Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh

Transcription

1 96 th MEETING OF THE FOYLE CARLINGFORD AND IRISH LIGHTS COMMISSION Attendees Tuesday 16 th February 2016 at 11:00 am Present Winston Patterson (Chairman) Alan McCulla (Vice Chair) Andrew Duncan Joe Miller Phil Mahon Terry McWilliams Don Tipping Michael McCormick Seamus Rodgers Non Attendance Theresa McLaverty Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh In Attendance - Loughs Agency John Pollock Chief Executive Officer John McCartney Director of Conservation and Protection Kevin Wilson Director of Development Barry Fox Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Sharon McMahon Director of Corporate Services Siobhan Wilson (Minutes) 1. Apologies Mick Murphy Laurence Arbuckle Winston Patterson welcomed everyone to the meeting and read the apologies. Winston congratulated the members on their extensions of service to the Board and introduced new Board Member Mr Terry McWilliams. Winston Patterson introduced Dr Paddy Boylan, Senior Biologist who gave a presentation on the Scientific Strategy for the Agency. The Board unanimously endorsed the strategy and complimented 1

2 Paddy Boylan on this significant area of work for the Loughs Agency and wished him well for its implementation. The Board will look forward to receiving updates on its implementation. 2. Conflict of Interest There were no conflicts of interests expressed at the meeting. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record of the last meeting. Proposed Phil Mahon Seconded Andrew Duncan 4. Reserved Minutes There were no reserved minutes to note on this occasion. 5. Matters Arising All matters arising are listed as the Agenda Items. 6. CEO Report Foyle Ferry CEO advised the Board that the Agency has facilitated 2 meetings with Causeway Coast & Glens Council and Donegal County Council regarding the operation of the Greencastle/Magilligan Ferry. Both Councils have agreed to tender the service in late February/early March 2016 and expect the service to be operational during the 2016 summer season. CEO also stated that while the Agency has no direct role in the management of this service it was acting on a North South Ministerial Council request to facilitate discussion on the provision of a ferry service from Greencastle to Magilligan. The Board welcomed the update and wished the Councils well. 2

3 Greencastle Harbour CEO advised that he attended a meeting with Minister McHugh and Minister Coveney in Dublin as part of a delegation representing the interests of the Greencastle area. The Agency s interest relates to the development of Marine Tourism. The CEO s role at the meeting was to support ongoing development initiatives in the area. Flooding in Finn Valley CEO advised that he had attended a meeting to discuss the recent flooding in the Finn Valley area. The Agency does not have a statutory responsibility for flood management. However, the Agency s interest lies with fisheries management. Further discussions regarding habitat restoration requirements will be conducted by John McCartney with Donegal County Council and the Office of Public Works. Meeting with DARD Board CEO advised that the annual meeting between Loughs Agency Board and DARD Board will take place in October or November The Board will be informed in due course. IBIS CEO advised that final claims for this INTERREG funded programme are with SEUPB and have been for a significant time. The Agency wrote to SEUPB and was subsequently contacted to arrange a meeting and discuss the claims. Concerns were raised regarding the eligibility of some areas of partner claims. SEUPB staff advised that they are currently undertaking an investigation. CEO advised that all necessary actions were undertaken by Loughs Agency staff and the Agency has provided relevant information to assist the investigation. Winston Patterson thanked CEO for the information and asked that the Agency staff continue to work towards a resolution and acknowledged the additional staff time and resources required above and beyond the terms and conditions of the letter of offer. MMV Ostrea CEO advised the Board of the recent incident regarding the MMV Ostrea, on 15 th December 2015, when the vessel sunk, citing that there was no loss of life or injuries. He advised that this would be further discussed later in the agenda by Barry Fox. 3

