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Council Minutes
April 2008
10th April 2008
MINUTES OF THE ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY-SEVENTH MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
HELD ON THURSDAY 10TH APRIL@ 1.30 p.m.
IN CRC’S BOARDROOM @ 6 MURRAY STREET, BELFAST
1861/08 PRESENT: Action:
Mr M Campbell, Mr J Deery, Mr W Erwin, Mr S Farry, Ms H Francey, Ms E Gallagher, Ms M Hetherington, Mr E McCartan (Chair), Mr T McCusker.,
Mr T Kennedy, Dr D Stevens, Mr M Wardlow, Ms C Wilson, Mr R Wilson.
1862/08 APOLOGIES:
Mr D O’Loan, Ms S Gordon, Mr J Cousins, Mr C O’Halloran, Ms M Muldoon.
Staff: Mr J Fitzsimons [DFAP]
1863/08 IN ATTENDANCE:
Dr D Morrow [CEO], Ms J Irwin {Deputy CEO], Mr R Mullan [P/D Communication & Resources], Ms H Scott [P/Secretary].
1864/08 OBSERVER:
Mr D Haire (OFMDFM)
1865/08 MINUTES:
The Minutes from the previous meeting (21 February 2008) having been circulated, were taken as read. There we no amendments.
1866/08 CHAIR’S BUSINESS:
Rosie McCorley (new member May 2008): The Chairman reported that Rosie McCorley had been appointed to the West Belfast Policing Board.
Thanks from the retiring Chairman: Mr Eamonn McCartan thanked all CRC staff who had worked hard to help shape the CRC into what it is today. He extended congratulations to the CEO, Duncan Morrow whose outstanding leadership, in his view, had contributed significantly to the changes within the Council, increasing its credibility on a Providence wide scale. The Chairman thanked Holly Scott for her assistance over the years.
Mr McCartan said that he had been surprised when he realised the large numbers of Council members with whom he had worked with over the 13 years. He said he wanted to thank all past members who had given so much of their time and expertise.
1866/08 Chair’s Business cont. Action:
Mr McCartan said that some of past members he remembered were Jonathan Bell, Johnathon Bardon, Eamonn Deane, Tanya Gallagher, Tim Kinaghan, Chris O’Halloran, Myran Pollock (who had been vital for HR management issues) and Maggie Bryson. The Chairman said he had appreciated their advice, friendship and assistance and thanked present members including David Stevens, Robin Wilson for their tireless support of the Council. He said he felt that during his terms of office CRC had certainly done “its bit” to improve the overall situation in Northern Ireland, sometimes in very difficult circumstances. He said that it had been a great and exciting time though he was aware that there remained still a lot of work to do. The chairman extended “universal thanks” to all present.
1867/08 MATTERS ARISING:
(1) Sports Stadium [Mins 1854/08 refer]: The CEO told members that it appeared that political differences would not let this happen. He said that he thought the matter of the site would become more difficult to deal with and “would not go away” and that the site was likely to be utilised for a single identity project which would not benefit everyone..
(2) Premises [Mins 1851/08 refer]: The CEO said that it had been agreed with the Agents to proceed with redecoration of the 2nd floor offices and that this was going ahead. He confirmed that spend (in this regard) had been in accordance with CRU’s requirements (by end March). He said that members were welcome to inspect the 2nd floor suite of offices if they wished and that it was hoped that staff could begin moving into these offices during the first week in May.
(3) Good Relations Forum: Dr Stevens told members that the Forum was currently exploring the relationship between Equality and Good Relations and how to maintain the two together.
The CEO indicated that, in spite of years of work of trying to operationalise these terms it still was not clear.
1868/08 REVIEW FROM OUT-GOING MEMBERS:
The CEO proposed members look at key issues in terms of challenges and opportunities for the Council.
Robin Wilson: Robin said that there were things about staff and members that were excellent but this had not always been so due to lack of clarity in leadership. He said this had now changed and with the re-organisation of committees the work had been operationalised and was becoming more effective and influential. Robin said he thought that CRC was now well-regarded “out there”.
1868/08 Review from out-going members continued: Action:
(i) (Robin Wilson cont): He said proposed the merger of the Policy Development and Communication/Information/Resources Committee would be a positive move and would be a benefit to both sectors especially where there was the potential for joined-up pieces of work.
(ii) Robin expressed concerns about the continuing problems in government e.g. racism/sectarianism and suggested they were now being legitimised as “cultural differences”.
(iii) There were opportunities for experienced people to influence “leading people” to think in less sectarian terms.
Michael Wardlow: Michael said that the Core Funding committee and staff worked very hard and spent long hours deliberating. He felt that the continued problem of insufficient funding made this a difficult task e.g. deciding “good and better”. Michael said that his main regret was that this funding had not been increased for many years despite lobbying for additional funds. He thought the staff were tremendous, knew what they were talking about and the quality of paper work in preparation for meetings was impressive.
(i) Challenges: Michael said that if anything could be done to increase the Core Funding budget it should.
(ii) He pointed out that anti Semitism had been considered prejudice for a long time but sectarianism and racism continued to happen in Northern Ireland and sectarianism in particular appeared to have “disappeared” from government agenda. He said that any prejudice should be unacceptable and this should be a clear message from CRC.
(iii) Opportunities: Michael felt there were considerable opportunities from Peace III and that CRC needed to be “in there” to ensure delivery
(iv) He expressed the view that CRC should not main-stream, he said “what keeps us going is that we are not tied to government” and suggested that CRC should maintain its integrity.
David Stevens:David said he came to the Council it was the “last chance saloon”. He said he wanted to pay a huge tribute to the Chairman Eamonn McCartan and the CEO Duncan Morrow for having moved on, embracing Eamonn’s notion of “betterment”. David thought he was “leaving the organisation in a much better place.”
(i) Challenges: David said that there were still many challenges in the external environments for staff and board members. He said that CRC needed to continue to work to make a difference to relationships in this society and that this (change) needs to happen, “if we do not succeed”, he said “it’s a waste of time” - CRC should work on the principle of “betterment”. David expressed the view that “we cannot accept where we are now as acceptable, it would be an indictment of us”.
1868/08 Review from out-going members continued: Action:
(ii) (David Stevens cont): He suggested that we should move from a “peace of truce to a peace of transformation” – Dr Stevens suggested that this should be part of the vision. He said that occasionally we get glimpses but we need to make the diversities of this society work for us rather than against us.
(iii) David told members that we should “raise the game” – and asked “are we up to it?” He said it is not clear that we were.
He said that Council should be a “licensed irritant”, posing awkward questions in a way that can be heard. He suggested that trying to get co-operation with a government who relied on political blocks to keep it in power would be difficult.
Ward Erwin: Ward endorsed the big change in the life of the Council. He suggested that Council had made it own opportunities and should continue to do so.
(i) Challenges: Ward said that diversity exists in society and therefore should be embraced in NI. He suggested the Council take every opportunity to continue to do this publicly for example, hosting visiting speakers/events for people from countries that had/are experiencing conflict. He sited examples such as the “by invitation” seminar with the Dali Lama, and the evening seminar with Antoine Rutayisire, Vice Chairman of the Rwandan National Unity, the visitor from Rwanda who Ward said had such an impact on him.
(i) Lastly Ward suggested that staff should remember that there would be board members who did not “do community relations in their day jobs” and these new members could be mentored and that induction events should continue to happen with Programme Directors. He said if required, he would be happy to contribute more.
Eamonn McCartan: Eamonn said that Council should continue to embrace the concept of betterment and hoped that the “new Council” would conduct itself in its processes, policies, practices with “betterment” as a main theme. He said that the principle of betterment had resulted in changes of behaviour in many areas of NI life. Eamonn believed that currently there was a policy vacuum and felt that the phrase “A Shared Future” had been used by people who did not mean what they said or understand the implications of it. He said that the Council should review “where it was” regarding ASF and consider what aspects of it were worth while pursuing.
1868/08 Review from out-going members continued: Action:
(Eamonn McCartan cont): Eamonn stated that it was important to review the CR sector and delivery mechanisms for it, he pointed out there was not review of the Civil Service, despite a review of everything else e.g. quangos etc He said aspects of the work changed over the years and Council should consider regular reviews of its work. Mr McCartan expressed the view that Council should review what it did in relation to the Equality Commission and pointed out that they have political accountability whereas the Council did not. He agreed with Dr Stevens that CRC should “act as an irritant” to government where ever possible.
