128th MEETING OF THE FOYLE CARLINGFORD AND IRISH LIGHTS COMMISSION Wednesday 8th December 2021 at 5.30pm Loughs Agency Headquarters, Prehen and via Teleconference Attendees Present Laurence Arbuckle (Chairman) Andrew Duncan (Vice Chairman) Danny Kennedy Heather Mackey Michael McCormick Patrick Gibbons Phil Mahon In Attendance - Loughs Agency Sharon McMahon – Designated Officer JP O’Doherty – Director of Corporate Services Laura McCready (Minutes) Non Attendance Allan Ewart Ian McCrea Terry McWilliams Private Time for Board Members The Board availed of private time before the Board Meeting commenced. Designated Officer and Laura McCready joined the meeting at 6pm. 1.
Apologies
Alastair Patterson Fiona Walsh 2.
Conflict of Interest
There were no conflicts of interest with any agenda items.
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3.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record. Proposed Phil Mahon Seconded Heather Mackey 4.
Reserved Minutes
The reserved minutes from the previous meeting were agreed by all. Proposed Phil Mahon Seconded Heather Mackey 5.
Matters Arising
RESERVED RESERVED European Tracking Network Event Designated Officer reported that the organisers of the above event have advised the Agency that due to COVID-19 restrictions the 70 attendees may be unable to travel to Derry~Londonderry for the event. She added that the Agency has advised that it would prefer that the event be postponed rather than be moved online. 6.
CEO Progress Report
Prior to the Board Meeting Board Members were provided with a comprehensive overview of current significant issues, strategic updates and governance and accountability updates from the Designated Officer. RESERVED RESERVED Business Plan 2022 Designated Officer provided an update on the current status of the Draft Business Plan 2022 and associated budget. A lengthy discussion followed on the financial position of the Agency. 2
RESERVED Danny Kennedy left the meeting at 6.30pm. RESERVED 7.
Meenbog Update
Prior to the Board Meeting Board Members were provided with an updated paper from the Director of Conservation and Protection in relation to the above. This item was deferred to the next Board Meeting. 8.
Finance Update
Prior to the Board Meeting Board Members were provided with a Budget Report up to the end of November 2021. This item was deferred to the next Board Meeting. 9.
Risk Register Update
Prior to the Board Meeting Board Members were provided with the individual Directors’ Operational Risk Registers and overall Corporate Risk Register for information. This item was deferred to the next Board Meeting. 10. Audit and Risk Committee Update This item was deferred to the next Board Meeting. 11. External Funding Update Prior to the Board Meeting Board Members were provided with an update on the SeaMonitor, CatchmentCARE and SWELL projects for their information. This item was deferred to the next Board Meeting.
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12. Press Releases Prior to the Board Meeting Board Members were provided with a copy of press releases published since the previous Board Meeting and a copy of recent press clippings from the media in relation to the Agency for their information. This item was deferred to the next Board Meeting. 13. Strategic Reviews Prior to the Board Meeting Board Members were provided with the following documents for their information: • • • • •
Review of Angling and Fisheries Development. Review of Communications. Review of Legislation. Review of Marine Tourism. Review of Science.
This item was deferred to the next Board Meeting. 14. Outturn Against Targets / Overview of 2021 Prior to the Board Meeting Board Members were provided with a copy of the 2021 outturn against targets as well as an overview of the 2021 projects from each of the Directorates within the Agency. This item was deferred to the next Board Meeting. 15. 2022 Projects Prior to the Board Meeting Board Members were provided with a copy of the proposed projects for 2022 from each of the Directorates for their consideration and approval. This item was deferred to the next Board Meeting. 16. AOB RESERVED
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Last Meeting of Current Board Designated Officer advised that as this is the last Board Meeting of the current Board, she would like to thank the outgoing Board Members for their time, dedication, loyalty, advice and support given to her as Designated Officer for the past 5 years. Designated Officer wished to thank the Vice Chairman who acted as Chair for a number of years, for the support he provided to her and the Agency. She also wished to thank the outgoing Chairman for the time and dedication he brought to the role over the past year. Chairman wished to also thank the outgoing Board Members, Designated Officer and staff of the Agency for their time and effort over his term as Chairman. Michael McCormick advised that he has thoroughly enjoyed the past 10 years on the Board of Loughs Agency. He added that it is a great organisation and wished everyone well in the future. Vice Chairman also advised that he has thoroughly enjoyed the past 10 years on the Board of Loughs Agency where he has made some great friends. He added that during his tenure the Agency has produced some fantastic work and wished to applaud the staff of the Agency for same. Vice Chairman wished to pass on his best wishes to the Board Members who have been unable to attend Board Meetings for some time now and wished Heather Mackey well in her new role as Chair of the Board. He also thanked the outgoing Chairman for his honesty and integrity over the past year. Patrick Gibbons advised that it has been great working with the Board and the staff of the Agency and wished everyone well in the future. Phil Mahon also wished everyone well and advised that she has thoroughly enjoyed the past 10 years on the Board of Loughs Agency. 17. Date and Venue of Next Meeting The next Board Meeting will take place on Wednesday 16th February 2022. Venue to be considered in line with COVID-19 restrictions.
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