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Council Minutes
February 2008
21st February 2008
MINUTES OF THE ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
HELD ON THURSDAY 21ST FEBURARY 2008 @ 1.30 p.m.
IN CRC’S BOARDROOM @ 6 MURRAY STREET, BELFAST
1843/087 PRESENT: Action:
Mr M Campbell, Mr J Deery, Mr S Farry, Ms H Francey, Ms E Gallagher, Mr E McCartan (Chair), Mr D O’Loan, Mr J Cousins, Ms S Gordon, Mr T Kennedy,
Dr D Stevens, Mr M Wardlow, Mr R Wilson.
1844/08 APOLOGIES:
Mr W Erwin, Ms H Hetherington, Mr C O’Halloran, Ms M Muldoon, Mr C Wilson, Mr T McCusker.
1845/08 IN ATTENDANCE:
Dr D Morrow [CEO], Ms J Irwin {Deputy CEO], Mr J Dennison [PD/EU Programme], Mr J Fitzsimons [P/D DFAP], Ms M Mackin [PD/Funding & Dev Programme], Mr R Mullan [P/D Communication & Resources], Ms D McGlade [P/D Policy Dev Programme], Ms H Scott [P/Secretary].
1846/08 OBSERVER:
Mr D Haire (OFMDFM)
1847/08 MINUTES:
The Minutes from the previous meeting (28 Nov 2007) having been circulated, were taken as read. There we no amendments.
1848/08 CHAIR’S BUSINESS;
Welcome to new members: The Chairman welcomed the two new members, Ms Sylvia Gordon and Mr Tony Kennedy who had not been present at the November meeting.
End of term of office: The CEO advised that those members whose last meeting was to be the March 2008 Council meeting, this date had now deferred to April because there had been no January Council meeting.
Welcome to new staff: Mr Peter Day (Development Officer, EU Programme)
CRC babies: The Chairman extended congratulations to Ms Alison Keenan on the birth of a girl, Niamh, to Gemma Attwood on the birth of a son, Eoin, and Vanessa McGeown on the birth a girl, Alexandra.
1848/08 Chair’s business continued: Action:
Submission: The chairman thanked Council members and staff for their work on the submission to the Eames/Bradley Commission “Dealing with the Legacy of the Past”.
1849/08 MATTERS ARISING:
(1) Programme for Government update [Mins 1833/07 refer]: The CEO made a presentation to members under the following headings:
CRC concerns
CRC draft response
Commitment to “shared and better future”
Principles
Strategic Priorities
Priority – promote tolerance, inclusion and health and well-being
Delivery – public sector agreements
The following is a summary of the presentation:
§ Significant improvement on the draft (Programme for Government)
§ Require for new Programme on Cohesion, Sharing and Integration
§ Key challenge: To ensure that the principles of peaceful interaction and sharing are embedded in the actions across all government departments and not devolved back to the weakest.
This was followed by a general discussion.
Mr Haire indicated that, in meetings he had attended, there appeared to be a willingness to address a shared and better future and he felt it was more than just a “form of words”.
1850/08 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR:
[Paper CRC/126/02/08/01 refers]
The Chair asked members (who had expressed an interest in the position of chair) and staff (excluding the CEO) to leave the boardroom.
The chairman thanked Dr David Stevens and the panel
Dr Stevens said that Mr Tony McCusker had been the successful applicant
Council ratified the panel’s decision
Appreciation was extended to Mr John Fitzsimons for the administration of a smooth-running process.
(Council members and staff returned to the boardroom.)
1850/08 Appointment of Chair continued: Action:
The Chairman announced that Mr Tony McCusker had been appointed as new CRC Chairman.
This was endorsed by Mr Wardlow
Seconded by Mr R Wilson
The chairman thanked members who had applied for their interest and their generosity. He asked that the decision remain confidential until Mr McCusker had been informed.
1851/08 PREMISES:
[Paper CRC/126/02/08/02 refers]
The above paper outlines the main issues.
The CEO informed members that the intention was to relocate all staff on the first and second floor of Glendinning House using the recently vacated suite of offices on the second floor. He pointed out that conditions for staff had not been upgraded for five years and with additional people this matter had become urgent.
