5 October 2009

MONDAY 5 OCTOBER 2009
ROOM 29, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

Present:
Mr. S Neeson MLA
Ms. Dawn Purvis MLA
Ms Jennifer McCann MLA
Mr. Leslie Cree MLA
Mr. Barry Turley (proxy for Lord Ballyedmond)
Mr. William Wright – Wrightbus Ltd
Mr. James Devlin – BT NI
Mr. John Rooney – Rooney Fish
Mr. John O’Farrell – NI-ICTU
Ms. Katherine McDonald – Stratagem

Apologies:
Dr. Gareth McGrath – NIA Secretariat
Mr. Alec McRitchie – Bombardier Aerospace Ltd
Mr. Glyn Roberts – NIIRTA

In Attendance:
Ms. Sheila McClelland – Company Secretary
Mr. Ivor Gibson – NIA Secretariat
Mr. Stephen Todd – NIA Secretariat
Mr. David Gray – FGS McClure Watters chartered accountants.

1. Apologies

Apologies were recorded and noted above.

2. NIABT Accounts 2008/2009

Mr. David Gray from FGS McClure Watters chartered accountants presented the NIABT accounts, including a Trustee Report, for year ended 31 March 2009. The accounts were deemed to be in order and represented an accurate and true reflection of NIABT business. This was approved by Leslie Cree MLA and seconded by John Rooney.

3. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 29 th June 2009 were agreed and adopted.

4. Matters arising

Most matters arising formed substantive agenda items.

5. Recent Events

The recent NIABT events were discussed, i.e. visit to Rooney Fish, BT “Digital Age” seminar and the lunch event for new business sector members.

6. Forthcoming Events

A number of forthcoming events were discussed, i.e. the Educational Day for business sector members and constituency staff; the visit to Paul McAlister Architects on 6 November and the fellowships to Stratagem and Rooney Fish.

7. Speaker’s Dinner

The Board gave approval to move forward with aiming to secure the keynote speakers as Declan Kelly and Minister Sammy Wilson for the Speaker’s Dinner on Friday 26 February 2010.

8. European Programme

The European Programme was discussed. It will take place from 1 – 4 February 2010 at the Leuven Institute. The programme will include attendance of NI Assembly Bursary Students although the NIABT will not fund their participation.

9. NIABT Membership

The Board of Trustees considered an application from Lafarge Cement to join the NIABT and agreed to approve the application.

10. AGM Date

The Board agreed to hold the AGM on Monday 7 December 2009 at 6.00 p.m. There will be an attempt to secure contributions from a number of MLAs in a speaking capacity for an event immediately following the AGM.

11. AOB

Jennifer McCann MLA invited business members of the NIABT to a Procurement Conference being organized by the Finance and Personnel Committee for 21 October 2009 at the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim.