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14 March 2008

Policy Development Committee

14^th January 2008

Present:Robin Wilson, Neil Jarman, Ann Anderson Porter, Tony McCusker, Ward Erwin, Duncan Morrow, Dympna McGlade, Gemma Attwood, Peter Thompson

Apologies:Nelson McCausland, Declan O’Loan, Edwin Graham, Ali McAllister

In Attendance:Brid Ruddy, Mary McMahon (Good Relations Associates)

Minutes of the last meeting

Agreed as accurate

Matters arising

Will be dealt with during process of meeting

Update on Challenge Paper - Embedding Peace through Equality and Good Relations Legislation, Policy and Practice

Brid Ruddy & Mary McMahon gave a presentation of the broad themes from initial research on the challenge paper.

The committee discussed the findings and the main points raised were:

• Political leadership on the issue of good relations is essential. 
• Examples/Types of Good Practice should be included
• Need to deal with existing prejudice which should be evidenced through hard hitting case studies with quantifiable results
• May need to revisit legal and structural basis of law, rather than following ECNI guidelines
• Try to tease out role of private sector
• How does equality/CR interact in practice, a set of case studies may emerge. 
• Single Equality Act – find out where this legislation going? 
• What institutional architecture is required to combine GR and equality?

‘ASF’ Update - Duncan

Status of ASF unclear at present.  CRU exploring new approach for community relations called ‘Cohesion, Sharing and Integration’ (CSI) which aims to promote tolerance, health etc. It would appear that the Executive has placed the ‘ASF’ policy to one side.  Concern that there may be no departmental crosscutting themes as envisaged through ‘ASF’.

The Community Relations budget will not be cut in PfG.  Policies for community relations will be managing at local levels and through the local government budgets.  Local government will be taking over most of CRU’s current responsibilities.  TAP is now non-existent.  However, Peter Robinson has referred the ‘Cost of Division Report’ to DFAP Committee

The GR Panel will meet in February, when Duncan will raise the issue of ‘ASF’ which worked as a challenge function to all Government departments.  The meeting will provide an opportunity to ask them what they are doing to deliver on CR.

The Committee made the following points:

• Implementation of TAP & Section 75 – why has government never been challenged?
• Government now has no policy on which to challenge them on GR
• Peace-plans should be set in the context of a regional plan (ASF or CSI)
• Where does CRC sit in this public arena?  If it does not respond immediately to a current issue then there isn’t much point at a later date.

Gemma – CRC internal Position Papers

Drafting position papers on different themes – flags & emblems, interfaces, parades and protests etc. The committee was asked if the format was correct and if the overarching principles were acceptable.

The Committee made the following comments:

·       Overarching principles are already established in CRC’s strategic plan

·       Should we be settling for respect instead of tolerance?

·       Not sure about freedom of expression and movement

·       Inclusion – legality of cultural expression

·       Interface position paper - Neil will send his points

·       CRC’s Policy Handbook should be based on endorsed positions already agreed through response document – draft one page summaries on each

·       Policies should be placed on the resource side of the CRC database

·       Also need to identify gaps in CRC policies

PfG response due by 25^th January – meeting on Thursday to discuss this 

‘ASF’ Work – Dympna

CRC/RCN Event

CRC is working in conjunction with RCN on the development of the Sharing over Separation rural perspective. Consultants have been commissioned to prepare recommendations on seven key themes. Two consultation events have been organised for February. After the consultation the recommendations from the final papers will be fed into RCN/DARD Peace III bid and a major conference during CR week.

Springfarm

Consultation with the community has been completed and will now be presented to statutory agencies 21 January.

Thornbush – Glandore/Skegoneill

Currently working with Skegoneill community to help them build a stronger community infrastructure to enable full participation in the Common Purpose initiative. Community consultation to take place in 13 February.

Public Achievement

Commissioned to do research the role of young people in ASF/peace process. Will feedback to committee when paper is produced

Interfaces/Hazelwood

Exploring options for the development of an overall strategic approach to new, emerging and current interfaces. Meeting on Wednesday to discuss current state of play and the way forward with presentations from BIP, NIO, NIHE, BCC, PSNI, OFMDFM, CRC and other key stakeholders

AOB

Gemma will be off going on maternity leave from the end of February. 

Date of next meeting

Monday 10 March, 2-4pm in CRC