Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from The Deputy Lord Mayor, (Alderman Haire), Alderman Copeland and Councillors Bradley, M. Kelly, Kyle and Mulholland.

            The minutes of the meeting of 24th January were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st February.

            A Member requested an update on the company’s contract with National Merchandise which had been discussed at the previous meeting.

The Director of Economic Development offered apologies in relation to the cancellation of the site tour which was to form part of the meeting.  He advised the Committee that it would be rescheduled to a later date in March 2022.  He explained that a report in relation to National Merchandise would go to the Board for its consideration in March and that the Shareholders’ Committee would be provided with an update subsequent to that.

No declarations of interest were recorded.

            The Chairperson extended her condolences, upon the passing of Christopher Stalford MLA, to his wife, children, wider family and party colleagues.

            The information contained in the report associated with the following item is restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the Press and public from the meeting during discussion of the item as, due to the nature of the item, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Section 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

The Chief Executive of ICC Belfast advised the Committee that the current external auditors had been the company’s auditors for the past five years.  As the term had been completed, the company had issued a tender for the provision of external audit and tax services for the next three years commencing with the audit for year ending 31st March 2022, again with the option to extend by a further two years. The company believed that it was good governance practice and ensured that fees to be charged had been assessed for value for money.

            She drew the Members’ attention to the tender process and shortlisting criteria which had taken place and the firm which had been awarded the highest score.

            Moved by Councillor McAteer,

            Seconded by Councillor Flynn and

      Resolved - That the Committee notes the contents of the report and approves the proposal to appoint PKF-FPM as the company’s external auditors and to the company’s Audit and Risk Committee, which had approved the appointment, subject to the approval of the Shareholders’ Committee.