COMMITTEE FOR ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
THURSDAY, 21 MAY 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Mr Mark Durkan MP (Chairperson)
Ms Jennifer McCann (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Leslie Cree
Mr Alan McFarland
Mr Gerry McHugh
Mr Jim Wells
Mr Sean Neeson
In Attendance:
Mr Jim McManus (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Paul Connolly (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Diarmaid Elder (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Mr Simon Hamilton
Mr Robin Newton
Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP
Mr Paul Butler
The meeting opened at 10.35 a.m. in closed session with the Deputy Chairperson, Jennifer McCann in the Chair.
Mark Durkan joined the meeting at 10.50am and took the Chair.
The meeting returned to public session at 12.10pm
1. Apologies.
Apologies are detailed above.
2. Minutes of meeting held on 14 May.
Agreed: The draft minutes of the meeting on 14 May were agreed.
3. Matters arising.
Members discussed a possible inquiry into the SEM
Agreed: To defer any decision until after the SEM Committee briefing.
Chair updated members on his recent meeting with the PMS Administrator, Arthur Boyd
Members noted a paper from the Chartered Management Institute entitled Economic Outlook Survey
Members noted two media extracts concerning the economic downturn
Members discussed the PWC Budget Analysis paper on the Chancellor’s statement.
Members were advised of the delay in obtaining information on the 10-day payment targets.
Agreed: The Clerk would continue to seek this information.
Members noted information supplied by the Northern Ireland Manufacturing Group regarding the disparity in bank charges here and in GB.
Agreed: To arrange a meeting in closed session with the four main local banks to discuss further.
4. Small Business Support Programme and New Enterprise Programmes
Members received an oral briefing from Graham Davis and Alison McGreevy from Invest NI. Members also noted a written briefing from Enterprise NI. Key issues discussed included the initial results of the Go For It and Growth Programme, how the mentoring element of the scheme will operate and issues surrounding how the scheme will be administered post RPA.
Agreed: To seek further information from the Department in relation to post RPA issues.
5. Gas Supplier of Last Resort
Members noted a written briefing paper from the Department with regard to the results of the Public Consultation.
6. Committee Scrutiny of Projects – Proof of Concept Programme.
Members noted a written briefing from the Department.
Agreed: To seek an oral briefing from officials after recess.
7. Forward Work Programme
Members noted the content of the revised Forward Work Programme.
Agreed: Clerk to prepare an analysis paper on evidence gathered to date on the economic downturn.
8. Correspondence
The Committee noted the following items of correspondence
- Letter from Ian Pearson regarding the Treasury review of Regulatory Framework for NI Mutuals
Agreed: To copy this letter to those individuals and organisation who responded to the Credit Union Inquiry
- Letter of invitation for the Chair to speak at a Network Club event to be held at the Templeton Hotel
- Letter from Environment Link to the Chair enclosing a fact sheet ‘The Science of Climate Change’
- Letter from Environment Link offering an oral briefing to the Committee.
- Letter from Minister Foster regarding Matrix of Business Support.
- Reply from the Minister regarding Lough Foyle Ferry Service.
- Invite from Invest NI for Chair to speak at the Staff Conference to be held in the Grand Opera House on 10 June.
- Email from Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors seeking a response to their consultation paper on accreditation of valuers and associated regulation.
- Request from the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee asking that a letter of invitation be sent to DETI Permanent Secretary to attend a seminar on town land names.
9. Any Other Business
Members noted that the requested update briefing on Project Kelvin was still outstanding.
Agreed: That the Clerk would pursue the matter with the Department.
10. Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 28 May at 10.30 a.m. in Room 21, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 1.30pm.