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05 October 2010

Community Initiatives Committee Thursday 3rd June 2010 CRC Belfast Confirmed Minutes

Present:                     Jonathan Byrne, David Porter, Sylvia Gordon, Hazel Francey (Chair), Hassan Mansour, Eamonn Oakes, Robin Morton

In Attendance:           Frances Dennison, Judith Hamilton, Sharon Hobson (minute taker), Paul Jordan, Damien McNally, Dr Duncan Morrow, Jacqueline Irwin,

Apologies:                 Maura Muldoon

The minutes were agreed.

Mr Jordan informed the committee that St Columb’s Park House have been awarded Pathfinder funding (CIC/11/02/10/06). Extern was not successful.

Ms Francey queried whether there had been feedback from rejected groups. Ms Dennison stated that 2 formal requests for review had been received, and expanded on these in her report (CIC/03/06/10/003).

Ms Dennison informed the committee that the query over the budget for Irish School of Ecumenics’ core funding award had been settled and provided updated figures in her report.

Women’s Resource and Development Agency submitted a request for review of their rejection for core funding on the grounds that it was an ‘unreasonable decision’. Forthspring Inter Community Group also requested a review with no grounds stated. Both were presented to the review panel and the decisions to reject the applications were upheld (CIC/11/02/10/06).

Ian Thompson is currently performing financial verifications of core funded groups on a weekly basis and aims to complete them by September.

Mr McNally has uncovered issues with evaluations that have been performed to date. It is difficult to clarify work being done and training issues. The evaluation panel met on 21^st May 2010 and is meeting again in July.

The committee discussed collaboration between groups and how this can be monitored, evaluated and improved. Mr Mansour stated that groups in Belfast in particular feel in competition and find it difficult to work together.

Mr Byrne asked if it could be a requirement of core funding that groups attend a set number of training events and meetings per year to improve networking and partnerships.

Ms Irwin arrived.

Ms Francey asked that figures relating to core funding awards be made available to the public on the CRC website.

Ms Hamilton discussed projects organized by Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum and Basement Youth centre.

Mr Jordan informed the committee that there are currently 140 applications for small grants and that this is the busiest period for the scheme. Due to this workload it has been difficult to document good practice. Interface groups will be spoken to in September to discuss what was learned during the summer months.

Ms Irwin, on behalf of the committee and the staff of CRC, stated how much the work of David Stevens was valued and respected and he shall be sorely missed.

Ms Dennison submitted a report to the committee seeking approval to review the current core funding programme applications and assessment materials. She clarified that it is difficult to find the relevant information for assessment from the application forms in their present state. Changes need to be made by September in time for applications for the 2010/2011 grant cycle.

The committee discussed putting a greater emphasis on partnerships and collaborations with other groups on the application form.

Ms Gordon suggested that if work plans are to be part of the application process, there should be flexibility to allow groups to stay relevant and respond to change.

Dr Morrow entered.

It was agreed that applications and guidance notes should be in plain English. Initial drafts of the new application form are to be sent to committee for approval.

Mr McNally will have completed the current round of evaluations by the end of the summer and aims to look at changes to the evaluation process in September. He suggested that evaluation interviews be performed as part of the application process, providing a greater amount of information on which to base a decision of funding. Shorter, formal evaluation reports at the start of the funding cycle can then be revisited throughout the year. A thematic breakdown of work done by groups would provide a general overview of core funded work.

Mr Byrne asked who the audience was for evaluation reports and work plans as the information gathered could be beneficial to groups. The thematic breakdown could be used to show groups what work has been done to reduce duplication and show areas of need, while also providing CRC with a database showing what has been achieved annually. Mr McNally replied that it was the committee’s decision regarding what is done with the information gathered during evaluation.  

Mr Byrne volunteered to assist Mr McNally with changes to the evaluation process.

Mr Jordan explained the research awards programme, explaining that last year a new process was introduced where a tender was issued for research that would inform the work of CRC.

Institute of Conflict Research performed a study on The Impact of Division & Conflict in the Past on Young People. They are drafting their final executive summary. Dr Morrow suggested that on publication information should be sent to the Belfast Telegraph, relevant committees and the Auditor General.

Good Relations Associates performed A Review of the Priorities and Strategic Direction of Community Relations in Northern Ireland, covering the main issues within the community relations sector that need to be addressed.

The committee discussed research topics for the upcoming year:

Dr Morrow suggested a mapping exercise showing crime statistics and an issues audit, showing how district councils deal with particular issues and how sharing can go forward. It would link to policy and the future of funding.

Ms Irwin said that other departments perform a ‘needs audit’ to show what they are missing, which would allow CRC to create a database showing what has been accomplished and allow tracking of best practice.

Ms Francey stated that if all organizations performed the same audit it would result in greater resources for the sector.

Mr Byrne suggested ‘Challenges to Women in Community Development Work’, to document the increased presence of women in voluntary organizations and how community relations is affected. Ms Irwin agreed that it could be done in collaboration with women’s groups.

Mr Jordan will draft the proposal and the research awards will be discussed over the course of three meetings. He plans to advertise the award within the coming week, allowing until the 5^th July 2010 for applications to be returned. The research should begin in August.

Mr Byrne expressed concern about using the £50,000 budget for one piece of research and suggested that costs should be looked at per individual application.

Ms Francey and Mr Mansour offered to assist with the research awards.

The committee briefly discussed salaries in core funding, agreeing that it would be useful to have a summary of salary levels. Ms Irwin suggested that current salaries could be looked at anonymously to provide indicative information.

The committee agreed to discuss the issue further at the next meeting.

None.

Thursday 16^th September 2010, 12pm – 3pm, CRC Belfast office.