1 Derry City and Strabane District Council Minutes of Meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council held in the Council Chamber, Guildhall on Thursday 17 December 2015 at 4.00pm _____________________ Present:- Councillor McCallion (in the Chair), Aldermen Bresland, Devenney, M Hamilton, Hussey, Kerrigan, Ramsey, Thompson and Warke; Councillors Boyle, Carlin, Carr, Cooper, Cusack, Diver, Donnelly, Duffy, Fleming, Gallagher, Hassan, Hastings, Jackson, C Kelly, D Kelly, P Kelly, Logue, McGinley, McGuire, M McHugh, R McHugh, McKeever, McMahon, O’Reilly, Reilly Robinson and Tierney. In Attendance: Chief Executive (Mr J Kelpie), Director of Environment and Regeneration (Ms K Phillips), Director of Health and Community (Mrs K Mc Farland), Director of Business and Culture (Mr S Gillespie), Lead Legal Services Officer (Mr P Kingston), Lead Democratic Services and Improvement Officer (Ms E Cavanagh), Lead Audit, Assurance and Risk Officer (Mrs D McDonnell), Lead Finance Officer (Mr A Dallas), Head of Culture and Business (Ms L Williams), Communications Officer (Mr C Gray), Business Manager (Mrs S Maxwell) and Committee Clerk (Ms D Melaugh). ______________________________ C307/15 Notice and Summons for Meeting The Chief Executive read the Notice and Summons for the Meeting. C308/15 Webcast Announcement by the Mayor The Mayor read the Webcast Announcement for the meeting, however advised that there were current technical difficulties which may affect the ability to provide a visual recording of the meeting. C309/15 Apologies Apologies for absence were received from Aldermen R Hamilton and McClintock, Councillors Campbell and Dobbins. C310/15 Declarations of Members’ Interest Item Ref C322/15 2 The following Members of the Planning Committee expressed an interest in the above item and withdrew from discussion thereon. Alderman Bresland Alderman M Hamilton Councillor Hassan Councillor Jackson Councillor D Kelly Councillor Logue Councillor McGuire Councillor R McHugh Councillor McHugh Councillor Diver Councillor Hastings Councillor Tierney Chairperson’s Business. C311/15 Councillor Gerard Diver – MLA Appointment A Member of the SDLP grouping stated that he wished to congratulate and commend Councillor Diver on his recent appointment to MLA within the Northern Ireland Assembly. He paid tribute to the excellent work which he had undertaken within Council over the last 14 years, highlighting in particular his very successful year as Mayor when he worked diligently on behalf of all the citizens of the Council area regardless of background or religious belief. He also acknowledged his role in leading the SDLP grouping within Council over many years and the high esteem in which Councillor Diver had been held by his colleagues and the wealth of experience and common sense which he had brought to all situations. The Member stated that whilst Members were saddened by Councillor’s Diver departure from Council they wished to extend tribute and best wishes to him in his new appointment to the Northern Ireland Assembly where no doubt he would work tirelessly on behalf of and support of all the citizens within the Council area. A Member of the SF grouping stated that on behalf of his Party he also wished to pay tribute to the excellent service which Councillor Diver had given to the former Derry City Council and the new wider Council area and community and made particular reference to his notable and distinguished year as Mayor of the city in 2008/2009. In further tribute he referred to his 3 membership of various external and internal bodies and the courtesy, fairness and articulation which he had demonstrated in leading the SDLP grouping within Council over many years. He stated that on behalf of SF he wished him every success for the future. A Member of the UUP grouping stated that firstly on behalf of his Party he wished to extend good wishes to Pat Ramsey, MLA on his retirement from the Assembly. He then paid tribute to the work undertaken by Councillor Diver and congratulated him on his new appointment. The Member referred to Councillor’s Diver strong competencies and capabilities which would be undoubtedly utilised in his new role to continue to support the growth and development of the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. The Member stated that it had been a privilege to work with Councillor Diver in Council over the preceding months. A further Member of the UUP grouping paid tribute to the work undertaken by Councillor Diver and wished him every success in his new appointment. A Member of the DUP grouping thanked Councillor Diver for the service he had given to the people within the former Council and more recently the new Derry City and Strabane District Council. He stated that he would also wish to acknowledge and support the tributes paid to the Member in relation to the work he had undertaken during his Mayoral year. He stated that Councillor Diver had always demonstrated fairness and courtesy in his approach and