Belfast City Council Development (Economic Development) Sub-Committee Minutes 6 April 2005
From Nigov
E4170
Wednesday, 6th April, 2005
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor C. McGimpsey (Chairman); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor O’Donnell); and Councillors M. Browne, Crowe, A. Maskey, McAuley, McCarthy, Newton, O’Reilly and Rodgers.
In attendance:
- Ms. S. McCay, Head of Economic Initiatives;
- Ms. S. Watson, Economic Development Manager; and
- Mr. J. Goodall, Senior Committee Administrator.
(The Deputy Chairman (Councillor McCarthy) in the Chair.)
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings of 28th February and 2nd and 9th March, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
West Belfast and Greater Shankill Task Forces
The Sub-Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 1st February, had agreed that a letter be forwarded to the Minister with responsibility for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment requesting that places on the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Task Forces be made available to all the Party Groupings on the Council.
The Head of Economic Initiatives reported that a response, copies of which had previously been circulated, had been received from the Assistant Private Secretary to the Minister indicating that the programme of work of the Task Force Joint Working Group was almost completed and it was proposed that a review would be undertaken to determine how best to take forward the Task Force process. Accordingly, it was considered that it would not be practical to revise the representation of the Group at this time. However, the request for All-Party representation would be taken into consideration during the above-mentioned review.
After discussion, during which it was agreed that a further letter be forwarded to the Minister indicating that the Task Force Joint Working Group should, in light of outstanding proposals, continue to operate and consequently All-Party Representation would be required, the Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided.
Investment Belfast Limited Working Group
The Head of Economic Initiatives submitted a report providing an update on the work of the Joint Working Group, comprising representatives of Investment Belfast Limited and Members and officers of the Council and in respect of the Company’s request to increase the Council’s financial support by 2.5%, consideration of which had been deferred by the Sub-Committee at its meeting on 28th February.
She reviewed the activities of the Working Group and stated that, at its meeting on 9th March, it had agreed to recommend to the Sub-Committee the undernoted measures:
(i) the Council would need to review before August its Economic Development priorities, including arrangements for contact with the private sector, thus ensuring that a clear direction could be given in September to Investment Belfast Limited and other bodies;
(ii) the relationship between the Council and Investment in Belfast Limited would be required to be amended, irrespective of the nature of future arrangements; and
(iii) Investment Belfast Limited should be made aware of the need to prepare for change.
In reviewing the future funding arrangements, the Sub-Committee was reminded that the Council’s budget for Economic Development would be reduced by 50% from 2006 onwards and, whilst efforts were being made to have the budget increased from external sources, there was no guarantee that such funding could be obtained. In addition, it was unlikely at this time that the Council would opt to obtain funding for Economic Development purposes by way of an increase in the District Rate.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to adopt the recommendations of the Joint Working Group and agreed that the funding for Investment Belfast Limited be not increased.
SeaCat Irish Sea Service Update
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report in relation to the SeaCat Irish Sea Service.
After discussion, during which it was agreed that the engagement with cross channel carriers be extended to include representatives of the airlines operating out of the City Airport, the Sub-Committee adopted the course of action outlined within the report.
(The Chairman (Councillor C. McGimpsey) in the Chair.)
Neighbourhood Economic Development Programme
The Head of Economic Initiatives submitted a report in respect of the Neighbourhood Economic Development Programme. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendix referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the report.
Creative Industries Programme Phase 2
The Sub-Committee considered a report outlining the progress achieved in respect of the development of Creative Industries and seeking support for a second phase of the programme in that regard. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the report.
Incoming Trade Delegation from Cyprus
The Sub-Committee was reminded that the Council had undertaken in October, 2004 a trade mission to the Republic of Cyprus. The outcome of the mission was that six of the eight companies involved in the visit had developed strategic alliances in Cyprus, with three firms having returned to that country in November and December, 2004 to carry out work. Whilst on the mission, a request had been received from the Cyprus Ministry of Commerce that the Council host a reciprocal trade mission.
The Head of Economic Initiatives reported that the visit would be taking place during October. She reviewed the proposed itinerary and recommended that the Sub-Committee agree to host a half-day seminar in the City Hall, followed by a formal dinner for the delegates. In addition, she reported that the Mayor of Nicosia would be visiting Belfast during the ensuing week and she sought authority for the Chairman (Councillor C. McGimpsey) and the Deputy Chairman (the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor O’Donnell) to meet formally with him.
The Sub-Committee noted the information that had been provided, approved support for the incoming mission to the value of £5,500, approved the attendance of all Members of the Sub-Committee at the above-mentioned events and authorised the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Sub-Committee to meet with the Mayor of Nicosia during the ensuing week.
Trade Delegation from Halifiax, Nova Scotia
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, outlining the outcomes of the visit to the City of a trade delegation from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
China Update
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report outlining the programme of the visit to Belfast in June of representatives of the City of Hefei at which a Sister City Agreement between the two cities would be signed. In addition, the Sub-Committee agreed to the holding of a formal dinner to mark the event.
Sales Development Programmes
The Head of Economic Initiatives submitted the undernoted report in relation to the establishment of sales development programmes.
After discussion, during which it was agreed that the programmes should contain an element of accreditation and, where possible, that businesses from the social economy sector should be included, the Sub-Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the report.
Start a Business Programme
The Head of Economic Initiatives submitted a report in relation to the Start a Business Programme. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendix referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
After discussion, during which it was agreed, in view of the intrinsic value of the Programme, that the Chairman (Councillor C. McGimpsey) be authorised to request Invest Northern Ireland to undertake the funding of the initiative, the Sub-Committee agreed not to fund the Programme.
Business Innovation through Graduates
The Head of Economic Initiatives submitted a report in relation to a proposal for the development of a Business Innovation through Graduates programme. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the report.
