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Committee for Culture, Arts and LeisureEnd of Session Report 2009 - 2010Remit and PowersThe Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure is a Statutory Departmental Committee established in accordance with paragraph 8 and 9 of the Belfast Agreement, Section 29 of the NI Act 1998 and under Assembly Standing Order 48. The Committee has a scrutiny, policy development and consultation role in respect of the Minister of Culture, Arts & Leisure and has a role to play in the initiation, consideration and development of legislation. The Committee has the power to:
MembershipThe Committee has 11 members, including a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, with a quorum of 5 members. The membership of the Committee since 9 May 2007 has been as follows: Mr Barry McElduff (Chairperson) 1 Mr Ken Robinson replaced Mr David Burnside with effect from 18 June 2007. 2 Mr Raymond McCartney replaced Mr Paul Maskey with effect from 10 March 2008. 3 Mr PJ Bradley replaced Mr Pat Ramsey with effect from 29 June 2009. 4 Mr Trevor Clarke replaced Mr Jim Shannon with effect from 15 September 2009. 5 Ms Michelle McIlveen replaced Mr Nelson McCausland with effect from 15 September 2009. 6 Mr Billy Leonard replaced Mr Francie Brolly with effect from 7 January 2010. 7 Mr David McNarry ceased to be the Deputy Chairperson and Member of the Committee with effect from 12 April 2010. Mr Declan O’Loan was appointed Deputy Chairperson with effect from 13 April 2010. Mr Thomas Burns replaced Mr P J Bradley as with effect from 24 May 2010. Mr P J Bradley replaced Mr Declan O’Loan as Deputy Chairperson with effect from 28 May 2010. Mr Declan O’Loan replaced Mr P J Bradley as Deputy Chairperson with effect from 28 June 2010. 8 Mr David McClarty was appointed as a Member with effect from 13 April 2010. Mr Dominic Bradley ceased to be a Member with effect from 13 April 2010. This report covers the work of the Committee from the 1 September 2009 to the 31 August 2010. Committee activities, outputs and achievementsInquiries and ReviewsInquiry into the funding of the arts in Northern IrelandThe Committee considered evidence taken from key stakeholders in the 2008 – 2009 Assembly year, formulated its recommendations over the course of autumn 2009 and published its report in November 2009. The launch of the report was marked with a musical event in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings. Key stakeholders were treated to performances from three musical groups from various traditions in our community: the ArtsEkta fusion band, Rising Stour and four performers from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The inquiry recommended that DCAL should target its investment in the arts in such a way as to embed the arts in people’s everyday lives. The key recommendations of the report centred on the distribution and overall levels of funding for the arts. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to increase support for community arts and in particular, amateur drama and traditional arts. As a result of this, the Arts Council has committed to making states drama and dance, a priority for 2010/2011. May 10 – Cahoots NI Theatre Company performance Review of the Department’s management of the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) and its other arms length bodiesIn autumn 2008, the Committee held a number of sessions with DCAL on the circumstances which gave rise to the financial deficit within the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC). Subsequently the Committee commenced its own review into the Department’s sponsorship role of the NIEC and its other arms lengths bodies in Assembly year 2008 – 2009. The Committee submitted its report to the Department in July 2009 and the Department responded positively to the Committee’s recommendations in September 2009. Following further correspondence and briefings, the Committee decided not to publish a formal report. The Committee will return to this issue once the Companies Inspectorate Investigation has been completed. The Committee is currently considering commissioning an inquiry into arms lengths bodies in Assembly year 2010 – 2011. Participation in sport and physical activity in Northern IrelandThe Committee commenced its inquiry in Assembly year 2009 -2010. The aim of the inquiry was to identify and analyse the barriers to participation, and to consider solutions to increasing participation levels both across the population and among groups with lower than average participation rates. In addition to hearing evidence from witnesses, the Committee held stakeholders events and a teleconference link with a government official from Finland. There were 24 recommendations made in the report and it was agreed at its meeting of 1 July that the report should go to print. The plenary debate on the findings and governmental responses to the recommendations are scheduled for the autumn.
