility to obtain additional funding from the Department, if the funding pre-requisites to include planning permission and procurement are in place before the 31st December 2019.
Since the report presented in June 2019, the following update can be provided.
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Unclassified
Progress Update
The following projects are under review and may proceed, subject to the timeframes for delivery of the fund:
Ballygowan - Moss Road and Village Hall
A series of meetings have been held to progress both the Moss Road Environmental Improvement Scheme and the extension and reconfiguration of the Village Hall.
The Urban Design Officer has completed the concept design drawings for both sites, which have been well received by the local community.
The purpose of the Moss Road Environmental Improvement Scheme is to develop a series of walking paths, a new entrance, defined car parking spaces, play equipment along the trail, tree planting and gym equipment, as per Appendix A attached. Please note that this design has been developed taking into account the Feasibility Study produced by Ballygowan Regeneration Group.
The purpose of the Village Hall Scheme is to provide an additional meeting room for up to 30 people, a small meeting room for one-to-one consultations, a new kitchen and additional storage facilities. This has been achieved by moving the entrance to the side of the building, reconfiguring the internal layout and adding a small rear extension as per Appendix B attached. There is also a desire to refurbish the toilets but this is subject to funding. In order to progress the scheme a planning application has been submitted.
A Business Case will be required to support these schemes, in line with Council policy, and it be produced in parallel with this stage, if approved.
Officers will now start developing the tender documentation for both schemes in anticipation of applying for funding. Also, depending on cost, a phased approach may be taken.
Clarification
Groomsport – Environmental Improvement Scheme
In February 2018 Council was advised, as part of the reviewing and updating of the Groomsport Village Plan, that an Environmental Improvement Scheme had been identified for a pathway from Main Street to the beach. However, the pathway is located off the Donaghadee Road (not Main Street) to the beach. Online copies of the village plan have been updated to correct this error and now shows the accurate road name.
The project has been completed to improve access to the beach along the existing coastal path. As part of the programme of works, new planters will be installed to enhance the village and complement the recent success achieved in the Ulster in Bloom and Best Kept Awards.
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Unclassified
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1. Officers progress the remaining pre-requisites required to submit an application to the Village Renewal Scheme for the Moss Road Environmental Improvement Scheme and Ballygowan Village Hall with a further report presented in due course, once applications have been determined including being subject to the Business Case approval.
2. Members note that the Groomsport Environmental Improvement Scheme works was to the pathway from Donaghadee Road to the beach, and not from Main Street to the beach as previously reported.
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RISK OF COLLAPSE DAMAGE TO GLAZING ASBESTOS CONSTRUCTION RISKS MAINTENANCE / CLEANING DEMOLITION RISKS Palisade Fence 2.4 m high RISK In addition to the hazard/risks normally associated with the types of work detailed on this drawing take note of above. It is assumed that all works on this drawing will be carried out by a competent contractor working, where appropriate, to an appropriate method statement.
SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION BOX
Ards &North Down document this anyBorough usefor ofand Council accepts noliability it is intended only for the purposeswastheintended whichfor onlyis prepared forit andit provided. Only written dimensionsOnly written beused. shall
Palisade Fence 2.4 m high dimensions. Contractorconfirmall to Palisade Fence 2.4 m high © Ardsand North Down Borough Council NOTES
- 0.100m
Kitchen Store Store
Gas Meter New Location Bins Area
IC
Small Meeting Room
Boiler Room Main Hall
Lobby
Store
Switch Store Room
Female Disabled Male Draft Toilets Toilets Lobby Flexible Room Caretakers Room + 0.000m
RWG RWG
IC
- 0.100m - 0.100m
Bin
IC IC - 0.200m
By Revision Details Date Suffix Check Purpose of issue Planning
Client
Ards & North Down Borough Council New CCTV
Project Title
Ballygowan Village Hall Extension
Drawing Title Proposed Plan
Designed Drawn Timber Fence 1.2 m high BG BG Internal Project No. Checked Approved Date ANDBC-SC-1013 31.07.2019 Scale @ A1 1:100 Timber Fence
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Town Hall, The Castle Bangor AREAS BT20 4BT Belfast Road T: 0300 013 3333 296m2 Existing Hall www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk 83m2 Proposed Extension Area 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10m Rev
S:\REGENERATION DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING\REGENERATION\URBAN DEVELOPMENT\PROJECTS\1013 BALLYGOWAN VILLAGE HALL\ANDBC-SC-1013-S1-BLGN-006 Drawing Number 8/13/2019 11:25 AM 379m2 Proposed Total Hall Area 5124m2 Site Footprint Area Proposed Plan SCALE 1:100 ANDBC-SC-1013-S1-BLGN-006 Plot Date : File Name : Unclassified
ITEM 21
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Head of Regeneration Service
Date of Report 22 August 2019
File Reference ED38 - FLAG 2 Fisheries Fund
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Village Renewal - SEAFLAG Application - Portavogie Environmental Improvement Scheme
Attachments Appendix A - Portavogie Environmental Improvement Scheme
As members will be aware, SEAFLAG (South East Area Fisheries Local Action Group) is seeking applications within fisheries, aquaculture and related sectors, wishing to apply for grant aid under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
In June 2018 Members agreed to appoint AECOM to prepare a concept design for an Environmental Improvement Scheme at Portavogie Harbour as identified within the village plan. Over the past number of months, officers have worked closely with the Harbour Authority to progress the design of the scheme.
The scheme has been developed via a phased approach; the proposals include:
Phase 1 – Artwork to shed wall, new low-maintenance open space, planters and bench seating, harbour signage, defined parking spaces, pedestrian crossing, feature light columns and rendering to the existing wall with fish artwork along the promenade. In addition, the works include the demolition of a small building on the slip way and refurbishment of a disused winch as a feature of industrial heritage.
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Unclassified
Phase 2 - picnic benches, planters, lights and resurfacing to make a public space.
Phase 3 – viewing area with seating and planters, handrails and bollards.
In order to progress the scheme, officers will be organising community consultation events in September to present the attached drawing. Following these events, AECOM will provide a full breakdown of the estimate cost for each phase.
The maximum grant available to the Council from SEAFLAG is £125,000 at an intervention rate of 80%. The next call for applications closes on 14 January 2020 by which time it is required that the following pre-requisites are in place:
- Business Plan (New Business or projects over £25,000) - Written Evidence of Match Funding (e.g. bank statement, loan or overdraft facility or council minutes) - Procurement Exercise Complete - Permissions, Planning consents (commercial use) & licences in place - Leases on lands & buildings/ownership evidenced (10 years) - Insurance Certificates (if relevant).
It is anticipated that there will be another call later in 2020, subject to funding still being available.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council notes this report with a further report to be presented following the consultation event, to outline estimated costs for individual phases to enable a decision on how to proceed.
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MEETING TITLE
Portaferry Steering Committee Group TIME DATE LOCATION 6:00pm Monday 5 August 2019 Market House, Portaferry Attendees Councillors Councillor Joe Boyle - Chair Councillor Robert Adair Councillor Eddie Thompson Councillor Lorna McAlpine Councillor Nigel Edmund Alderman Angus Carson
Other members Doug Edmondson John Dumigan Richard Anderson Mary Mageean Maureen Mahon Niall McVitty – Department for Communities
Officers David Shivers – Urban Development Manager, ANDBC Marguerite Osborne – Rural Development Manager, ANDBC Julia Kane – Corporate Project Officer, ANDBC Sinead Boyle – Senior Professional and Technical Officer, ANDBC Rowena Moore – Administrative Assistant, ANDBC
Guests Ricky Martin – AECOM Paul Murray - AECOM
Agenda Item 1 Apologies
Discussion Brian Dorrian – Head of Regeneration, ANDBC
Agenda Item 2 Declarations of Interest Discussion None declared.
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Agenda Item 3 Bus Stop and Car Parking Issues
Discussion R Martin provided an update on the scheme in relation to the bus stop location and car parking resources.
There had previously been two options in relation to the bus stop: • Keep the bus stop in the present location in the Square. • Relocate the bus stop outside the Square.
