Belfast City Council Development (Economic Development) Sub-Committee Minutes 7 February 2005
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E3978
Monday, 7th February, 2005
Contents |
SPECIAL MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor C. McGimpsey (Chairman); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Template:Bcc0405-O’Donnell); and Councillors McCarthy, Newton and Rodgers.
In attendance:
- Ms. M. T. McGivern, Director of Development;
- Ms. S. McCay, Head of Economic Initiatives;
- Ms. S. Watson, Economic Development Manager; and
- Miss L. Hillick, Committee Administrator.
Future Funding Post 2006
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report in relation to future funding options post 2006:
The Director of Development drew the Members’ attention to various aspects of the report.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report and agreed that:
- officers within the Economic Development Unit continue to prepare an advocacy case for the proposal that Central Government consider redirecting mainstream finance to Local Authorities to undertake economic development activities;
- an information seminar in respect of the availability of funding post 2006, to which two representatives from those organisations receiving currently financial support from the Council be arranged; and
- the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Sub-Committee be invited to participate in the event and that their attendance thereat be considered as an approved duty.
Belfast First Stop Business Shop
The Chairman (Councillor C. McGimpsey) informed the Sub-Committee that correspondence had been received from representatives of the Belfast First Stop Business Shop requesting that a Working Group be established with a view to improving communications between the Council and the organisation to consider future funding arrangements beyond 2006.
The Sub-Committee agreed that an All-Party Working Group, comprising two Members from each of the Party Groupings on the Council, officers from the Economic Development Unit and representatives of the Belfast First Stop Business Shop, be established to address the issues.
Seacat Irish Sea Ferries
A Member referred to the decision of the Sub-Committee of 12th January, authorising the Economic Development Manager to seek a meeting with officials of Seacat in order to discuss its concerns in relation to the Company’s proposals to withdraw its Belfast – Troon ferry service and enquired whether the meeting had taken place.
In response, the Economic Development Manager reported that, whilst representatives of Seacat had been requested to meet with representatives of the Sub Committee, a response had yet to be received.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed, in view of the urgency of the matter, that the officials of the Company be contacted again requesting that the meeting take place at the earliest opportunity.
Chairman
