1 September 2026 The Council Meeting

Full Council

1. The Mayor’s Business

2. Apologies

3. Declaration of Members’ Interests

4. Deputation – Build our Bridge – Kenny Bradley in attendance

5. Minutes of Council Meeting held Tuesday 30 June 2026 (reconvened Tuesday 4 August 2026) (copy attached)

6. Minutes of Council Meeting held Tuesday 4 August 2026 (copy attached)

7. Minutes of Planning Committee held 24 June 2026 (copy attached)

8. Finance Committee Report

8.1 Management Accounts - Period 3 (to follow)

9. Planning Committee Report

9.1 NILGA – Call for Evidence – Tree Protection Bill - Draft Council Response (to follow)

10. Matters for reporting to the Partnership Panel

11. Conferences (report attached)

12. Correspondence (report attached)

13. Consultation Schedule (report attached)

14. Seal Documents

(i) Grave Registry Certificates, No’s 6235 to 6246 inclusive

(ii) Deed of Variation between Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Tetra Tech Consulting Limited re. Bushmills Regeneration Programme (L&D - 210524, CM - 040624).

(iii) Renewal of Commercial Lease, Shop Unit at South Pier, Portrush now known as Babushka Kitchen Café – Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and George Nelson

(iv) Conveyance Relating to Part of the lands at Fairhill Street Car Park, Ballycastle – Department for Infrastructure and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

15. Notice of Motion Proposed by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Councillor Wisener

Supporting Our Emergency Services, Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans Through Leisure Access CCGBC recognises the immense contribution made by those who serve our communities and country, including members of the emergency services, serving Armed Forces personnel, reservists and veterans. These individuals dedicate themselves to protecting public safety responding to emergencies, often making significant personal sacrifices in doing so. Whilst Council make public statements of support and appreciation which are important, meaningful actions which demonstrate that support locally are equally important. Therefore, I’m asking this Council supports and agrees to instruct officers to investigate and implement the most appropriate and administratively efficient option from the following:

1. Sign up to and participate in the Blue Light Card Scheme, enabling eligible emergency services personnel to access leisure related discounts and benefits within Council operated leisure facilities.

2. Extend the commitments contained within the Councils Armed Forces Covenant, by introducing a bespoke Council leisure discount scheme for, employees of recognised Emergency Blue Light services, serving members of the Armed Forces, Reservists and Veterans.

In developing either option, officers should determine which approach can be most effectively integrated within our Councils existing systems and resources, while ensuring value for money and ease of administration.

Eligibility should be verified through appropriate evidence such as a Current Payslip, staff identification, recognised Blue Light Card for Emergency Service personnel, a Veteran Card, Ministry of Defence identification, or other recognised proof of service of Armed Forces personnel or veterans.

Any personal information collected for the administration of the scheme shall be processed and retained in accordance with all relevant data protection legislation, including UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act of 2018.

I believe this proposal will provide a practical demonstration from CCGBC of its commitment to those who protect, serve and support our communities across the Borough, ensuring that this Council’s support is reflected not only in words but in tangible actions that recognise and reward public service.

Request that Council instruct officers to prepare a report outlining implementation options, associated costs, administrative requirements and recommendations for implementation by the appropriate committee no later than three months from date of approval of this motion. Any financial implications arising from the preferred option can then be identified and included in sufficient time to allow for consideration during the Councils 2027 Budget and Rates Setting process.

16. Notice of Motion Proposed by Alderman Fielding, Seconded by Alderman S McKillop

That this Council repairs the concrete surfaces at the Blue Pool, Portrush, and reinstates an access ladder to ensure safe entry to, and exit from, the pool for swimmers; thereby preserving and supporting the bathing heritage of the Blue Pool, as reflected in the recently installed Heritage Interpretation Sign at Bath Terrace.

17. Notice of Motion Proposed by Alderman S McKillop, Seconded by Councillor Wilson

That this Council notes the vital role of the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival as a ‘celebration of local culture, heritage and produce’; commits to its continued growth and enhancement to ensure it serves as a catalyst for fulfilling our obligations under the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016, supports the local economy, and enriches the visitor experience; and further resolves to actively pursue formal collaborations with relevant public bodies – including government agencies, tourism boards, health and wellbeing services, and the Education Authority – and to partner proactively with local community and voluntary sectors to deliver enhanced satellite events that maximise the festival’s reach, inclusivity, and impact.

18. Notice of Motion Proposed by Councillor Wilson, Seconded by Councillor Elder.

Emergency General Surgery at Causeway Hospital - That this Council calls upon the Minister of Health to overturn the decision to remove emergency general surgery from Causeway Hospital and urgently set out how he intends to protect the hospital’s future as an acute hospital serving Causeway Coast and Glens and the wider North Coast. Council recognises the staffing, sustainability and service-delivery challenges facing emergency general surgery across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. However, it does not accept that centralising the service at Antrim Area Hospital is the solution. Such a move risks concentrating existing pressures at Antrim while creating serious difficulties for patients, staff and services across the Causeway area.

The removal of emergency surgery cannot be viewed in isolation. It could have significant consequences for the Emergency Department, other acute and clinical services, ambulance provision, future investment and the overall sustainability of Causeway Hospital.

It will also make the hospital less attractive to consultants, doctors, nurses and other specialist clinicians, creating wider recruitment and retention difficulties.

Council calls upon the Minister to take account of the particular needs of the area served by Causeway Hospital, including:

- its large rural geography and the significant travel times to alternative acute hospitals;

- its ageing population and increasingly complex healthcare needs;

- the additional demands that longer transfers would place upon the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service;

- the substantial number of tourists and visitors to the Causeway Coast each year;

- major events such as the North West 200, when tens of thousands of additional people require access to effective emergency and

acute services; and

- the potential impact upon the recruitment and retention of specialist staff across multiple departments.

Following the previous loss of maternity services, Council is deeply concerned that removing emergency surgery would represent a further erosion of services and could lead to consequential losses across other departments.

Council therefore agrees to write immediately to the Minister, calling upon him to intervene and provide an urgent written response setting out:

What action he will take to retain emergency general surgery at Causeway Hospital;

How the challenges facing emergency surgical provision across the Northern Trust will be addressed without dismantling services at Causeway;

How associated departments, ambulance provision and workforce recruitment will be protected;

and what long-term assurances he will provide regarding Causeway Hospital’s future as a strong acute hospital.

For Confidential Consideration (Items 19 - 19.1)

19. Leisure and Development Committee Report

19.1 Floodlighting Tender Awards (report attached)