R Martin reported that a number of meetings had taken place with Translink representatives to discuss the options for the bus stop, and a number of alternative locations were discussed. However, having assessed alternative options the final outcome of the discussions was that Translink found the alternative locations for the bus stop to be unacceptable, and wish to retain the main bus stop within the Square.
Councillor Adair joined the meeting at 6:07pm.
‘Design option 2’ is now the preferred option, as agreed with Translink, and the drawings for this option were shown to group members. Under design option 2: • The bus stop will remain within the Square. • There will be a total of 18 car parking bays in the Square.
There are presently 19 car parking bays on the Square itself and 7 on-street (26 parking bays in total), but members were reminded that the new car park planned for the Henderson’s Spar shop will provide around 24 additional car parking spaces for customers.
Councillor Adair asked if it may be possible to locate the smaller bus shelter in the Square, and have the larger main bus shelter outside the doctors surgery, but R Martin advised that based on discussions with Translink the main bus shelter/stop needs to reside within the Square (due to road layouts etc).
J Dumigan stated that he was content with the number of car parking spaces in the Square under design option 2, given that the Henderson’s car
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park will provide a new parking facility for customers (this should ease the need for parking on the Square).
Councillor Boyle voiced concern regarding the potential loss of car parking bays within the Square under design option 2, stating that feedback from the local community suggests this would not be welcomed.
Councillor McAlpine joined the meeting at 6:17pm.
M Mageean commented that members of the public may be content with the scheme once the design option has been clearly presented and explained during the public consultation process.
M Mageean inquired where the public phone box would be located in the scheme. R Martin replied that this could be relocated within the Square if required. ACTION: AECOM to consult with BT regarding the removal/relocation of the phone box.
D Shivers wished to note the following in relation to car parking resources: • There is another scheme underway for the redesign and reconfiguration of the car park on Rope Walk, which will provide 69 car parking spaces. This will also include 5 universal access parking bays and spaces for three coaches, and a new footpath for improved safety and linkages with the town Square. This work is planned for completion by April 2020. • If the same number of car parking spaces are retained in the Square as at present, then the scheme is unlikely to pass the economic appraisal and not receive funding (potential backlash from members of the public if the scheme does not proceed).
D Edmondson asked if the traffic flow would be the same after the scheme as at present, to which R Martin replied that it would (DfI Roads section wished there to be no changes to traffic flow).
Alderman Carson asked how many universal access parking bays would be located within the Square, to which R Martin advised there would be two such bays.
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It was noted that the new Henderson’s car park would be primarily for customer use (as this is a significant investment for their business), but it was generally considered that it would help to ease the parking on the Square as Spar customers would likely use this new car park rather than park in the Square. Alderman Carson stated that confirmation and proper discussions with Henderson’s representatives in advance of the scheme public consultation would be beneficial.
N McVitty noted that the aim of the scheme is to deliver the maximum economic benefits to the town (for economic appraisal) and that redeveloping the Square as a civic space is an important aspect of the scheme (and whilst there will be associated loss of some car parking spaces to facilitate this aspect, it was important to inform the public of alternative parking facilities nearby such as at Rope Walk and Meetinghouse Lane). The economic appraisal will also need to include details on how the civic space in the Square will be animated.
Agenda Items Consultation & Programme Update (AECOM) 4 & 5
Discussion R Martin provided an update on the consultation process and programme.
The programme schedule includes the following dates: • Submission of planning application – 27/09/19 • Construction begins – 01/09/20 • Completion certificate – 04/05/19
R Martin proposed a two-week public consultation window. This will include one daytime session and one evening session with a manned information board (AECOM representatives in attendance). The information board will be on display for two weeks’ duration, with a box in place to receive feedback/comments forms.
It was AGREED that the Market House in Portaferry would be the most suitable location for the public consultation.
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It was requested that the Market House be kept open for a period each day during the two weeks of consultation.
It was also agreed that the design boards would reference the number of car parking spaces should this concern be raised at the consultation events.
Alderman Carson asked D Shivers to inquire if the planning permission for the scheme could be fast-tracked. ACTION: D Shivers to discuss with ANDBC planning department regarding the fast-tracking for the scheme and how long this period is likely to be.
