HomeAll frequently asked questions
Belfast City Hall
Can I take a tour of Belfast City Hall?
Can I visit Belfast City Hall?
I am unable to visit Belfast City Hall. Can I still see what`s happening inside and outside the building?
Is Belfast City Hall available for events?
What disabled access is available at Belfast City Hall?
When is the Bobbin coffee shop open?
Where can I find out more about the history of Belfast City Hall?
Where can I find out the times of the Belfast City Hall tours?
Which council services are available at Belfast City Hall?
Bins
Can I order a larger blue bin?
Can you pick up asbestos from my home?
Do home composters attract rats or other sorts of vermin?
How can I recycle my leftover food waste?
How do I dispose of asbestos?
I need assistance leaving my bin out for collection. What help is available?
My bin has been stolen. What should I do?
What can I put in my black/blue/brown bin?
What can I put in my home composter?
What can I put in my kerbside recycling box?
When will my bin be collected over Christmas, New Year and other bank and public holidays?
When will my bin be picked up?
Where can I buy a home composter?
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Where and when should I register my baby`s birth?
Can I change the date of my marriage or civil partnership ceremony once it has been booked?
Can I make an appointment to view the ceremony room in Belfast City Hall?
Can we have our marriage or civil partnership ceremony in a venue of our choice?
How do I get a copy of a death certificate?
How do I register a death?
How much does a marriage or civil partnership ceremony cost?
How much notice should I give if I am thinking about getting married or forming a civil partnership?
I am 17. Can I get married/ form a civil partnership?
I am a business owner. How can I apply for a licence to hold marriages and civil partnerships?
I am not married to my baby`s father. Will he be named on my baby`s birth certificate?
I can`t come in to register my child`s birth. Can someone else do it instead?
I have been married before. Can I still take part in a marriage or civil partnership ceremony?
I need to cancel my marriage or civil partnership ceremony. What should I do?
I want to change my child`s name on his/her birth certificate. Can I do this?
What will I receive when I register a birth?
Where can I get a copy of a marriage or civil partnership registration?
Boost leisure membership scheme
How do I cancel my Boost membership?
I am 65 and I don’t have a Boost card. Can I still use the leisure centre for free before 11am?
I am joining Boost with my family. How do we pay for our membership?
I currently receive means-tested benefits. Am I, or my family, entitled to money off leisure centre activities with Boost?
I want to get money off leisure centre classes and activities but I don’t want to pay a monthly fee. Do I still qualify for discounts?
I’m a student and I use my local leisure centre regularly. I want to join Boost but I’m not sure what the best option is for me.
Is there an administration charge to set up a Boost membership?
My children are under 16 but don’t have Boost cards. Do they have to pay the full price for leisure facilities?
Building control service
A house near me has loose slates and an unsteady chimney. Who can I report this to?
Can I start building work without waiting for a full plan approval?
Can you recommend a suitable architect or builder?
Do I need a licence for an outdoor event?
Do I need approval to insert cavity wall insulation?
Do I need Building Regulation Approval to construct a conservatory?
Do I need Building Regulation Approval to construct a detached garage?
Do the Building Regulations apply to the conversion of a roof space for storage use?
I want to convert my roof space. What should I do?
What happens if work does not have Building Control Approval?
What is the difference between a conservatory and a sunroom?
City of Belfast Crematorium
Can cremated remains be kept by the family?
How do I arrange a cremation?
Is cremation a more expensive option than burial?
Is it necessary to have a religious service with a cremation?
Is there a special area for babies in the Garden of Remembrance?
What happens at the crematorium on the day of the funeral?
What happens to the coffin during a cremation?
Commercial waste collections
Do you offer a recycling service for businesses?
How do I arrange a commercial waste collection for my business?
How do I end my commercial waste collection contract?
How do I order a new commercial waste bin?
How much do commercial waste bins cost?
I have a query about my commercial waste collection. Who do I contact?
My commercial waste bin hasn`t been picked up. How do I report this?
My commercial waste bin is missing or has been damaged. What should I do?
What should I do if my business moves premises or if I decide to sell it?
What sort of bins are available for businesses?
Consumer advice
Are travel agents responsible for ensuring that travellers` passports are viable before they go on holiday?
