Agenda and minutes

Apologies were reported on behalf of Councillors S. Douglas and Nic Bhranair.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the Press and public from the meeting during discussion of the item as, due to the nature of the item, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Section 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            The Members were also reminded that the content of ‘restricted’ reports and any discussion which took place during closed session must be treated as ‘confidential information’ and that no such information should be disclosed to the public as per Paragraph 4.15 of the Code of Conduct.  

            The Strategic Director of Place and Economy provided the Committee with an update in respect of the appointment and remuneration of a new Chief Executive to Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall (BWUH) Ltd.

            He provided, for the Members information, a timeline outlining BWUH Ltd.’s recruitment process for a new Chief Executive.

            He advised the Committee that, at its meeting on 13th December, 2024, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had agreed that the governance arrangements between Belfast City Council and the BWUH Ltd. Board be added to the assignments to be undertaken by Audit, Governance and Risk Services.

            The Strategic Director of Place and Economy and the Divisional Solicitor answered a range of questions from the Members in relation to the timeline and the review of governance arrangements, to be undertaken by Audit, Governance and Risk Services.

            After discussion, the Committee noted:

                     i.       the appointment and remuneration of a new Chief Executive to BWUH Ltd;

                    ii.       the timeline in respect of the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive to BWUH Ltd;

                   iii.       that, at its meeting on 13th December, 2024, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had agreed that the governance arrangements between Belfast City Council and the BWUH Ltd. Board be added to the assignments to be undertaken by Audit, Governance and Risk Services; and

                  iv.       that the terms of reference for a review of the governance arrangements, to be undertaken by Audit, Governance and Risk Services, would be submitted to a future meeting of the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Shareholders’ Committee.