COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
Thursday, 13 November 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Paul Butler
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Simon Hamilton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Sean Neeson
Mr Robin Newton
Mr Jim Wells
In Attendance:
Mr John Torney (Principal Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Stephen White (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
The meeting opened at 10.35 a.m. in closed session.
The meeting went into public session at 10.48 a.m.
1. Apologies.
There were no apologies.
The Committee wished to record their appreciation and commendation for the work of the outgoing Clerk, Lucia Wilson and welcomed her replacement, Jim McManus.
2. Declaration of Interests.
There were no new declaration of interests.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 6 November 2008.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 6 November 2008 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to NIE Energy and Phoenix Gas regarding the lack of usage information for pre-payment meter consumers and to copy these letters to the Utility Regulator.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Uel Adair, Irish League of Credit Unions regarding the League’s recent press release.
Members noted a copy of the letter from the Chairperson to the Minister regarding the Titanic Signature Project.
Members noted a copy of the letter from the Chairperson to the Minister regarding the pension provision for former employees of LEDU.
Alasdair McDonnell joined the meeting at 10.59 a.m.
5. Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy Written Briefing
The Committee noted a briefing paper from Invest NI regarding its business activities relating to the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to receive an oral briefing from officials at a later date.
6. Social Economy Network
Social Economy Network officials joined the meeting at 11.02 a.m.
Social Economy Network Officials Anna McAleavey, Chairperson, Anne Graham, Director and Paul Roberts, Board Member briefed the Committee on the Social Economy Enterprise Strategy. Key issues discussed included the need for a ‘champion’ for the sector within each Department, the need for the inclusion of a social clause in government procurement process and access to finance and funding. Social Economy Network Officials agreed to share their briefing paper with other relevant Committees.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to share briefing papers with other relevant Committees.
Social Economy Network officials left the meeting at 12.04 p.m.
Robin Newton left the meeting at 12.04 p.m.
The meeting was suspended from 12.04 p.m. to 12.14 p.m.
7. Draft Social Economy Enterprise Strategy
Officials joined the meeting at 12.15 p.m.
DETI Officials Mike Bohill, Head of Business Regulation, Anne Marie Davison, Head of Social Economy Branch, Stephen Macdonald, Social Economy Branch and Sharon Polson, Invest NI briefed the Committee on the Draft Social Economy Enterprise Strategy. Key issues discussed included the proposed timeframe for the strategy and issues surrounding public sector procurement. Officials agreed to share their briefing paper with other relevant Committees.
Sean Neeson left the meeting at 12.32 p.m.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to share briefing papers with other relevant Committees.
Officials left the meeting at 12.44 p.m.
8. Credit Union Inquiry – Briefing from DETI Officials
Officials joined the meeting at 12.45 p.m.
DETI Officials Mike Bohill, Head of Business Regulation, Sandy Williamson, Companies Registry, and Paul Bingham, Companies Registry, briefed the Committee on the Departments submission to the Committee’s Inquiry on Credit Unions. Key issues discussed included an update on developments since the submission was submitted in June 2008.
Alasdair McDonnell left the meeting at 1.05 p.m.
Officials left the meeting at 1.10 p.m.
Paul Butler left the meeting at 1.10 p.m.
9. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered the Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: The Forward Work Programme was agreed.
Agreed: To receive oral briefing from officials regarding December monitoring.
Agreed: To hold an additional meeting during the Christmas recess.
Agreed: To hold the first Committee meeting after Christmas recess on 15 January.
10. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following correspondence which had been issued for their information prior to the meeting:
- Letter from the Chairperson to the Chairperson of the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding the Budget Stocktake.
- Letter from the Chairperson of the Finance and Personnel Committee to the Minister for Finance and Personnel regarding the Budget Stocktake.
- Letter from the Minister for Finance and Personnel Committee to the Chairperson of the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding the Budget Stocktake.
- Copy of Phoenix Gas Newsletter.
- Letter of invitation from Newry Chamber of Commerce to attend Charity Lunch.
Agreed: Members agreed to attend this event.
- Letter from the Chairperson of the Employment and Learning Committee asking that correspondence be passed to the Minister.
Agreed: To pass the letter to the Minister.
11. Any Other Business.
There was no additional business.
12. Date, time and place of next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 20 November at 10.30a.m.in HSENI Headquarters, Ladas Drive, Belfast.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.22 p.m.