A full meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council was held on Tuesday 5th October 2021.

In his opening remarks the Mayor Councillor Richard Holmes reminded members of his support for Second Hand September, and that his attire for the meeting was sourced from Vincent’s in Cushendall during a recent visit to the charity’s shop.

He also paid tribute to the centenarians he met with recently to present them with their NI 100 coin.

During the meeting, elected members ratified the following decisions:

Environmental Services committee

Air quality monitoring

Approve additional monitoring at Main Street in Ballykelly to determine current Nitrogen Dioxide levels.

Litter Strategy

Approve the draft Litter Strategy for 2021/2025 and proceed with a 12-week public consultation period.

Public Health Agency Funding

Members noted confirmation of funding from the Public Health Agency towards the continuation of Accident Prevention and Energy Efficiency services. Accident Prevention work includes the provision of home safety advice, supply of equipment, and delivery of home safety initiatives. The Energy Efficiency remit includes signposting to grant providers, supporting fuel poverty schemes and distribution of ‘keep warm’ packs.

WISE Litter Enforcement

Establish a Working Group with elected members to meet with representatives from WISE and give direction.

Castlerock Footbridge update

After receiving an update on the status of proposed repairs to the Footbridge, members agreed to hold a site visit and for monthly reports to be brought back.

Leisure and Development committee

Halloween events

Deliver a Halloween programme that includes fireworks displays, music, entertainment, and onsite performers at agreed locations in Limavady, Ballycastle, Coleraine and Ballymoney.

Atlantic Sessions

Hold a ticketed, Council-managed event at Flowerfield Arts Centres in Portstewart with a presence from Naturally North Coast and Glens Market traders and Taste Causeway producers.

Christmas

Deliver a Council events programme, which subject to NI Executive and PHA guidance and restrictions, will partially revert to traditional Christmas activities with mitigations in place to protect the public and reduce crowd density.

Air Show 2022

Approve a new venue (on coastal lands between Portrush and Portstewart) and flight line, with the event to take place on September 10th and 11th.

Community Festivals Fund

Approve the allocation of funding for 16 successful applicants, advertise for a second tranche using any remaining funding from Council and Department for Communities and update the Community Festivals and Events Guide (depending on surplus funding).

Museums Service stores

Approve the rental of a centralised store for museum collections, which will allow for improved access for staff, researchers, volunteers and other stakeholders.

Ballymoney Environmental Improvement Scheme

Approve the beginning of an Environmental Improvement Scheme in Ballymoney town centre with the appointment of an Integrated Consultancy Scheme to complete Stage 1 capital works. The Department for Communities has allocated funding of approximately £1.75m, and the project will help to create a safe and welcoming experience for pedestrians.

Agricultural and Rural Working Group

Establish an Agricultural and Rural Working Group in response to a Notice of Motion approved in October 2020. Its potential work will be relevant to wider issues relating to the rural economy including tourism, the rural community, Council services and environmental issues.

Grant funding

Adopt a Code of Practice for Reducing Bureaucracy in Grant Making and establish a new Grant Governance Panel.

Essential Maintenance Works

Approve expenditure for essential maintenance at Rasharkin Community Centre for additional lighting (£18,000), replacement of a cold-water storage tank at Roe Valley Leisure Centre (£55,000) and repairs to the main hall roof at the Jim Watt Sports Centre in Garvagh (£20,000).

Carrick Dhu Touring Pitches

Approve progression of Stage 3 Capital Works for infrastructure improvements for touring caravan pitches at Carrick Dhu Holiday and Leisure Park in Portrush with an investment of £243,873.15 (+VAT).

Corporate Policy and Resources

Planning review

Members agreed to take forward the recommendations contained within the review and establish a Working Group as part of the process.

Notice of Motion

Following a call-in, members voted again on a Notice of Motion and it was agreed that Council would fall in line with new guidance published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to have the Union flag flown on Council and Civic buildings every day - Coleraine Town Hall, Cloonavin Council Headquarters, Limavady Office (Connell St), Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Ballymoney Town Hall, Riada House, Portrush Town Hall and Portstewart Town Hall, with the list of buildings reviewed on an ongoing basis.

For further details about the meeting go to https://www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/council/minutes/tuesday-5th-october-2021-council-meeting

As per normal Council procedures, all decisions are subject to the ‘call-in’ process.

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