Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

06 June 2003

Core Funding Committee – Victims + Survivors Groups

Friday 6th June 2003

(meeting date changed from 29 May)

Present: John Cousins (Chair), Caroline Wilson, Marie-Helene Knox, Sheena Funston,

In Attendance: Derrick Mathews, Joan Clements, Brian Mullan, Carol Taylor

Observers: Sarah Todd, Caroline Evans

Apologies:

Mr Cousins welcomed everyone to the meeting and the following apologies were noted: Maureen Hetherington, Sheila-Jayne Malley, Chris O'Halloran, Jim Campbell and Micháela Mackin

Reviews:

Mr Mullan informed the committee that the review panel had not been able to finalise their review recommendations and that a further and hopefully final meeting of the review panel would take place on 24 June 2003. Mr Mullan outlined that the review panel wished to ensure that fair and equitable decisions are reached. The committee voiced concern regarding this delay which they requested, be conveyed to the review panel.

Action

CF Committee to convene on 25 June 2003 at 12 noon in CRC Boardroom, Belfast to consider Review Panel recommendations. Committee/Observers/Officers

Letter to be forwarded to CFVS Groups who have requested a review to inform them of the delay. Assessment Officers

Minutes of last meeting [Paper CRC Victims 29/05/03/01 refers]

The minutes of the 10 March 2003 were corrected in respect of those present. Insert John Cousins as present; amend Sarah-Jayne Malley to Sheila-Jane Malley.

3.1 Matters Arising

Ms Todd updated the committee regarding the two deferred groups HURT & PAIN.

Action

Ms Todd to table formal recommendation to the committee at the next meeting of 25 June 2003.

CRC Officers to proactively support HURT within the remit of the Victim/Survivor Groups Development Grant Scheme

PAIN – The process is not yet complete and no decision is finalised with regard to this group.

4.0 Assessment Officer's Reports [Paper CRC Victims 29/05/03/02 refers]

Officer's reports were accepted.

5.0 Budget Update [Paper CRC Victims 29/05/03/03]

This paper was tabled at the meeting and was accepted.

6.0 Variation Requests [Paper CRC Victims 29/05/03/04]

This paper was tabled at the meeting.

Request from group to use award allocation for part time administrator over 2 years in 1 year to enable group to employ an administrator full time for 1 year.

Decision - Request denied as this would represent a contractual change. Groups may seek funding to provide additional hours for staff but must inform CRC if this happens.

Request from group to use award allocation for part time administrator over 2 years in 1 year to enable group to employ an administrator full time for 1 year.

Decision: Request denied as this would represent a contractual change. Groups may seek funding to provide additional hours for staff but must inform CRC if this happens.

Request from group for supervision support costs for funded staff. This cost was overlooked during the assessment process.

Decision: Request approved. Officers will make the necessary adjustment.

Group Award Adjustment required to percentage allocation for part time posts. Two assessment officers allocated at 60%, one officer allocated at 50%

Decision: Approved. Officer will make the necessary adjustment to 60% to standardise.

Requests to consider reviews

Decisions deferred pending review decisions and further information.

Action – Officer(s) to inform groups of the outcome of requests.

7.0 Autumn Conference

The conference will be postponed until January 2004 as there are already a number of conferences relating to victims issues advertised for the autumn.

Provisional themes for the conference are Young People and the Role of Volunteers.

Action – Officers to carry out some initial planning prior to meeting in September 2003.

8.0 Economic Appraisal – Terms of Reference [Paper CRC Victims 29/05/03/05 refers]

The draft terms of reference were accepted. Groups may have recently undergone an economic appraisal and this will be taken into consideration if this is within the last 6 months. It was previously agreed that groups with public monies in excess of £250K will require an economic appraisal.

Action - Officers to progress.

9.0 Evaluation of the Scheme – Terms of reference [Paper CRC Victims 29/05/03/06 refers]

Action - Committee members to review terms of reference and forward suggested amendments to Officers asap.

AOB

Request for guidance in respect of long term sick leave. Officer requested some guidance from committee.

Action – Fiona Cassidy to be contacted by Officers for legal advice.

Group - Core funded staff member who was in post at time of award allocation has resigned. Officer requested that advertising costs could be allocated to this group from the contingency fund.

Decision: Approved.

Date of next meeting

Provisional date set for 25 June 2003 at 12 noon in CRC, Belfast office to consider review recommendations.

As all matters had been agreed the meeting was brought to a close.