Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

11 December 2008

Minutes of the meeting of the Community Initiatives Committee of CRC on Thursday, December 11th 2008 at CRC Belfast.

Present: Maura Muldoon (Chair), David Stevens, Eileen Gallagher, Libby Keys, Hazel Francey, Stella McDermott

Staff: Duncan Morrow, Jacqueline Irwin, Paul Jordan, Alison Keenan, Andrew Smyth, Judith Hamilton, Damien McNally, Veronica Sweeney (minute taker).

Observer: Peter Neill (CRU)

1. Apologies: Michael Wardlow, Drew Haire

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting: Approved CIC 111208/001

3. Matters Arising: None

4. Strategic Review of Core Funding Programme: CIC 111208/002

Members agreed upon the key issue of conducting a strategic review of the Core Funding programme. The proposed methodology includes establishing a steering group which engages representatives of Council and Committee as well as external stakeholders; appointment of an independent chair to manage the process, the drafting of a position paper from which to begin. However, the exact method of review and commencement date is still undecided.

5. Officers Reports: Core Funding Programme CIC 111208/003

CR/CD Grants Programme

Mrs. Keenan noted that the Practitioners’ Forum continues to be a useful meeting point for funded groups and CRC. Mr. Morrow advised members that the Forum meetings are open to representatives of Council and Committees should they wish to attend. The next meeting is Friday 16^th January at Corrymeela. The CRC e-bulletin will continue to summarize the most significant information/issues brought forth by the attendees.

Mr. Smyth highlighted the vast spectrum of grants being facilitated by the CR/CD Grants Programme. Also, noting the increased capacity of the funding over the year and the overall increase of the amounts each group is receiving on average.

6. Evaluation Update: CIC 111208/004

Mr. McNally has completed all required formal evaluation activity for the calendar year. Mr McNally is currently reviewing the previous year’s evaluation findings together with a number of different evaluation methodologies used by other funders and will update the Committee on the findings produced as a result of this process. Mrs. Irwin requests that anyone who has an issue they would like added to the agenda for the next CRC seminar (Feb 3^rd, 2009) should speak to her prior to the date.

7. Conflicts of Interest: David Stevens and Duncan Morrow re Corrymeela

8. Underpinning assumptions in grants assessments and decisions:

Mrs. Keenan advised members that it is anticipated that the core funding budget will remain the same for the new financial year at £1.35 m. In addition, it is assumed there will be no transfer of funding responsibilities to local councils within this year.

9. Applications to Core Funding Programme (Eligibility Decisions ONLY)

(Dr Stevens and Dr Morrow left the room)

v Corrymeela (Ref: 08/0808) – Members agreed that the group is eligible for consideration for funding. The group does have issues regarding the quality of its partnership and struggling to remain relevant in the current political climate. However, the group has responded well to committee guidance in the past.

(Dr Stevens and Dr Morrow re-joined the meeting)

v Groundwork NI (Ref: 08/0806) – Members agreed that group is eligible for consideration for funding. Questions surrounding their quality of partnership should be reviewed by committee at the February meeting.

v Institute for Conflict Research (Ref: 08/0809) – Members agreed that group is eligible for consideration for funding. Group provides high quality research and demonstrates professionalism throughout their work. Questions surrounding what exactly ICR produces as a result of Core Funding should be reviewed by Committee at the February meeting.

v Interaction (Ref: 08/0812) – Members agreed that group is eligible for consideration for funding. However, its eligibility score is low and the group no longer has the capacity - financial or staffing - to implement plans. Members expressed reservations which are to be dealt addressed at the meeting in February. In the interim, Ms Keenan is to approach to group in January to confirm a) a deliverable work plan and b) what applications for funding have been made and what are the timescales for decision

v Mediation Northern Ireland (Ref: 08/0811) – Members agreed the group is eligible for consideration for funding. Issues to be discussed regarding funding should cover the intended outcome of their projects and the level of funding required.

v North Belfast Interface Network (Ref:08/0810) – Members agreed the groups is eligible for consideration for funding.

10. Any other business:Chair passed on best wishes to Andrew Smyth who was leaving the Council to take on a new post with Lesbian Advocacy Services Initiative.

Date of next meeting: Thursday, February 12^th, 2009 in Dungannon @ 10.00 a.m.

Community Relations Council

Thursday 11th December 2008