Minutes of Proceedings

The meeting began in public session at 9.43am.

1. Apologies

Apologies were as indicated above.

2. Chairperson’s Business

Ms Pam Brown and Ms Paula Bradley joined the meeting at 9.46am

The Chairperson reminded Members that an informal meeting with Lord Freud would take place later that day.

The Chairperson provided the Committee with a brief overview of a meeting he had with the Minister on 15 November 2012 regarding Welfare Reform.

3. Business Improvement Districts – Briefing by the University of Ulster

The following representatives from the University of Ulster joined the meeting at 9.50am:

Professor Stanley McGreal, Professor in Property Research and Director of the Built Environment Research Institute;

Professor Jim Berry, Professor in Planning and Real Estate; and

Dr Lesley Hemphill, Lecturer in Property and Sustainability.

Mr Gregory Campbell joined the meeting at 9.52am

The representatives briefed the Committee on the findings of the Nationwide BIDs Survey 2012.

Mr Sammy Douglas joined the meeting at 10.04am

Mr Michael Copeland joined the meeting at 10.19am

Mr Mickey Brady and Ms Pam Brown left the meeting at 10.31am   

A detailed discussion followed which covered a range of issues including; the flexibility of the legislation in order to allow BID proposals to address specific local circumstances; if there are any identifiable criteria for businesses to be given a discount or be excluded from the levy altogether; how additional funding in other jurisdictions has contributed to the success of a BID; and clarification on the added value services that a BID could bring, over and above those already provided by the local council.

Mr David McClarty left the meeting at 11.02am

Mr Mickey Brady re-joined the meeting at 11.05am

This session was recorded by Hansard.

The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their attendance at the meeting.

The representatives left the meeting at 11.10am.

Ms Paula Bradley, Mr Michael Copeland and Mr Mark H Durkan left the meeting at 11.12am.

The Chairperson suspended the meeting at 11.12am.

The Committee reconvened at 13.38pm.

Ms Pam Brown re-joined the meeting at 13.38pm.

4. Business Improvement Districts Bill

The following Departmental officials joined the meeting at 13.38pm

Mr Henry McArdle, DSD;

Mr Antony McDaid; and

Ms Gail Cheesman

The Departmental officials provided the Committee with a brief overview of the provisions of the Bill.  

Mr Mark H Durkan re-joined the meeting at 13.43pm.

The Committee continued its deliberation of the Business Improvement Districts Bill.             

This session was recorded by Hansard .          

5. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will take place at 10:00am on Thursday 29 November 2012 in Room 29 Parliament Buildings.

The Departmental officials left the meeting at 14.29pm.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 14.29pm.

Mr Alex Maskey
Chairperson, Committee for Social Development.
6 December 2012