Can I get a refund or exchange on unwanted Christmas gifts after 21 days?
How can young drivers reduce the cost of motor insurance?
How much do I have to pay a tour operator if I cancel a holiday I had previously booked?
I can`t afford the annual fee for a TV Licence. Do I need one?
I have a credit note which is now out of date. What can I do?
I have been offered an exchange rather than a refund on an unsuitable purchase. What are my rights?
I have been refused a refund after returning a faulty laptop - what can I do?
I have lost the receipt of a jacket I bought which doesn`t fit. What are my rights?
I have noticed a lot of information in the news about unfair bank charges recently. Can I find out more about this?
I need help managing my money and reducing my debts. What advice can you give me?
I ordered concert tickets from a website but they weren`t delivered. Can I get my money back?
I recently bought a new freezer which is faulty. What are my rights?
Is there a discount available for a TV Licence for people who are blind?
My father is over 75 years old, does he still need a TV Licence?
My house has suffered flood damage but my insurance company won`t pay for repairs. What can I do?
Should I take out insurance for my holiday, even if I have home insurance and a European Health Insurance Card?
What happens if I have a deposit on goods from a company that goes into administration?
What precautions should I take while shopping online?
Consumer safety
Do I need a licence to hold a fireworks display at Halloween?
I own a shop and would like to sell fireworks at Halloween - what do I need to do?
Is it illegal to sell fireworks to under 16s?
What are the flammability requirements for furniture?
What are the legal requirements for selling second hand goods?
What should I do if I think I have bought an unsafe product?
What should I look for when buying a pram?
Culture and arts
I have an idea for a project or event. Can I submit a proposal outside the funding programmes available?
I represent a community group that wants to organise an arts project. How can I get funding?
I represent a festivals organisation. How can you help us?
What culture and arts funding do we provide?
What is our role in culture and arts?
Where can I find out about what’s on in Belfast?
Dog licensing office
Who can get a block dog licence?
Food businesses
Where can I complete a course in food hygiene training?
Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
How do I search for a food business`s Food Hygiene Rating?
How do you collect information for the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme ?
Is there a charge to use the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme?
What happens if I can`t find a food business?
Food waste in brown bins
Can I put my leftover meat into my kitchen caddy?
Can I use ordinary bin liners in my kitchen caddy?
I have run out of biodegradable bags for my kitchen caddy. What can I do?
I haven`t yet received my caddy. What can I do?
What happens if I put the wrong items in my kitchen caddy?
What happens to the food waste I put in my bin and how does this help the environment?
Health and safety
I am a business owner - do I need a poster displaying health and safety law? Where can I get one?
If I make a complaint about health and safety in my workplace, will my boss find out?
What are the highest and lowest temperatures that I am allowed to work in?
Who enforces health and safety law?
Jobs with the council
Can I alter the format of an application form?
Can I send in my CV in case there is a job available?
Can you accept application forms by fax?
Can you accept my CV instead of, or as part of, my application form?
How can I boost my chances of success when it comes to the panel shortlist?
I must have a specific qualification or a certain number of years’ experience - what does this mean?
The employee specification says I must clearly demonstrate my experience by way of personal and specific examples - what does this mean?
What does `Belfast City Council reserves the right to shortlist only those candidates who...` mean?
What if my application form is late due to technical problems when I submit my application form via email?
Will my application form be accepted if it is received after the closing date?
Will you notify me when you receive my job application form?
Leisure centres
Can I hire my local leisure centre for a party? How much does it cost?
How much does it cost to go swimming/use the gym/attend a class in my local leisure centre?
I am bored with my usual fitness routine and would like to try something new. What classes are available in my local leisure centre?
I want to learn to swim. Are there any lessons available?
I want to use one of your leisure centres. When are they open?
My children want to go swimming in our local leisure centre. Do I have to accompany them or can they go on their own?
My doctor has told me I need to lose weight. Is there anything available within my local leisure centre to help me?
What is available at my local leisure centre for children and young people?
What is available at my local leisure centre for seniors?
When is my local swimming pool open?
Local and family history
I am tracing my family tree. Can you help?
What organisations can I contact about my research?
Where can I find out about the history of Belfast?
Where I get a copy of an old birth/death/marriage certificate?
Lord Mayor and councillors
How do I become a councillor?
