Minutes:
(Ms. C. Toolan, Managing Director of BWUH Ltd., returned to the meeting at this point.)
The Managing Director of Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd. (BWUH Ltd.) provided the Committee with an overview of the Company’s mission, vision and governance structure. She invited the new Members of the Committee to undertake a tour of the ICC Belfast.
She advised the Committee of the Company’s performance during April, May and June, 2019, and provided a detailed analysis of actual performance against the budget, in relation to sales and overhead costs. The Members were advised that the company was on target to achieve its goals.
The Members were advised of the company’s strategic goals and how it was achieving, or surpassing, the targets in relation to the number of conferences held, the number of delegate days and the economic return to the City by 2020/2021.
The Committee was given an overview of the sales pipeline for conferences and entertainment for the coming years. It was pointed out that 2020/2021 remained a challenging year for the company.
The Operations Director provided the Members with an update on the pro-active sales and marketing activity which had been undertaken by the team. She highlighted to the Members that the recent C&IT Agency Forum had been very successful for the company and that the BWUH team’s hard work had paid off in showcasing the City.
The Members were advised of the feedback which had been received from conference organisers and entertainment customers in relation to both venues.
The Operations Director provided the Committee with an overview of the targets as set out in the Letter of Offer, and the company’s performance in each area. She highlighted that the absence figures were 1.2% higher than the target and explained that work was ongoing to reduce this.
The Managing Director highlighted to the Committee that more and more event organisers were interested in a venue’s sustainability and environmental policies and that it would be important for the company’s success moving forward.
She advised the Members that a new website and ticketing system had been launched for the entertainment side of the business and that they were operating well.
The Members were reminded that the previous catering contract for the business had been terminated in June, 2018. The Managing Director explained that the tender for the catering contract had been issued in March 2019 by an external consultant, with tenders for the cleaning and security commencing in the coming months.
The Managing Director provided the Committee with an update on the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and explained that Autism NI had been chosen as the charity for the financial year.
The Members were advised that a Conditions Survey was being completed to establish priorities for the capital programme. In response to a request from a Member, the Managing Director confirmed that she would endeavour to outline the difference costs relating to each venue in future reports.
A number of Members requested information regarding the potential for apprenticeship positions within the business. The Manager Director explained that the creation of apprenticeships continued to be a challenge as they did not have any tradesmen as full-time employees within the business, but that they were still working towards apprenticeship positions within the business. The Operations Director added that they worked closely with the Ulster University and Belfast Met, and that they were soon hoping to take on a Digital Marketing student within the company.
In response to a Member’s query regarding the impact of Brexit on the business so far, the Managing Director advised the Committee that five conferences had been lost as a result of the uncertainty around Brexit. She explained that one of the reasons cited by an organiser related to the uncertainty in relation to Value Added Tax rates.
In response to a further question, the Managing Director confirmed to the Committee that all staff employed by BWUH Ltd. received a Living Wage.
The Committee noted the update which was provided.