COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2008
ROOM 152, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS.
Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Apologies:
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Mr David McNarry (Deputy Chairperson)
In attendance:
Mrs Linda Gregg (Clerk)
Dr Kathryn Bell (Clerk)
Mrs Antonia Hoskins (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Mairéad Higgins (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Angela Aboagye (Clerical Officer)
Ms Meadhbh McCann (Research & Library Service)
The meeting opened in public session at 10.04 a.m.
1. Apologies
The apologies are detailed above.
2. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2008 were agreed.
3. Matters arising
The Committee’s attention was drawn to an amendment to Standing Orders approved by the Assembly on 1 July 2008 and effective from that date, with regard to the quorum of a statutory committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the Department’s proposal to make a Statutory Rule to exercise a power to appoint a day upon which parts of the Libraries Act ( Northern Ireland) 2008 come into operation.
10.07 a.m. Mr Shannon joined the meeting.
4. Research briefing on Museums Policy
10.15 a.m. Mr Robinson joined the meeting.
Ms Meadhbh McCann briefed the Committee on an introduction to museums policy and gave an overview of the development of museums policy in England, Wales, France and Canada. She also briefed the Committee on levels of public sector investment in museums in Northern Ireland compared with regions in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Ms McCann agreed to provide clarification on a number of issues.
5. Inquiry into the Development of a Museums Policy for Northern Ireland
Oral evidence session with Milford Building Preservation Trust
Members took oral evidence from Mr Stevie McManus , representing Milford Building Preservation Trust . A question and answer session followed. The Chairperson thanked the witness for attending.
Hansard recorded the evidence session for publication in the Committee’s report.
Oral evidence session with Heritage Lottery Fund
Members took oral evidence from Mr Ronnie Spence, Mr Paul Mullan and Ms Stella McDermott representing the Heritage Lottery Fund. A question and answer session followed. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
Hansard recorded the evidence session for publication in the Committee’s report.
Oral evidence session with the National Trust
Members took oral evidence from Ms Diane Ruddock and Ms Frances Bailey representing The National Trust. A question and answer session followed. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
Hansard recorded the evidence session for publication in the Committee’s report.
Oral evidence session with Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI)
Members took oral evidence from Mr Johnny Glendenning and Mr Mark Kennedy representing Railway Preservation Society of Ireland. A question and answer session followed. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
Hansard recorded the evidence session for publication in the Committee’s report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that its timetable for taking oral evidence be placed on its website.
6. Correspondence
12.18 p.m. Mr Ramsey left the meeting.
12.20 p.m. Mr Robinson left the meeting.
Members noted correspondence from the Arts Council regarding its Festivals Policy and issues raised regarding Young at Art.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to respond to the Arts Council to suggest that it make direct contact with Young at Art. It was also agreed to forward a copy of the minutes of the Committee’s meeting with Young at Art to the Arts Council.
The Committee noted the response from the Minister on consideration being given to introduce funding to promote Ulster Scots film making.
The Committee noted the response from the Minister on issues raised by the Committee following its briefing from Climate Change Coalition Northern Ireland.
The Committee noted the response from the Minister regarding departmental representation at a meeting with Voluntary Arts Ireland and the Arts Council.
The Committee noted the response from the Minister regarding the Northern Ireland Music Rights Society and music royalty collection.
The Committee noted the Minister’s response to the Committee’s request for clarification on libraries issues following its meeting of 13 May 2008.
The Committee noted the Minister’s response regarding the Department’s role in the neighbourhood renewal strategy.
The Committee noted the Minister’s response regarding the provision of criminal history information to Departments.
Members noted correspondence from the Minister on Festivals Policy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to copy this correspondence to Young at Art.
The Committee noted the Minister’s response regarding the commemoration of the 400 th Anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster and issues raised by the Brandywell Properties Trust Ltd.
The Committee noted the Minister’s response on the proposed multisports stadium.
