Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

12 June 2007

PD Committee Meeting

Tuesday 12^th June 2007

Present: Robin Wilson (Chair), Ann Anderson Porter, Neil Jarman, Edwin Graham

Apologies: Tony McCusker, Declan O’Loan, Vivienne Pollock

In Attendance: Duncan Morrow, Dympna McGlade, Ali McAllister, Gemma Attwood, Peter Thompson

Minutes of the last meeting

Agreed as accurate

Matters arising

HazelwoodIntegrated Primary School-Decision to erect peace wall has been accepted in principle by the Minister (Paul Goggins). CRC wrote to the NIO asking them to exhaust all other options before going ahead. The Minister has however, agreed to review the decision after a year and work will begin on a strategy for local engagement. CRC wants to be part of the process. Duncan stated that he is meeting with the Minister on Thursday and will raise with him some of the issues discussed here today. CRC should look into this issue more deeply with a possible seminar in the autumn.

Shared Neighbourhoods -CEO chairing launch of BCDA research on shared neighbourhoods on Friday 29^th at 12.30pm

Crumlin Road/Girdwood Barracks – Duncan met with NBCAU on 8^th June to discuss latest developments

CRC Strategic Plan – Meeting in September when it will hopefully be agreed and signed off

‘ASF’ Update

AllianceParty Motion on ‘ASF’ – Concept and principles debated in the Assembly with a motion put forward asking for all parties to support the existing document. This was passed once an amendment to the motion had been accepted.

It would appear that the Assembly is putting off hard decisions and that CSR will determine commitment to ASF.

GR Panel – Meeting was postponed and have asked for an explanation. Also preparing short position paper over summer which will be an internal document

GR Forum – Paper being prepared on Equality/GR relationship and what does it mean in practice?

Government reception - Inter-community workers are being invited to a government reception at Stormont to acknowledge the work they do on the ground

‘ASF’ Work

Review of Public Administration – Arlene Foster MLA has announced an across the board review of the RPA. This will include the number and functions of power being devolved to councils. This makes any work on Community Planning meaningless at this time as the debate will continue. CRC will continue working with BCC on its pilot approach to community planning

Young People – Public Achievement has been commissioned to produce a paper taking a broad look at ‘ASF’ and its lack of commitment to young people within the document and Triennial Action Plan.

Roundtable on GR Baseline Indicators – Seminar organised for Wednesday 26^th June in CRC. Pauline Donnan has agreed to give an overview of document and invites have been issued

Policy Responses

NICCY ‘Current state of Children’s rights in NI’ -Consultation out this month which is focussing on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and whether it is being applied fully in Northern Ireland

Irish language Act –At this stage 4000 responses have been received and government have stated that they hope to report back between September and October

Strategic Review of Parading – Ashdown has requested organisations etc to contribute to the Review. CRC to submit a ‘register of interest’.

Review of Newspaper Reports

A review of the newspaper reports was about to be undertaken and asked for guidance. The Committee then discussed this issue and the main points raised were:

Look at year overall dividing each section into themes
Could be used as piece of work for Shared Space and contribute to the 3 year health check
CRC Newsletter – Reflecting back at end of year
Peter to prepare paper
Best to work from calendar year

PD Programme key policy areas

Shared Neighbourhood - Working with NIHE & IFI on funding proposal for Glandore/Skegoniel. If this project is successful it is hoped we could replicate the process in other areas. Housing is the key aspect of this. Looking at key areas but experiencing some resistance with the selection process. Springfarm Shared Neighbourhood Scheme also a pilot project which is now entering its second phase following community consultation.

GR Forum – PD Programme has taken over the secretariat for the forum. The forum met last week and discussed its terms of reference, membership and CRC’s challenge paper subject. Draft papers will be produced by CRC and ECNI for the September meeting.

Policy Handbook – A series of policy/position papers will be developed on key policy areas such as flags and emblems, interfaces, parades and protests, inter-culturalism, youth etc. in consultation with CRC staff, PD Committee, Council and external key stakeholders and reflecting on past consultation responses, research and current Government policy.

Date of next meeting - Tuesday 11^th September, 2pm CRC