A full meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council was held on Tuesday 3rd May 2022.
The Mayor, Councillor Richard Holmes, opened proceedings by asking members to show solidarity with refugees from Ukraine by attending an upcoming reception at Cloonavin for those who have fled their homes and are now living in the Borough.
“It is important that we show them our support. They have been through a really tough time and I hope we can help them to get settled in here and show them the love and kindness we are renowned for in this country,” he said.
During the meeting, elected members ratified the following decisions:
Environmental Services committee
Upgrade to festive lighting
Festive lighting will be upgraded across the Borough over the next four years, with the continued use of natural Christmas trees.
LiveSmart Community grants
Grants were approved for 23 successful applicants, including Community Associations, Community Development Groups, Parent Teacher Associations and youth groups totalling £10,438. The grants will provide financial assistance to improve general cleanliness in local areas, promote recycling, reuse and waste reduction while also looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint through simple, practical actions such as planting.
Leisure and Development committee
Motorhome and Touring Van infrastructure improvements
The development of a new touring and motorhome facility was progressed to Stage 1 of the Capital Project management process for Ballyreagh Field, Portrush, to include business case, costings, and outline design.
It was also agreed to advance a design solution for access control measures at the Sandhill Drive motorhome facility in Portrush.
The Community Platinum Jubilee Grant Programme
83 successful applications were submitted for eligible costs amounting to £60,397.48. With an approved budget of £30,000, it was agreed that applicants would be awarded 50% of the eligible amounts applied for. The purpose of the grant programme is to provide funding to community and voluntary organisations for small scale events and activities to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Applicants were required to show how their project would celebrate the Jubilee in a spirit of inclusion and respect while encouraging, promoting and celebrating community connections.
Funding for Food Banks
Due to underspend from 2020/21 Covid funding, a payment of £15,486 was awarded to Ballycastle Foodbank, Ballymoney Foodbank, LCDI (Roe Valley Foodbank and Social Supermarket) and Vineyard Compassion (Causeway Foodbank and Reset Social Supermarket) to support increasing need, in line with the objectives of the Department for Communities funding, and the Anti-Poverty Action Plan.
Levelling up fund
Capital funding opportunities from Round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund recently announced by the UK Government were noted and members agreed to prioritise funding applications for a new leisure centre in both Ballycastle and Coleraine.
Notice of Motion
Council committed to upgrade the facilities at Parker Avenue in Portrush to ensure that they are up to a safe and suitable standard for all weather training and match play. Upgrades should include floodlighting, installation of an artificial pitch surface and action to address long running safety concerns with traffic management including poor visibility at night (Proposed by Councillor McAuley, Seconded by Alderman Fielding). The proposal will be referred to the first stage of Council’s Capital Project Management Process for a Strategic Outline Case.
Macmillan Move More Cancer Support Partnership
£35,000 funding was accepted from the Public Health Agency, while Council agreed to contribute £40,031 to allow the Macmillan Move More programme to continue from June 2022 until March 2024.
As per normal Council procedures, all decisions are subject to the ‘call-in’ process.
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