Community Relations Council

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ITEM 1.2

WELCOME & APOLOGIES

The Chair welcomed those present and noted apologies from Anne Dorbie, Transition Manager, Victims & Survivors Service, Eamonn Oakes, Katie Hanlon and Leon Litvack. It was noted that Jacqueline Irwin will be joining the meeting in the afternoon as she was currently at Live Issues Conference.

Fergus Devitt thanked the Victims Team for all of their hard work assessing new applications for the 2012/13 financial year.

ACTION

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ITEM 2.4

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.

MATTERS ARISING

Regarding Item 2.1, it was queried if three month exit funding provision would be offered to unsuccessful groups currently supported by the Strategic Support Fund. It was noted that confirmation from OFMDFM had been received that a three month exit contract would be in accordance with previous SSF practice. It was estimated that approximately £42,000 would be required.

It was confirmed that CRC Victims & Survivors Programme has received its Letter of Offer from OFMDFM.

Discussion commenced surrounding the issuing of Letters of offer to successful applicants by 2^nd April 2012 to confirm continuity of funding.

Members were advised that as there will only be three working days between the end of the committee residential it is unlikely that contracts will be issued to groups within this timeframe and it was proposed that all groups will be contacted by telephone to inform them of the Committee decision.  Unsuccessful groups will be provided with feedback on the outcome of their application. Letters of Offer and unsuccessful letters will be issued as promptly as possible.

ITEM 3.0

ITEM 3.1

CHAIR’S BUSINESS

Members were instructed to leave all committee papers at the residential in accordance with data protection and disposal of papers.

It was noted that any conflicts of interest should be declared prior to the presentation of the relevant report.

ITEM 4.0

ITEM 4.1

FAIR 2010/12 STRATEGIC SUPPORT FUND BID

A paper was tabled to Members regarding the context of this application as well as presenting legal advice received from the Departmental Solicitors’ Office. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, FAIR’s 2011/12 SSF application was not recommended for financial support and instead its Committee should be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme.

This application was not recommended for funding.

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ITEM 5.10

STRATEGIC SUPPORT FUND BIDS

12/1463 Teach Na Failte

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support and instead be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme.

This application was not recommended for funding.

12/1476 Kilcooley Women’s Centre

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support and instead be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme.

This application was not recommended for funding.

12/1458 Lifeways Psychotherapy & Counselling Centre

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support and instead be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme.

This application was not recommended for funding.

12/1477 Westwinds Social & Cultural Institution

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support and instead be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme.

This application was not recommended for funding.

12/1467 Wider Circle

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support. Pending OFMDFM approval, three month exit funding provision would be offered to the group given that it has been currently supported by the Strategic Support Fund. The group will also be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme for future funding support for end beneficiaries.

This application was not recommended for funding.

12/1461 Youth Action NI

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support and instead be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme.

This application was not recommended for funding.

South Down Action for Healing Wounds (SDAHW)

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. It was noted that the Befriending Service delivered to FAIR’s membership in 2011/12 through their shared Befriending Coordinator had not been referenced in their application for support therefore if the application was unsuccessful it would have consequences to both groups’ membership.

Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support. Pending OFMDFM approval, three month exit funding provision would be offered to the group given that it has been currently supported by the Strategic Support Fund. The group will also be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme for future funding support for end beneficiaries.

This application was not recommended for funding.

12/1487 Cromac Regeneration Initiative

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support and instead be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme.

This application was not recommended for funding.

12/1464 HELP NI

The Development Officer presented the assessment report.  For information, it was reported that in 6.2 the score of 15 should read 10 following discussion during the peer review process (a process which ensures consistency across all applications).  Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support. Pending OFMDFM approval, three month exit funding provision would be offered to the group given that it has been currently supported by the Strategic Support Fund. The group will also be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme for future support for end beneficiaries.

This application was not recommended for funding.

12/1486 FAIR

The Development Officer presented the assessment report and after detailed discussion application was not recommended for SSF financial support.  The Committee discussed in detail a number of options that could be presented for consideration by Fair Committee as a means of support to enable end beneficiaries to be provided with support moving forward.  It was recommended that the group should be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme for a number of support measures.  It was recommended that the group be offered a meeting to discuss these support measures.

This application was not recommended for funding.

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ITEM 6.0

ITEM 6.1

ITEM 6.2

PROGRAMME REPORT

The Director presented the programme report and discussion followed regarding the definition of a Victim/Survivor. It was acknowledged that this would be a matter for further consideration under the Victims Service.

Guidance was sought regarding the eligibility of additional costs for the supervision of sessional complementary therapists. It was reported that the previous cap of £25.00 per hour had been inclusive of supervision and only salaried staff would be eligible for a separate allowance of supervision under running costs. It was stressed that this was neither clinical nor trauma based supervision and primarily about the group’s line management of their programme of activities. After detailed consideration, the committee agreed that the £25.00 per hour cap should remain inclusive of supervision.

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ITEM 7.33

STRATEGIC SUPPORT FUND BIDS (CONTINUED)

12/1469 Streetbeat Youth Project

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should not be recommended for SSF financial support.  The group will also be directed to apply to the 2012/13 Development Grant Scheme for future support for end beneficiaries.

This application was not recommended for funding.

Ms. Funston declared a conflict of interest and left the meeting.

WAVE Trauma Centre

The Committee was reminded that the assessment reports had been presented at the previous meeting and the Economic Appraisal was broadly supportive of those recommendations. It was noted that the Londonderry office had been operating sufficiently with less staff there was no identified need to increase staffing levels.

