Community Relations Council
Equity Diversity Interdependence
Promoting a Peaceful and Fair
Society based on Reconciliation
and Mutual Trust.
March 26th 2009
26 March 2009
MINUTES OF THE ONE HUNDRED & THIRTY-FOURTH MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 26TH MARCH 2009 @ 1.30 p.m. IN CRC’S BOARDROOM, 1ST FLOOR, GLENDINNING HOUSE, 6 MURRAY STREET, BELFAST, BT1 6DN
1963/09 PRESENT: Action:
Mr J Deery, Mr S Farry, Ms S Gordon, Ms M Hetherington, Mr T Kennedy, Mr T McCusker. (Chair), Ms S McDermott, Ms R McCorley, Ms M Muldoon, Mr E Oakes, Mr D Porter, Ms C Wilson.
1964/09 APOLOGIES:
Ms H Francey, Ms E Gallagher.
Mr D Haire (CRU/OFMDFM)
1965/09 IN ATTENDANCE:
Dr D Morrow [CEO], Ms J Irwin {Deputy CEO], Mr J Fitzsimons [P/D DFAP], Mr R Mullan [P/D Communication & Resources], Ms D McGlade [P/D Policy Dev], Ms J Dennison [PO/EU Prog], Ms H Scott [P/Secretary].
Pauline Donnan and Carol Murphy [OFMDFM - Research]
1966/09 OBSERVER:
Mr C Jack (OFMDFM)
1967/09 PRESENTATION – Good Relations Indicators
(Pauline Donnan and Carol Murphy - OFMDFM Research)
Priority Outcome 1
NI society is free from racism, sectarianism and prejudice.
Breakdown of headings:
Hate incident and crimes
Racially motivated hate incidents 2008/08 (location and numerical breakdown)
Sectarian motivated hate incidents 2007/08 (location and numerical breakdown)
Attacks on symbolic premises
NIHE clients presenting at homeless due to intimidation
Motivation behind the intimidation (2007/08)
Is NI a place free from displays of sectarian aggression 2005/06/07 (source NI Life and Times survey)
As above - but broken down by religion and age.
1967/09 Good Relations Indicators presentation continued: Action:
Percentage of people who believe there is more racial prejudice compare to give years ago.
As above – but broken down by age and social-economic class
Percentage of people who believe there will be mor4e racial prejudice in NI in 5 years give compared to now (1994,2005/06/07)
As above – but broken down by religion and age groups
Percentage who are prejudiced again people from a minority ethnic community (2005/06/07)
Percentage who are prejudiced against people from a minority ethnic community (by religious affiliation).
Percentage who are prejudiced against people from a minority ethnic community (by social-economic class)
There were opportunities for comment and discussion during this presentation.
The Chair thanked Mssrs Donnan and Murphy.
1968/09 MINUTES:
The minutes from the previous meeting (29 January 2009) having been circulated was taken as read. There were no amendments.
1969/09 MATTERS ARISING:
1 Eames Bradley report [Mins 196/09 refer]: The CEO reported that the Policy Programme had run a meeting yesterday to discuss this. He said that it was felt that proposals for institutional structures would not work, and would have to have a clearer focus. The CEO said that the group recognised the intention of the Report but there were still questions about structure and authority and questions about how a person of “high authority” would be found. He said that the group accepted the “recovery of truth” as a good principle but that reactions to the report reflected the huge lack of consensus as to what a victim was.
The CEO said that the NI Affairs Committee had asked for a submission by
10th April.
The Chair suggested that a paper should be written outlining the outcomes from this meeting and circulated. CEO/Policy Programme
Mr Porter apologised for not being at the January Council meeting when report had been discussed. He told members the authors of the report felt (1) that they had to publish, that the debate should be moved forward and further delay would have been counterproductive. (2) Mr Porter said there were pressures on policing, justice and criminal justice regarding dealing
1969/09 Matters Arising continued: Action:
with the past. (3) He said that comments on the politics of it, the issue “of dealing with the past” would move on in a radical way within the next 12 months as a result of external circumstances.
2 Recruitment of members [Mins 1953/09 refer]: The Recruitment Committee will meet in April to establish process. Recruitment will take place in June.
1970/09 CHAIRS BUSINESS:
(i) Governance Review: It has been agreed that a procedures manual for Governance should be devised in the incoming Financial Year.
(ii) Staffing matters:
· Alison Keenan is leaving CRC to manage a Peace III EU Funding Programme in Newtownabbey District Council.
