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13 March 2003

MINUTES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL ON 13TH MARCH 2003 AT 10.30AM AT CRC OFFICES, 6 MURRAY STREET, BELFAST

(CONFIRMED)

01        PRESENT:

Dr David Stevens, Maggie Bryson, George Patterson, Colin Neilands, Karen Jardine (observer)

02        APOLOGIES:

Eamon Deane, Colin Craig

03        IN ATTENDANCE:

Jim Dennison, Patricia Armstrong, Claudine Walls

04        GENERAL BUSINESS

Meeting commenced at 10.30am.

David Stevens agreed to chair the meeting.

Members were welcomed and apologies noted.

Minutes of previous meeting were checked for accuracy and agreed by Members.

05        MATTERS ARISING

06        BRIEFING PAPER

Staff Arrangements

Members were informed that no applications had been received for the Development Support Officer (Policy & Research) position.  It was agreed that the situation regarding the vacancy should be discussed between the CEO, Director of Finance, Admin & Personnel and Director of the EU Programme.  Members agreed that the vacancy for Assistant Director for the Programme should be re-advertised.  

Training

Members were informed that the training programme 'Capacity Building for Community Relations Initiatives' was currently rolling out involving all Measure 2:1 funded projects.

Reviews

Members were informed that the review panel had upheld the decisions of the EU Committee with regard to applications by Falls Community Council, and Parkside Community Association.  Falls Community Council have requested a second stage review with the SEUPB.  Members also informed that no information had been received regarding the outcome of the second stage review by SEUPB requested by Cookstown District Women's Group.

Spend

Members were informed that there was a Measure 2:1 balance of c£880k left to spend with 14/15 applications still to be considered.  Members updated on the N+2 situation and that advances cannot be counted in the N+2 calculation.  Staff to review the N+2 situation regularly.

07        APPLICATIONS ASSESSMENTS

FOYLE YOUTH INSTITUTE -  02/0201/007365

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, it was difficult to ascertain the community relations-specific element of proposed project activities and therefore the extent to which it represented a strategic response to the CR learning, information and support needs of intended beneficiaries.  It was also difficult, from the information provided, to ascertain if the project adequately addressed issues of division and diversity, and the clear, lasting, practical and measurable benefits of proposed activities.  Members agreed Measure 2:1assistance could not be made available. 

RETHINK -  02/0203/002600

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.   It was agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, Measure 2:1 assistance could not be made available.  Insufficient information was provided to ascertain the community relations-specific content of proposed activities and the extent to which they represented a strategic response to the community relations learning, information and support needs of intended beneficiaries; insufficient evidence was provided to ascertain the clear, lasting, practical and measurable benefits of proposed activities; insufficient information was provided to adequately demonstrate the proportionality of the funding requested to the community relations-specific content/work of the 3 posts for which funding was sought; information provided did not adequately demonstrate the peace-building content of proposed activities to a sufficient extent.

CHILDREN'S FRIENDSHIP PROJECT NORTHERN IRELAND – 02/0212/008054

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, Measure 2:1 assistance could not be made available.  Members agreed that it was difficult to ascertain the content and delivery of proposed activities in NI and the USA and the lasting benefits of these. The project herefore did not adequately demonstrate the peace-building elements of proposed activities to a sufficient extent to warrant grant aid.

TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING & HEALING -  02/0213/007575

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, the proposal represented a strategic approach to tackling community relations issues in the Derry City Council area and would be complementary of the work of other organisations in the Council area involved in reconciliation/peace-building activities.  Members remarked that the proposal was similar to that of the Old Library Trust (funding secured) but that the ability of the organisation to work with a more specific target audience would be complementary of the work of the Old Library Trust.  Members requested that the costs involved in the residentials be revisited and that funding for admin should be revised to part-time.  Amount awarded in principle c£145k towards the costs involved in delivery of a 24mth project subject to confirmation that DCC will be making a financial contribution to project activities. 

IRISH SCHOOL OF ECUMENICS -  02/0216/006925

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, the proposal did not illustrate the distinctiveness/additionality/innovation of proposed activities from those previously funded under Peace I and did not adequately demonstrate the peace-building content.  It was also difficult to ascertain from the information provided whether the work of the organisation is sufficiently distinctive from, and complementary of, other organisations working with a similar target audience.  Members agreed that funding for the proposal should/could be more appropriately sought from DEL.

