Loughs Agency Headquarters, Prehen

Transcription

1 61 st MEETING OF THE FOYLE CARLINGFORD AND IRISH LIGHTS COMMISSION Attendees Wednesday 10 th March 11am Loughs Agency Headquarters, Prehen Present Tarlach O Crosain (Chairman) Jacqui McConville (Vice Chair) Joe Miller Thomas Sloan Jim Wilson Denis Haughey Brendan Byrne Winston Patterson Enda Bonner In Attendance - Loughs Agency John McCartney Director of Conservation and Protection Barry Fox Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Gerard Mills Director of Development Laura French (Minutes) 1. Apologies John Mulcahy John Byrne Alan McCulla Derick Anderson CEO John Pollock Director of Corporate Services 2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed. Proposed Thomas Sloan Seconded Denis Haughey 3. Reserved Minutes The proposed reserved minutes were approved. Proposed Thomas Sloan Seconded Denis Haughey

2 4. Matters Arising Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming all to the 61 st meeting of the Board of the Foyle Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission. He asked that the Boards sympathy be passed onto John Pollock on the recent death of his Mother. Chairman also passed the best wishes of the Board onto CEO who was currently off sick. 5. CEO Report In the absence of the CEO John McCartney, Director of Conservation and Protection gave the Board a short update on the matters arising from CEO s report from the last meeting. John advised the Board that Maria Doherty, a temporary Administrative Assistant with the Agency, had come to the end of her contract and thanked Maria for all the work she had done. John reported that he and Stanley Thorpe appeared before the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on the 23 rd February He added that DARD arrived late but they Agency had to go ahead and give their presentation. John gave a short update on the position of the Unsocial Hours Allowance. He reported that all calculations had now been completed and field staff would receive their back pay in their next pay. 6. Directors Report The Board were provided with updates from the Senior Management Team each giving a brief overview on their respective areas. Aquaculture and Shellfisheries Barry Fox, Director of Aquaculture and Shellfisheries provided the Board with the following short report; The Foyle Area (Aquaculture Licensing) Regulations 2010 The aquaculture licensing Regulations have been returned to the Agency for redrafting from the Departmental Solicitors Office. The reason for this is that they have requested that the Agency incorporate the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2010 that we had proposed to write separately into the Aquaculture Regulations. The Agency hopes to have a draft of these Regulations with the Department by the 16 th March 2010.

3 Oyster Regulations Foyle Area (Licensing of Oyster Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 went to public consultation on the Wednesday 3 rd March This Regulation will undergo an eight week consultation and will be introduced for the 2010/11 season. The Regulation will reduce the fee for an oyster fishing licence from 300/ 400 to 150/ 166. SEA The Agency and AECOM are currently finalising the Agency s preferred options for aquaculture licensing in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Once they are agreed the Agency will publicly consult on these prior to publishing the Agency s aquaculture implementation plan and the environmental report for the SEA. Monitoring Vessel The MMV Ostrea is currently at berth in Lisahally Docks. We are awaiting a final quote for structural fire protection for the vessel. Once received it can then sail to Kilkeel where the works will be completed. BGMCF The Agency continues to contribute to the BGMCF. At the last meeting in February 2010 the Agency was asked to give an update on the development of our Aquaculture Regulations. The presentation was well received by the members and several members expressed their interest in securing an aquaculture licence in Lough Foyle. Native Oyster Survey 2010 The initial findings from the native oyster survey would suggest that the stocks on the majority of oyster beds in Lough Foyle are at a high level compared to the results from the past 4 years. The density of oysters has increased in many areas and there has been a revival of production on some of the beds which previously had not been producing marketable oysters. The fishery has lasted longer this year for many of the vessels involved due to this rise in numbers of marketable oysters on many of the beds and catches are still at 2 bags per day (80kg) in mid February This is in contrast to the poor catches in 2008 and 2009 when the fishery could barely sustain the vessels until Christmas in either year and catches of 1 bag per day were being made in November. I have attached a report from Ciaran McGonigle on his findings from the initial surveys carried out over the past month.

