ARDS AND NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL 20 August 2020 Dear Sir/Madam You are hereby invited to attend a meeting of the Ards and North Down Borough Council which will be held remotely via Zoom on Wednesday, 26 August 2020 commencing at 6.00pm. Yours faithfully Stephen Reid Chief Executive Ards and North Down Borough Council A G E N D A 1. Prayer 2. Apologies 3. Declarations of Interest 4. Mayor’s Business 5. Mayor and Deputy Mayor Engagements for the Month (Copy to follow) 6. Minutes of Council Meeting held on 22 July 2020 (Copy attached) 7. Minutes of Committees 7.1 Planning Committee dated 4 August 2020 (Copy attached) 7.2 Environment Committee dated 5 August 2020 (Copy attached) 7.3 Regeneration and Development Committee dated 6 August 2020 (Copy attached) 7.4 Corporate Committee dated 11 August 2020 (Copy attached) 7.5 Community and Wellbeing Committee dated 12 August 2020 (Copy to follow) 7.6 Audit Committee dated 17 August 2020 (Copy attached) 8. Updated Standing Orders (Deferred from previous Council Meeting – Report attached) 9. Partnership Panel (Report attached) 10. Arrangements for Council and Committee Meetings (Report attached) 11. PEACE Plus (Report attached) 12. Funding Proposals for the Affordable Warmth Scheme 2020/21 (Report attached) 13. Resolution 13.1. Information Regarding Localised Outbreaks of Covid-19 – Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (Copy correspondence attached) 14. Sealing Documents 15. Transfer of Rights of Burial 16. Notice of Motion Status Report (Report attached) 17. Notices of Motion 17.1 Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor P Smith That Council notes the negative impact of coronavirus on our education system and in particular the preparation of primary 6 pupils for post primary transfer tests. In this difficult context and to better support pupils and reduce the anxiety associated with the transfer test process, that Council writes to the Minister of Education calling on him to recommend test organisers, AQE Ltd and PPTC engage with primary school principals so that P7 children can take the tests in the safe and familiar environment of their own primary school. 17.2 Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Cathcart That this Council supports the reopening of Kingsland Pitch and Putt and requests an Officers report into why the decision was taken not to reopen Kingsland Pitch and Putt in line with the reopening of indoor facilities as outlined in the June Full Council meeting. The report will also outline plans to raise revenue at the facility, to attract visitors and reduce costs to Council. Furthermore, the report will also examine opening the Pitch and Putt beyond July and August as revenue increases. 17.3 Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Brooks Following the tremendous success this summer in Donaghadee where local groups volunteered and organised to take responsibility of planters and flowerbeds in the town I would ask officers to put together a co-ordinated programme to support, offer assistance for local communities across the Borough to work with council and invest in their local council maintained green areas where appropriate. The possibilities to utilise the space and council infrastructure will bring local community groups together, this has been highlighted particularly during lockdown when the social interaction and the ability to enjoy outside spaces became even more precious . 17.4. Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Gilmour This council supports the need for greater localised information from the Department of Health regarding localised outbreaks of COVID positive cases in the area. In the wake of the recent clusters in other council areas, had local representatives’ access to more specific information, a downturn in footfall and containment of anxiety in non-affected regions may have been prevented. Therefore, this council calls on the Department of Health to provide DEA specific information or to provide a helpline for Councillors to reduce this from happening 17.5. Notice of Motion submitted by Councillors McRandal and Greer That this Council take action to establish allotments at Redburn, Holywood by Spring of 2021. The site has been under consideration of Council Officers for some time and action is now required. This will include engagement with Northern Ireland Environment Agency, with the aim of assuming responsibility for the site on an appropriate licence. This will also include engagement with Holywood Shared Town and other key stakeholders. Circulated for Information: a) Housing Council Bulletin and Minutes (Copy attached) ***IN CONFIDENCE*** 18. Minutes of the Strategic Covid19 Recovery Group dated 13 August 2020 (Copy to follow) 19. NCLT/SERCO - Ex Gratia Payment (Report attached) 20. Village Renewal Schemes Update: Portaferry Ropewalk Improvement Scheme, appointment of contract (Report attached) 21. Request from Romas for an outdoor seating area at Mill Street carpark (Report attached) MEMBERSHIP OF ARDS AND NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL Alderman Carson Councillor S Dunlop Alderman Gibson Councillor Dunne Alderman Girvan Councillor Edmund (DEPUTY MAYOR) Alderman Irvine Councillor