Agenda and minutes

The Mayor read the Notice and Summons for the Meeting.

The Mayor completed the roll call and recorded apologies from Councillor McGuire.HamH

The Mayor read the statement for remote meetings.

Alderman Ramsey declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 9 Call-In of Council Item C237/20 (AAR25/20)

Councillors Cooper and McCann declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 8e Monthly Business and Culture Committee held on Tuesday 8 September 2020.

Councillor Mc Closkey and Alderman Mc Kane declared an interest in  ...  view the full minutes text for item C263/20

The Mayor advised Councillors Duffy and McKinney did not wish to proceed with their notices of motion at this time and that Councillor McKinney would present his at a future meeting of the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee.

The Mayor noted with sadness  that on 3 August 2020, was an extremely sorrowful day, not only for the City but the entire island at the passing of Mr John Hume.  He stated that he had very fond memories of Mr Hume and wished to take the opportunity to acknowledge  ...  view the full minutes text for item C265/20

Councillor Mellon thanked the Mayor for permitting her to raise an issue regarding a motion that she had presented at Council in May 2020 regarding Riversdale Leisure Centre and Templemore Sports Complex.  She advised that it had been agreed at that time that a report on the matter would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item C266/20

Alderman McClintock thanked the Mayor for allowing her to raise an issue regarding the amount of notices of motion tabled on the agenda for the meeting.  She stated that in the midst of a pandemic, Council could spend up to 7 or 8 hours dealing with these motions when the  ...  view the full minutes text for item C267/20

The Minutes of the Meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council held

on 23 July 2020 (C206/20-C253/20) were submitted.

Alderman Devenney Moved, Alderman Guy Seconded and the Council.

Resolved    that the above Minutes be adopted, as a true record of the     Meeting

Councillor Gallagher referred to the recent increase in positive cases of Covid-19 in the Strabane area and to the fact that people had been unable to be tested as they would have to travel long distances to access a test centre. He proposed that Council write to the Minister for  ...  view the full minutes text for item C269/20

Councillor Harkin referred to the recent protest at Eason’s flagship store in Dublin, which was attended by members from Derry Trade Unions Council (DTUC) and UNITE regarding the closure of Eason’s stores throughout the country.  He noted that the Mayor had agreed to write to the management of Eason’s to  ...  view the full minutes text for item C270/20

Councillor Harkin referred to the proposal to send out an Ezine and use Council’s social media platform to circulate correspondence to all business throughout the Council area. He enquired if the letter had been circulated and how many employers had responded.

In response, the Director of Business and Culture advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item C271/20

Councillor Farrell referred to the notice of motion passed at the February meeting of Council regarding the expansion of Magee Campus on the back of the New Decade, New Approach commitments.  He noted the Minister’s response on the matter and expressed disappointment as it was not the required response. He  ...  view the full minutes text for item C272/20

The Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 29

July 2020 (SP11/20-SP17/20) were submitted.

Alderman Bresland Moved, Alderman McClintock Seconded and the Council.

Resolved        that the above Minutes be adopted, as a true record of the    Meeting

The Minutes of the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee held on

1 September 2020 (GSP108/20-GSP129/20) were submitted.

Alderman Ramsey Moved, Councillor Duffy Seconded and the Council

Resolved        that the above minutes, be adopted as a true record of the meeting.

Councillor Donnelly referred to the discussion that had taken place at the meeting. He stated that within that discussion Council’s corporate decision to support Mr Tony Taylor and the treatment of Mr Liam Campbell had been highlighted.  He advised Members of an ongoing critical situation in Maghaberry prison and indeed  ...  view the full minutes text for item C275/20

Councillor Harkin referred to the recommendation made at the meeting of the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee and expressed alarm at the recommendation to request that a representative from all Parties on Council, including a representative from the Independent Members to be included in the Unity of Purpose group.

He  ...  view the full minutes text for item C276/20

Councillor M Boyle extended her thanks to the Mayor for his time spent with residents of the Ballycolman area and the meeting that he had arranged to assist those affected by the recent flooding.  She also extended her thanks to the team within the Environment and Regeneration Directorate for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item C277/20

The Minutes of the Planning Committee held on 2 September 2020 (P90/20-P98/20) were submitted.