12/1483 WAVE Armagh

Following consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support upon a review of the accuracy of the workplan budgets.

This application was approved for funding up to £192,321.00

12/1483 WAVE Ballymoney

Following consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support upon a review of the accuracy of the workplan budgets.

This application was approved for funding up to £173,701.00

12/1483 WAVE Belfast

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £466,929.50

12/1483 WAVE Derry

Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support upon a review of the accuracy of the workplan budgets.

This application was approved for funding up to £175,648.00

12/1483 WAVE Omagh

In line with the recommendation of the Economic Appraisal, it was reported that the HET Officer will not be offered to the Omagh Centre. Instead that post will initially becentralisedin Belfast. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support upon a review of the accuracy of the workplan budgets.

This application was approved for funding up to £233,774.00

Ms. Funston returned to the meeting.

12/1481 Relatives For Justice

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Members were reminded that additional information had been requested and already circulated regarding the previous round table discussion. It was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £539,965.00

12/1478 Tara Centre

The Development Officer presented the assessment report.  Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support. 

This application was approved for funding up to £112,437.14.

Mr. Devitt left the meeting

12/1474 Centre for Health and Well Being

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £42,348.32.

12/1443 Colin Community Counselling

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £60,290.33.

12/1465 Ashton Community Trust

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £419,611.44

12/1447 MAST

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £76,870.00

12/1446 Columba Celtic Heritage Support Services

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £62,727.00

Ms. Irwin and Mr. Robinson joined the meeting.

12/1452 NI Music Therapy Trust

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £76,891.00

12/1455 Contact

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £23,714.00.

12/1426 Have Your Tomorrows

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £43,416.40

12/1439 Corpus Christi

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £174,327.26

12/1445 Families Moving On

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £126,187.98

12/1475 Aurora Counselling

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £91,447.73

12/1451 Families Beyond Conflict

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. It was noted that the group had still to submit annual accounts. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support and that the submission of annual accounts should be highlighted as a special condition in their grant before payment is authorised.

This application was approved for funding up to £69,352.93 subject to annual accounts being presented to programme staff.

12/1489 South Armagh Rural Women’s Network

The Development Officer presented the assessment report.

It was noted that the group had still to submit annual accounts. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support and that the submission of annual accounts should be highlighted as a special condition in their grant before payment is authorised, in addition the group would be requested to have a risk management policy developed within the first quarter of their SSF award.

This application was approved for funding up to £79,110.30 subject to annual accounts being presented to programme staff.

12/1456 Antrim Youth Information & Counselling Centre

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £33,199.00

12/1416 HAVEN

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £76,486.00

12/1457 Forum for Action on Substance Abuse (FASA)

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Discussion followed regarding the geographical remit of the Trauma/Addiction Counsellor. It was stipulated that the Counsellor must provide services in the Belfast and Bangor offices and that FASA must be able to demonstrate how those availing of the service have been affected by the Troubles. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support with the condition incorporated into their grant.

This application was approved for funding up to £81,129.00 subject to additional conditions:

1.      Trauma & Addiction Counsellor will provide services to the Belfast and Bangor premises.

2.      FASA must demonstrate how those availing of the trauma & addition counselling service have been affected by the conflict.

12/1438 West Tyrone Voice

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £112,131.36

12/1459 NOVA

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support inclusive of the resources.

This application was approved for funding up to £119,793.00

12/1468 Holy Trinity Centre

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £92,275.01

12/1435 Cunamh

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. It was highlighted that there were proportionally a high number of senior management posts against the volume of workplan activity. It was acknowledged that it would not be possible to continue supporting all of these posts. To address this employment issue, it was proposed asking the group to a review its strategic needs with a mind to reducing its staff complement by the equivalent of one whole post. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support pending the resolution of the revised staffing structure.

This application was approved for funding up to £190,363.47 subject to resolution of the revised staffing structure.

12/1480 Firinne

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. A query was raised if CRC could have sight of previous volumes of their publication as well as sight of any new draft volume before it goes to print. It was confirmed that these will be requested and that it was standard practice to see a funded draft publication before it goes to print. In addition, Members were reminded that CRC request the insertion of its standard disclaimer as noted in SSF contracts. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support and that these publication requests be highlighted as special conditions in their grant.

This application was approved for funding up to £157,179.07 subject to the standard publication conditions being demonstrated by the group.

12/1479 Ely Centre

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Upon reflection of the volume of workplan activity, Members queried if the group had a sufficient staffing complement to deliver those services particularly in respect of procurement and the Transgenerational/Young People Workplan. Therefore, it was proposed asking the group to a review its capacity to deliver and advise what, if any, additional staffing support may be required. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £229,410.62 subject to review of staffing requirements.

12/1454 Peace Factory

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £153,607.80

12/1448 RAFT

The Development Officer presented the assessment report. Discussion followed regarding the Director’s salary. It was noted that it was above the capped rate it was agreed that it should be capped and calculated on a pro rata basis to reflect the four day week. Following detailed consideration by the Committee, it was agreed that this application should be recommended for SSF financial support.

This application was approved for funding up to £154,861.40

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ITEM 8.0

ITEM 8.1

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

It was agreed to resume the discussion of SSF grant applications the following morning at 9:30am on Tuesday 27^th March 2012 in the Galgorm Hotel.