Egan Alderman Keery Councillor Gilmour Alderman McDowell Councillor Greer Alderman McIlveen Councillor Kennedy Alderman Menagh Councillor MacArthur Alderman Smith Councillor Mathison Alderman Wilson Councillor McAlpine Councillor Adair Councillor McClean Councillor Armstrong-Cotter Councillor McKee Councillor Blaney Councillor McKimm Councillor Boyle Councillor McNickle Councillor Brooks Councillor McRandal Councillor Cathcart Councillor Smart Councillor Chambers Councillor P Smith Councillor Cooper Councillor T Smith Councillor Cummings (MAYOR) Councillor Thompson Councillor Douglas Councillor Walker ITEM 6 ARDS AND NORTH DOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL A meeting of the Ards and North Down Borough Council was held remotely using Zoom on Wednesday, 22 July 2020 commencing at 6.00pm. PRESENT: In the Chair: The Mayor (Councillor Cummings) Aldermen: Carson McDowell Gibson McIlveen Girvan Menagh Irvine Smith Keery Wilson Councillors: Adair Greer Armstrong-Cotter Kennedy Blaney MacArthur Boyle Mathison Brooks McAlpine Cathcart McClean Councillor McKee Chambers McKimm Douglas McNickle S Dunlop McRandal Dunne Smart Edmund P Smith Egan T Smith Gilmour Thompson Officers: Chief Executive (S Reid), Director of Organisational Development and Administration (W Swanston), Director of Community and Wellbeing (G Bannister), Director of Finance and Performance (S Christie), Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning (S McCullough), Director of Environment (D Lindsay), Corporate Communications Manager (C Jackson), Democratic Services Manager (J Wilson) and Democratic Services Officers (M McElveen and P Foster) 1. PRAYER The Mayor (Councillor Cummings) welcomed everyone to the meeting by commencing with a bible reading and then invited the Chief Executive to read the Council prayer. NOTED. C.22.07.2020 PM 2. APOLOGIES An apology was received from Councillor Cooper. NOTED. 3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST The Mayor asked for any Declarations of Interest and the following were made. Councillor Greer declared an interest in Item 8.2 – NIHE Draft Older People’s Housing Strategy 2020/21 – 2025/26. Alderman Irvine declared an interest in Item 18.1 – Matters arising from Strategic Covid-19 Recovery Group meeting on 9 July 2020. NOTED. 4. MAYOR’S BUSINESS & 5 MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR ENGAGEMENTS FOR THE MONTH (Appendix I) PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED:- Copy of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Engagements for the month of July 2020. The Mayor advised Members that Councillor Cooper was unable to attend the Council meeting as he had taken ill and spent some time in hospital. However, he was happy to report that he had since been discharged and he thanked Alderman Menagh for keeping him informed of his progress. On behalf of Members, he would be extending good wishes to Councillor Cooper for his speedy recovery and looked forward to seeing him back to good health in the near future. Turning to his engagements, the Mayor remarked that it had been a pleasantly busy month comprising Ministerial visits to the Borough and he had been supporting the retail sector which he judged important with shops now reopening. He had also been celebrating with a number of residents who had helped others throughout the lockdown period. He commented that the Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis MP, had an informative day during his visit to Holywood talking to retailers and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce. Minister of State, Robin Walker MP, had visited the Comber Farmers’ Market on its 6th birthday and likewise earlier this day he had had the opportunity to welcome him to the Borough again at Bangor Seafront, as he was interested in learning more about the proposed town centre development projects including the Belfast Region City Deal and the Queens Parade Development . The Mayor reiterated that many retailers had reopened their stores to the public last month and he had since had the opportunity to meet with the five Chambers of Commerce. He was pleased to observe the vibrancy returning to many of the town centres with both retailers and shoppers adhering to social distancing measures. As 2 C.22.07.2020 PM referred to previously, he had been celebrating with persons who had continued to work during the lockdown and subsequently paid a visit to Clandeboye Care Home to thank them for their hard work. He also deemed it essential to acknowledge the business sector, some of whom had been particularly active undertaking deliveries. One such retailer in Newtownards had taken the initiative to launch a drive in cinema in conjunction with Translink and St John Ambulance with proceeds going to St John Ambulance. He had also called on the food banks in Bangor and Newtownards, which had been providing a crucial service during lockdown. Lastly, the Mayor drew attention to a specific highlight for the month which was Mrs Maureen Lightbody’s 95th birthday, notwithstanding that she had completed 95 laps for her 95 years in aid of Macmillan Cancer. It had been a very enjoyable day of celebration and he recalled that she was also a poppy recipient last year.