52Nd MEETING of the FOYLE CARLINGFORD and IRISH
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83rd MEETING OF THE FOYLE CARLINGFORD AND IRISH LIGHTS COMMISSION Friday 25th October 2013 11:00 am The Guildhall, Derry~Londonderry Attendees Present Winston Patterson (Chairman) Donal Tipping Laurence Arbuckle Phil Mahon Theresa McLaverty Michael McCormick Seamus Rodgers Joe Miller In Attendance - Loughs Agency John Pollock – Acting Chief Executive Officer John McCartney – Director of Conservation and Protection Barry Fox – Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Kevin Wilson – Director of Development Siobhan Wilson (Minutes) Invited Guest Peter Archdale – Chairman of the Advisory Forum The Board members met with Peter Archdale chairman of the Advisory Forum prior to the full meeting. Peter addressed the Board Members providing an overview of the functions of the Advisory Forum including the work carried out by the various focus groups within the Forum. Peter included in his address how the Forum captures the concerns of the stakeholder’s involvement. Peter advised the Board Members that James Haughey chairman of the Salmon, Inland Fisheries Focus Group had requested that he bring the following motion to the attention of the Board:- “The Forum is very concerned with the high risk of degradation of fisheries caused by the current procedures in the licensing of water abstraction and hydroelectric schemes. As a result we feel strongly there is a need for a fundamental review of the policy and practice of the licensing of abstraction and hydroelectric schemes as presently carried out by NIEA.” Prepared by S Wilson Nov ’13 Page 1 The Board agreed that further discussion was needed and that they would address the issue at their next meeting. Winston Patterson thanked Peter Archdale for attending. 1. Apologies Alan McCulla Andrew Duncan Jim Wilson 2. Conflict of Interest There were no conflicts of interest with any agenda items. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record. Proposed Don Tipping Seconded Phil Mahon 4. Reserved Minutes The reserved minutes were noted and agreed. Proposed Don Tipping Seconded Phil Mahon 5. Matters Arising Don Tipping raises the matter of the Omagh Office which was included in the Corporate Services Report at the last meeting. Don added that he was concerned with the Health and Safety aspect of the office. John Pollock advised the meeting that the most important issue is that the toilets and showering facilities are inadequate at the Omagh Office. John added that the sponsor departments have asked for a strategic review of all Loughs Agency premises. John further added that in the long term a decision will have to be made on whether or not to upgrade the Prepared by S Wilson Nov ’13 Page 2 existing building or sell it on and build a purpose built unit for the Agency’s needs. Joe Miller advised the meeting that the costs will need to be reviewed and suggests that this matter should be discussed at the next Audit Sub Committee Meeting. 6. CEO Report John Pollock, Acting CEO provided the Board with the following report: John advised the meeting that the past week has been full of events both supported by the Agency and attended by staff from the Agency. He added that the highlight of the week was the support of the Agency at the Turner Prize Opening Reception on 22nd October where the Agency sponsored the supply of Irish Flat Oysters from Lough Foyle. John described the event as very successful in both the excellent quality of the display, superb service of the oysters to the attendees and to the future success of the Lough Foyle Oyster. He added that this event has put the Agency on the map. John thanked all staff involved for their hard work and exceptional attention to detail in the preparation and execution of the event. The Agency welcomed the Minister of State Fergus O’Dowd to the Headquarters on 23rd October 2013 where the Minister met with the Senior Management Team ahead of the reception on the Irish Navy Ship LE Aisling in town for the Turner Prize event also. Barry Fox added that the chef in attendance at both events Emmett McCourt of North West Regional College had received two trade enquiries for service of Lough Foyle Oysters at events later in the week. John Pollock, Barry Fox and Winston Patterson attended the NSMC Meeting held in St. Columb’s Park House on Wednesday also. Winston Patterson added that this was a very uplifting day and he added that all 4 Ministers were very complimentary of the work of the Agency. John Pollock added that the Business Plan 2013 was approved by NSMC. Theresa McLaverty advised that this could be an opportunity for the Agency to gain funding for marketing the development strategy Prepared by S Wilson Nov ’13 Page 3 in her area as there is a lack of awareness there. Don Tipping added that Minister Fergus O’Dowd represents the Carlingford area and this too could be an opportunity for funding development projects in all areas. Kevin Wilson welcomed Theresa’s idea and added that it is an intention of the development directorate to submit a press release to the local papers in the Foyle, Donegal and Carlingford areas. John Pollock advised the meeting that a new Board Member will be announced in the next couple of weeks. His name is Mick Murphy and he was a former MLA and Councillor South Down. It is hoped that he will be in attendance at the next Board Meeting in December. 