Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure

Budget Report

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

THURSDAY 23 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
Ms Michelle McIlveen MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

Apologies:
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA

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

Members were advised that the sessions from Libraries NI and the Museums Council on the impact of the proposed spending and savings plans would be covered by Hansard.

The meeting opened in public session at 10.35a.m.

5. Briefing from Libraries NI regarding the impact of the proposed spending and savings plans

The Committee noted the definition of the terms ‘unavoidable’ and ‘inescapable’ as defined in the NI Executive Budget 2010 – Guidelines for Departments.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of NICVA’s briefing paper – Smart Solutions in Tough Times to DCAL.

The Committee noted the briefing paper from Libraries NI.

The following representatives joined the meeting:

Irene Knox, Chief Executive, Libraries NI,
Councillor Evelyne Robinson, Chairperson, Business Support Committee, Libraries NI,
Terry Heron, Director of Business Support, Libraries NI.

The representatives made an opening statement.

A question and answer session followed.

Mr O’Loan left the meeting at 11.36am.
Mr O’Loan rejoined the meeting at 11.50am.
Mr Burns left the meeting at 11.54am.
Mr Burns rejoined the meeting at 11.56am.
Ms McIlveen left the meeting at 12noon.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Libraries NI requesting percentage figures relating to redundancies at management level and the criteria for phase 2 library closures.

6. Briefing from NI Museums Council regarding the impact of the proposed spending and savings plans

The Committee noted the briefing paper.

The following representative joined the meeting:

Chris Bailey, Director – NI Museums Council

The representative made an opening statement.

A question and answer session followed.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.39pm.

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

(EXTRACT)