COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
THURSDAY 22 MAY 2008
THE MILLENNIUM FORUM, LONDONDERRY
Present: Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Francie Brolly MLA
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA
Mr Nelson McCausland MLA
Mr Pat Ramsey MLA
Mr Jim Shannon MLA
Apologies: Mr David McNarry MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Dominic Bradley MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA
In attendance: Mrs Linda Gregg (Clerk)
Mrs Elaine Farrell (Assistant Clerk)
Miss Mairéad Higgins (Clerical Supervisor)
Mrs Angela Aboagye (Clerical Officer)
The meeting opened in public session at 10.42 a.m.
1. Apologies
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Draft Minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2008
The draft minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2008 were agreed.
3. Matters arising
The Committee discussed the current procedure used by the Press Office when an official photographer is required to cover a committee event.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to write to the Assembly Commission to express their concerns regarding the Press Office procedure for covering committee events.
The Committee considered the draft terms of reference, the draft press notice and the proposed timeframe for the Committee Inquiry into the Lack of a Museums Policy for Northern Ireland.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to change the title of the inquiry to Committee Inquiry into the Development of a Museums Policy for Northern Ireland.
Agreed – the Committee agreed the draft Terms of Reference for the Committee Inquiry.
Agreed – the Committee agreed the draft press notice for inclusion in the Belfast Telegraph, the Irish News and the News Letter week commencing 26 May 2008.
Agreed – the Committee agreed the list of organisations to seek submissions of written evidence from. The Committee also agreed that written submissions should also be sought from the Free Derry Museum, the Apprentice Boys Museum and ILEX Urban Regeneration Company.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to consult with the Northern Ireland Museums Council to get information on the location of independent museums to help inform the inquiry.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to commission research to identify best practice in England, Scotland and Wales and on an international basis to help inform the inquiry.
4. Presentation from Derry City Council on the Commemoration of the 400 th Anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster
The following representatives from Derry City Council joined the meeting:
Mr John Meehan (Director of Development and Deputy Town Clerk)
Mr Bill Kirk (Chief Executive ILEX Urban Regeneration Company)
The representatives briefed the Committee on the Commemoration of the 400 th Anniversary of the Plantation of Ulster.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to discuss issues arising out of the presentation at the next committee meeting.
5. Presentation from Brandywell Properties Trust on the development of the Brandywell area.
The following representatives from Brandywell Properties Trust joined the meeting:
Mr Jack McCauley (Chairman of Brandywell Properties Trust Ltd)
Mr Pat McDaid (Chairman of Derry City Football Club)
Mr Ronan Duffy (Treasurer Brandywell Properties Trust Ltd)
The representatives briefed the Committee on the development of the Brandywell area.
Agreed – the Committee agreed to discuss issues arising out of the presentation at the next committee meeting.
6. Any other business
The Chairperson advised the Committee that there would be presentations from Invest in Inspiration and the Northern Ireland Museums Council. He further advised that Colin Watson, Head of Museums Branch would be in attendance to discuss issues relating to the Ulster Historical Foundation.
Agreed – the Committee agreed that there should be Hansard coverage for Northern Ireland Museums Council and Colin Watson.
7. Date and time of the next meeting
The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will be on Thursday 29 May 2008 at 10.30 a.m. in Room 152, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.15 p.m.