The Committee noted the response from Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board regarding implementation of the organisational structure for the Northern Ireland Library Authority.
The Committee noted the response from Northern Ireland Public Services Alliance regarding implementation of the Northern Ireland Library Authority.
The Committee noted the update from the Minister regarding key departmental issues anticipated between August and December 2008.
The Committee noted the response from the Mayor of Lisburn City Council regarding the proposed multi-sports stadium.
The Committee noted the response from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investmentregarding Rally Ireland.
Agreed: The Committee noted the response from the Minister for Finance and Personnel regarding Mr Bamford’s newspaper article on rates relief for sports clubs. The Committee agreed to write to Mr Bamford enclosing a copy of the response from the Minister for Finance and Personnel.
Agreed: The Committee considered a request from the Landscape Institute to brief the Committee and agreed that a presentation be scheduled for some future date in the forward work programme.
Agreed: The Committee considered the request from the Lord Mayor of Belfast City Council regarding funding for Beat Initiative and agreed that the Chair would meet with David Boyd, Director of the
Beat Initiative.
The Committee noted the response from the Minister for the Environment regarding the proposal to designate Derry City Walls as a world heritage site.
Members were advised that a copy of ‘Festivals Mean Business’ received from the British Arts Festivals Association has been placed in the Committee Office Library.
Members were advised that a copy of the Northern Ireland Water ‘Annual Report 2007’ has been placed in the Committee Office Library.
The Committee noted the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (now Land & Property Services) 2007-08 Annual Report and Accounts.
7. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairpersonconfirmedthe actions agreed at the Committee meeting on Tuesday 9 September 2008 regarding the Northern Ireland Events.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson be furnished (in confidence) with a full copy of the KPMG draft report.
Agreed: Members agreed that the Committee be furnished (in confidence) with the relevant section of the KPMG report which relates to the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Departmental Officials would brief the Committee on the detail of KPMG report within certain agreed restrictions, so as not to prejudice any potential future litigation proceedings.
The Committee notedthe Clerk’s report on the visit on 16 July 2008 of the Chairperson and the Clerk to the National Museum of Ireland and to the Joint Committee on the Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The Committee noted the Clerk’s report on the meeting of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson with a delegation from the Arts Council on 22 July 2008.
The Chairperson advised Members that should they wish to raise any issues arising out of the Arts Council’s letter dated 29 July 2008 they should notify the Clerk.
The Chairperson drew Member’s attention to a statement drafted by the Arts Council.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek a briefing from the Arts Council on the statement, before coming to a view.
The Chairperson advised Members that leaflets from the Arts Council on Start Up and Re-Imaging Communities Programme had been placed in the Committee Office Library.
The Chairperson advised the Committee of his visit to Ravenhill Rugby Ground on 29 July 2008 accompanied by the Deputy Chairperson and Lord Browne. The Committee noted the report on the visit.
The Chairperson advised the Committee of his visit to the Sports Institute at Jordanstownon 29 July 2008 accompanied by Mr Robinson. The Committee noted the report on the visit.
The Chairperson briefed the Committee on a meeting he held with Paul Mullan of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Benburb on 27 August 2008.
The Chairperson advised the Committee that he had received an invitation from the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Provost of Magee College. The Committee has been invited to view the Universities’ activities in the Creative Arts/Industries Sector at Magee and the Ulster Sports Academy at Jordanstown.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to accept the invitation and to schedule visits during the course of the Committee’s inquiries into art and sport.
The Chairperson advised that correspondence had been received from the Managing Director of Ulster Television regarding the outcome of OFCOM’S review into the future of Public Sector Broadcasting and the lack of co-coordination for digital switchover.
Agreed : The Committee agreed to seek a briefing from Ulster Television before considering what further actions may be necessary.
8. Forward Work Programme
Agreed: The Committee agreed its forward work programme from September to December 2008.
9. Date and time of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will be on Thursday 18 September 2008 at 10.00 am, in Room 152 Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.35 p.m.