Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Mac Giolla Mhín and Spence.

            The minutes of the meetings of 10th and 25th October were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st November.

            The Committee agreed to receive a presentation from representatives of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau at its meeting on 22nd November; and a presentation from Belfast City Centre Management at its meeting on 13th December.

            The Committee deferred, until its meeting on 22nd November, consideration of the above-mentioned framework document to allow further discussions to take place and to allow a further report on the indicative costs associated with the implementation of the framework to be submitted.

           The Director reminded the Committee that the Council held a licence to operate a branch of the World Trade Centre in Belfast.  He explained that the licence gave the Council the right to use the World Trade Centre brand and enabled it to develop and deliver a series of activities under its auspices.  He provided an outline of the range of initiatives delivered in this regard. 

            The Director pointed out that, whilst the holding of a licence to operate a World Trade Centre did not require the establishment of an operational centre, approval had previously been granted for the Council to seek external support to assist it to extend the Waterfront Hall.  He indicated that such an extension could incorporate new conference facilities, together with exhibition space, and he suggested that this could present the Council with an opportunity to utilise the World Trade Centre licence and brand.  He therefore recommended that the Committee authorise the payment of $10,000 to renew the annual licence fee. 

The Committee adopted the recommendation and it was noted that the cost in Sterling would be approximately £6,220.

            The Committee approved a budget of up to £20,000 towards costs for Belfast-based participants and shared costs for the conference, exhibition and networking event.”

            The Committee approved the appointment of an Interim Director within the Waterfront Hall and authorised the undertaking of a business review of the Strategic Neighbourhood Action Planning Unit, the Policy and Business Development Unit and the Planning and Transport Units.  It was noted that afurther report in this regard would be submitted in due course.

            The Committee was advised that the Aisling Awards would take place in the Europa Hotel on 17th November.  The Director reported that the Council-supported Rise Sculpture had been short-listed for the Belfast Brand Award. It was pointed out that the Council had been offered two complimentary tickets to the ceremony and it was, therefore, recommended that the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, or their nominees, represent the Committee at the event.

            The Committee agreed to nominate the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, or their nominees, to attend the event and authorised also, at the cost of £125, the attendance of an officer from the Department.