on behalf of the DUP grouping wished him every success for the future. An Independent Member of Council stated that he wished to acknowledge the fairness demonstrated by Councillor Diver in his relationships with Members in undertaking Council business and extended his good wishes to him for the future. Councillor Diver thanked Members for their comments. He stated that whilst he looked forward to his new appointment his departure, after serving with Council for the past 14 years was tinged with certain sadness The Member stated that he would wish foremost to thank the people of the Waterside who had consistently elected him to Council over 4 elections followed by his Party colleagues who had supported and assisted him over the years. He then paid tribute to Members of all other political parties, existing and previous Officers of Council and thanked them for 4 their co-operation and support. The Member stated that in his new appointment as MLA for Foyle in conjunction with other Assembly Members he would strive to assist Council bring about positive economic change and growth. He concluded by paying tribute to the work being undertaken by Council which he stated clearly demonstrated its capability of meeting the variety of challenges and exciting opportunities ahead. The Mayor stated that she wished to concur with all the above comments. She stated that she also wished also to acknowledge the work undertaken by Pat Ramsey, MLA who had served the city and district over many years and would now be retiring from the Assembly. The Mayor on behalf of Council wished Councillor Diver many good wishes and success for the future. C312/15 Christmas Greetings The Mayor extended Christmas greetings to Members, Officers and representatives of the press. Open for Decision C313/15 Confirmation of the Open Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on 26 November 2015 Minutes of the Open Meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council held on 26 November 2015 (C275/15-C299/15) were submitted. Alderman Devenney Moved, Councillor Hastings Seconded and the Council Resolved that the above minutes, be adopted as a true record of the meeting. Matter Arising C314/15 Kickstart to Work Project (Ref. C291/15) In response to comments from a Member of the SF grouping seeking clarification as to an update on a proposed Council delegation meeting with the Minister for Department of Employment and Learning in relation to the issues arising from the operation of the Kickstart to Work Project 5 the Director of Business and Culture advised that no response had yet been received from the Department. C315/15 Confirmation of the Open Minutes of Special Meeting held on 11 December 2015. Minutes of the Open Meeting of Special Meeting Derry City and Strabane District Council held on 11 December,2015 (SP4/15-SP7/15) were submitted. Councillor Hastings Moved, Alderman Bresland Seconded and the Council Resolved that the above minutes, be adopted as a true record of the meeting. Adoption of the Open Minutes of the following Committees:- C316/15 Monthly Governance and Strategic Planning Committee held on 1 December 2015 Minutes of the Monthly Governance and Strategic Planning Committee held on 1 December 2015(GSP165/15/GSP188/15) were submitted. Councillor Ramsey Moved, Alderman Kerrigan Seconded and the Council Resolved that the above minutes be adopted as a true record of the meeting. Matter Arising. C317/15 Rationalisation of the Court Estate (GSP155/15) In response to comments from a Member of the SF grouping regarding the above, it was advised that following today’s meeting a letter would be sent to the Department of Justice seeking clarification on the issues from the decision to close Strabane Courthouse as recommended at last month’s meeting of Council. C318/15 Monthly Planning Committee held on 2 December 2015 Minutes of the Monthly Planning Committee held on 2 December 2015 (P99/15 – P112/15) were submitted. 6 Councillor Hastings Moved, Councillor D Kelly Seconded and the Council Resolved that the above minutes be adopted as a true record of the meeting. Matter Arising C319/15 Monthly Assurance, Audit and Risk Committee held on 3 December 2015 Minutes of the Monthly Assurance, Audit and Risk Committee held on 3 December 2015 (AAR99/15 – AAR110/15) were submitted. Councillor P Kelly Moved, Councillor Hastings Seconded and the Council Resolved that the above minutes, be adopted as a true record of the meeting Matter Arising C320/15 External Review (Ref. AAR110/15) An Independent Member of Council referred to discussion which had taken place at the December meeting of the Assurance, Audit and Risk Committee and stated that he wished to seek further clarification, in addition to acknowledging his concerns with regard to the following issues:- - The NIAO’s position in relation to the outcome of the findings of the External Review in terms of weaknesses identified in the former Derry City Council’s arrangements for procurement and events management.