Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure

Budget Report

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2010
ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Declan O’Loan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr Billy Leonard MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

Apologies:
Mr Trevor Clarke MLA

In attendance:
Mrs Lucia Wilson (Clerk)
Miss Emma Patton (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Jonathan Lamont (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Christopher Baird (Clerical Officer)

The meeting opened in closed session at 10.02a.m

6. Assembly Research paper on Departmental Spending Reductions in Culture, Arts and Sports

The Committee noted the Assembly research paper on Departmental spending in Culture, Arts and Sports.

Research officer, Dr Dan Hull briefed the Committee on the paper.

A question and answer session followed.

7. Arts Council Briefing on Budget 2010 and Impact of Proposed Savings Plan

Agreed: It was agreed that agenda item 8 would be taken next.

Mr Burns joined the meeting at 11.16am.

The Committee noted the following the papers in relation to the impact of proposed saving plans on ACNI.

• DCAL paper on Arts Spend per Capita
• Departmental briefing paper
• A list of suggested questions

The following officials joined the meeting:

Roisín McDonough - Chief Executive – ACNI
Nóirín McKinney – Director of Arts Development – ACNI
Nick Livingston – Director of Strategic Development – ACNI.

The officials made an opening statement.

Mr McCarthy left the meeting at 11.50am.
Mr Burns left the meeting at 11.56am.
Mr McCartney left the meeting at 11.58am.
Mr Burns joined the meeting at 12 noon .

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would find out more information on how the figures on Arts Spend per Captia are sourced.

Members were reminded that Special Olympics Ulster and NIVCA will brief the Committee on the impact of the proposed savings plan.

8. SportNI briefing on Budget 2010 and Impact of Proposed Savings Plan

The Committee noted the briefing papers in relation to the impact of proposed saving plans on SportNI.

Nick Harkness – Acting Chief Executive – SportNI
Paul Donnelly – Policy Planning and Research Manager SportNI.

The officials made an opening statement.

Mr McClarty left the meeting at 12.18pm.
Mr Robinson left the meeting at 12.22pm.
Mr McCarthy joined the meeting at 12.27pm.

A question and answer session followed.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.40pm.

Mr Barry McElduff
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
16 September 2010

(EXTRACT)