Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened in closed session at 10.08am.

The Committee noted the breakdown of the costs outlined in the End of Session Report for 12 May 2011 to 31 August 2012.

The meeting moved into open session at 10.10am.

1. Apologies

The apologies are noted above.

2. Draft Minutes of Meetings held on 18 October 2012

The Committee agreed the draft minutes of 18 October 2012.

3. Matters Arising        

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the following items onto Ms Diane Dodds MEP: the Minister’s response regarding fishing on Lough Erne; and the briefing paper from the Department on its policy proposal to amend the Fishing (Amendment) Regulations.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Minister’s correspondence on recent meetings with Sport NI and Cricket Ireland onto Cricket Ireland.  

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister responding to the Committee’s queries on the responses to the salmon conservation consultation.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Minister’s response to the issues raised by Sandy Row Amateur Boxing Club onto the club for comment.

The Committee noted correspondence from NSPCC regarding issues raised by Sandy Row Amateur Boxing Club in respect of AccesNI checks.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Minister of the Environment’s response providing an update on the measures taken to protect archaeological artefacts onto the Northern Ireland Archaeology Forum; and to request a further update from the Minister in the New Year.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule a visit to the Headquarters of the Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative Society onto the Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request the following from the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development: a copy of the Hansard transcript from the DARD and Rivers Agency briefing, once available; and any written material it has considered regarding the progress of the working group set up to consider the ownership of Lough Neagh.  

4. DCAL briefing on SL1 Stage of the Fishing (Amendment) Regulations 2012

The following officials joined the meeting at 10.19am:

Head of Policy and Admin Inland Fisheries, Mr Aidan Cassidy;

Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer, Mr Seamus Connor; and

DCAL Official, Mr Liam Devlin.

The officials briefed the Committee.

A question and answer session followed.

The officials left the meeting at 10.30am.

Agreed: That the Committee is content for the Department to proceed with the policy.

5. RAISE briefing on the Libraries Framework ‘Delivering Tomorrow’s Libraries’

The following official joined the meeting at 10.31am:

Assembly Researcher, Dr Dan Hull.

The official briefed the Committee.

Mr Robin Swann left the meeting at 10.45am.

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: The official agreed to provide: an assessment of attitudes in Northern Ireland regarding volunteers staffing local libraries; and data regarding older people’s access and use of alternative format of books. 

The official left the meeting at 10.50am.

6. DCAL briefing on its Review of its Libraries Framework ‘Delivering Tomorrow’s Libraries’

The following officials joined the meeting at 10.51am:

Director of Museums, Libraries & Recreation Division, Mr Mick Cory; and

DCAL Official, Mr David Polley.

The officials briefed the Committee.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Robin Swann rejoined the meeting at 10.55am.

Mr William Humphrey left the meeting at 11.14am.

Mr William Humphrey rejoined the meeting at 11.19am.

Mr David Hilditch left the meeting at 11.19am.

The officials left the meeting at 11.22am.

The meeting was suspended at 11.23am.

Mr David Hilditch returned to the meeting at 11.25am.

The meeting resumed at 11.27am.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister to request: a copy of the Project Initiation Document on the review of the libraries framework ‘Delivering Tomorrow’s Libraries’; information regarding the installation of computer terminals in libraries in areas of deprivation and social need; and the inclusion of representations from the Education and Library Boards and the Department of Education onto the Project Steering Group.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider the following agenda items next: Correspondence; Chairperson’s Business; and the Forward Work Programme.

7. Correspondence

The Committee noted correspondence from the Minister following the meeting on 20 September 2012.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department inviting views on the public consultation on Ulster Scots Academy Development and Research Strategy.

The Committee noted the invitation from the Arts Council inviting the Committee to attend the Intercultural Europe Conference on 14 to 16 November 2012.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence from the Health Committee regarding tackling inequalities in early years onto the Department for comment.

The Committee noted the invitations received to attend the Committee for Education’s event on Sport in Schools. 

8. Chairperson’s Business

The Committee noted that the responses from the governing bodies of competitive sports will be considered at the meeting on 8 November 2012; and that the stakeholder event will be scheduled for 22 November 2012.

The Committee was reminded of the invitation to visit the restoration work along the Newry and Portadown Canal.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the Disability Sport NI briefing paper, considered at the meeting on 18 October 2012, onto Assembly Research for inclusion in the information pack ahead of the private members motion on the legacy of the Paralympic Games.

9. Forward Work Programme

Agreed: The Committee agreed the changes to the Forward Work Programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to hold the meeting of 22 November 2012 in the afternoon to accommodate a stakeholder event that evening.

10. Briefing from MAGUS and Ulster Scots Agency on Joint Memorandum of Understanding

The Committee noted MAGUS’ Forward Work Programme.

The following officials joined the meeting at 11.33am:

Chair of MAGUS, Dr Bill Smith;

Secretary of MAGUS, Mr Brian McTeggart; and

Chief Executive of Ulster Scots Agency, Mr Ian Crozier.

A question and answer session followed.

Ms Rosaleen McCorley left the meeting at 12.05pm.

The Chairperson made a declaration that she is a Member of the Board of Governors of Castle Gardens and Killinchy Primary Schools.

Mr David Hilditch made a declaration that he is a Councillor for Carrick Borough Council and chaired a number of Committees that received grant funding.

Mr William Humphrey made a declaration that he is a former Board Member of the Ulster Scots Agency and Governor of Edenbrook and Springhill Primary Schools.

The officials left the meeting at 12.43pm.

11. Any other business

There was no other business.

12. Date and Time of Next Meeting       

The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will take place on Thursday 08^th November at 10.30am in Room 21, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.43pm.

Miss Michelle McIlveen MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
08 November 2012