J Dumigan asked if, given the delays in project scheduling so far, would it be possible to start the scheme before Portaferry Gala, pause during the Gala period and then complete afterwards (thereby avoiding the busy period of July). J Kane and D Shivers replied that there was a large cost associated with demobilising and remobilising construction works, as well as logistical issues and disruption. The construction/works phase is therefore planned to run from September 2020 to March/April 2021.
R Martin stated that AECOM wish to minimise the disruption caused by the scheme and suggested it may be possible to start the works phase in August 2020 if preferable. However, D Shivers noted that clarification would be required on whether DfI have an embargo on August works, and M Mageean noted that the Portaferry triathlon takes place in August.
P Murray reported that the scheme drawing shown to the group would be the basis of the scheme plan which will be shown to the public during the consultation, but that it would be displayed in a clearer and more user- friendly way. Images of the scheme finishes (such as stonework, planting, lighting, street furniture etc) will also be displayed during the public consultation. If members of the public desire to see detailed scheme plans, these will be available from the council’s planning department.
Agenda Item 6 Any Other Business
Discussion i) Minutes of previous meeting The minutes of the previous Portaferry Steering Group meeting held on 25th March 2019 were noted.
ii) Scheme budget and expenditure to date
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J Dumigan asked if the expenditure to date on site investigations and surveys has affected the overall scheme budget. D Shivers reported that any expenditure so far is within budget – so far the scheme has progressed at risk to the council with the aim of requesting £1.4M for the scheme from Department for Communities (to be split as £1.2M for capital works and £0.2M for professional fees).
iii) Benefits of public realm schemes Councillor Boyle asked if there were other examples of similar scale public realm schemes, or examples of how public realm schemes had boosted the local economy. N McVitty reported that there has been a 300% increase in footfall since the £9M public realm scheme in Newcastle County Down. N McVitty also noted that pre and post-project evaluations would be carried out to measure the success of the scheme.
iv) Car parking statistics Councillor Edmund asked if it was possible to get some statistics on short stay parking and the associated benefits to local businesses. D Shivers replied that he could ask the relevant council officer responsible for car parking to attend a future meeting if desired. J Dumigan stated that the enforcement of the car parking in Portaferry will be a challenge. Councillor Thompson stated the need to consider car parking provision for tourists/visitors as well as for local people.
v) Concept design for public consultation Members AGREED to approve the taking forward of the concept design (option 2) for public consultation.
Agenda Item 7 Date and Time of Next Meeting Discussion The Chair thanked members for attending. The date of the next meeting is to be confirmed but is likely to take place around the third week of September. This will provide an opportunity to discuss feedback from the public consultation. Adjournment The meeting ended at 7:26pm.
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Unclassified
ITEM 23
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Report Classification Unclassified
Council/Committee Regeneration and Development
Date of Meeting 05 September 2019
Responsible Director Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning
Responsible Head of Service
Date of Report 15 August 2019
File Reference RDP 81
Legislation
Section 75 Compliant Yes ☒ No ☐ Other ☐ If other, please add comment below:
Subject Ward Park 3 Review
Attachments Scottish Sun Article - 3.8.19
The Council entered into a Licence Agreement with MCD Productions for the use of Ward Park for the Ward Park 3 / Snow Patrol concert on 25th May 2019.
A working group was established, chaired by the Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning and included representation from a wide range of internal and external advisory bodies such as; MCD, PSNI, Translink, NIFRS, NIAS, DfI, Bangor Chamber, Cleansing, Environmental Health, Licensing, Emergency Planning and Tourism. The working group was a very effective partnership which resulted in a safe and successful event.
Event Impact Assessment
The concert attracted 35,000 people to Bangor from across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the rest of UK and across the globe, with 43% of ticket sales from outside NI.
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Unclassified
Location % of ticket sales Northern Ireland 57% Belfast 44% Bangor 19% Rest of UK 37% EU 5% Non-EU 1%
A comprehensive visitor impact survey was undertaken by MRNI. The survey explored the visitor profile, their satisfaction levels and spend in the local area due to the concert. The research shows that on average day trippers spent £63 in Bangor with overnight visitors spending £166 per visitor in Bangor, (this does not include the cost of the ticket to the event). The majority of this spend was on food and drink (52%). Although this is different by type of visitors with day trippers spending 69% on food and drink, while overnight visitors spent 48% on accommodation.
