Belfast City Council was scheduled to hold a monthly meeting on 1 September 2025, to discuss a range of issues including committee minutes, a motion to support endometriosis patients, a new licence for Benview Community Centre, and several reports. The meeting was also scheduled to consider requests to address the council from Ms Sarah McCann and representatives from Benview Community Centre.

Here's a summary of the main topics that were listed for discussion:

Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service

The council was scheduled to discuss a legal opinion regarding the call-in of a decision from 2 June 2025, concerning the delivery of the Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service.

Councillor Michael Collins was expected to propose, and Alderman Dean A. McCullough to second, a motion to extend funding to the current service provider until 31 March 2026.

The council was expected to consider:

i. noted the content of the legal opinion; ii. noted that the call-in was not considered to have merit on either procedural grounds or community impact grounds; iii. noted that the transition to procured services should be kept under close scrutiny to ensure that there would be continuity in service provision; iv. noted that, as the decision was called-in, the approval for the public advertisement of the Belfast Citywide Appeals Service was not able to be brought to the meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee in June, 2025; v. approved the public advertisement of the tender as per Standing Order 37(a) for the delivery of a Belfast Citywide Appeals Service from 1st October, 2025 to 31st March, 2028 (with the possibility of an extension to March, 2030) with an estimated contract value of £270k per annum; and vi. agreed to extend funding to the current service provider until 31st March, 2026.

Lagmore Community Forum

The council was scheduled to receive a deputation from Ms M. Smyth of Lagmore Community Forum, Ms M. Gallagher of Christ the Redeemer Girl Guide Unit, and Ms M. McCann of Little Saints Out of Schools Club. The deputation related to a minute within the Planning Committee of 17 June 2025, regarding the use of a financial developer contribution for Lagmore Drive, Dunmurry.

Ms Smyth was expected to address the council about the allocation of a £27,140 financial developer contribution to mitigate the impact of social housing development on lands near Christ the Redeemer Parish Hall. She was expected to raise concerns about a lack of consultation with other community groups regarding the allocation of funds towards a permanent building for the Lagmore Youth Project.

Ms Gallagher was expected to explain that the Girl Guides had to relocate to a local school due to the planned removal of the Christ the Redeemer Parish Hall, and that rental costs had forced them to reduce their service from two nights per week to one. She was expected to highlight a proposal to use the developer contribution towards a mobile unit within the Church grounds that would facilitate multiple community groups.

Ms McCann was expected to explain that Little Saints Out of Schools Club, a childcare service for approximately eighty working families in the Lagmore and Colin area, had proposed that the developer contribution be used towards a mobile unit within the grounds of the Church. She was expected to express concern that the service could now be lost to the local community.

Trócaire

The council was scheduled to receive a deputation from a Mr P. Heaney, Head of Region Northern Ireland, Trócaire, regarding a minute within the Climate and City Resilience Committee of 12 June 2025, concerning a Notice of Motion on a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Mr Heaney was expected to highlight the power of international treaties in tackling global environmental issues, and the urgent need to address climate change. He was expected to report that sixteen nation states, the World Health Organisation, the European Parliament and various organisations had supported the call for the development of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Mr Heaney was expected to praise the council for declaring a climate emergency in 2019 and launching its Local Area Energy Plan, and to state that the council's endorsement of the proposed treaty would build on these steps and provide a significant and influential voice in calling upon the UK and Irish Governments to endorse the development of a treaty to phase out fossil fuels.

Strategic Policy and Resources Committee Minutes

Councillor Natasha Brennan was expected to propose, and Councillor Ciaran Beattie to second, a motion to approve and adopt the minutes of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee meeting of 20 June 2025, omitting matters in respect of which the council has delegated its powers to the committee.

