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16 June 2010

Confirmed Minutes

Present:         Billy Gamble, David Russell, Hassan Mansour, Katie Hanlon, Tony Kennedy (Chair), Tony McCusker

In Attendance:           Duncan Morrow, Ellana Tomasso, Dympna McGlade, Gemma Attwood, Patricia O’Neill, Susanna Phillips

Welcome and Apologies

Tony Kennedy welcomed all to the meeting.

Apologies: Rosie McCorley, Sinead McShane, Michael Wardlow, David Porter & Stephen Farry.

The minutes of the meeting on 12^th May 2010 were formally ratified by the Committee

CSI – There has been no total agreement; however CRC have been assured that the document will be released before recess.

GRF – A plan of action is being drafted for the education challenge paper.  CRC received a letter from the Minister for Education indicating that she is considering the findings of the paper.

Committee Attendance - The chair advised that a committee member attendance register is now being kept.

Bloody Sunday Report – CRC responded to the news of the Bloody Sunday report by issuing a press release to members and it was uploaded onto CRC website.

CRC may want to pick up on Saville outcomes at a later date, with an extended agenda – to pick up on truth recovery.  CRC should consult the EOLAS report funded by OFMDFM re international models for truth recovery.

RPA – the formal collapse of RPA raises 2 issues for CRC to monitor.

·        Community planning and transfer of audit functions.

·        Concerns over power sharing – Newtownabbey and Omagh.  RPA statutory requirements on power sharing - CRC’s initial draft.

CRC should look into the makeup of Councils – Good Relations duty and delivery of services.

Best Report – CRC have requested a meeting with Grainne Long of the Housing Commission and will continue to collate more evidence based on the CSR discussion in light of future budget decisions.

John Hewitt Summer School will be running from 26^th-30^th July 2010.

CR Week Review - The publication was published on Monday and has been distributed to 4000 people.

Members suggested meeting with one of our sponsoring Ministers to seize the opportunity to lobby on the issues raised within the document.

Annual Report – This should be completed by October (dependant on accountants).

Annual Review – this publication is an operational overview which records the activity and impact of CRC’s work.  Members noted that in light of the CSR review it would be beneficial to have this document ready as soon as possible.

Members discussed using the 20^th Anniversary of CRC as an opportunity to publicise and reflect on the impact of 20years of work. 

·        Highlight issues such as street violence re Parades, specific issues e.g. Rasharkin – if the budget is cut a review of key services will have to be undertaken - highlight the consequences in reducing the CR budget.

·        Make the argument that CRC provides public service e.g. Victims and Policy.

A small group of CRC management and Council members will come together to discuss key upcoming events.

Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Good Relations Action Plan – members were asked to forward comment by email.

Consultation on Public Assemblies, Parades & Protest Bill (Northern Ireland) –members were asked to forward comments via email.

Dympna McGlade and Ray Mullan provided a full overview of the Policy Development and Communications and Learning programmes operational plans.

Communications

Comments from Members:

·        Oxford Economic Summit is being held in Belfast in September 2010 – CRC may wish to have a presence at this event. 

Action: Billy Gamble to forward contact detail to CRC.

·        Archiving of old minutes within folders on the CRC website would make it appear much more up to date and less cluttered. 

Action: A note from the Chairperson will be sent to all Directors to ensure all minutes are up to date on the website.

Policy

Comments from Members:

·        Ballynafeigh Community Development Association is liaising with SNP to encourage in depth work with the community.  Recently held a successful event in Ballynafeigh Orange Hall.

·        South Belfast Roundtable - This is currently on hold awaiting further information on the status of South Belfast Partnership Board.

Departments are rushing to get the document ready for 24^th June.  Consultation period will begin when the document comes out.  OFMDFM plan to hold a series of consultation events with the sector (hopefully over the summer) and with the public (hopefully in September).  The department have tendered for independent facilitators and analysts. 

It is still unknown how they will deal with the fact that RPA has collapsed since Councils were to be involved in the delivery of CR work.

CRC need to be prepared to make a robust response.  A practitioner’s forum is planned for the end of June to discuss CSI with groups.

A key issue is press and public affairs – a consideration is to recruit press and PR support through a consultancy.

A more structured method of electronic communication may need to be established – this should be discussed in a communications meeting to address objectives and key goals for publicity targets.

Gemma advised that members should forward any comments they might have to response papers as soon as possible due to the server update over the weekend of 18^th -21^st June.

CRC should engage with the Justice Committee as the department is keen to identify key interface issues through IWG.

Criminal Justice review of policing customer services.

NvTv are having a discussion on ‘Shared Space’ on the 30^th June 2010 – PSNI Chief Constable will be attending.

Wednesday 15^th September 2010 at 10am-12pm.