Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in public session at 10.10am.

1. Apologies

The apologies are noted above.

2. Draft Minutes of Meetings held on 26 and 28 June 2012

The Committee agreed the minutes of 26 and 28 June 2012.

3. Matters Arising          

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write: to the Minister expressing concerns regarding the lack of commitment to fund projects recommended by the Ulster Scots Academy; and to the Ulster Scots Academy expressing concerns that its lack of spend to date has implications on future budget allocations.

Mrs Brenda Hale joined the meeting at 10.16am.

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Strategic Investment Board and the Arts Council in relation to the use of maritime heritage assets within the Titanic Quarter.       

4. Briefing from Assembly Research and Information Services on an Update of the Economic Performance of the Creative Industries

The following official joined the meeting at 10.17am:

Assembly Researcher, Dr Dan Hull.

The official briefed the Committee.

Mr David Hilditch joined the meeting at 10.21am.

A question and answer session followed.

The official left the meeting at 10.38am.

5. Committee Report on its Visit to Scotland

The Committee noted the report on its visit to Scotland.

Mr Oliver McMullan left the meeting at 10.48am.

Mr Oliver McMullan returned to the meeting at 10.56am.

6. Briefing from Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment regarding the Committee Inquiry into Maximizing the Potential of the Creative Industries

The following officials joined the meeting at 10.58am:

Invest NI Director Technology and Services, Mr Brian Dolaghan;

Invest NI Client Executive, TV Film & Digital, Mr Martin Adair; and

Invest NI Client Manager, Ms Tracey Walsh.

The officials briefed the Committee.

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: Officials agreed to provide to the Committee details of Local Economic Development (LED) money and how it can be accessed.

Mr Dominic Bradley left the meeting at 11.40am.

Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 11.44am.

Mr David Hilditch rejoined the meeting at 11.47am.

The officials left the meeting at 11.48am.

The meeting was suspended at 11.48am.

Mr Dominic Bradley rejoined the meeting at 11.55am.

The meeting resumed in open session at 11.55am.                

7. Briefing from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure regarding the Committee Inquiry into Maximizing the Potential of the Creative Industries

The following officials joined the meeting at 11.55am:           

Head of Creative Industries and Innovation, DCAL, Mr Stephen McGowan;

Chief Executive, Arts Council, Ms Roisin McDonough; and

Chief Executive, NI Screen, Mr Richard Williams.

The officials briefed the Committee.

Mrs Brenda Hale left the meeting at 12.10pm.

A question and answer session followed.

Mrs Brenda Hale returned to the meeting at 12.22pm.

Mrs Brenda Hale left the meeting at 12.50pm.

Mrs Brenda Hale returned to the meeting at 12.53pm.

The officials left the meeting at 12.58pm.

8. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance and Personnel providing a copy of its research paper on Main Estimates 2012/13.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure requesting that she defer the publication of draft strategies on the Irish Language and Ulster Scots Language, Heritage and Culture until the Committee receives an oral briefing from the officials, as originally intended.

The Committee noted correspondence from Lagan FM.

 The Committee noted correspondence from Lagan Canal Restoration Trust.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Irish Sport Stacking team.

9. Chairperson’s Business

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of FASTA’s strategy document to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, suggesting that she discuss this matter with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development with a view to identifying any anomalies in both Department’s approaches to salmon conservation.

Agreed: Further to Assembly approval of the Committee Motion on Archaeological Artefacts, the Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure requesting details of the measures she intends to take to support and complement the action being taken by the Minister of the Environment.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure expressing disappointment that the Committee had not been advised of the outcome to the consultation on the New Funding Model for Irish Language organisations, prior to the publication of Foras na Gaeilge’s press release.  

The Committee noted the invite received.

11. Any other business

Agreed: The Committee agreed to delegate authority to the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson over summer recess, to submit views on the releasing or withholding of information in any non-routine / contentious FOI requests

Agreed: The Committee agreed to meet again on Thursday 6 September at 10.30am; and that the following items would be considered: correspondence; draft Forward Work Programme; and arrangements for agreeing the Committee Inquiry report into the Creative Industries.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department to request an update on the current position of the Northern Ireland Events Company; and to seek clarification about the notional figure of £198K allocated to the Northern Ireland Events Company by the Department in the Main Estimates.

12. Date and Time of Next Meeting         

The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will take place on Thursday 06 September at 10.30am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.13pm.

Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
6 September 2012