· Naomi Doak has joined EU Programme staff as a Development Officer
· Micháela Mackin would be returning to work on the 31 March after maternity leave.
(iii) Meeting: Richard Bullick (DUP advisor) moved to 10 April.
(iv) Conferences:
Interface – 27th March @ Farset International
Live Issues – 31st March @ Ramada Shaws Bridge
“Business of Peace” – 30 April (during CR week)
(v) Launch – The launch of What Now in NI?” booklet and CD took place in the Linenhall Library on 2nd March.
1971/09 CORE FUNDING:
[Paper CRC/134/03/09/01 refers]
Ms Muldoon (Chair of Committee) reported that the last meeting (Feb 19th) had been one of the least contentious meetings in recent years. She said that the process was now streamlined and a strategic review of the core funding programme would be undertaken.
There were no questions.
1972/09 OPERATIONAL PLANNING: Action:
[Papers CRC/134/03/09/02, 02.1 & 02.2 refer]
1 Arms Length Bodies Shared Services Project[ 02 refers]: Ms Irwin told members that this paper had gone to the General Purposes Committee on 25 March and a number of issues had been highlighted for further investigation. She said that a main issue was that of “Co-location” and the need for more detailed financial information, each member of the board was to report back to their board. She noted that at the General Purposes Committee (yesterday) members felt that the project had the signs of something that needed to renew its purpose in the light of its early findings.
The Chair suggested that CRC write to OFMDFM requesting a strategic framework to ensure a clear focus or, to draw a line under the project. The Chair asked for member’s approval to follow this up with OFMDFM.
Chair/CEO
This was agreed
Mr Jack (OFMDFM) said that it had been Mr Hamilton’s intention to produce efficiencies within sectors and his understanding was that it was about sharing administrative services.
The CEO asked who the letter should be addressed to.
Mr Jack said either himself or Mr McMullan.
2 Equality Up-date [02.1 refers]: Ms Irwin said that the main issue from the report was to identify the Council members requiring Equality training (to help with recruitment and when sitting on panels). She asked for members to indicate if they had been trained, Ms Wilson and Ms Muldoon indicated that they had. The Chair suggested that all members (not retiring) should have training.
This was agreed.
3 Audit Committee Update[02.2 refers – also 03.2appendix 1, 2 & 3 tabled at meeting refers]. Mr Farry (Chair Audit Committee) told members that there were concerns about the ratings received on Financial Systems, Purchasing and Procurement and Personnel/Payroll. He said that this had been a legacy issue with CRC but that every effort was being made to turn this around as quickly as possible.
Ms Irwin pointed members to the three reports e.g. Financial systems
03.2 appendix 1; Purchasing and Procurement – 03.2 appendix 2;
Personnel and Payroll – 03.2 appendix 3. She said that, in broad terms,many of the recommendations had already been implemented or were planned to be in place before the new Financial Year.. She said that the HR recommendations had been timetabled for completion 15/16 May.
1972/09 OPERATIONAL PLANNING continued: Action:
Audit Committee Update continued: Ms Irwin told members that previously some HR information had been retained on a thematic basis, this would now all devolve to personal files.
Ms Irwin advised that an HR strategy had been recommended and thatstaff would be talking to the auditors (ASM Horwath) to ascertain the detailof this recommendation.
Mr Kennedy said that it was important for members to continue to get theupdated reports until all recommendations had been implemented.
Deputy CEO/DFAP
The Chair enquired when the “limited” assurance would be removed.
Ms Irwin said that the auditor (Mr Clerkin, ASM Horwath) had indicatedthat when full implementation of each recommendation had be achieved then they should be removed from the list.
The Chair suggested that the Council could carry out its own internal auditbetween now and the next audit (e.g. September/November time) and thismid year review could go to the Audit Committee.
Mr Deery said that a lot of the findings had been very detailed, someperipheral. He said the warning “could have resulted in” although essentialto hear, was just that (a warning) because nothing untoward had been found.
The CEO stated that this had been a learning curve and that CRC had gonewithout an internal audit for 7 years. He said that had he realised theimportance of this he would have pressed for an internal audit with moreenthusiasm. The CEO suggested that the single most important item wasthe absence of a Financial Procedures Manual. He advised members that the latest version of the this manual had been approved by the Finance and General Purposes Committee yesterday (25th March)
Ms Irwin told members that the Government Auditors had circulated CRCwith their audit strategy as the initial step in this year’s external audit of CRC.
(Ms Muldoon left the meeting at 3.20p.m.)