Alderman Bresland Moved, Seconded by Councillor J Boyle and the Council

Resolved        that the above minutes be adopted as a true record of the Meeting

The Minutes of the Planning Committee (Reconvened) held on 3 September 2020 (P100/20-P108/20) were submitted.

Councillor J Boyle Moved, Seconded by Councillor McKinney and the Council

Resolved        that the above minutes be adopted as a true record of the Meeting

The Minutes of the Business and Culture Committee held on Tuesday 8

September 2020 (BC105/20 – BC125/20) were submitted.

On a matter of accuracy Councillor Cooper referred to BC120/20 and

Stated that his proposal regarding the request to consider the creation

of a Job Creation and Skills Unit within Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item C280/20

Councillor M Boyle stated that Mr Pat McGuigan from the Strabane

Historical Society had contacted her to express his thanks to Council for

their time and giving him the opportunity to present to Members and

that the Head of Culture has now been in contact with him to arrange a  ...  view the full minutes text for item C281/20

Councillor Harkin referred to the £33m received by Stormont from the British Government for distribution to the arts and cultural sector across Northern Ireland.  He noted that the funding was received in July 2020 with a commitment given that it would be immediately released to arts organisations and cultural groups  ...  view the full minutes text for item C282/20

The Minutes of the Environment and Regeneration Committee held on 9 September 2020 (ER138/20 – ER151/20) were submitted.

Alderman Devenney Moved, Seconded by Alderman McKane and the

Council

Resolved       that the above minutes be adopted, as a true record of the Meeting

Councillor Jackson stated that he had been made aware that members from the Committee for Infrastructure had agreed to visit Derry City in respect of a number of specific issues regarding the infrastructure of the North West.  He proposed that Council invite the Chairperson and Members of the Committee to  ...  view the full minutes text for item C284/20

Councillor Donnelly stated that he had been contacted by constituents who had received correspondence from Council asking them to remove items placed on the graves of their loved ones at the City Cemetery.  He stated that whilst he understood there may be issues involved with those responsible for the maintenance  ...  view the full minutes text for item C285/20

 Alderman Kerrigan expressed his thanks to officer’s consideration in respect of requests for the re-opening of Killen Recycling Centre, however stated that it was unfortunate that the facility remained closed.  He noted that it was requested at the recent site meeting that a list of all obstacles to re-opening in  ...  view the full minutes text for item C286/20

The Minutes of the Health and Community Committee held on Thursday 10

September 2020 (HC133/20-HC161/20) were submitted.

On a matter of accuracy, Councillor Donnelly referred to HC149/20 and that

The dogs were not destroyed but given away.

It was agreed that the minutes would be amended accordingly.

Alderman Devenney Moved,  ...  view the full minutes text for item C287/20

Councillor Duffy stated that Members had recently been dealing with numerous issues regarding football pitches and asked if there was a deficit of football pitches throughout the City and District.  She requested a report to be brought with an update on the pitches strategy, the current condition of Council football  ...  view the full minutes text for item C288/20

Councillor Duffy stated that subsequent to discussion on the matter at the Committee meeting on 10 September, a video had circulated on social media which caused her great concern as a Councillor of the Ballyarnett DEA and as a parent of a child who attended St Brigid’s College.  She stated  ...  view the full minutes text for item C289/20

Councillor Duffy noted that a significant amount of Council staff were on furlough with a number of Council services and facilities were still closed to the public.  She requested that the Chief Executive present a report to the October meeting of the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee outlining what Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item C290/20

Councillor M Boyle stated that it had come to her attention that there were quite a number of delays in the postal service in the Strabane area.  She stated that local postal workers had highlighted the pressures faced by them in delivering mail, owing to staff shortages due to covid  ...  view the full minutes text for item C291/20

Councillor Logue noted that the Affordable Warmth working group recently met on 15 September, where it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Department for Communities (DfC) Minister regarding the consultation on the Affordable Warmth Scheme. She stated that it had also been agreed to bring the proposal  ...  view the full minutes text for item C292/20

Alderman Ramsey stated that there was a major issue throughout the City and District due to the decision taken by Council regarding the use of weed killer.  He advised that he had forwarded information to officers regarding an alternative method which was environmentally friendly and asked if it had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item C293/20

After the recess the Mayor invited Councillor Cooper to provide an update on an item discussed earlier in the meeting.