Applying the multipliers, taking away potential economic leakage, the event generated a total net impact of £2.5 million GVA to the Bangor economy, supporting 61 jobs. It should be noted these impacts are purely based on visitor expenditure of those attending the concert and does not take into account the impacts of the actual event organisers spend, the Friday night event or any wider economic impacts that accrued to the wider NI economy.
A survey of the local businesses indicates that some businesses gained no benefit from the concert (32%), but almost half (47%) reported additional spending from those attending the concert. In addition, around one in 10 (9%) of businesses reported benefiting from spend by those working at the venue during the concert.
A small percentage of businesses (17%) reported a negative impact in turnover. When hosting major events, businesses within the accommodation and hospitality sector tend to gain, whereas traditional retail sectors particularly around larger/white goods tend to have fewer sales during the time of the event. It should be noted that some businesses highlighted that, despite them not witnessing any positive impacts or benefits directly from the concert, they still felt the concert was good for the profile of the local area and Bangor and would be supportive of similar events of this nature in the future.
Event Logistics
38% of those surveyed said they travelled to the concert using public transport, with Translink reporting around 10,000 people arriving in Bangor by train. In addition to this, there were five Translink coaches and fourteen private hire coaches. 36% of those surveyed said they travelled by car with additional car parking provided at Bloomfield Road and Valentine playing fields.
A full traffic management plan, including no parking and road closures, was put in place by the promoter as part of the event planning. It was noted that there were no complaints from residents in relation to the road closures. There was an extremely busy period at Bangor Train Station at the end of the evening with the last train leaving Bangor later than anticipated at 12.50am. 17 complaints were received
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Unclassified around the train service: this is an extremely low number compared to the numbers travelling by train.
The medical provision on site was significant however most treatment was for minor ailments such as headaches. There were no serious injuries and NIAS reported no major/significant issues outside the venue.
PSNI reported that there were only 4 arrests made on the evening, an extremely small number considering the numbers of people at the event and in the town, with one person charged with common assault.
The site layout worked very well, although there were a small number of complaints from local residents in relation to the dust from the gravel pitches, particularly during the event build. During busy periods there was significant queuing at the bars, up to 2 hours, and this was the only real area of complaint from those attending the concert. The majority of attendees arrived between 5.30pm - 6.00pm, leading to a very busy time at the bar which served around 20,000 people: during this time 85,000 pints were sold over a three-hour period. An increase in the bar meterage would reduce the queues at future events, however this needs to be weighed up with the level of alcohol consumption: the low levels of H&S incidents and arrests may be partly due to the low queuing times.
There was a very high level of satisfaction with the delivery of the event with 92% of attendees responding that they were satisfied with the concert, 57% of whom were very satisfied. Only 6% said they were quite or very dissatisfied, these were mainly due to the bar facilities.
PR Value The PR value is still being calculated and an update will be given to the Committee at the meeting.
Town Activation Open House, working with Snow Patrol’s manager, delivered Ward Park Free on the Friday night before the concert. This saw a range of live music events in venues across the town which encouraged people to come out and stay longer for the weekend. The Chamber also worked with the retailers to encourage offers and promotions during the event, with the Tourism Unit developing a map to encourage people to experience what the town had to offer, as well as putting a mobile VIC at the train station and working with the SERC ambassadors who where at key locations across the town to provide information and help direct attendees.
The Tourism Unit also brought a number of major ROI Tour Operators and UK media on a FAM trip of the Borough, which included attending the concert. The Scottish Sun wrote a feature on the Borough (see attached), which reached a circulation of 162,435 readers.
Future Opportunities The event was clearly a huge success economically and in positive PR terms for the Borough.
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Unclassified
Council Officers are examining the potential for more concerts at the Ward Arras Park area, Bangor subject to conditions. This will be considered in further reports assessing how to build on the great success of the Ward Park 3 event.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council notes the report.
