PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE
Subject:
Request for The Use of Belfast Playing Fields (Mallusk).
Date:
9th February 2016
Reporting Officer:
Nigel Grimshaw, Director of City and Neighbourhood Services
Rose Crozier, Assistant Director of Parks and Leisure
Brian McKinley, Events Officer
Contact Officer:
Is this report restricted?
Yes
Is the decision eligible for Call-in?
Yes
No
x
x
No
1.0
Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues
1.1
The Committee is asked to note that the Council has received a request on 11 January 2016
from:

Irish Football Association (IFA) for the use of Belfast Playing Fields
(Mallusk)
The IFA intend to host a schools super festival for girls on Wednesday 15 June 2016. The
1.2
event will require the closure of all or a substantial proportion of the facility.
2.0
Recommendations
2.1
The Committee is asked to approve:

the Irish Football Association (IFA) event at Mallusk on Wednesday 15 June
2016 subject to the completion of the appropriate Event Management Plans and
on the condition that the Event Organisers meet all statutory requirements
including Public Liability Insurance cover and provide relevant Health and Safety
documentation and Risk Assessments.

That the event organisers are given free use of the pitches and ancillary facilities.

That the event organisers are given free use of the pitches and ancillary facilities
annually for their Schools Super Festival (one day event) for a further three
years, subject to the completion of an event management plan and all other
appropriate paperwork for each event.
3.0
Main report
3.1
Key Issues

The event is funded through the FIFA “Live your Goals” programme and it is estimated
that the event will attract approximately 1200 girls from 55 schools. Age categories
range from 11yrs to 15yrs.

This will be the third year of running this event at Mallusk and it has enhanced and
promoted cross community participation and engagement through the medium of soccer
and the sheer size of the location allows the efficient and effective running of this
tournament.

The event organiser has requested in kind support which is in the form of a waiver of the
hire charges.

The teams will also need access to the changing and toilet facilities.

The organiser has requested that 24 small sided pitches be marked out but this will have
no impact on the users as the event is scheduled to take place during the closed
season.

The Event Organisers will be required to submit an Event Management Plan and all the
appropriate paperwork to the Council prior to their event, in a timely manner.
Financial & Resource Implications
3.2
There are financial implications associated with the granting of free use of the pitches and
ancillary facilities. It is estimated that the loss of income would be in the region of £663.
Human Resources
3.3
There will be man hours of approximately 32 hours (£480) and material costs of
approximately £60 to mark out the required pitches. A total cost of £540.
Asset and Other Implications
3.4
Positive use of City of Belfast Playing fields to promote soccer for women and girls.
Equality or Good Relations Implications
3.5
There are no known implications.
4.0
Appendices – Documents Attached
4.1
None