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Council supports enhanced role for City Centre Management
12 February 2008
Belfast City Council has agreed to increase funding to Belfast City Centre Management (BCCM) for the delivery of additional services.
This will include projects tackling crime and supporting operational staff liaising directly with businesses.
BCCM will now receive ₤190,000 annually for a two year period – an increase of ₤50,000 (subject to a review in September 2008).
Match funding is being sought by BCCM from the Department of Social Development and private sector businesses.
Councillor Michael Browne, Chairman of Belfast City Council`s Development Committee welcomed the move as contributing to the aim of a cleaner, safer and more accessible city.
“As a Council we are continually supporting efforts to assist the retail sector – our Evening Economy, Belfast in Bloom, Streets Ahead and Independent Retail Training projects to name just a few,” he said.
“Our support for the plans of BCCM should take us one step closer to being recognised as a major European city offering locals and visitors a vibrant, exciting, clean, safe, attractive and cosmopolitan environment”.
Recently appointed Belfast City Centre Manager, Andrew Irvine, added:
“This money will enable us to deliver our own services, providing strong links between the business community and central and local government.
“We will facilitate a range of initiatives aimed at improving the local economy and projects tackling problems such as city centre crime.
“The Retail Crimewatch scheme has already delivered a 51 per cent reduction in stock loss due to shoplifting. Our aim is now to extend this to cover juveniles, who are responsible for 36 per cent of crime in Belfast city centre.”
ENDS
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