Wednesday 12 November 2008
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

1. Present:
Mr. Sean Neeson MLA
Mr. Declan O’Loan MLA
Mr. Robin Newton MLA
Mr. Leslie Cree MLA
Ms. Jennifer McCann MLA
Dr. Gareth McGrath Northern Ireland Assembly
Alec McRitchie Bombardier Aerospace
Barry Turley Norbook Laboratories
James Devlin BT
Brian Moreland Moy Park

Apologies:
Dawn Purvis MLA
Patricia McKeown NI-ICTU
Lord Ballyedmond (proxy Barry Turley) – Norbook Laboratories
Tom Carson BT (proxy James Devlin)
Katherine McDonald Stratagem.

In Attendance:
Sheila McClelland NI Assembly

2. Website Update

Brian Devlin IT Resources Directorate provided and overview of 4 website design options.

Trustees viewed the various options and indicated their preference.

Action; Further design work will now be undertaken. Links to the business sector Trustees’ various businesses will be included into the design.

3. Adoption of previous minutes

Previous minutes were approved.

4. Matters Arising

None

5. Appointment of Company Secretary

Sheila McClelland was appointed as Company Secretary.

Action; The necessary official paperwork will be completed.

Board Members approved the draft business plan for the Northern Ireland Assembly with a number of small changes to the timetable in relation to the European visit being rolled forward until year 3.

6. Prof. Dr. Hans Gert Pottering – Meeting on 24 November

The President of the European Parliament will meet the Board of Trustees for approximately 30 minutes on Monday 24 November at 9.30am. the Members discussed how the meeting might be conducted. All agreed that it was an honour to meet The President.

7. AGM

The Board agreed that the AGM should start at 6.30pm with 30 minutes for official NIABT AGM business.

Action; Papers will be issued by 19 th November.

Minister Ritchie will speak.

8. Fellowship

Sean Neeson reported on a recent visit to Norbrook Laboratories which was hosted by Lord Ballyedmond. He proposed that a visit of the Committees for ETI & ARD should be arranged in the future.

Mr. O’Loan reported on the first visit to Mivan on 7 November. He stated that the insight into the Mivan organisation was very informative and educational. He reflected on the positive organisational culture he witnessed.

Date of Next Meeting: 10 December 2008 at 5pm