4 Sanitary Survey Lough Foyle 01/03/10 Update Figure 1. Sampling Points for faecal contamination in water and shellfish in Lough Foyle This project is being coordinated on a cross border basis by the Loughs Agency on behalf of the FSANI and FSAI/SFPA. The desk based assessment of the potential contamination sources around the Lough has been completed and an assessment against the prevailing hydrographic conditions in the Lough has also taken place. A shoreline survey took place during the week of the 8 th February 2010 using boats and amphibious vehicles to record discharge points throughout the Lough and also to categorise the sanitary conditions in various regions within the Lough based on the results of water testing. These samples were analysed at a laboratory in Killybegs and results will be assessed against the hydrographic conditions in the Lough. A meeting to discuss the findings of the survey is planned for March 2010 and it is hoped that the survey report can be finalised before the end of March A decision on the most appropriate representative monitoring points for the shellfish hygiene testing in the Lough will be made shortly after this by the FSANI and FSAI/SFPA.

5 Conservation and Protection John McCartney, Director of Conservation and Protection provided the Board with the following report; The first two months of the 2010 season have been marked by an early start to illegal netting activities. Nets have been seized at sea in Culdaff, as well as the River Foyle and River Finn. Illegal netting is not usual at this time of year, and this early start is of concern to Agency protection staff. Consultations An updated schedule of Regulations in development and consultations is attached for discussion by the Board members. Health and Safety The Agency has no accidents to staff to report since the last Board meeting; however an outside contractor slipped and fell on Agency premises, but was not badly hurt. The Health and Safety focus remains on staff training with the members of the Health and Safety Committee working towards their Institute of Safety and Health Managing Safely qualification. Fish Counters Faughan Finn Sion Mills Roe Corrick Newry Omagh Urban Waterways The Agency has completed a review of urban waterways in the Foyle area and would welcome comments from the Board members. Enforcement Actions In 2010 so far, Agency staff have dealt with 2 rod related offences, and seizures. Agency protection staff have also seized 4 illegal nets, 2 boats and 4 bags of Oysters as well as various other items.

6 Staff have dealt with 10 pollution incidents, and taken 4 sets of statutory samples. Environmental Issues Agency staff convicted Donegal County Council of two counts of serious sewage discharges, one form Ballybofey sewage works and one from a sewage pumping station at Muff Co Donegal. Staff were disappointed with the fine of 1 on each count. Abstraction and Impoundment Licence John McCartney reported to the meeting that the Agency had been made aware that Northern Ireland Environment Agency had issued an Abstraction and Impoundment Licence to Herdmans without notifying any of the parties involved and haven t responded to any correspondence sent to them by the Agency and other organisations. He added that the Ulster Angling Federation were extremely upset that Northern Ireland Environment Agency had completely ignored the concept of public consultation. Lough Finn John McCartney advised the meeting that he had organised for Ian Warnock an independent assessor to meet with members of the Finntown Development Committee on Friday 5 th March 2010 in Jacksons Hotel Ballybofey. John added that he would report back on the findings at the next Board meeting. Development Gerard Mills, Director of Development provided the Board with the following report; Angling Fair Strabane District Council have approved the Agency s use of their pitches at Newtownstewart for the 2010 Angling Fair. Council have also appointed a liaison officer to help to promote the fair this year Board are asked to note there is no charge for the use of the facilities by Council. Preparations are going well with the Angling Manager disseminating information to all staff and the preparation of the to do list for the fair procurement of goods and services is now under way and a business case is provided for the Board to approve. Proposed Jim Wilson Seconded Denis Haughey

7 Funding Bids Submitted Ayrshire / Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT) / Loughs Agency One Environment One Future: A strategic tri-partite transnational project to develop cross border collaboration between the public sector, communities and other stakeholders in understanding and managing sustainably the processes that shape local environments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Value 1.9 M Employment of 5 staff (3 Scotland, 1 CCGHT and 1 Loughs Agency) Outcome is likely to be announced by March / April SCENE / Queens University Belfast Project Bid has been made and submitted to SEUPB by 10 th July Outcome is likely to be announced by March / April Northern Ireland Tourist Board 3 applications 1 for phase 3 of Riverwatch 1 for compelling a visit using commissioned video footage to promote the North West and the South East. Phase 3 of Riverwatch Letter of Offer received Compelling a Visit projects are at economic appraisal stage which means they have been successful in the first round of funding. Proposed Brendan Byrne Seconded Denis Haughey We await a Letter of Offer In Progress Angling Academy Full report in papers and a request that the course co-ordinator be asked to give Board a presentation when the Board is next in Carlingford. Staffing Interreg Marine Tourism Strategy Paper has now gone to Department of Finance and Personnel for consideration we still await a response.

8 Sustainable Development Business Case Business case is being prepared by FGS McClure Watters and is scheduled for completion by the end of March Mill Bay and Narrow Water Projects Projects developed with Mourne Heritage Trust / Northern Ireland Tourist Board / Newry and Mourne District Council and Loughs Agency are now through Tender stage with Central Procurement Division. The estimated value of the two projects overall is circa 225,000 and will be the first of the projects identified as part of the Mourne Coastal Route. Reports on progress will follow. Omeath and Carlingford Tidy Towns Project is currently being tendered for, Memorandum of Understanding is in place and the match funding is also secured from the community association. Cranfield See plans at meeting proposal is to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with Newry and Mourne District Council to provide essential remedial works at Cranfield (replacement of gates, provision of section 75 compliant kerbing, repairs to gabian wall defences which have eroded due to tidal action) Newry and Mourne District Council to contribute circa 30% to the costs estimated costs 25,000. Key aim of the works is to retain the beach s blue flag status. Newry Canal Stocking Phase two is now complete with 4,600 bream being introduced into the Canal with associated press coverage and PR with Newry and Mourne District Council. Newry Summit Level Canal Terms of Reference are now finalised and we are awaiting final go ahead from Northern Ireland Environment Agency to proceed as the canal is scheduled monument. BIM Standard of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) training following discussion and negotiations with Captain Hegarty in BIM a proposal has been received to train staff on a rolling basis at a cost of 900 per person. (Normal cost 1,100per person). Board are asked to consider this in the context of BIM being a sole provider of this package and the proposal to train 8

9 staff at a time to include PST, Fire fighting at sea, ROC, ISA boat handling and engine maintenance. Proposed Denis Haughey Seconded Winston Patterson IOSH training 9 staff members are currently undergoing this training as members of the Health and Safety committee and to comply with statutory obligations. Fire Awareness Training All staff have taken part in the training in Foyle and Carlingford fire warden training is schedule for March / April. This is to comply with new fire regulations for employers. 4x4 Training Lantra Certified training has now taken place for 20 staff at Todd s Leap outside Omagh. The training has a number of key aims, safety first, driving off road, corporate responsibility and it is also aimed at reducing accidents and insurance claims. Corporate Services The Board were provided with the following report from John Pollock, Director of Corporate Services in his absence; Finance First quarter of 2010 grant in aid drawdown request submitted to sponsor departments. Unsocial hours payment calculations for field staff being finalised and on target for payment in the March salary. FRS17 pension review for 2009 initiated report due mid March for inclusion in the financial statements Audit The 2008 Financial Statements are at final review stage and have been forwarded to the C&AG in Dublin. Once cleared they will be signed by the CEO and formally certified. This is expected to take place before the end of March. Work has commenced on the draft 2009 financial statements and are on target for submission for submission to audit by the end of March The next Audit Committee meeting has been scheduled for 24 th march Board members attended the Audit Sub-committee training Wed 10 th Feb. Further On-board training for the Board to be arranged as soon as dates are known.

10 Corporate Governance Quarterly internal Risk Management meeting scheduled for 19 th March 2010 NSMC Next NSMC Sectoral meeting scheduled for 31st March 2010 venue Loughery College. Staffing Recruitment / Vacancies RESERVED Annual Report Draft of 2009 Annual Report commenced. Business Plan 2010 Draft 2010 Business Plan submitted to Sponsor Departments for Comment. Pensions Discussions ongoing with the Departments of Finance and Revenues North and South. Quote for pension administration under consideration Accommodation Greencastle accommodation partnership with community association still being considered. Office of Public Works assisting with finding a suitable site in the Carlingford Area various options being considered. Advisory Forum Next meeting scheduled for September Angling Fair This item was covered in the Director of Developments report. 8. Angling Academy Final Report Gerard Mills, Director of Development provided the Board with the above report for their information. Gerard added that members of APGAI would like to make a presentation to the Board at a future meeting. Chairman stated that from reading the report that this was a very worthwhile project.

11 9. Interreg Progress Gerard Mills provided the Board with the progress reports on the above for their information and asked for their retrospective approval. Proposed Winston Patterson Seconded Tarlach O Crosain 10. Tall Ships Gerard Mill s, Director of Development provided the Board with a letter from Gerry Brennan from Carlingford requesting guidance and assistance from the Loughs Agency to run a Maritime Festival in Gerard added that following a meeting with Mr Brennan he was advised that they would be seeking up to 38,000. After a lengthy discussion it was decided that although the Board were not against the idea the Agency would not have enough money in their budget for this. 11. Business Plan 2010 This item was covered in the Director of Corporate Services report. 12. A.O.B None 13. Date and Venue of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Board will be held on Wednesday 5 th May 2010 at Loughs Agency Headquarters, Prehen.