Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

11 September 2008

Policy and Communications Committee 11 September 2008

Present: Maureen Hetherington, Caroline Wilson, Tony McCusker, Tony Kennedy, Sylvia Gordon

In attendance: Julie Crutchley, Patricia O’Neill, Ellana Tomasso, Ray Mullan, Dympna McGlade, Duncan Morrow, Jacqueline Irwin

Apologies: Stephen Farry, David Porter, Rosie McCorley, Eamonn Oakes

1 Welcome and Introductions

Tony welcomed everyone to the Committee, everyone introduced themselves.

2 Induction of new members.

Ray Mullan and Dympna McGlade gave an overview of the work of their programmes.

3 Terms of Reference

A draft terms of reference was issued to members and they were asked for their comments on this.

Members not in attendance will be contacted to ask them for their opinions on this. There was an amendment to the first and second points adding communications into these. Members have been asked to email Duncan Morrow with any further changes or suggestions so these can be ratified at Council.

4 Update of A Shared Future

Until September 2007 this was the key policy across government including all departments. However, this was frustrated by a delay in implementation at the same time a report serviced from a Freedom of Information request called Cost of Division which provoked a reaction from sections within Government. The draft Programme of Government produced no mention of a Shared Future, but it is referred to in the draft Programme for Government. Unfortunately there is no agreement in how this is to be taken forward. We now have CSI NI. It is difficult to see any implementation of this coming before 2010/2011. In this climate Council needs to define what its own priorities are. Council and the Committee need to talk about tactics in the absence of a shared future. We need to make alliances with other like-minded organisations. CRC needs to ensure that the messages are coming from the ground up and not just from an organisational level.

5 CRC Communications Strategy

See paper – review of communications strategy.

There was broad discussion around the strategy. We need to have a more strategic approach, agreed public affairs strategy, a more imaginative approach to marketing. One Small Step was a part of this but it needs to be wider. We need to look at how we are viewed as an organisation by our stakeholders. We need to define our communications strategy and its resource implications. A small working group to be established including Maureen Hetherington, Tony McCusker and Tony Kennedy.

6 Advertising Proposal

Ray Mullan gave an overview of the Nil by Mouth advertising proposal. It was decided that our advertising needed to be part of a broader strategy.

7 One Small Step

4000 copies of the One Small Step publication are awaiting launch. The launch will happen on 9^th October in the 174 Trust on the Antrim Road with possible further launches in Dungannon and the Junction in Derry. Exhibition stands will be produced. The website will be absorbed by CRC’s website after Christmas.

One Small Step panel should be kept on in an advisory capacity.

8 Consultation on Interface Working Group Paper

There was a general agreement that this was a critical report which should be presented at Council. The report will be presented to the Good Relations Panel chaired by Jeffrey Donaldson and Gerry Kelly eventually.

CRC should take a lead in rolling out the recommendations.

9 Update on Rural Shared over Separation Research

Rural Community Network drew on the key issues and themes of a shared future, including 10 key recommendations in each of the issues. These will feed into work on the Enablers Programme and also provide material for Shared Space.

Recommendations will be made available.

10 Update on Shared Neighbourhood Programme

Springfarm initiated this themselves aided by CRC and IFI. Now this has fed into a much larger initiative being led by the NIHE in 30 locations. CRC is a key partner in the development and delivery of shared neighbourhoods. It would be useful to contact the Institute of Community Cohesion in London.

11 Responses for consideration:

Youth Draft – was accepted with some small amendments. Discussion was held on responses to the Review of Parading, Review of Civic Forum and Regeneration of the Northwest Quarter. Dympna will update these to reflect comments and table for Council ratification. Ray will produce press releases on all three and post on CRC website.

12 Date of Next Meeting

13 November 2008.