Councillor Cooper welcomed an announcement made by the Finance Minister, Conor Murphy within the last hour, confirming that the allocation of £29m to the Department for Communities for the Arts  ...  view the full minutes text for item C294/20

The Director of Health and Community advised Members that approval was required for the detailed response from Councillor Logue on behalf of Sinn Féin for inclusion to the Older People’s Housing Strategy Consultation.

Alderman Devenney Proposed, Seconded by Councillor Logue

That    Council approve the detailed response from Councillor Logue on  ...  view the full minutes text for item C295/20

The Lead Legal Services Officer presented the report, previously circulated to Members.  He outlined that the purpose of the report was to advise Members of a Call-In of Council Item C237/20 (AAR25/20).

Councillor Donnelly referred to previous discussions on the matter at the Committee meeting of Assurance, Audit and Risk  ...  view the full minutes text for item C296/20

Councillor McHugh to Move:

Moil Dhigiteacha-Digital Hubs

Mar chuid de phleananna do théarnamh geilleagrach, go n-iarann an Comhairle seo ar an Fheidhmeannas Tionóil tosaíocht a thabhairt d’fhobairt mhoil dhigiteacha lonnaithe i mórionaid dhaonra, idir cheantair thuaithe agus chathrach, chun gur féidir le hoibrithe san earnáil phríobháideach nó san earnáil phoiblí deis a bheith acu bheith ag obair ó chian agus níos congaraí dá gceantar féin más cuí.

As part of its economic recovery plan, that this Council asks the Assembly Executive to prioritise the development of ‘Digital Hubs’ located in main urban and rural population centres to enable public and private sector workers, where appropriate, the ability to work remotely and closer to home.

Councillor R Barr to Move:

That this Council requests that the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland investigates the PSNI handling of the Noah Donohoe case.

Councillor Cooper to Move:

Straitéisar Luach Sóisialta

Aontaíonnan Chomhairle seo:

CreatPolasaí ar Luach Sóisialta a fhorbairt chun eolas a dhéanamh do gach gné ábhartha de pholasaí na Comhairle:

·         Straitéisar luach sóisialta a fhorbairt chun aidhmeanna sóisialta, timpeallachta agus eacnamaíochta Chomhairle Chathair Dhoire agus Cheantar an tSratha Báin a chur chun cinn; agus

·         Forálachaar thionchar sóisialta a chomhsnaidhmeadh go foirmiúil sa chéim réamh-sholáthair de gach conradh comhairle agus iad a chur san áireamh sna critéir dhámhachtain le haghaidh chonarthaí na comhairle.

·         I dtosach déantar eolas maidir le forbairt an Chreata Polasaí seo agus úsáid mhéadaithe d’Fhorálacha Sóisialta a dhéanamh trí mheasúnú ar riachtanais shóisialta a dhíreoidh ar shaincheisteanna bainte le bochtanas, go háirithe laistigh de cheantair dhíth ilchineálach.

Tabharfaidhfeidhmeannaigh tuairisc ar ais laistigh de dha mhí ar an ábhar thuas chun an t-uastionchar sóisialta agus eacnamaíochta a chinntiú do shaoránaigh an cheantair Comhairle seo.

Social Value Strategy Motion 

This Council agrees to:

Develop a Social Value Policy Framework to inform all relevant aspects of council policy;

·         Develop a social value strategy to promote and further the social, environmental and economic goals of Derry and Strabane District Council and;

·         formally incorporate social impact clauses into the pre-procurement stage of all council contracts and to include them within the award criteria for council contracts;

·         the development of this Policy Framework and increased use of Social Clauses should initially be informed by a social needs assessment, which will focus on poverty related issues particularly within areas of multiple deprivation.

 Officials will bring back a report, within two months to council on the above to ensure maximum social and economic impact for the citizens of this Council area.

