Development (Economic Development) Sub-Committee 7 September 2005
From Nigov
D301
Wednesday, 7th September, 2005
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor M. Browne (Chairman); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery); and Councillors Crozier, D. Dodds, Jones, P. Maskey, McCann, McClenaghan, Smyth and Stoker.
In attendance:
- Ms. S. McCay, Head of Economic Initiatives;
- Ms. S. Watson, Economic Development Manager; and
- Mr. B. Flynn, Committee Administrator.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 3rd August, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
Local Economic Development Plan
The Sub-Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 1st June, during consideration of a report in relation to the formulation of the new Local Economic Development Plan, it had been reported that the Department had proposed to hold a number of workshops to enable Members to provide an input into the Plan. The Members were advised that workshops in that regard had been held during June and had been attended by a number of Members of the Sub-Committee.
Accordingly, the Committee Administrator sought retrospective authority for the attendance of those Members at the workshops, and for the payment of the appropriate travelling, subsistence and attendance allowances in connection therewith.
The Sub-Committee granted the authority sought.
Future Funding for Economic Development
The Head of Economic Initiatives submitted a report in relation to the future funding of local economic development. 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.
World Trade Centre
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report in relation to the development in Belfast of a World Trade Centre.
After discussion, the Members agreed that:
- a further feasibility study be carried out in respect of the implementation of Option 1 and a report thereon be submitted to a future meeting; and
- a further detailed report outlining the Council’s options in respect of Option 2 be submitted for consideration by the Sub Committee.
China Plan – Update
The Head of Economic Initiatives reminded the Sub-Committee that formal links had been established between Belfast and the City of Hefei which had led to the signing in June of a Sister Cities Agreement. She pointed out that the undernoted key themes had been identified for promotion:
(i) trade and investment;
(ii) tourism;
(iii) educational awareness and student recruitment; and
(iv) cultural awareness.
In addition, the Sub-Committee was advised that the City of Hefei had proposed also that annual trade missions be undertaken between the two cities and that an invitation had been received for a delegation from the Council to attend the Annual Hi Tech Fair, which would take place in Hefei from 21st till 23rd September.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to decline the invitation to attend the Annual Hi-tech Fair and deferred consideration of future visits to China pending the submission to a future meeting of a report outlining the benefits to be derived from undertaking such visits.
Belfast GEMS
The Sub-Committee agreed to undertake a study visit to the offices of the Belfast GEMS, the date and time of which to be agreed in conjunction with the Chairman (Councillor M. Browne).
Stena Line
The Sub-Committee agreed to receive at a future meeting a presentation from representatives of the Stena Line ferry service outlining the Company’s plans for future ferry operations to and from the City of Belfast.
Group Contacts Scheme – Investors in People
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report in respect of the provision of funding for the Group Contracts Scheme.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee agreed to adopt the recommendations contained within the foregoing report.
Strategy in Business
The Head of Economic Initiatives submitted the undernoted report regarding a proposal for the development of a programme entitled Strategy in Business:
After discussion, the Sub-Committee approved the recommendations contained within the report.
East Belfast Working Group
The Committee Administrator reminded the Sub-Committee that, at its meeting on 3rd August, it had agreed to nominate three Members to represent the Council on the East Belfast Working Group.
He reported that, subsequently, Councillors Jones and Newton, of the Alliance and Democratic Unionist Parties respectively, had agreed to accept the nomination. However, Councillor Empey had indicated, in view of his current work schedule, that he would be unable to partake on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party Grouping in the operation of the Group.
During discussion, the Head of Economic Initiatives expressed concern regarding the project management of the East Belfast Working Group.
After discussion, during which the Sub-Committee noted the concerns expressed by the Head of Economic Initiatives, it was agreed that the matter relating to the Membership of the Group be referred to the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Grouping on the Council requesting that he nominate a Member to represent that Party on the Working Group.
Chairman
