Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure

Budget Report

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

THURSDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2010
ROOM 21, 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 David Hilditch MLA

In attendance:
Ms 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 10.34am

The meeting moved into open session.

6. Briefing from NICVA on the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review

The Committee noted the Oxford Economics Report for NICVA ‘Cutting Carefully’ anda briefing paper on the issues arising from the report.

The following representatives joined the meeting:

Mr Seamus McAleaveay, Chief Executive , NICVA
Ms Katrina Newel, Aston Community Trust – New Lodge Arts
Mr Kevin Murphy, Chief Officer – Voluntary Arts Ireland

The representatives made an opening statement.

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to NICVA for a breakdown of headline figures and employment in the community and voluntary sectors.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Arts Council requesting that the Council inform unsuccessful groups with an explanation of why funding has been declined.

Briefing from Special Olympics Ulster on the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review

The Committee noted the briefing paper.

Mr Shaun Cassidy, Regional Director, Special Olympics Ulster
Mr Ronan McCay, Fundraiser – Special Olympics Ulster
Mr Liam McGarry, Volunteer – Special Olympics Ulster

The representatives made an opening statement.

Mr Burns left the meeting at 12.25pm.
Mr Burns rejoined the meeting at 12.34pm
Mr McClarty joined the meeting at 12.40pm.
Mr McCartney joined the meeting at 12.41pm.

A question and answer session followed.

Agreed: To write to relevant statutory Committees on the issues facing Special Olympics Ulster.

Agreed: To write to the Minister to ask when the proposed meeting with Ministerial colleagues, to discuss the funding of the Special Olympics, will take place.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to issue a press release in relation to its concerns over the lack of funding for Special Olympics.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.07pm.

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

(EXTRACT)