Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

20 September 2007

Community Initiatives Committee Meeting

20th September 2007

Present: Mr. Michael Wardlow (Chair), Dr. David Stevens, Ms. Libby Keys,

Ms. Eileen Gallagher

Observer: Mr. Drew Haire

Staff: Ms. Alison Keenan, Mr. Paul Jordan, Dr. Duncan Morrow, Ms. Jacqueline Irwin, Ms. Roisin Montague, Ms. Michaela Mackin, Ms. Marie Darragh (Minute Taker)

Presentation, Question and Answer session with Interaction – learning about their work in Belfast.

Members: Harry Maguire, Lorraine Butler, Cilla Fleming, Roisin McGlone, Tommy Holland, Terry McGeown.

Roisin McGlone gave a presentation on the work of InterAction and highlighted the sensitive nature of some of their work particularly with regards to policing and parades. Questions and Answers followed.

At this point, Interaction left and the committee meeting commenced.

1. Apologies: Mr. Barney Devine, Ms. Maura Muldoon

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting (15^th February 2007)

Agreed

3. Matters Arising

It was agreed that as MNI and Trademark were going to be dealt with later in items 10 and 11, it was not necessary to discuss them at that point.
Members raised the point that the small number of committee members is a problem for the Council. Mr. Morrow informed the committee that this matter was now resolved as there would be new council members at the next meeting.

A general discussion and reflection took place regarding the presentation of InterAction.

4. Officer’s Reports

Taken as read.

Mr. Jordan outlined the types of groups that were applying.

Mr. Morrow raised the challenges that the end of Peace II would bring, stating that there is not continuity between Peace II and III.

Mr Jordan advised that a new member of staff had been appointed - Andrew Smyth.

Ms. Mackin presented the Funding and Development Programme Update

Ms Mackin welcomed Ms. Keenan back from her maternity leave, thanked Ms. Montague for managing the programme in her absence and also welcomed Ms. Darragh as an administrator.

Ms. Mackin gave out copies of the Draft Programme for the Fifth Annual Live Issues Conference to be held on 23^rd November 2007 at Wellington Park Hotel which would be titled “From Truce to Transformation”. Invitations had been sent to both the First and the Deputy First Minister.

Ms. Mackin confirmed that John Paul Lederach would attend the event and would lead a panel on sustainability as had been suggested by Mr. Stevens. She also stated that a meeting had taken place between Core Funded and European Funded groups to discuss ideas and suggestions for the conferences to ensure it dealt with relevant, practical and “live” issues. Ms. Mackin informed the committee that Tinderbox and Corrymeela would provide creative input and that it would be an opportunity for the groups to network.

Ms. Mackin stated that there would be a Joint Funding Committees meeting on 13^th November in Dungannon and all members of the CIC were invited to attend.

Ms. Mackin stated that the NIO (though former SOS Peter Hain) has set up an independent panel to find the best way to deal with the legacy of the past, to consult and report on peoples’ views on how best to address this issue. She mentioned that people had been invited to answer 3 questions relating to perspectives on the past. Ms. Mackin indicated that it was intended to have a discussion on this at the Council’s forthcoming Victims Conference. In addition a Council response would be compiled prior to the closing date in December.

Mr. Haire joined the meeting

The meeting intervened for lunch

Mr. Wardlow summarised the meeting so far, stating that there were 3 issues to raise: MNI and Trademark, Peace III and Victims.

Peace III – Mr. Haire stated that he was due to have a meeting with Mr. Heggarty and that the SEUPB had met once.

Mr. Wardlow stated that there was a possibility of groups coming to CRC for funding which would cause difficulties. Also other issues need to be considered for example, race.

Mr. Morrow observed that there was a need to alert groups of the danger of being without funding.

Victims: It was stated that there would be a Victims commissioner appointed but that they were not sure when. A New Deal for Victims was proposed and it was stated that this would be future business for the Council and it should be on the agenda by Christmas.

5. Special Requests from Funded Groups

Trademark – Ms. Montague stated that Trademark had supplied their business case and she gave out letters relating to this to the committee.

Decision: It was agreed that the group be awarded the additional £15,000 towards core costs

(Mr. Wardlow left the meeting and Mr Stevens took the chair)

MNI – Ms. Montague stated that she had received a fax from MNI giving insufficient information and not what had been requested.

Decision: It was agreed that they could not be considered at this time but would allow them to resubmit for the December’s meeting.

(Mr Wardlow returned to the meeting)

6. Paper – Capped Rates

Current rates are capped at £80 per person per residential (includes accommodation, meals, conference facilities but not travel expenses or childcare) and £250 per day for consultancy fees (maximum is 3 days and this includes pre and post work).

Mr. Haire suggested that this be looked at in the new financial year when there is a new budget.

Mr. Stevens stated that although there would be implications to an increase, this is always the case and called for a change to the rate as of October 1^st.

This was agreed by all members.

7. Core Funding In-Contract Savings 2007/2008

A total of £16,500 is available for reallocation within the programme and it has been proposed that groups be invited to apply for additional funding under specific headings: Development of Internal Capacity; Professional and Practice Development; Profile and Sustainability; Additional Contribution towards running costs.

This was agreed.

8. Evaluation Programme 2007/2008

The post of Evaluation Officer has been advertised and an officer should start in December or January.

Ms. Keenan will head up the evaluation process, Ms. Montague will take charge of core support and a market researcher is going to start next week to assist with interviews and focus groups.

23 groups are due for renewal and an additional 5 are on an exit strategy – these groups have been informed that they cannot make a bid unless they meet a need, fill a gap or there is a new role for them.

Renewal Assessments

In the December meeting, all groups will be assessed using eligibility criteria which will work like a filter – only if eligible, will groups go forward and be assessed.

9. Core Funding – New Contract from 2008

All Committee members received a copy of the new contract that has been drawn up and will be issued to all core funded groups in April 2008, following consideration.

It has been looked over by two solicitors and changes made (2.4, 6.7 and 10.6) and amendments have been made due to an internal discussion (7.5 – 7.7).

Mr. Stevens enquired about a list of core values mentioned in 10.6 and Ms. Mackin said that this was in 2.4 but could be added to 10.6.

Mr Morrow and Ms Irwin indicated that a great deal of work had been put in by Ms Mackin and Ms Montague with respect to upgrading the CFP application form and preparation of new guidance notes. Committee agreed that this was a useful exercise and thanked staff for their efforts.

10. Identifying Funding Priorities for the CFP for 2008/2009

Ms. Mackin gave copies of the Mapping Documents for members to take away and read through. She mentioned that it excluded Victims and Survivors Grant information and that Small Grant information had been removed as it needed to be updated but that it was a broad overview of everything else currently funded by the Council.

Mr. Morrow proposed sending an updated version of this with an accompanying letter to the government to allow them to see what CRC actually does.

Mr. Wardlow mentioned that the Data Protection Act would need to be considered but if it did not jeopardize the act, it could be great.

Mr Morrow to follow up.

11. AOB

It was suggested that the date for the Joint Funding Meeting be changed from 13^th November as there will be new council members by 27^th November. It was proposed that the new members are told to put it in their diaries.

There will be 12 new members in total - 6 before the end of November and 6 in March. Ms. Keys asked that the members consider what knowledge gaps there are in the committee and try to fill these by new members. It was suggested that people from different backgrounds be appointed.

It was suggested that the Chairpersons stay on as members of committees.

12. Dates of Future Meetings Are as Follows:

December 13^th 2007 in Dungannon
February 14^th 2008 in Belfast