Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting opened at 10.13am.

1. Apologies

The apologies are noted above.

2. Draft Minutes of Meetings held on 26 April 2012

The Committee agreed the minutes of 26 April 2012.

3. Matters Arising         

Agreed: The Committee noted the correspondence from the Department on the Report of the Advisory Committee on the Framework of National Minorities and agreed to: forward the response to Pobal; and write to the Department seeking a timescale for proposals on strategies for Irish Language and Ulster Scots Language, Heritage and Culture.

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Lagan Canal Restoration Trust regarding Belfast City Council’s development plans.

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

4. Correspondence

Agreed: The Committee agreed to: write to the Committee for Finance and Personnel to request the outcome to the consultation ‘Northern Ireland and Europe in Partnership: Preparing for the 2014-2020 Round of European Programmes’ when available; and write to DCAL and its ALBs to inform them of the document.

The Committee noted correspondence from the Department regarding the publication of DCAL’s consultation on salmon conservation in the DCAL jurisdiction.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to sponsor a 2012 NEST event at Parliament Buildings as part of the Culture Olympiad.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of Business in the Community’s briefing to the Health Committee onto the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure.  

5. Chairperson’s Business

Agreed: The Committee noted the memo about its meeting with the Ulster Provincial Boxing Council. It agreed to: write to the Minister outlining issues raised; request an oral briefing from the Department and Sport NI officials on the current status of the business case, the legacy from the Olympics for boxing and measures to address the inequalities in the sport; and to schedule an oral briefing from Ulster Provincial Sporting Council if additional information is required following the briefing from the Department and Sport NI.

The Committee noted the invitation received.

6. Forward Work Programme 

The Committee agreed the forward work programme.

7. Briefing from NESTA regarding the Committee Inquiry into Maximizing the Potential of the Creative Industries in Northern Ireland

The following officials joined the meeting at 10.26am:

Director of Creative Industries Research, Mr Hasan Bakhshi; and

Communications Manager, Mr Graeme Downie.

The officials briefed the Committee.

Mr Michael McGimpsey joined the meeting at 10.30am.

A question and answer session followed.

Mrs Brenda Hale left the meeting at 11.13am.

The officials left the meeting at 11.20am.

The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 11.20am.

Mr Dominic Bradley left the meeting at 11.20am.

The Chairperson resumed the meeting at 11.25am in open session.

8. Briefing from Landscape Institute regarding the Committee Inquiry into Maximizing the Potential of the Creative Industries in Northern Ireland

The following officials joined the meeting at 11.25am:

President, Mr Jo Watkins;

Chief Executive, Mr Alastair McCapra;

Advisory Council, Mr Peter Hutchinson; and

Policy Representative, Mr Pete Mullin.

The officials briefed the Committee.

Mrs Brenda Hale rejoined the meeting at 11.29am.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr Michael McGimpsey left the meeting at 12.04pm. 

Mr Michael McGimpsey rejoined the meeting at 12.20pm. 

Mrs Karen McKevitt left the meeting at 12.21pm.

Mrs Karen McKevitt rejoined the meeting at 12.25pm.

The officials left the meeting at 12.25pm.

9. Briefing from DCAL and Sport NI on the Marine Bill 

The following officials joined the meeting at 12.27pm:

Head of Inland Fisheries Group, DCAL, Ms Karen Simpson;

Director of Sports and Stadiums, DCAL, Mr Colin Watson; and

Countryside Recreation Officer, Sport NI, Mr Mike McClure.

The officials briefed the Committee.

A question and answer session followed.

The officials left the meeting at 12.47pm.          

Agreed: The Committee agreed to respond to the Committee for the Environment’s call for evidence on the Marine Bill.

10. Archaeological Archives in Northern Ireland

Agreed: The Committee agreed to table a joint Committee Motion with the Committee for the Environment on archaeological archives, subject to the latter’s agreement.

11. Finance (No.4) Bill - Legislative Consent Motion

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Clerk should draft a report on the Legislative Consent Motion for Committee approval.  

12. Any other business

There was no other business.

13. Date and Time of Next Meeting        

Agreed: The Chair agreed to inform Members as soon as possible of the arrangements for the next Committee meeting.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.57pm.

Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
10 May 2012