Councillors agree to sponsor conferences on climate, voluntary work and cities
It is understood that the portrait was removed from the wall in Belfast City Hall and that the glass was smashed (Image: Belfast Live )
Belfast Council’s spending of ratepayers money on event sponsoring has been questioned as City Hall agreed to spend over £30,000 to take part in three conferences.
A number of elected representatives from different parties have asked about “community benefits” as council officials asked them to consider supporting a “climate leadership” conference by approving a funding of £10,140.
At the April meeting of the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, councillors were informed that the non-profit Management and Leadership Network were proposing to host the event “Sustain Exchange” with up to 300 “decision-makers” attending.
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A council report states: “The event will put the challenges, opportunities and absolute need for positive action associated with climate change on the agenda for local organisations and leaders.”
The Sustain Exchange Summit will take place on October 32 2026. The total cost of the project will be in excess of £75,000. Belfast City Council has been supporting the Sustain Exchange Summit since its inception in 2021.
The report states Belfast Council’s support for the conference “has been crucial in the growth of the initiative and its impact.” It adds: “In order to reduce the financial cost to Belfast City Council and increase collaboration, MLN will seek financial support from additional sources to include the private sector.”
The report refers to private Belfast-based organisations such as Danske Bank, AAB, CarbonFit, International Synergies , Belfast Harbour and Mills Selig Solicitors as potential partners this year.
Sinn Féin Councillor Ronan McLaughlin said at the council committee meeting: “The broader point is we need a wider framework when this sort of thing comes in. If we agreed all the amounts (requested) today, it will be near £50,000 in terms of conference sponsorship.
“I think there needs to be a better way to do it, similar to what we are doing in sponsorship for athletes. I don’t think we can continue in the same vein, with letters coming in to support conferences. I think there needs to be a better overall framework.”
Councillor McLaughlin said he would “not block” the Sustain conference, and the £10K fund was unanimously approved by councillors. Elected representatives also approved £10,000 support for the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action Summit 2026 and £10,000 for the Summit of the Cities 2026.
Alliance Councillor Micky Murray said: “I don’t have much of an issue with [Sustain Exchange], but I would like to see what the outcome of these conferences are, and what the benefits of us sponsoring them are.
“Supporting a conference on climate leadership is great, but I want to see what that conference actually achieves.”
A council officer replied: “It might be best to include that in the framework, as part of the overall approach, rather than looking at each individual conference, in terms of how the proposals are brought forward to the committee. To consider what the anticipated outcomes would look like”
Chair of the council S,P and R committee, Sinn Féin Councillor Natasha Brennan said: “The economic benefit is really important, but I would ask for the community benefit. (To know) how our community groups and sectors get to be involved in these things.”
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