7. Directors Reports Corporate Services John Pollock, Acting CEO provided the Board with the following report: Financial Statements & Audit The Staff of the Agency have continued to work on the Internal Audit findings which resulted in their “limited” rating. Several of the recommendations have been already rectified, require legislative change or are out of the control of the Agency. An updated table on progress to date will be provided to the Board. External Audit commenced their audit on the draft 2012 Financial Statements in March and is nearing completion. Their management points when available will be brought forward to a future Audit Sub Committee / Board Meeting. The C&Ags office in the South have to review the financial statements before final sign off. North South Ministerial Council The North South Ministerial Council Sectoral was held at St Columb’s Park house on 23 October 2013 and the meeting coincided with the Turner Prize and the reception hosted by the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources Mr Pat Rabbitte, T.D. on the Irish Navy boat L.É. Aisling as part of the Agency’s promotion of local native Foyle Oysters. Prepared by S Wilson Nov ’13 Page 4 2012 Annual Report The draft report has been cleared by both Sponsor Departments and was noted by Ministers at the recent NSMC meeting on 23rd October 2013 this will now go forward for translation and final print. Staffing There is currently only 1 vacancy – CEO Post Advisory Forum The Advisory Forum held a stakeholder workshop on 2nd October. The outcomes of this meeting will assist the Agency develop its thinking for the next corporate planning period and also highlighted topics for discussion at focus group level. The next plenary Forum meeting is scheduled for March/April 2014 and focus group meetings will continue to meet over the next few months. Business Plan 2013 A final draft of the plan has been cleared by both Sponsor Departments and Finance Departments with formal approval given at the North South Ministerial Council Sectoral meeting. Corporate Plan 2014-16 and Business Plan 2014 The guidance was received on 11th September from the Departments of Finance on format and budget availability. Further efficiency cuts have been imposed of 4% per annum cumulating in 12% in 2016. The Agency has initiated the drafting of the plans and will bring forward drafts for Board approval when available. Review of Financial Memorandum No further progress to report on this issue. The review of the Financial Memorandum was initiated in 2010. The Agency still awaits formal notification from the Departments of Finance. Sponsor Departments have agreed an interim amendment to the tendering thresholds to mirror those of the Departments and Central Procurement Directorate pending word from the Finance Departments. This issue is regularly raised by Internal and External Audits and is beyond the control of the Agency. Amendment to the Foyle Fisheries Pension Scheme The Agency has drafted an amendment to the current pension scheme to allow the scheme to recognise incoming service from other public sector pension schemes. The Departments of Finance Prepared by S Wilson Nov ’13 Page 5 have set out a road map of the sequence of the necessary approvals and it is hoped that this amendment will receive final NSMC Ministers approval by December 2013 North South Pension Update The Economic Appraisal on the Agency joining the N/S Pension Scheme has been cleared by both Sponsor Departments and is currently been considered by both Finance Departments. The Agency has been in correspondence with its sponsor departments and are advised that the Finance Departments have been in discussion on the implications surrounding staff salaries and grading. The Agency has again been advised of the road map for the necessary approvals and is working on these with a view to finalising this issue in early 2014. Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Barry Fox, Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries provided the Board with the following report: Native Oyster Fishery The Lough Foyle Native Oyster Fishery has been open since 19th September 2013. The opening of the season was conducted in accordance with the new “Policy and Procedure for the Native Oyster Fishery” Procedure I Fishery Set-up, created in response to audit recommendations.