4 Letter from Minister O Neill CEO advised that he had received a letter from Minister O Neill in relation to the Foyle Fisheries Act The Minister wrote that at this time it was only possible to bring forward those clauses of the Bill which the Committee signals it has had adequate time to consider. The Committee therefore focussed its scrutiny on Clause 6 only (Enforcement of EU Rules) and any necessary general provisions. Clause 6 is the only part of the Bill which is urgently needed in order to avoid possible infraction proceedings from the European Commission. CEO advised that he is disappointed that the Agency s amendments were not being progressed however, the Departments have advised that they will bring forward parallel Bills to amend the Foyle Fishery Acts. CEO further advised that as the Departments had assured the stakeholders that these amendments would be brought forward, they will be required to meet with the stakeholders to fully explain the situation. 7. Directors Reports The Chairman advised the Board that Members had been provided with the Directors Reports and asked if Members had any questions or issues they wished to raise with the Directors. Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Barry Fox, Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries, gave an update in relation to progress since the last Board Meeting of the Management Agreement. Barry highlighted on the INTERREG Application for SCaMPI Project, as detailed in his Board The Board welcomed this news and asked to be kept updated on the process. Development 4

5 Kevin Wilson, Director of Development, highlighted the emphasis being placed on communications, marketing and promotion as previously discussed by the Board. The Board endorsed the plans for the coming year and noted the limitations faced due to reducing budgets. Kevin gave an overview of the funding applications currently under consideration to the INTERREG V Programme describing the application process and the significant time and effort of Development Officers within the Agency. The Board welcomed this work and commended the staff for their dedication and commitment. Corporate Services Sharon McMahon, Director of Corporate Services, gave an overview of the budgetary pressures faced by the Agency and the impact these pressures are having on normal operations. Discussions with staff and unions have taken place regarding the impacts of these budget reductions. An assurance was given that the Senior Management Team has been reviewing the situation on a regular basis. The Board was informed that a meeting has been scheduled for the end of the month with the Sponsor Departments to discuss possible financial options that would help ease the current and any future budgetary pressures. These options will include the treatment of income received by the Agency and the potential to seek additional funding. There were no further questions/comments in relation to this Conservation and Protection John McCartney, Director of Conservation, highlighted the supporting papers and sought approval from the Board on the following:- 1. Enforcement Policy unanimous support from the Board. 2. Accidents at Work unanimous support from the Board 3. Regulatory Review unanimous support from the Board. 5

6 4. Violence Policy/Guidance Document Phil Mahon asked that this document be reviewed by Corporate Services in order to establish relevant policy and procedure. 8. MMV Ostrea Update The Board was provided with an account of the loss of the MMV Ostrea on 15 th December Barry Fox advised the meeting that the official report from the surveyors had not yet been received. A lengthy discussion developed about the MMV Ostrea in relation to the timescale of the official report, settlement date, how the Agency will continue to carry out its survey work and ongoing costs accrued on a daily basis from Foyle Port. Michael McCormick and Barry Fox assured that they will be keeping the Board informed of any developments as they happen and will have the questions raised with and answered by the Agency s insurers. 9. Risk Register Update The Board was provided with an update on the Risk Register for information. 10. Outturns Against Targets The Board was provided with the updated Outturn Against Targets for 2016 for information only. 11. Finance Update The Board was provided with the Finance Update at the meeting by Sharon McMahon. Sharon advised that another update will be provided at the next meeting after the Audit Sub Committee meet in March

7 The Board noted the significant financial pressures the Agency are facing at this time. 12. Funding Opportunities Update Kevin Wilson advised that the update on all the funding opportunities had been provided in his Board Report. 13. Presentation from Dr Dennis Ensing on Application of Environmental DNA (edna) techniques in the management of aquatic organisms for the Loughs Agency; examples and future potential CEO thanked Dr Ensing for his very comprehensive and informative presentation and noted the obvious potential for this pilot study to be advanced in fisheries management. 14. AOB Internal Audit Report CEO reported that the final report had been received in December 2015 from Internal Audit and the Agency had been awarded a satisfactory rating. The Board welcomed this report and commended the directors and staff. 15. Date and Venue of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Board will be held on Wednesday 6 th April 2016 in the Carlingford Area. Siobhan Wilson to arrange and inform all members of the venue in due course. 7