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23 February 2006

Confirmed Minutes of Meeting

Attendees:               John Cousins (CHAIR) Jim Campbell, Chris O’Halloran

                                    Caroline Wilson, Edward Godfrey

Apologies:               John Clarke, Sean Coll, Sheila Jane Malley, Nigel McKinney, Sheena Funston

Minutes of last meeting

Approved

Matters Arising

Ms Mackin updated the committee from the previous discussion on lobbying.  Ms Mackin has sought legal advice, the solicitor is still correlating a response and this will be available at the next meeting.

Mr Mullan informed the committee that a complete update regarding the Development Index will be available at the next meeting.

Officers Report

Mr Mullan

The final payments within the current financial year have now been issued and Mr Mullan is currently drawing up contracts for the continuation funding year.  Spend for the current financial year (05/06) was on target at just under £2million.  Mr Mullan is continuing the support meetings with core funded groups over the next quarter.

Joan Clements

Ms Clements is continuing support meetings with core funded groups and encouraging committees participate.  This is proving to be successful.

Ms Clements is working to develop relationships between parallel service providers and self help groups.  Ms Clements has informed counselling centre’s that they must provide evidence of their work with victims and survivors and evidence their monitoring systems.

Ms Clements commented to the committee that the progress of the new welfare groups in Fermanagh are improving as they are now being co-ordinated by The Ely Centre and South East Fermanagh Foundation.

Carol Taylor

The launch of the “Who Cares for the Carer’s?” report and befriending seminar has gathered an enthusiastic interest.  Current confirmed numbers wishing to attend at 103.

The victims commissioner and victims unit will be in attendance. 

The new scheme will be launched at this event with an announcement of £500,000 of additional monies totaling £900,000 to support volunteer befriending work, training for volunteer befriender’s and IT upgrades for organisations.

Special Requests

Shankill Stress and Trauma Group

Shankill Stress and Trauma Group currently employ 2 part time counselors through core funding.  They are requesting to use the 2 salaries to fund their sessional counselling allowing them to increase the number of clients by 50%.

Decision:                  Approved.

Make Your Mark

Make Your Mark will be closing their services and have requested that the funding for the therapist which has been extended for the next financial year would be given to one of two specified organisations.

Decision:                  No Decision

Information will be forwarded to committee on the set procedures for undertaking of roles relevant to this situation.

Nova

Nova have requested funding to meet the costs of the set management fee from Barnardo’s and to meet the overspend due to the underpayment of counsellor salaries.

Decision:                  Declined.

Projected Costs of additional Core Funding Extension

Mr Mullan informed the committee the total spend for the next financial year will be just over £2million this is inclusive of the 3% annual salary increases within the NJC scales.

Any Other Business

Salary Request

Ms Clements informed the committee of a late request from Omagh Support and Self Help Group who requested the committee review the salary of the co-ordinator to be increased.

Decision:                  Declined.

Victims Commissioner

Meetings with the Interim Victims Commissioner Bertha McDougal have now taken place.   The Commissioner commented on the positive feedback from groups and organisations regarding CRC staff and committee.

The Interim Commissioner has commenced the consultations and the completed report should be available by December 2006.

Belfast Interface Project

Chris O’Halloran informed committee and staff of the new appointment of a Project Development Worker, Eric Cownie.  Mr Cownie’s role will be to look at the legacy of the past, conflict transformation and evaluating what services are currently on offer.  This will involve interaction with CRC staff.

Date of Next Meeting:                    4^th May 2006

                        Time:                         10.30 am

                        Location:                  Dungannon Office, Moygashal