1869/08 COMMITTEE STRUCTURES:
[Paper CRC/127/04/08/02 refers]
Mr McCusker (Chair designate) told members that, for operational purposes they had had to move into autocratic mode and identify committee membership and chairs for this (April) meeting. He pointed out that to consult with individual members prior to the meeting had not been considered feasible bearing in mind time constraints.
Mr McCusker said that he hoped that members would agree these structures for an initial period of a year.
The CEO told members that their interests had been taken into account when allocating them to committees.
Mr Wardlow enquired if the current Chairs of committees would remain or if they would return to being co-optees?
The CEO confirmed that members would remain (for a year) as co-optees and that new Chairs had been nominated.
Mr Kennedy asked if the terms of reference had been circulated.
The CEO stated that these had not, that they would have to be agreed at the new committees and by the new committees. CEO
Mr McCusker (Chair designate) suggested the following members as the new Chairs of committees:
Mr Mark Campbell EU Peace III Steering Group
Ms Maura Muldoon Community Initiatives Committee
Ms Maureen Hetherington Victims & Survivors Committee
Mr Tony Kennedy Policy and Communications Committee
Mr Tony McCusker General Purposes & Finance Committee
Mr Stephen Farry Audit Committee
1869/08 Community Structures continued: Action:
Dr Duncan Morrow (CEO) IFI Community Bridges
Mr Tony McCusker (Chair)
Mr McCusker said that members might wish to think about this and asked them to get back to him within the week if there were any concerns.
CEO/Mr McCusker
Mr McCusker confirmed that committee membership would be reviewed after the first year and advised that, where possible, he would try to attend all committee meetings for the first year.
The CEO asked members if they were in agreed to proceed as outlined.
This was agreed.
(This paper would be circulated to the four members who would be joining the Council in May)
Secretary
1870/08 OPERATIONAL PLANNING:
[Paper CRC/127/04.08.02 refers]
Ms Irwin indicated that she had nothing further to add and work on the EQIA programme was progressing with the assistance from John Kremer (QUB)
1871/08 CR WEEK : 26 April to 3rd May
[Paper CRC/127/04/08/04 refers]
Mr Mullan outlined the programme for Community Relations week. He said there were a total of 140 events and the launch would take place at the Stormont Hotel to which District Council Chairs and CROs would be invited.
Mr Mullan pointed out that CRC co-ordinated programmes for the weeks’ events. He said that mainstreaming of the work was a “work in progress” and that there was an awareness that certain problems, though no longer receiving media attention, had not gone away
There followed a general discussion.
Mr McCartan expressed the view that it would be useful if the impact of CR week could be measured.
Mr Erwin reminded members that he had suggested approaching NISRA some two years previous and that it might benefit the Council if it could utilise data about attitudinal changes and how CR week/events might have contributed (reference Omnibus survey about attitudinal change)..
1871/08 CR week continued: Action:
Ms Wilson said she would encourage the Council to look at a “Community Relations Youth Week”.
Mr McCusker (Chair designate) suggested that there might be a programme specific meeting to look at the events for CR week and review them with a view to possible change e.g. a thematic programme for 2009. CEO/Mr McCusker/R Mullan
1872/08 PATHFINDER: Armagh Bonfire Strategy proposal
[Paper CRC/127/04/08/05 & appendix 05(i) refers]
The CEO outlined the background to this project and told members that this is the first year for Armagh and that they had based their approach on Belfast City Council’s (which has been supported by CRC).
Amount Recommended: £20,000 for 2008/9 (Recommendation 1 to 4 refers)
Amount Approved: £20,000 as above
Chairmanship of the meeting was handed over from Mr McCartan handed to Mr McCusker
1873/08 CEO’s REPORT:
[Paper CRC/127/04/08/06 refers]
Mr McCusker said he wished to record CRC’s appreciation for Mr Eamonn McCartan’s support and guidance over the years. He pointed out that Mr McCartan had always “been available” and, for the past 3 years, had offered his services without remuneration. Mr McCusker said that everyone was deeply grateful to Eamonn McCartan for all he had done. He also extended a “big thank you” to the departing members of Council. Mr McCusker said that CRC was now hugely regarded in the sectors of NGOs and this was a tribute to Mr McCartan and members.