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1SM Saturday, August 3, 2019 ...... 47
IT’S 32°C IN RHODES — IT’S 26°C IN GRAN Edited by LISA MINOT & HEATHER LOWRIE a week at the 4H Ata- CANARIA — seven lanti Boutique Hotel nights’ room-only at hot in Faliraki is from hot the 3H Apartments £417pp. The price Cala Nova in Puerto spot is based on half- spot Rico is from £384pp. board with flights Fly from Glasgow on from Glasgow on October 3. See August 10. See tui.co.uk barrheadtravel.co.uk lBLACKPOOL has a new grand dame double-launch rollercoaster, have been lFAMILIES can Make It A Monster LEGOLAND Hotels and selected nearby — the luxury Boulevard Hotel, right, pulling in the crowds of thrill-seekers Summer with buy one get one free on hotels. Prices start from £42pp at a located slap bang on Ocean Boulevard, along with Valhalla — recently named the tickets to the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort. partner hotel or stay at the LEGOLAND next to the golden sands. world’s best water ride for the fourth year Until August 16 guests can buy one Resort Hotel from £118pp. Book online by The £12million hotel has 120 rooms, in succession. full-priced ticket for £60pp and get a midnight on September 2 at legoland including eight junior suites, two park- The hotel is the latest addition to the second ticket free, when they book online holidays.co.uk/offers/kids-go-free view suites and eight coastal suites, some Pleasure Beach accommodation at legoland.co.uk/buyonegetonefree Guests enjoy exclusive early access with views of the attractions and offerings, which also includes the award- The offer is valid for visits until into the theme park to ride the new rollercoasters at the nearby Pleasure winning Big Blue Hotel. Both properties September 3. Those looking for the Haunted House Monster Party. Plus Beach. are part of the Blackpool Pleasure Beach ultimate LEGOLAND break should grab there’s loads of evening entertainment New rides including Red Arrows portfolio. the Kids Go Free sale where children get with the Monster Rocker Summer Disco Skyforce and ICON, the nation’s first See blackpoolpleasurebeach.com into the theme park and stay for free in the and summer LEGO build activities.
LET IT CRO: A week self-ca- lates tering for six sharing a for . . . three- AWESOME WARD PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL IS REAL HIT bedroom Toscanini Lounge mobile home at Camping In Park Umag in Istria, Croatia, from August 7 is from £1,554. Travel not included. Find out more at alfresco-holidays.com or call 0161 332 8900. . . . HUNT FOR NESSE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Properly Banging the 4H Hotel Festa Panorama in Nessebar, ON SONG . . . impressive Bulgaria, is from £582pp, Bangor marina, crowds at leaving Glasgow on August Ward Park 3 festival at the 11. See balkanholidays.co.uk Main Stage, right, and the or call 0207 543 5555. Salty Dog Hotel, below . . . MAUR THAN A FEELING: A week half-board at the 5H The Residence Mauritius is from £1,275pp, leaving Glasgow between September 1-30. See emiratesholidays.com or call 0208 972 8949. . . . WE DON’T LIKE CRICCIETH, WE LOVE IT: Rhos Ddu is one of Rhos Country Cottages’ dog- friendly farmhouses near Criccieth in Snowdonia, Wales. Sleeps four and costs from £760 for a week arriving August 17. See premiercottages.co.uk or call 01758 720047. . . . SANTA BABY: Seven nights’ half-board at the 4H Zafiro Rey Don Jaime in Santa Ponsa, Majorca, is
from £609pp, leaving GAME FOR A Prestwick on August 29. See LAUGH . . . Ian and loveholidays.com Alex at Game Of . . . FUNKY TOWN: A 13-night Thrones exhibition South Africa tour including four nights in Cape Town, above, one in Franschhoek, two in Oudtshoorn, three nights in Plettenberg Bay, and a three-night safari at Pumba Bush Lodge is from £2,345pp, leaving Heathrow WHEREVER you go in Ireland Bangor, plus a vintage Sea- (regional flights available) on side Revival and a major selected dates in September. you will have a banging time. GO: BANGOR outdoor artisan food and See african-pride.co.uk But it will be a real hit if you drink event called the GETTING THERE: For best deals on ferry Sundown Market. There’s a wide . . . THAI A YELLOW take on the Ward