COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE, ARTS AND LEISURE
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY 04 NOVEMBER 2010
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, BALLYMISCAW, STORMONT

Present:
Mr Barry McElduff MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Declan O’Loan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Lord Browne MLA
Mr Thomas Burns MLA
Mr William Humphrey MLA
Mr Billy Leonard MLA
Mr Kieran McCarthy MLA
Mr David McClarty MLA
Mr Ken Robinson MLA

Apologies:
Mr David Hilditch MLA
Mr Raymond McCartney MLA

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

The meeting opened in public session at 10.05a.m.

1. Apologies

The apologies are noted above.

2. Draft Minutes of 21 October 2010

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the Committee meeting of 21 October 2010.

3. Matters Arising

The Committee considered the responses from DCAL and the Arts Council in relation to the Northern Ireland Music Foundation.

Agreed: The Committee agreed toseek further details on Invest NI’s commercial music industry strategy through the ETI Committee.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Arts Council in relation to the music art form strategy and seek clarification on how it relates to Invest NI’s commercial music industry strategy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the responses to the Northern Ireland Music Foundation for information.

The Committee noted the response from the Department in relation to the CSR announcement and draft budget.

The Committee noted the response in relation to regional stadium development.

The Committee considered the tabled response from the Department in relation to CSR figures for stadia development.

The Committee considered the response from DARD in relation to concerns raised by the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association regarding the water quality in Lough Erne.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the response to the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association for comment.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to DARD via the Agriculture Committee on controls taken to stem the increase in the zebra mussel population in Lough Erne.

Mr Humphrey joined the meeting at 10.24a.m

Mr Burns joined the meeting at 10.28a.m

4. Briefing from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure – Commemoration Strategy

The Committee noted the briefing paper and a tabled document from the Department in relation to the Commemoration Strategy.

The following officials joined the meeting:

Arthur Scott – Director of Culture – DCAL

Donal Moran – Head of Language Branch – DCAL

The officials made an opening statement.

A question and answer session followed.

5. Chairperson’s Business

Members were advised that the Chairperson attended a performance of ‘The Boat Factory’ by Happenstance Theatre at the Craic Theatre, Coalisland, on Friday 15 October 2010.

Members were advised that the Deputy Chairperson attended the Arts Council event of The Habit of Art production at the Grand Opera House on Tuesday 26 October 2010.   

Members were advised that the Deputy Chairperson attended the Closing Concert of the Ulster Bank Festival at Queen’s with the Ulster Orchestra on Saturday 30 October 2010.

Members were reminded that that the Committee was invited to be part of the audience ofthe BBC recording of the Christmas Carol Service, featuring the Three Priests and Peter Corey, in Parliament Buildings on Friday 5 November 2010.

The Chairperson wished the BBC, Tyrone Productions and all the performers well for the event.

Members were advised that the Chairperson will be attending an Ulster GAA club and community conference in Armagh City Hotel on Saturday 6 November 2010.

6. Correspondence

The Committee was advised that the Education and Training Inspectorate Chief Inspector’s Report (2008-2010)was delivered to Members pigeonholes on the 12 October 2010.

The Committee considered to DCAL final outturn figures to March 2010.

Agreed: It was agreed to ask the Department to advise Members of the outcome of its discussions with DFP.

The Committee notedDCAL’s notice for upcoming consultations.

The Committee noted the covering letter from the Community Relations Council in relation to the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration strategy and a tabled copy of the executive summary of the Council’s response.

7. Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted the forward work programme.

The Committee was advised that the Departmental briefing on the outcome of draft Museums Policy consultation has been postponed to mid – February 2011.

The Committee considered the tabled memo from the OFMdFM Committee in relation to The Justice Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the IFA, Ulster GAA, IRFU Ulster Branch and SportNI to seek their views on clauses 36 to 55 and Schedule 3 of the Justice Bill.

8. Any other business

Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Committee’s response to Budget 2010 would be published on the Committee’s website.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it would help to launch next year’s Causeway Coast Annual Amateur Golf Tournament.

9. Date and time of the next meeting

The next meeting of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure will take place on Thursday 11 November 2010 at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 11.06am.

Mr Barry McElduff
Chairperson, Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
11 November 2010

21 October 10 / Menu