1973/09 FINANCES:
[Papers CRC/134/03/09/03, 03(a), 03(b) & 03.1 refer]
1 Management Accounts 2009 – circulated via e-mail and available at .meeting – 03 (Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet as at 28/2/09 & Notes for 11 months ended 28/2/09)
1973/09 Finances continued: Action:
2 Management Accounts – Victims & Survivors Groups Development Grants -03(a)
3 Grants receivable, grant paid, overheads for 11 months as at 28th Feb 2009 - 03(b)
4 Grant Expenditure Review (Jan to Feb) - 03.1
Mr Fitzsimons apologised to members for the lateness in the despatch of the Management Accounts. He informed members that these had been to the Finance and General Purposes meeting (25th March) and had been approved.
(Mr Dennison joined the meeting @ 3.20 p.m.)
The Chair said that he thought the Grants Review provided too little information and asked if the paper could provide some analysis. He suggested that if someone raised a question about any of these grants, it will have gone through Council but members did not actually have any information other than reference number, organisation name and amount awarded.
The CEO reminded members that the Grant Review was purely financial and was not intended to be anything else.
(Mr Mullan joined the meeting @ 3.30 p.m. and Mr Farry left)
1974/09 PATHFINDER:
[Paper CRC134/03/09/04 refers]
The CEO informed members that the Springfarm Pathfinder had not come to Council because he had been in the US and the required information had not been to hand. He said that Mr Haire (OFMDFM) had requested that this Pathfinder proposal (Latin American Mural) should come instead. The CEO pointed out that proposals for this relatively small amount did not usually come to Council for consideration and would not again.
Latin American Mural:
Recommendation: £3,000.00
Approval: £3,000.00
Ms Wilson told members that this proposal came as a result of a cut in Belfast City Council’s budget and CRC had been asked to assist.
The Chair asked what the criteria for Pathfinder grants was.
1974/09 Pathfinder continued: Action:
The CEO stated that these grants had been initiated as (1) a form of “one off” funding in an emergency situations; as interim or gap funding to e.g. prevent the collapse of a project; or as part of a “one off” collaborative grant (e.g. with BCC).
1975/09 VICTIMS REVIEW
[Paper CRC/134/03/09/05 refers]
The CEO advised that there was an urgent need to review Victims fundingas the money available increases. He said £1.5M had been spent in small grants. The CEO said that, at present, the applications had no defensive criteria. He stated that CRC needed to show evidence that it recognised concerns around this funding and the reality is that CRC might be exposed to the Public Accounts Committee and in the absence of a root and branch review of funding strategy could be left vulnerable. The CEO said he would be concerned if CRC did not carry out a review as soon as possible.
This was agreed.
The Chairman said, to oversee the process, a named and independent Chair, with good standing in the community, had been mooted. He said this person would need to be able to give the necessary time to the project and he asked members if they would send names of suggested people to the CEO/ Deputy CEO by the end of next week.
1976/98 POLICY PAPERS:
[Papers CRC/134/03/09/06 & 06.1]
(i) The Big Lottery response – 06
(ii) The education Committee – education Bill – 06.1
The Chair pointed out that these (draft) papers had been ratified by the Policy Committee and had been circulated to members. He asked if there were any comments.
Ms McDermott said she had some minor points to raise but had not known who to contact because there was no name on the papers.
The Chair advised that Ms Gemma Attwood was the author and suggested that Ms McDermott contact her.
Members approved the drafts.
1977/09 CEO’s REPORT: Action:
[CRC/134/03/09/07]
Recent attacks in Antrim and Craigavon:
The CEO said that the response to the attacks in Antrim and Craigavon and their aftermath seemed to indicate a real change in what people are against, though it was not clear what people were for. He said that fears of collapse or disarray were not realised and the swift action taken at Executive level was reinforced by public disavowal. The CEO said the Chair had written to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister commending them on the united positions they took.
The Chair said that he had also written to the General Officer Commanding, the Secretary of State and the Chief Constable offer help and support in anyway we could. He said that Mr Kennedy had kindly agreed to represent the Council at the funeral of the police constable as he felt that this had been an unusual time.
The CEO informed members that the Chief Constable had indicated that the wanted to have a group on the ground to talk about this or issues arising.
Ambit:
The CEO outlined the background to the Ambit programme. He said the group and the theme changed every year. This year the emphasis was on leadership among the under 40s. He said that in the USA there was a huge emphasis on voluntary commitment and volunteering and some of what they achieve in urban spaces (where there was dereliction and neglect) e.g. John Hopkins hospital was impressive. The CEO said that they had had an opportunity to speak to NI politicians who were visiting for St Patrick’s week.