Councillor Dobbins to Move: 

That this Council notes the increase in cases of Covid-19 across the district and the immense efforts taken by our frontline healthcare workers to support those who receive a positive diagnosis;

further notes the positive action taken by the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister of Health to make face coverings mandatory in a range of enclosed spaces where the risk of transmission may  ...  view the full agenda text for item C297/20

Councillor McHugh Moved, Seconded by Councillor M Boyle

That    As part of its economic recovery plan, that this Council asks the Assembly Executive to prioritise the development of ‘Digital Hubs’ located in main urban and rural population centres to enable public and private sector workers, where appropriate, the ability work  ...  view the full minutes text for item C297/20

                        Councillor R Barr Moved, Seconded by Councillor J Barr

That    this Council requests that the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland investigates the PSNI handling of the Noah Donohoe case.

Members were then asked to take a vote on the Motion with the result of which was unanimous and the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item C298/20

Councillor Cooper Moved, Seconded by Councillor Duffy

That    This Council agrees to:

Develop a Social Value Policy Framework to inform all relevant aspects of council policy;

·         Develop a social value strategy to promote and further the social, environmental and economic goals of Derry and Strabane District Council and;

·         Formally incorporate  ...  view the full minutes text for item C299/20

                        Councillor Dobbins Moved, Seconded by Councillor Farrell

That    this Council notes the increase in cases of Covid-19 across the district and the immense efforts taken by our frontline healthcare workers to support those who receive a positive diagnosis;

further notes the positive action taken by the Minister for Infrastructure and  ...  view the full minutes text for item C300/20

                        Councillor Edwards Moved, Seconded by Councillor J Barr

That    This Council recognises the extreme disadvantage rural areas face in terms of broadband provision;

          further recognises the added difficulties facing rural communities during the Covid 19 pandemic, especially for businesses, for constituents working from home and for children’s online classes;

          notes  ...  view the full minutes text for item C301/20

                        Councillor McCann Moved, Seconded by Councillor Harkin

That    Council welcomes the News Recovery Plan for Northern Ireland published by the National Union of Journalists.

Council believes that the media remain an important bulwark of democracy. At local authority level, it is important that local news organisations continue to report on  ...  view the full minutes text for item C302/20

                        Councillor Durkan Moved, Seconded by Councillor Cusack

That    this Council recognises the impact of misogyny on those affected by it and in particular its impact on career choices and personal lives of women, girls and non-binary people.

This Council recognises crimes targeted at women (including trans-women) as hate crimes based  ...  view the full minutes text for item C303/20

                        Councillor Fleming Moved, Seconded by Councillor Cooper

That    this Council notes the potential catastrophic economic implications of a ‘no deal’ on the Brexit negotiations on the Future Relationship; 

Recognises that while the Protocol on Ireland is imperfect, it guarantees that there will be no hard border on the island of  ...  view the full minutes text for item C304/20

                        Councillor Harkin Moved, Seconded by Councillor McCann

That    Council gives it full support to the demand of health care workers and their trade unions for an immediate pay increase of between £2,000 and 15%.  Council supports a significant pay increase for all frontline and essential workers.

Council will invite local  ...  view the full minutes text for item C305/20

                        Councillor Farrell Moved, Seconded by Councillor Mooney

That    Council welcomes announcement that Ulster University has reopened consultation on Health Sciences relocation;

will submit response supporting preferred option of undergraduates to Magee and Postgraduates to Belfast;

and will write to all Executive Parties requesting that they respond to consultation supporting relocation  ...  view the full minutes text for item C306/20

Document Sealed 21 July 2020

Form of Deed:- Derry City and Strabane District Council ~and~ Active Maintenance Solutions Limited (AMS Ltd) relating to Castlederg Village Renewal Scheme – Access Improvements – Project No: T EN19-120

Documents Sealed 5 August 2020

Lease in duplicate:- Gerard Collins and Derry City and Strabane  ...  view the full minutes text for item C307/20

The Chief Executive presented the above report, a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members.  The purpose of the report was to advise Members of correspondence received in relation to Motions passed by Council.

Councillor Reilly stated that it was important to note the response in relation to  ...  view the full minutes text for item C308/20

The Chief Executive presented the above report, a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members.  The purpose of the report was to advise Members of correspondence received in relation to resolutions passed by other Councils.