ENZYME
The Sub-Committee considered a report in relation to the funding of the ENZYME project. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendix referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation contained within the report.
A Celebration of Irish Entrepreneurship
The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Sub-Committee that Forbairt Feirste had been established in 1994 to promote cultural heritage through economic regeneration and, as the main Irish language economic development agency, its main aim was to create jobs and new opportunities for the Belfast Irish-speaking community. To this end, the organisation was currently implementing a two-pronged strategy, viz., the provision of training for the Irish-speaking community to ensure that its workforce would be confident and highly skilled; and the promotion of the Irish language in every aspect of business life with a view to ensuring that Irish speakers would have an advantage and extra opportunities in the job market. The organisation’s latest project, “Irish Means Business”, aimed to further those strategies and accordingly it had requested that the Council become one of the main sponsors of the “A Celebration of Irish Entrepreneurship” event to be held on 30th July.
The Head of Economic Initiatives reviewed the programme and the anticipated outputs and recommended that the Sub-Committee sponsor the event to a maximum of £3,000 and that a letter be forwarded to the Belfast First Stop Shop requesting that it assist the organisers in raising the levels of enterprise development in the West of the City.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendations.
Adult Learning Events Guide 2005
The Sub-Committee was reminded that a key priority within the Local Economic Development Plan 2002-2006 was the promotion of Belfast as a learning city by fostering creative lifelong learning. To this end, the Educational Guidance Service for Adults had supported previously the Council and other agencies in promoting adult learning across the City by producing an Adult Learning Events Guide which had been distributed to households in the Greater Belfast area during a series of annual Adult Learners Weeks.
It was reported that the organisation had approached the Council with a view to obtaining funding in relation to the production of the Guide for 2005. The Head of Economic Initiatives reviewed the promotional activities and the associated opportunities for the Council, together with the projected outputs. She stated that the total cost for the design, production, distribution and promotion of the Guide would be £20,000, of which the Council was being requested to provide £12,000, with the remainder being secured from other sources. She pointed out that the Council’s contribution would be acknowledged prominently in all publicity material in respect of the project.
The Sub-Committee noted the information which had been provided and agreed that funding in the sum of £12,000 be awarded towards the costs associated with the design, development and distribution of the Guide.
Institution of Economic Development Conference: October, 2005
The Sub-Committee was advised that the Institute of Economic Development, the leading United Kingdom organisation for Economic Development Practitioners, was holding its National Annual Conference in Belfast from 5th till 7th October. The Conference, entitled “Transforming Economies, succeeding Across Boundaries” was scheduled to be held in the Hilton Hotel and would be attended by approximately 150 delegates from the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The Head of Economic Initiatives reviewed the Conference programme, the associated costs and the benefits to be derived from the Conference being held in Belfast and stated that sponsorship was being sought from the Council and from a range of organisations, including Invest Northern Ireland, the Laganside Corporation, the Department for Social Development and private sector Companies. She recommended that sponsorship in the sum of £7,000 be awarded towards the organisation of the Conference.
The Sub-Committee adopted the recommendation.
Invest Northern Ireland Draft Corporate Plan
The Sub-Committee was reminded that Invest Northern Ireland had been established in 2002 as a non-Departmental Public Body under the sponsorship of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and that its function was to promote and assist economic development in Northern Ireland. Its first Corporate Plan had covered the period from April, 2002 till March, 2005 and it had recently issued for consultation its second Plan in respect of the period ending in March, 2008.
The Head of Economic Initiatives reviewed the contents of the Plan, a copy of which had been deposited in the Members’ Library, and submitted for consideration the undernoted response to the document.
During discussion, Members commented that the contents of the Plan should be made the subject of an Equality Impact Assessment and that the Council’s engagement with Invest in Northern Ireland should be at a strategic level.
After further discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed that the foregoing response be forwarded to Invest Northern Ireland as the Council’s response to the document, subject to its reinforcement and by the inclusion of the aforementioned comments of the Members.
World Trade Centre
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 8th May, 2002, it had agreed to acquire, in partnership with Amstelland, formerly the Multi-Development Corporation, a licence for a World Trade Centre in Belfast. The full cost of the licence comprised a one-off payment of £140,000, with further annual payments of £7,000 to the World Trade Centre Association and each of the partners was responsible for 50% of the costs. In addition, the legal agreement with Amstelland ensured that the Council would have the first option to buy that Company’s share of the Licence should it wish to relinquish it.
The Head of Economic Initiatives reported that the Company had intimated that it wished to sell its portion of the Licence and she accordingly sought authority to enter into discussions with the Directors of Amstelland to negotiate an appropriate price.
The Sub-Committee granted the authority sought.
Funding for Economic Development
The Head of Economic Initiatives submitted a report in relation to a Position Paper which had been issued by the Northern Ireland Local Economic Development Forum in relation to the future of local economic development. She pointed out that the Forum brought together senior personnel from those Local Authorities working within the Economic Development sector with a view to liaising on strategic issues which would affect the development of their respective districts. To that end, a research team had been appointed to undertake an audit of Local Government achievements since 1994 and prepare a lobby for continued financing of economic development. The Position Paper had been produced with a view to highlighting pressing issues which would require attention in the context of the end of European Funds in their current format. Specifically, the Forum was requesting that Elected Members support the continued involvement of local authorities in local economic development by promoting the issues and benefits to be achieved and by communicating to Central Government their desire for a continued role in this field.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee noted the contents of the Position Paper, a copy of which had been deposited in the Members’ Library, and agreed to support the advocacy campaign and to communicate to Central Government their desire for a continued role in economic development.
Last Meeting
The Chairman (Councillor C. McGimpsey) thanked the officers and the Members for their co-operation and support during his period of office.
Chairman