LegislationEel fishingThe Committee was briefed by DCAL officials in April 2010 in relation to the need for amendments to the Fisheries Regulations (NI) 2003. The European Commission adopted European Eel Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 on the 18 September 2007, which sought to establish measures for the recovery of the European eel stock. In Northern Ireland three eel river basins were subject to the EU’s Eel Management Plans (EMPs). As the North West catchment (cross-border Lough Erne fishery) was found to be unsustainable, the Committee was content that there should be a cessation of commercial eel fishing and the removal of any references to eel fishing licenses and fyke netting licenses in Lough Erne. Fisheries RegulationsThe Committee was briefed by DCAL officials in May 2010 and agreed that The Fisheries Act (NI) 1966 should be updated to reflect the transferring of responsibility for issuing fishing licenses from the Fisheries Conservancy Board to DCAL under The Public Authorities (Reform) Act. Appeals were also transferred from the Department to a Magistrate’s Court. The Committee was briefed in May 2010 by DCAL officials and agreed that the byelaw 72 (2) b of the Fisheries Regulation (NI) 2003 should also be amended to allow angling for rainbow trout to remain open all year. Schedule 6 of the Regulations was also amended as new designated rainbow trout fisheries have been added. Waterways IrelandFurther to delays in the public consultation, the Committee received a briefing from Waterways Ireland on its proposals to produce updated byelaws for Inland Waterways in June 2010. The Committee indicated that it was content for Waterways Ireland to begin the public consultation process necessary to bring the byelaws forward. Budget ScrutinyThe Committee has considered and advised the Department on the management of its annual budget (capital and revenue) through quarterly monitoring rounds and the revised spending plans. The Committee took evidence from departmental officials on the proposed revised budget for 2010-2011 in January 2010. The Committee was concerned that in terms of percentage cuts to existing budgets, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) had the highest cuts of all departments. The Committee also highlighted that investment in DCAL business areas contributes to key areas of economic growth such as the creative industries and cultural tourism. Following evidence from Sports NI, the Committee also raised concerns that cuts to the Sports NI budget would negatively impact on people living in socially deprived areas in terms of their ability to pursue sport and physical activity; a key to improving health and well being. Policy scrutinyStadia DevelopmentThe Committee continued to engage with DCAL on options for stadia development following the Minister’s decision not to proceed with a multi-sports development. The Committee asked Minister McCausland to brief it on his assessment of the business cases for stadia development for GAA, rugby and soccer in June 2010. However, the Minister has deferred the briefing until autumn 2010. The Committee has raised concerns in Committee and in the Plenary debate on the PfG delivery report about the delays on the Stadia Development. The Committee highlighted that the delays had resulted in uncertainty over a venue for the World Police and Fire Games and the hosting of any of the events for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Townland NamesIn January 2010, the Committee wrote to all departments, the Assembly Commission and MLAs to ask that they include their townland in their official addresses. In May 2010 the Assembly Commission agreed to use the townland of ‘Ballymiscaw’ in the official address of the Northern Ireland Assembly and in June, Committee Members presented the Speaker with a map of the townland of Ballymiscaw. The Department for Education agreed to include the townland in its official addresses and other Departments expressed their commitments to include townland names in replies to anyone who has used them in their correspondence addresses. In May 2010, the Committee hosted a townland event at the Balmoral Show in conjunction with Land and Property Services where members of the public were encouraged to find out the name and history of their townland. Draft Museum PolicyDuring Assembly year 2008-2009, the Committee published a report recommending that the Department produce a museums policy for Northern Ireland. The Department responded positively to this recommendation and has developed a draft museum policy which is now out to consultation. The Department briefed the Committee on the draft museum’s policy in May 2010 and awaits the outcome of the consultation in the autumn.
June 10 – An Cultúrlann CentreThe Committee held briefings with officials from the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales in September 2009 on the approaches they have taken to protect and promote indigenous languages. The Minister updated the Committee on the progress of the draft language strategy in July 2010 following concerns raised by the Committee that the recommendations from a Council of Europe and COMEX report to implement and adopt an Irish language and Ulster Scots strategy are not a high enough priority. Draft Tourism StrategyIn June 2010, the Committee received a briefing from DCAL and DETI officials on the Draft Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment to suggest that the Ministerial steering group should meet quarterly and provide a proactive lead on the tourism strategy. The Committee also raised its concerns with the Environment Committee over the detrimental impact of housing developments on the coastline. Engagement - Informal meetings/eventsThe Committee held 10 informal meetings with various groups during the course of the session. The Committee also hosted a roundtable meeting with various organisations to discuss a number of pertinent issues including funding. Three performances were arranged by the Committee in Parliament Buildings, with the aim of showcasing local musical and acting talent. Cahoots NI, a children’s theatre group, were invited to demonstrate the various work they do with schools. In April, Chloe Coyle from Castlederg, preformed in front of staff and MLAs in the Long Gallery and at the Committee’s townland event at the Balmoral Show in May. 13 year old Chloe then went on to win the All Ireland RTÉ Talent Show. This was followed by a performance by the Ballyholme Primary School Choir, winners of the BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ choir of the year award, in June 2010 Meetings heldThe Committee held 36 meetings, 17 of which were closed and 4 of which were in venues outside Parliament Buildings. The Committee also made 6 visits to the following places:
ANNEX A Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure – Expenditure for the period
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| Budget area |
Details |
Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
| Committee Travel - committee members and staff travel and subsistence in relation to visits and meetings outside Parliament Buildings | Includes the cost of 2 committee visits to:
|
£1430.42 |
| Printing of committee reports | Inquiry into the funding of the arts in Northern Ireland | £4755.22 |
| Advertising – the cost of public notices relating to committee inquiries, the committee stage of bills and meetings held outside Parliament Buildings | Includes the cost of public notices in relation to:
|
£5093.16 |
| Consultancy support - the cost of specialist advisers appointed by the committee and commissioned research | Specialist adviser to the Committee on [issue/inquiry to which the advice related] | NIL |
| General expenses | Cost of refreshments for committee meetings, working lunches, seminars, room hire and witness expenses, event entertainment services | £2856.86 |
| Total |
£14,135.66 |
|