Park 3 music a spectacular night for the 45,000 RIBBON: A week B&B at the festival in Bangor just south of crossings from Stranraer to Belfast see range of live music available most poferries.com nights in the town’s bars and clubs. crowd — even more so when Bono 5H Cape Dara Resort in Belfast. appeared Bono to sing One Love. Pattaya, Thailand, is from STAYING THERE: Open House Festival These small venues practically The trip doubled up as a 50th have a three-day Premium package (Aug burst at the seams in the evenings. Next day we headed off to Belfast £899pp, leaving Glasgow on birthday present for my younger We called in at Fealty's Bar just for The Game of Thrones Exhibition August 27. See 23-26) from £495 (two sharing) and a two- brother Ian, but it is fair to say that day Regular package, (Aug 24-25) from after opening and enjoyed one of the (gameofthronesexhibition.co.uk) kenwoodtravel.co.uk we were both blown away by the best pints of Guinness I’ve ever There’s no hiding the passion . . . SQUARE GO: A night at event, the people and the country. £345 (two sharing) for Scottish Sun ‘Thronies’ like me have for this epic readers. Includes accommodation, tasted. the 3H ibis Styles Edinburgh Bangor sits proudly at the top of We later headed off into the heart fantasy and it was great to get up St Andrew Square in the Ards peninsula — the bit of breakfast, dining and music events. See of the beautiful Ards peninsula to close and personal with props and Edinburgh is from £103.99 Northern Ireland you see on a clear openhousefestival.com/packages visit Northern Ireland’s only farm costumes. day from the southern tip of Dum- Rooms at the Salty Dog Hotel start from distillery. Echlinville Distillery (ech- Ian, though, has never watched an with Accor Hotels’ 25 per linville.com cent off promo. See fries and Galloway. £99 a night. See saltydogbangor.com ) offer a Tour And Tipple episode in his life so this was a Often referred to as Belfast’s MORE INFO: See ireland.com experience, which is a great way to chance for me to convert him to the accorhotels.com Brighton, Bangor is a great escape sip whiskey and award-winning gin. cause. . . . PALM OF MY HAND: A for the city’s inhabitants. Its large You get a real sense of the passion After a delicious lunch in the bis- week all-inclusive at the 4H ist. The pods are in an area which the owner has for what started out marina dominates the seafront and includes an open space where artists tro in the Titanic Experience build- Riadh Palms Resort & Spa in has become a focal point as the as a “hobby” but now sees Jawbox ing we wandered round the docks, Port el Kantaoui, Tunisia, is and musicians can perform and arti- Gin exported across the world. town reinvents itself as a centre for san food makers can promote their enjoying the sunshine. from £376pp, leaving Back in Bangor it was time for If Belfast is on your places to visit arts and culture. local produce. Ward Park 3. The large public park Glasgow on September 16. After a hearty breakfast at The It’s all part of a programme of list, take the time to get out and See travelsupermarket.com regularly hosts live music events and Red Berry, with delicious local events created by the charity group is great exposure as local boys done visit Bangor and the Ards peninsula . . . KNOCK ON WOOD: bacon, we wandered along Queens Open House — an independent music good, Snow Patrol, bring together while you are there. Three-night self-catering Parade to check out Project 24, a and arts charity that runs an annual other local bands. It’s a beautiful region, with great weekend break at a choice of collection of artists’ pods where you summer festival for the whole of This year included budding super- people and top music, art and cul- Center Parcs around the UK can find a diverse range from candle August. stars Two Door Cinema Club as well ture they create. It’s banging! is from £729 for up to six makers to painters, cake decorators They also promote concerts as Foy Vance, ASH, SOAK and a ALEX McLEOD sharing a two-bedroom to felt makers and even a tattoo art- throughout the year in Belfast and whole range of other talents. It was Win trip to Bangor — Page 48 Woodland Lodge on selected dates. See centerparcs.co.uk