2024-25 Quarter 4 Finance Report

Councillor Natasha Brennan was expected to propose, and Councillor Michael Long to second, an amendment to the decision under the heading '2024-25 Quarter 4 Finance Report' to allocate £2.94 million of underspend as follows:

• Irish Language Policy £1.9 million
• Resilience Fund for newcomer families and communities £500k
• Cleansing equipment £440k
• Biodiversity measures £100k

Pilot Sunday City Animation Project

Councillor Sam Nelson was expected to propose, and Councillor Ciaran Beattie to second, an amendment to reject the decision under the heading 'Pilot Sunday City Animation Project'. The council would then agree:

i. in principal, to progress the Holiday Resort designation citywide under paragraph (9) of the Shops Sunday (Sunday Trading &c.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, to be introduced on an ongoing basis commencing March, 2026, following further consultation and engagement with relevant stakeholders, including trade unions; ii. that the designation would include a public consultation; and iii. that the designation would be accompanied by a city centre, family friendly animation programme created in cooperation with other local stakeholders.

Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) Boxing Camp

At the request of Councillor Ronan McLaughlin, the council was expected to consider that the funding of £25k to the IABA, ratified by the council in June 2025, be used towards an IABA event in October 2025, due to the cancellation of the August event.

People and Communities Committee Minutes

Councillor Ruth Brooks was expected to propose, and Councillor Sarah Bunting to second, a motion to approve and adopt the minutes of the People and Communities Committee meeting of 3 June 2025.

Dual Language Street Signs

Councillor Pádraig Donnelly was expected to propose, and Councillor Séamas de Faoite to second, an amendment to reject the decision under the heading 'Dual Language Street Signs' and include Shandon Park within the list of streets for which a second street nameplate in Irish would be erected.

City Growth and Regeneration Committee Minutes

Councillor Ian McLaughlin was expected to propose, and Councillor Joe Duffy to second, a motion to approve and adopt the minutes of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee meetings of 4 and 25 June 2025.

Belfast City and Region Place Partnership (BCRPP) 2025/26 Programme

Councillor Áine Groogan was expected to propose, and Councillor Michael Collins to second, an amendment to reject the decision under the heading 'Belfast City and Region Place Partnership (BCRPP) 2025/26 Programme'. The council would then not approve the attendance of senior officers at MIPIM 2026 as part of the BCRPP 2025/26 programme.

York Street Interchange Placemaking and Active Travel Review (PATR) – Committee Response

At the request of Councillor Áine Groogan, the council was expected to consider that the decision under the heading 'York Street Interchange Placemaking and Active Travel Review (PATR) – Committee Response' be amended to provide that the issues raised by the Member be included in the council's formal response to the Minister for Infrastructure.

Belfast Zoo Q4 Performance Report

At the request of Councillor Ronan McLaughlin, the council was expected to consider that the decision under the heading 'Belfast Zoo Q4 Performance Report' be amended to provide that membership of the proposed council body to focus on the long-term financial sustainability of Belfast Zoo and complementary assets, be appointed using the Sainte-Laguë method.

Licensing Committee Minutes

Councillor Jordan Doran was expected to propose, and Councillor Caoimhín McCann to second, a motion to approve and adopt the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting of 18 June, omitting matters in respect of which the council has delegated its powers to the committee.

Planning Committee Minutes

Councillor Sammy Douglas was expected to propose, and Councillor Arder Carson to second, a motion to approve and adopt the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting of 17 June, omitting matters in respect of which the council has delegated its powers to the committee.

Climate and City Resilience Committee Minutes

Councillor Micheal Donnelly was expected to propose, and Councillor Ronan McLaughlin to second, a motion to approve and adopt the minutes of the Climate and City Resilience Committee meeting of 12 June.

Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Committee Minutes

Councillor Eric Hanvey was expected to propose, and Councillor Bradley Ferguson to second, a motion to approve and adopt the minutes of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Committee meeting of 16 June.

Standards and Business Committee Minutes

Councillor Anthony Flynn was expected to propose, and Councillor Ronan McLaughlin to second, a motion to approve and adopt the minutes of the Standards and Business Committee meeting of 24 June, omitting matters in respect of which the council has delegated its powers to the committee.

Other Matters

The agenda also included the noting of official announcements, and changes of membership on committees/outside bodies/positions of responsibility.