Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

04 December 2008

Confirmed Minutes

In Attendance: John Clarke, Maureen Hetherington, Sheena Funston, Sean Coll, Eamon Oakes

Staff: Duncan Morrow, Paul Jordan, Brian Mullan, Carol Taylor, Patricia Cuthel

Apologies: James Campbell, John Cousins, Caroline Wilson

Minutes of Last Meeting

Agreed

Matters Arising

Brian stated that he had an initial with meeting Damien McNally to look at the issue of “Are we asking the right questions?” and how we look at evaluation over a longer period of time. There is evaluation software available and he will be having further meetings to discuss this.

Duncanraised the issue of an overall evaluation of the victims programme and that this would also deal with these issues. He said that he would draw up a terms of reference for this work.

Officers Reports

Core Funding

Joan gave a report on The Core funding programme outlining that the verification process had been nearing completion and that the under-spends from the previous financial year were being reallocated.

Brian indicated that a paper would be circulated if groups were to apply for more that £5,000 from the pot of additional money.

Joan gave an overview of the befriending work.

Victims + Survivors Development Grant Scheme

Carol gave an update on the Development Grant Scheme and indicated that the scheme was on target for reaching full spend

Duncancommented the sheer scale of this has to be noted. £1.3 million committed and thanked Officers for the work they do. He noted that the Council would be looking into the possibility to recruiting more staff for the scheme.

Paul stated that in terms of next year, the team would be meeting to reflect on the past year and planning for the future, and will let committee know of the outcome of this meeting.

Maureen commented that there are still people saying nothing is being done for victims and that we must look for ways to make our work more visible. She indicated that CRC work is commendable and has consistent integrity.

She asked if there is some way of measuring its impact on A Shared Future?

FAIR

Following on from the previous committee meeting Paul informed the committee that there had been a meeting and correspondence with FAIR and that he was happy to recommend support for the applications that were previously on hold

Committee approved grant application ref nos:

08/0476

08/0477

08/0481

08/0498

08/0473

08/0479

08/0648

Special Requests

Committee approved 2 special requests. One for Lenadoon and an increase in Rent, and one for Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust to reshape their spend profile in order to allow them to work more effectively

Shankhill Stress & Trauma Group

Paul reminded the committee that funding was suspended in June 2008. Group has substantial debts. Audit in July made 40 recommendations, and highlighted that there had been overpayments to staff. Group have until 09/01/2009 to respond to queries.

Duncancommented that this is a very serious situation as it was a misuse of funds and that ultimately responsibility lies with the Board of the Group.

John C stated that the Group’s committee is not only responsible to CRC but also to Inland Revenue and themselves.

West Tyrone Voice

Paul updated the committee regarding an Issue with a Freedom of Information request. CRC had sought legal advice and that is that some information should not be issued. Solicitor is to confirm this week, what information can be issued.

Condolences were offered to Tony McCusker regarding death in the family

Congratulations to Paul Jordan and Brian Mullan on the birth of their sons.

Best wishes to John Clarke for forthcoming wedding on 1^st Jan 2009.

Date of next meeting:
Tuesday 27^th January 2009. Venue to be confirmed.