Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

23 September 2008

Confirmed Minutes

In Attendance: Maureen Hetherington (Chair), John Clarke, Sean Coll, Eamon Oakes, Jim Campbell, Tony McCusker and Sheena Funston.

Apologies: Nigel McKinney, Caroline Wilson, David Porter and Brian Mullan.

Staff: Jacqueline Irwin, Duncan Morrow, Paul Jordan, Joan Clements, Frances Dennison, Carol Taylor and Ciarán Donnelly (minute taker).

Minutes from previous meeting (10^th April 2008):

Minutes agreed.

Matters Arising:

Maureen Hetherington acknowledged that the Victims and Survivors Conference which took place on 15^th and 16^th September at the Radisson Hotel was very successful, productive, energetic and positive.

Paul Jordan reiterated the sentiment expressed by all that Sandra Bloom was very influential and informative at the Victims and Survivors Conference in Limavady.

The report on soft indicators is not yet available due to increase work volume, an update will be provided by Brian Mullan at the next meeting.

Officers Report:

Joan Clements provided a summary of the core funding officer’s reports for the benefit of the committee.

Paul Jordan provided committee with an update on correspondence that had been exchanged with the chairman of a core funded group regarding issues between committee members and the group’s ongoing work. Committee were informed that an offer of third party mediation had been made to the group to which a response was anticipated in the near future. It was agreed that Committee would be kept updated as to any developments.

Joan Clements updated committee on the on-going work with another core funded regarding their systems and procedures. Committee were informed that financial procedures training is now complete with committee training to follow shortly. The groups capacity is now of a satisfactory level and the group have been informed they are now in a position to receive small grants.

Befriending.

Links have been made with health promotion agencies dealing with mental health and providing this information to the befrienders. Discussion commenced around the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers.

Development Grants Scheme

Frances Dennison provided an update on the work ongoing within the Development Grant Scheme for the benefit of the committee. The committee were informed of the increase in budget to the scheme in June 2008. Whilst the levels of applications has increased officers are working to ensure projects are within criteria, value for money and meeting the objectives of the development grant scheme.

Francesprovided the committee with two examples of good practice funded under the development grant scheme.

Special Requests:

South East Fermanagh Foundation:

Request: Increase in rent for current premises

Decision: Agreed subject to monies available.

Wave Trauma Centre Londonderry

Request: Increase in rent to enable group to re-locate to suitable premises.

Decision: Agreed subject to monies available

Omagh Support and Self Help

Request: Increase in rent to enable group to re-locate to suitable premises.

Decision: Agreed subject to monies available

Re-allocation of In Year Savings

Upon completion of verification of 2007-08 core funding has an in year saving of £50k the officers report request committee as to how this will be administered to groups.

Decision: Committee approved the decision to allow groups to apply for the reallocation of their in year savings and allows officers to consider these applications along the thresholds that apply under the development grant scheme.

Grants Approval Practice

Committee were presented with an options papers regarding the existing authorisation procedures. Committee discussed the current mechanisms in relation to the substantial increase in Development Grants applications which they were being presented with.

It was agreed that the current arrangements of forwarding recommendations to committee members as the need arises should remain in place at this time.

Decision: Officers continue to forward recommendations to committee members as the need arises.

Applications for consideration

FAIR –

There were 4 applications from FAIR presented to committee for consideration.

Committee considered the applications. Discussion took place regarding the levels of support awarded to the group to date this year and the current applications also presently being considered (38 applications in total). The committee agreed to defer the decisions on the recommendations pending further information being sought from the group.

Decision: Current applications will be deferred until committee are satisfied with the following:

- Group demonstrate the capacity to deliver on all the proposals they have submitted and forward an implementation plan as evidence.

- An outline of how candidates are selected for respite trips.

- Can demonstrate how evaluation and monitoring of activities is carried out.

Action: Staff will draft a letter to the group requesting the above information; this will be issued to committee for approval to ensure all queries have been included.

Evaluation of Victims Sector

Committee discussed the current levels of support being awarded to the sector and the proposed increases in funding over the next 5-10 years. Committee agreed that there was a need for CRC to begin its own evaluation of the work that it has supported in order to identify future priorities, areas of best practice and lessons to be learned.

Action: It was agreed that a paper would be drafted and that a sub-group of the committee would be formed to take this work forward.

Shankill Stress and Trauma Group.

Staff provided an update to committee on the current position of the group. No decisions were required at this time.

Any Other Business

Paul Jordan suggested the following dates; 2^nd October & 8^th October as possible meeting dates for committee to discuss the consultation strategy. Paul will email invitations to committee.

Date of Next Meeting:

Thurs 4^th Dec 10.30 am Belfast Office