Who is my local councillor?
Who is the Lord Mayor of Belfast?
Migrants
Are there many Bulgarian and Romanians nationals living in Northern Ireland?
Do many migrant workers live in Housing Executive houses?
Do migrant workers get priority in the allocation of social housing?
Do migrant workers tend to settle in Northern Ireland?
Have the number of non-EU residents coming to Northern Ireland increased?
How many migrant workers are there in Northern Ireland?
Is the number of migrant workers coming to Northern Ireland decreasing?
Is there a greater problem with crime in migrant communities?
What is a migrant worker?
Where do migrant workers living in Belfast come from?
Why have migrant workers come to Northern Ireland?
Miscellaneous
Can drying clothes inside cause condensation? If so, what should I do instead?
Does the council deal with health matters?
How can I find a plumber?
How can I help to prevent my pipes bursting in cold weather?
How do I find out if a childminder is registered?
I have a complaint about bus services. Can you help?
Is the council responsible for cutting grass in residential areas?
My house has been damaged by water caused by burst pipes. How do I make an insurance claim?
We are new to Belfast and want to find out information about local schools. Who should we contact?
What can I do to prevent the drains and gullies around my house from becoming blocked in autumn and winter?
What is the council`s role in town planning?
What should I do if a pipe bursts?
What should I do with my water damaged contents?
Where can I find facts and figures about Belfast?
Where can I get information about my local library?
Who should I speak to about road ramps in my area?
Why should my company invest in Belfast?
Noise Control
How do I make a complaint about noise?
How do I report noise during the night?
What do I do if I have a complaint about helicopter noise?
North Foreshore
Could houses be built on the North Foreshore site?
Has any other city developed their dump?
How can I visit the North Foreshore site?
How much will the North Foreshore project cost the ratepayer?
How will development of the North Foreshore site affect ecology?
Is it safe to build on a former dump?
What are your plans for the North Foreshore site?
What happens to the landfill gas given off from the waste at North Foreshore?
What happens to waste now that Dargan Road landfill site has closed?
Why is it called Giant`s Park?
Parks
Can I have my wedding photographs taken in a park?
Can I hold a barbecue in a park?
Can the council remove dangerous trees?
How do I get permission to film or take commercial photographs in a park?
How do I report a Public Right of Way obstruction?
Is Wilmont House available for public hire?
Where can I buy roses displayed in the International Rose Garden?
Who is responsible for trees on the pavement outside my house?
Who should I speak to about holding an event in a park?
Who should I speak to about removing protected trees from my garden?
Rates
What are rates spent on?
What are rates?
Where does the council get its money?
Who collects rates?
Who sets the rates?
Recycling
Can I take my old fridge, washing machine and other white goods to a recycling centre?
I want to reduce my waste but I don`t know where to start!
What can I recycle and where can I take it?
What happens to batteries when we recycle them?
What happens to my waste after I recycle it?
What should I do with hazardous waste, such as paint, garden chemicals and bleach?
Where can I dispose of old electrical equipment?
Where can I recycle Tetra Pak cartons?
Seniors
Can I find information about residential homes for seniors in Belfast?
Can I find information about support for carers?
Can I request a needs assessment for my elderly relative?
Street cleaning service
How do I report an overflowing or damaged street litter bin?
What do I do if I see dangerous litter on the street, for example, syringes?
What do I do if I think my street has not been cleansed this week?
Who do I report a dead animal on the pavement or road to?
Who do I report graffiti to?
Who I do contact to report dog fouling on the pavement?
Tenders - selling to the council
How are quotations dealt with?
How do I do business with the council?
How does a select list work?
What are `call off` contracts?
What are your terms and conditions?
What is `green` purchasing?
What is the role of the Procurement Unit?
Where can I find current tenders?
Who do I speak to about selling to you?
Tourism Development
I`m expecting visitors and want to know what they can do in Belfast?
Where can I find information on events happening in Belfast and tours of the city?
Waste treatment facility
How long will it take to build a new waste treatment facility?
How will a waste treatment facility benefit the local community?
Is it not better to recycle our waste than send it to a waste treatment facility?
What is a waste treatment facility and how does it help?
What sort of waste will the new treatment facility cater for?
Why is the North Foreshore suitable for a waste treatment facility?
