Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in public session at 1.35 pm

1. Apologies

As above.

2. Draft minutes 10 March 2011

The Committee agreed the tabled minutes of 10 March 2011.

Mr Sheehan joined the meeting at 1.36 p.m

3. Matters arising

The Committee considered the response from DCAL in relation to the Committee meeting with representatives of Belfast’s Jewish Community.

Agreed : The Committee agreed to forward the letter to the Belfast’s Jewish Community.

The Committee noted the response from the DCAL in relation to Waterways Ireland consultation on their marketing strategy.

Agreed : The Committee agreed that this is a legacy issue for the next incoming Committee of the new mandate.

The Committee noted the email from DCAL in relation to Greenhouse Gas Emissions Action Plan.

The Committee considered the letter from PRONI in relation to Data Retention in the NI Civil Retention.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to the Committee for Finance and Personnel as requested.

The Committee noted the letter from OFCOM in relation to 3G mobile coverage.

Agreed : The Committee agreed that this is a legacy issue for the next incoming Committee of the new mandate.

The Committee noted the tabled letter from the Minister in relation to February Monitoring.

The Committee noted the tabled memo from the Finance branch of DCAL in relation to final budget allocations to the arts.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this information to Drew McFarlane of Equity as requested.

The Committee noted the tabled letter from Blue Piano Publishing in relation to Music Royalties.

4. Plenary Debate Arrangements – Review into the Impact and Value of Museums in Northern Ireland.

Members considered the following documents in relation to the review:

Clerks Memo - Lines for Members

Allocation of lines for Members

Order Papers for Wednesday 23 March 2011

Indicative timings

Draft press release

The report

Mr McClarty left the meeting at 1.44 p.m

Agreed: The Committee agreed to issue the press release on the review as drafted.

5. Libraries NI – Stage II consultation – ‘Meeting the Demands for a Modern Public Library Service within Northern Ireland’

The Committee considered the letter from the Armagh and District History Group in relation to Irish & Local studies Library, Armagh.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward this letter to Libraries NI, along with Members comments and to write to the Armagh and District History Group advising them of this action.

The Committee considered the letters from the Gilford Community Forum and the Campaign Committee on Gilford Library closure.

Agreed : The Committee agreed to forward the letters to Libraries NI and write to both groups advising them of this action.

The Committee noted the tabled email from the Save Carnlough Library Committee requesting that they meet with Members on Monday 21 March for a photo and a short presentation.

Members were advised that this email was circulated to Members on Wednesday 16 March.

Members were advised that the Chairperson, the deputy Chairperson, Mr Robinson, Mr McCarthy and Mr Hilditch meet with a delegation of school children from Carnlough on Monday who are opposed to the closure of their library.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward to Libraries NI, the petition, poem and CD recording of the children’s song to save Carnlough Library from closure.

Briefing from residents in relation to proposed closure of Greystone Library

The Committee noted the tabled letter from the Save Greystone Library Action Group requesting to brief the Committee today and the briefing paper.

The following representatives joined the meeting at 1.51p.m

Mr Ivan Skinner – Principal of Greystone Primary School 
Andrea Tessier – Save Greystone Library Group 
Tanya Millar -Save Greystone Library Group 
Roseanne Horan -Save Greystone Library Group

The representatives briefed the Committee on the proposed closure of Greystone Library.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 1.51p.m 
Mr Burns joined the meeting at 1.55p.m 
Mr Humphrey rejoined the meeting at 1.55p.m 
Mr McCarthy left the meeting at 1.56p.m 
The deputy Chairperson joined the meeting at 2.01 p.m. 
Mr Humphrey left the meeting at 2.06 p.m.

Mr Burns declared an interest as Greystone is in his constituency.

The representatives left the meeting at 2.20 p.m

Briefing from residents in relation to proposed closure of Fintona Library

The Committee noted the tabled letter from the Save Fintona Library Campaign requesting to brief the Committee today and the tabled briefing paper.

The following representatives joined the meeting at 2.20 p.m

John O’Neill – Save Fintona Library Campaign 
Anne Gavin – Save Fintona Library Campaign 
Canon Marron - Save Fintona Library Campaign

The representatives briefed the Committee on the proposed closure of Fintona Library.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Robinson left the meeting at 2.30 p.m.

The deputy Chairperson left the meeting at 2.43p.m

Mr McCarthy rejoined the meeting at 2.43p.m

The representatives left the meeting at 2.55 p.m.

The meeting lost quorum.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 2.55 p.m.

Mr. Barry McElduff, MLA 
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure 
24 March 2011