Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in open session at 12.03 p.m.

4. DCAL briefing on Comprehensive Spending Review

The Committee noted the following papers in relation to the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) exercise and Budget 2010:

• Memo from the Clerk summarising the spending review;
• DCAL letter providing background information and timelines of CSR;
• DCAL summary of Spending Proposals and saving plan;
• DCAL Budget 2010 Spending Proposals (in rank order of priority);
• DCAL response regarding Budget 2010 exercise;
• DFP budget guidelines;
• DCAL PowerPoint presentation on CSR;
• A list of suggested questions;

The Committee considered a letter from NICVA in relation to the CSR.

Agreed: To provide members of the public gallery with a copy of the DCAL PowerPoint presentation.

Agreed: To invite NICVA to brief the Committee at its meeting of 9 September regarding budget implications for the community/voluntary sector in relation to arts and sports.

The following officials joined the meeting:

Edgar Jardine – Deputy Secretary – DCAL
Deborah Brown – Director of Corporate Services – DCAL
Michael O'Dowd – Head of Finance – DCAL

The officials made an opening statement.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr. McCarthy left the meeting at 1:03p.m.
Mr. McCartney left the meeting at 1:06p.m.

Agreed: To invite SportNI and the Arts Council to brief the Committee at its meeting of 16 September regarding the impact of the saving plan proposals.

Agreed: To receive a further briefing from the Department on the development of its spending and savings proposals within the Budget 2010 timetable.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.18p.m.

(EXTRACT)