The CEO said the Council required confirmation from CRU regarding the allocation of money for refurbishment. He said the other option was to stop the process, get additional single rooms scattered throughout the building or look again for other premises. The CEO pointed out that “other premises” were likely to be more expensive and previous rent comparisons had not been favourable.
There followed a general discussion during which members supported the current plans e.g. to remain in Glendinning House and to secure the second floor suite of offices.
Mr Haire (CRU) said that £25,000 would be available before 31st March and indicated that further refurbishment costs over phased periods could be considered. He pointed out that CRC had not requested any money for refurbishment during the past five years.
1852/08 OPERATIONAL PLANNING: [Papers CRC/126/02/08/03(i), 03(ii) & 03(iii) refer]
(i) Strategic Plan Up-date03(i)
[The above paper details the main points]
1852/08 Operational Planning continued: Action:
The CEO told members that would be necessary to realign the strategic plan and that staff would utilise what already they had but would modify and develop it in accordance with the (government) changes which were already known.
(ii) Operational Plan 3rd quarterly review 03(ii)
[The above paper details the main points]
Ms Irwin said that this paper was a summary note. She said there were two priority areas (1 & 4) which were based on implementing actions with regard to A Shared Future and also pending resource allocations from by the comprehensive spending review.
Ms Irwin indicated that full copies of the Operational Plan were available (had been tabled) for members’ information.
(iii) Equality update 03(iii)
[The above paper outlines the main issues]
Ms Irwin informed members that the next found of Good Relations Training would focus on minority ethnic issues.
1853/08 CRUMLIN ROAD/GIRDWOOD
[draft Paper CRC/126/02/08/04 refers]
[Cover page and draft CRC response outline main issues]
The CEO advised members that he, on behalf of CRC, had sat on an advisory panel which had attempted to encourage, facilitate and support local dialogue on this contentious issue. He reminded members that the paper had been circulated in advance to them and their comments (to date) had been integrated into the (draft) paper. The CEO indicated that the four key issues were:
Utility
Location
Design
management (a proposed management framework for at least a 10 year [period)
The CEO told members that if endorsement was forthcoming it would assist CRC to be proactive in regard to this issue.
Members endorsed the draft.
1854/08 MULTI SPORTS STADIUM: Action:
[Paper CRC/126/02/08/04 refers]
This paper outlines the main issues.
The CEO informed members that he had been asked to attend a DCAL Committee at the Assembly on the 6th March 2008 in connection with the Sports Stadium proposals.
The CEO outlined the main areas. He said that stadiums in Northern Ireland were dilapidated and badly in need of investment and modernisation. He also pointed out that NI did not have a major sports facility up to international standard and could not afford to develop separate high spec stadiums for each of the main leading team and spectator sports.
The CEO reminded members that the CRC had always promoted the principle of “sharing over separation” and “shared space”.
The following are some of the views expressed during a general discussion:
§ CRC should endorse the site as a sports stadium
§ duel usage e.g. a sports stadium and conflict transformation centre should be simultaneously encouraged
§ concerns re possible financial delays and how a conflict transformation centre would be perceived by different communities e.g. Lisburn/Belfast
§ Two proposals were separate entities and would involve party politics CRC should support one proposal (Maze)
§ Issue of a conflict transformation centre would have to be addressed before the sports stadium proposal was considered
§ Change of wording “state of the art stadium” (see Recommendations) re marketing and investment considerations
§ Change of wording (see Recommendations) e.g. “would also welcome opportunity to development a resource (?) centre
The CEO read the general endorsement to members and suggested he would incorporate some of the suggestions and bring it back at a later meeting.
(Ms Irwin left the Boardroom at 15:15 hrs)
1855/08 PATHFINDER PROPOSAL: FORTHSPRING
[Paper CRC/126/02/08/06 refers]
(1) Forthspring Recommendation: £35,000 for up to 1 year from April 1st 08
Approval: £35,000 (conditions as outlined in paper)
1855/08 Pathfinder Proposal continued: Action:
(2) Armagh District Council bon fire proposal:
The CEO informed members that a proposal had been received last week but there had been insufficient time to prepare papers in time for posting. He said this application could be tabled or waived until the April Council meeting
Dr Stevens suggested that the proposal be included in the papers for the April Council meeting.