Peace III
The CEO stated that as a result of an agreement between Government and SEUPB; it appeared that money originally committed by government would now be accounted for under the Peace Programme. This created serious challenges for CRC as it may be held accountable for decisions which were taken under different standards elsewhere.
The CEO said, as Chief Accounting Officer he would need to know that all accountability issues had been resolved.
The Chair suggested that a paper outlining the issues should be written as soon as possible and circulated to Council members for agreement/comment. He hoped that members would not have to have a special meeting but, if this were not feasible, an extra-ordinary Council meeting would be called. CEO
Mr Jack (OFMDFM) said the impetus for this came from DFP and stemmed from concern at the level of spend on Victims (3/4 months ago). The Minister (OFMDFM) felt that they had to take on interim funding and had made visits to
1977/09 CEO’s Report - Peace III continued Action:
all the organisations which had received this (interim) funding. He indicated that there should have been EU Peace III funding but it was not ready at the time.
Mr Jack advised that discussions at the moment were about the extension of interim funding possibly for a further month or so £900,000 to £1M (£720,000 freed up – allocated to NI Memorial fund).
(Ms Gordon and Ms Hetherington left the meeting at 4.05 p.m).
CEO informed members that CRC hoped to have a clearer view when we meet funders next week. He said a paper would be written and circulated to members.
CEO
(Mr Oakes left the meeting @ 4.10 p.m.)
1978/09 SECTOR REPORTS:
[Papers CRC/134/03/09/08 to 11 refer]
These reports outline the main areas of work.
European Programme- 08, 08(A) & 08(B)
The Chair said that grants should not be made where there was no strategy and no thought about what the strategy is.
It was agreed that Mr Dennison, Mr McCusker and Mr Kennedy have a discussion about this mater. Chair/Mr Dennison/Mr Kennedy
Mr Mullan circulated a printout of Community Relations week programmes. He said that there already were 130 organisations involved and that any additional events/late entries would be included on the CRC website.
The Chair said that if members could attend some of these events it would be appreciated, especially events in their Council areas. He suggested that they liaise with Mr Mullan rather than arrive at events on an ad hoc basis. The Chair suggested that Mr Mullan could compile a draft rota to avoid members arriving at the same events. Mr Mullan/JPR
Funding & Development Programme - 10
Policy Development Programme – 11
1979/09 AOB:
1 The CEO reminded members that, because of the early closure of the Financial Accounts CRC had to have these ready for 21st May.
1979/09 AOB continued: Action:
He said that Ms McDermot had indicated that she was not available for the Audit Committee on that day and we asked if another member would offer themselves as a co-opted member for the meting.
Mr Kennedy volunteered.
2 The CEO informed members that a paper passed by the Policy Committee Strategy Review did not appear on the Agenda.
The Chair confirmed that preparation of this paper had been devolved to the CEO who was to have discussions with the NIHE first.
The CEO said that these discussions had not been possible due to pressure of work but that he would action this as soon as possible.
CEO
3 1st May: An event at NICVA at which CEO was speaking;
4 CSI: Mr Farry asked, Mr Jack of OFMDFM about the comments by Ministers in Assembly (Ministerial question time) that there is still no firm date for publishing a CSI strategy and Mr Robinson’s comment that that A Shared Future was still “on the “books” in terms of policy but as money was still available for CR there was “no need for a formal strategy”.
Mr Jack (OFMDFM) said that statements from Ministers in Assembly at Question Time could not be taken as policy statements. He pointed out that Shared Future documents were “out there” and many organisation continued to refer to it. He said the Department continued to work on CSI for a shared future - how different it is would be remained to be seen.
The CEO said that with regard to a policy framework its loss was the loss of triennial action plan which bound Departments into an action, he asked if it was still “alive”.
Mr Jack (OFMDFM) said that the context had changed and moved on since devolution. He said a discussion was to happen about what the Department is doing after what occurred three weeks ago.
(Mr Deery and Mr Porter left the room at 4.30 p.m.)
1980/09 DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:
Thurs 21st May 2009 (1.30 to 4 p.m.) – Murray Street(please note this venue is changed to Belfast to accommodate Audit requirements)
1980/09 Dates of next meetings continued: Action
Fri 19th June 2009(10 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.) – LinenGreen Centre, Dungannon (please note: date, time and venue changed)
© Copyright Community Relations Council 2012
Community Relations Council
6 Murray Street
Belfast
BT1 6DN
Tel: 028 9022 7500
