Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

04 December 2003

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES COMMITTEE MEETING

Thursday 4th December 2003

Present: Dr David Stevens, Ms Karen Jardine, Mr Michael Wardlow, Ms Libby Keys, Mr Barney Devine and Ms Cecelia Clegg,

Apologies: Maura Muldoon, Karen Johnston and Jane Leonard

Chaired by: Dr David Stevens

In attendance: Ms Micháela Mackin, Mr Paul Jordan, Ms Jacqueline Irwin, Ms Alison Montgomery and Ms Eileen Deacon

Matters arising from last meeting:

It was agreed that only the points of action be recorded.

Funding and Development Briefing Papers:

2.1 Core Funding Programme - Paper: CIC04/12/003/01

Miss Montgomery spoke to this paper members were advised evaluation report to be made Jan to March.

Mr Devine advised availability of a NICVA Training Programme likely to impact on demand for CRC Training Provision.

2.2. Community Relations & Cultural Diversity Scheme and related Programme Initiatives - Paper: CIC04/12/03/03

Mr Jordan spoke to this paper discussion followed on CRC Grant Scheme might engage with Rural Groups.

ACTION:

Meeting to be arranged by CRC with R.C.N. for 'event' at Dungannon Offices for Groups.

For Decision:

Grant Application: St Clement's Reconciliation Centre – Redemptorists Ref No: 03/0428

Mr Jordan spoke to this recommended the amount of £9750.00.

Discussion Paper:

Evaluation Practice in Core Funding Programme - Paper: CIC04/12/03/04

This paper has been deferred till next meeting when C.E.O. will be in attendance.

Criteria Matrix for CF Programme 2004 - Paper: CIC04/12/03/05

Committee discussed the Pro's and Con's of scoring applications.

It was agreed that public account requires a mechanism of this nature. The draft was considered but the Core Funding Officer was requested to review structure in light of Community Initiatives Committee Comments.

ACTION:

Core Funding Officer to circulate new draft by email to members.

External Review of Core Funding Programme – discussion and decision required – Paper: CIC04/12/03/06

Committee agreed that a review of Core Funding Programme should be undertaken.

ACTION (1):

Terms of Reference to be drafted before next meeting.

ACTION (2):

Avenues for funding this exercise to be explored.

For Discussion: Policy preparation for next years CF Programme addressing “Responsible Disengagement and Sustainability of CR infrastructure” – Paper: CIC04/12/03/07

Discussion some areas of this paper were deferred to next meeting.

Of those items discussed the following actions resulted.

INCOME GENERATION

Income generating capacity of applicant or funded groups should be considered in recommendations to Committee and Funding Contracts, specific terms and conditions should be negotiated with groups on an individual basis.

FUNDING GUIDELINES:

Committee discussed core cost areas which the Core Funding programme could support:

ACTION:

Future funding contracts to fund the following areas only:

Salary costs(Maximum 90%)

Travel,

Rent

Heat

Light

Phone

Fax

Internet

Insurance (up to 100%)

Strategic Planning Discussion:

Committee to be consulted fully on Strategic Planning in February.

Distribution of Core Funding Programme applications and proposed “nominated member” – Paper: CIC04/12/03/08

Mrs Mackin explained this proposed system to members, members were asked to indicate areas of interest or expertise. Members were asked to indicate any conflict of Interests with applicant groups for the 2004 Core Funding Programme.

A.O.B.

Members agreed that inlight of Intercomm's correspondence that 100% of Salary costs would be met in the Year 2003-2004.

ACTION:

Core Funding Officer to advise Intercomm that this is an exceptional decision and to issue payment.

Members were provided with the proposed review procedure for the Core Funding Programme