Development (Economic Development) Sub-Committee 8 March 2006
From Nigov
Wednesday, 8th March, 2006
Contents |
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) SUB-COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor Stoker (Deputy Chairman) (in the Chair); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Convery); and Councillors Crozier, D. Dodds, Empey, Jones, McCann, McCarthy, McClenaghan, Newton, Smyth and Stoker (sic).
In attendance
- Ms S. McCay (Head of Economic Initiatives);
- Ms S. Watson (Economic Development Manager); and
- Mr N. Malcolm (Committee Administrator).
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the Chairman (Councillor M. Browne) and Councillor P. Maskey.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 8th February, copies of which had previously been circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
Manufacturing Action Plan
The Sub-Committee noted the contents of a report (This should be requested under Freedom of Information) regarding the progress which had been achieved in progressing the Manufacturing Action Plan.
Creative Industries
Belfast Fashion Week and the New Designers’ Show 2006
The Sub-Committee considered the undernoted report regarding the participation of creative entrepreneurs from the City in Belfast Fashion Week and the New Designers’ Show 2006, which would be held in London.
After discussion, the Sub-Committee adopted the foregoing recommendations.
Brookfield Mill
The Economic Development Manager reminded the Sub-Committee that, at its meeting on 3rd August, 2005, it had agreed to support the development of a creative incubation programme, entitled Ignite!, in Brookfield Mill by providing funding of up to a maximum of £186,700 to the project. Additional funding in the sum of £553,000 was to be provided by the International Fund for Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland. The scheme had been promoted by Brookfield Business Centre and was part of a larger scheme involving the redevelopment of the entire site, which was owned by the Flax Trust, and it was the intention that the Mill would become a hub for the creative and media industries.
She reported that in January the Board of the Flax Trust had decided not to accept the offer of funding from Invest Northern Ireland on the basis that the delays in securing finance and the associated increase in costs, together with the reduction in partner funding, would result in the project being no longer economically viable. Accordingly, the funding which the Sub-Committee had allocated to the Ignite! incubation programme would no longer be required.
The Economic Development Manager reminded the Members that the money which the Council had earmarked for the project was European Union funding and had to be expended not later than June, 2007, with the result that, should the Council be unable to identify a similar project which would qualify for funding within the ensuing two months, money would have to be returned to Brussels. She stated that the Ignite! programme was one of a number of incubation schemes which the Economic Development Unit had been working on over the past year.
Several Members requested information regarding the potential projects which could receive the funding and, after discussion, the Committee agreed that the amount of £186,700 which had been allocated to the Ignite! project be re-allocated to another incubation scheme or schemes and that the Sub Committee receive a report within the next two months on the various options available to the Council.
Local Sourcing Initiative Phase 2
The Sub-Committee was reminded that the Council had organised previously a Local Sourcing Initiative. This scheme sought to create opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to compete effectively for the millions of pounds worth of contracts offered by major public sector organisations and private sector companies in Northern Ireland.
The Economic Development Manager outlined to the Members the work which had been undertaken since the Initiative had commenced in 2003 and indicated that Phase 2 of the scheme would involve a local sourcing event which would be held in the City Hall on 22nd June. This would be followed by meetings between large private/public sector companies and a selection of small to medium-sized enterprises in order to develop further opportunities.
Noted.
Belfast First Stop Shop
The Sub-Committee was advised that, in pursuance with its decision of 11th January, the reception to mark the closure of the Belfast First Stop Shop, to which the Sub-Committee would be invited, would be held on 27th March.
Noted.
“Divided Cities” Workshop to be held in Cyprus
The Sub-Committee agreed to defer consideration of a report regarding an invitation which the Council had received to participate in a Workshop, entitled “Divided Cities”, which was due to be held on 27th and 28th April in Nicosia, Cyprus, to enable officers of the Unit to ascertain whether the organisers would be prepared to meet the travelling and accommodation costs for an all-party delegation from the Sub Committee, together with an appropriate officer. It was agreed also that a report in that regard be submitted for consideration at the meeting of the principal Committee, scheduled to be held on 22nd March.
Chairman
