2. Our role and function
2.1 We perform a number of key roles for the city, including:
- civic leadership and community planning, agreeing a vision for Belfast and its citizens, working with partners and others to invest for the future and ensure a better quality of life for all
- providing a number of services and facilities
- our built and natural environment
- promoting the arts, tourism, community and economic development, equality and good relations in the city
- regulating and licensing certain activities relating to environmental health, consumer protection and public safety
- providing local planning functions
- being represented on a number of bodies and boards
- consulting on issues relating to functions by other government bodies and agencies on issues like planning, water, roads and housing.
2.2 In performing the above roles, we provide:
- facilities for recreational, social and cultural activities which include our leisure centres, community centres, parks, open spaces and playgrounds, sports grounds and places of entertainment
- street cleansing services
- waste collection and disposal services
- cemeteries and crematorium
- registration for births, deaths and marriages in the city
- programme support and grant aid for the arts, good relations, community development and supporting local tourism and economic development
- administration and regulation of matters relating to environmental health, such as, public health and safety, food safety, building control, noise pollution and consumer protection
- licensing and regulation of street trading, places of entertainment, amusement centres, sex establishments, lotteries, cinemas and petroleum stations
- planning development and enforcement and local development planning
- off-street parking (except Park and Ride), and
- the making and regulation of byelaws.
2.3 To enable us to provide these services and to perform our other functions, we must levy an annual rate (district rates). We also obtain funding through:
- various grants
- government grants
- fees and charges for certain services
- loans
We have the power to:
- acquire and dispose of land
- borrow money
- employ staff
- procure goods and services
- as well as a general power of competence.
2.4 We have adopted a wide range of policies to support and implement these statutory functions and provision of services and facilities.