Government Policy (Cohesion, Sharing and Integration): Dr Morrow said that the new policy had not been finally agreed and it was hoped that an outline of a new plan would soon be available.
Peace III: The CEO stated that CRC’s role was a direct one in both Priority 1 and 2. He said that Council would be operating in conjunction with Border Action but that Priority 2 (Dealing with the Past) the measure had been delayed as a result of the absence of a formal strategy for Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland.
1873/08 CEO’s report continued: Action:
Priority 1.1 – Peace at Local Level: Dr Morrow said that 8 Council clusters had submitted strategic plans for approval by SEUPB on 13 May. He told members that this was very much a “moving picture” in a climate of rapid change. He said EUOPB hoped that the plans would be sufficiently developed to allow some activity to commence across the region. Dr Morrow stated that some clusters that hav e come together did not reflect N+2 spend targets and that pressure on SEUPB might mean delays. He said recruitment was going ahead.
Mr Haire (CRU) enquired if members would be prepared to let CEO work out of contract for extended period.
M Wardlow suggested that some risks needed to be taken and that these should be assessed by the CEO and Council members be up-dated regularly
Tony McCusker agreed that the CEO assess risk and brief members as appropriate.
CEO informed members that CRC had “letters of comfort” but that he felt that CRC was so involved that it could not continue without a contact. He said that if he had authority from Council members he would advise SEUPB that CRC would not move forward if they (SEUPB) did not meet their time commitments.
This was agreed.
Priority 1.2 – Dealing with the Past: CEO pointed out that expectations were that a formal Victims Strategy would be available by 2008 but this was not the case. He said that Border Action/CRC had tried to ensure proposals added value to existing proposals and were integrated with long term commitments to Victims and Survivors and to this end an early meeting was held with the interim Victims Commission was arranged. The CEO indicated that SEUPB and DFP had now indicated that this aspect of the programme must open by 14th April. He said CRC would invite applications from across the community and would embark on a wider consultation. He said he believed CRC could meet the obligations under 1.2 and that the EU Programme had most of the staff in place.
The CEO said there was considerable pressure in the opening of the new scheme to avoid any interruption for eligible groups funded under the current Peace II extension which is now coming to an end.
Parades: The CEO advised members that he had been acting as an advisor to the Strategic Review of Parading and a draft report would be published during CR week. Her said that the background was that this report has been caught up with other issues e.g. policing and justice and the bill of rights. The CEO said it had been relatively peaceful but …
1874/08 SECTOR REPORTS:
[Papers CRC/127.04/08/07 to 09 refer]
The sector reports are for member’s information.
Funding & Development Programme
(Paper CRC/127/04/08/07 refers)
Mr Wardlow informed members that there had been three requests for reviews on Core Funding decisions but all had been upheld. He said that there were an increasing number of good projects.
European Programme
(PaperCRC/127/04/08/08
Communication & Learning Resources Programme
(Paper CRC/127/04/08/09)
There were no questions.
1875/08 FINANCE:
[Papers CRC/127/04/08/01(i)& 01(ii), 01.1 refer]
CEO informed members that Mr Fitzsimons had hoped to present papers at a later stage but had been delayed.
Profile of Expenditure and Notes 01(i) & 01(ii)
Small Grant Review (A to E) 01.1
The CEO informed members that full set of audited accounts would be available at the June Council meeting.
1876/08 AOB:
(1) Mr McCusker (Chair) told members that the June Council meeting scheduled for the Thursday (midday) 26th was likely to be a residential e.g. through to midday Friday 27th June
CEO
(2) Mr McCusker informed members that he had accepted the position of Chair at CFNI which would commence in Sept 2008. Mr McCusker said that he had discussed the matter with the CRC’s CEO and also CFNI and it was felt that there was a potential for future co-operation between CRC and CFNI.
1876/08 AOB continued: Action:
Mr McCusker said that if any members saw his involvement with CFNI as being a conflict of interests they should not hesitate to raise their concerns with himself or the CEO.
1877/08 Dates of next Council meetings:
Thursday 29th May – Boardroom CRC’s Dungannon Office, Linen Green Centre, Moygashel
Thursday 26th June – Boardroom, Murray Street
Thursday 25th Sept – Boardroom, Murray Street
Thursday 27th Nov – Boardroom CRC’s Dungannon Office, Linen Green Centre, Moygashel.
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