This was agreed. CEO
(Mr Cousins left the boardroom at 15:30 hrs – Ms Mackin left the boardroom at 15:35 hrs)
1856/08 CEO’S REPORT:
[Papers CRC/126/02/08/07(a) and (b) refer]
The above paper outlines the main areas of work.
(i) North Belfast: Dr Morrow said although inter-community communication had improved this had not resolved many of the significant social disputes which continued to generate problems. Of these, poverty and affordable housing were main issues. He said he had alerted government (Good Relations Panel) to this.
(ii) CRU staff changes: Dr Morrow informed members that Mr Colin Jack replaced Mr Billy Gamble (who retired) and that Ms Cynthia Smyth would be replaced by Mr Eddie Rooney (as head of the Equality Directorate).
(iii) Interfaces: Dr Morrow told members that the Trina Vargo survey (local interfaces in Belfast) had indicated that 80% of local residents had indicated a wish to see the barriers removed over a defined period of time.
(iv) Crusaders/Newington: Dr Morrow said that, as their request, CRC hosted a round table to explore the possibility of developing a new football stadium for Crusaders FC which could be shared with amateur league Newington FC. He said he would keep members updated.
(v) CRC Good Relations Statement of Commitment: (Paper CRC/126/02/08/07(b) refers) Dr Morrow informed members that this has been sent out to people applying to CRC and it was also for the attention of new staff.
Mr Wilson suggested an amendment to make explicit members’ duties.
1856/08 CEO’s Report (Item v) continued: Action:
Good Relations Statement of Commitment continued:
Dr Stevens said that he would be concerned about “changing the rules” and the possible implication for current members.
The Chair suggested that the CEO could take legal advice and prepare a further paper. CEO
1857/08 FINANCE:
[Papers CRC/126/03/08/08(i), 08(ii) and 08(iii) refer]
(i) Notes on Profile of Expenditure @ 31 December 2007
(ii) Profile of Expenditure (table)
Mr Fitzsimons said that the Council was on track for full spend on all its budget lines. He said, as was usual at this time of the Financial Year, he would be approaching CRU for a small virement request.
(iii) Grant Expenditure Review (A to E) October – December 2007
Mr Fitzsimons said that this paper, in terms of grants, represented a snapshot of all grants spend.
Mr Wardlow indicated that there was probably in excess of £6M in terms of finance which involved a huge amount of work. He commended Mr Fitzsimons and staff for processing this work.
The Chair asked that appreciation be extended to all those staff involved in managing CRC’s finances.
1858/08 SECTOR REPORTS:
[Papers CRC/126/02/08/09 to 13 refer)
Sector reports are for member’s information:
Funding & Development Programme
(Paper CRC/126/02/08/09 refers)
European Programme
(PaperCRC/126/02/08/10 & supplementary
Peace III summary update tabled @ meeting refers)
Policy Development Programme
(Paper CRC/126/02/08/11 refers
1858/08 Sector Reports continued: Action:
Communication & Learning Resources
(Paper CRC/125/11/07/12 refers)
IFI Community Bridges
(Paper CRC/125/ 11/07/13 refers)
There were no questions.
1859/08 AOB:
(1) The Mitchell Conference 22/23 May (Queen’s University)
Moving on from Conflict : Lessons from Northern Ireland
Mr Kennedy suggested that members might like to note this date in their diaries.
(2) Committees: The Chair reminded new members that the various CRC sub-committees would benefit from their participation and encourage those who might be interested to speak to the CEO (or relevant Programme Director for details)..
1860/08 PROPOSED DATES OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETINGS:
§ 29th May– Boardroom, Linen Green Centre, Moygashel, Dungannon
26th June – Boardroom in Murray Street, Belfast
25th Sept – Boardroom in Murray Street, Belfast
§ 27th Nov– Boardroom, Linen Green Centre, Moygashel, Dungannon
§ Note: May and November meetings - venue is LinenGreen Centre, Moygashel
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