KIDS IN CONTROL – 02/0217/005053  

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed that the use of drama as a medium through which to address community relations issues with young people was of merit.  Proposed activities would involve working with a range of young people both able-bodied and disabled from a range of troubled areas.  Members agreed that the costs involved in the international element of the proposal should be removed and that applicants must avail of the Managing CR training sessions and all other training sessions as required.  Members agreed that Measure 2:1 funding should be made available for this proposal.   Amount awarded c£22,172.64 subject to the conditions as outlined above and all usual conditions.

STADIUM YOUTH & COMMUNITY PROJECTS – 02/0219/003295

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed in principle that Measure 2:1 funding should be made available for this proposal.  Members agreed that the proposal aimed to work with a difficult target audience in dealing with a number of pertinent issues.  Members raised concerns over the community relations dimensions of some of the requested budget headings (eg catering @£25k) and asked that staff work with the applicants to revisit some of these costings.  Amount awarded c£54,000 subject to the clarification of costs, the conditions as outlined above and all usual conditions.

LOWER NORTH BELFAST COMMUNITY COUNCIL – 02/0202/001471

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, Measure 2:1 funding should be made available.  Members agreed that the proposal represented a strategic response to the community relations needs of the intended target audience and target area.  Members suggested the following conditions be attached to the award offer – applicants are to work in partnership with other North Belfast funded projects (Ardoyne Focus Group, Ashton Community Trust and Cliftonville Regeneration Fourm) and with other Measure 2:1 funded organisations; a uniformity of approach with the CR audit should be undertaken by all funded groups in North Belfast; CRC should help develop and agree the audit before it is carried out; release of funding for years 2 and 3 of project activity will be subject to the successful delivery and evaluation of project activities in year 1; proposed work plan for activities in years 2 and 3  must be submitted to, and agreed by, CRC by the first 9mths of project activities; CRC must be kept informed at all times about project progress.  Members agreed that funding should be made available to fund x2 workers and that costs should be revised downwards (query over admin support, audit and residential).  Amount awarded c£170,000 towards the costs involved in a 36mth project, subject to the conditions as outlined above and all usual conditions.  (Exact figure to be agreed by the EU Programme Director and CEO)

ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST – 02/0223/008155

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, Measure 2:1 funding should be made available.  Members agreed that the proposal represented a strategic response to the community relations needs of the intended target audience and target area.  Members suggested the following conditions be attached to the award offer – applicants are to work in partnership with other North Belfast funded projects (Ardoyne Focus Group, Cliftonville Regeneration Forum and Lower North Belfast Community Council) and with other Measure 2:1 funded organisations; a uniformity of approach with the CR audit should be undertaken by all funded groups in North Belfast; CRC should help develop and agree the audit before it is carried out; release of funding for years 2 and 3 of project activity will be subject to the successful delivery and evaluation of project activities in year 1; proposed work plan for activities in years 2 and 3  must be submitted to, and agreed by, CRC by the first 9mths of project activities; CRC must be kept informed at all times about project progress.  Members agreed that funding should be made available to fund x1 worker and that costs should be revised downwards (query over admin support, audit and residential).  Amount awarded c£170,000 towards the costs involved in a 36mth project, subject to the conditions as outlined above and all usual conditions. (Exact figure to be agreed by the EU Programme Director and CEO)

CLIFTONVILLE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FORUM – 02/0235/008166

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed that on the basis of the information provided Measure 2:1 funding should be made available.  Members agreed that the proposal represented a strategic response to the community relations needs of the intended target audience and target area.  Members suggested the following conditions be attached to the award offer – applicants are to work in partnership with other North Belfast funded projects (Ardoyne Focus Group, Ashton Community Trust and Lower North Belfast Community Council) and with other Measure 2:1 funded organisations; a uniformity of approach with the CR audit should be undertaken by all funded groups in North Belfast; CRC should help develop and agree the audit before it is carried out; release of funding for years 2 and 3 of project activity will be subject to the successful delivery and evaluation of project activities in year 1; proposed work plan for activities in years 2 and 3  must be submitted to, and agreed by, CRC by the first 9mths of project activities; CRC must be kept informed at all times about project progress.  Members agreed that funding should be made available to fund x1 worker and that costs should be revised downwards (query over admin support, audit and residential).  Amount awarded c£145,000 towards the costs involved in a 36mth project, subject to the conditions as outlined above and all usual conditions.  (Exact figure to be agreed by the EU Programme Director and CEO)

ARDOYNE FOCUS GROUPS – 02/0282/006834

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  It was agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, Measure 2:1 funding for a further 24mths be made available, to take into consideration changing circumstances in the coordinated approach to programme activities within North Belfast.  Members agreed that the proposal represented a strategic response to the community relations needs of the intended target audience and target area.  Members suggested the following conditions be attached to the award offer – applicants are to work in partnership with other North Belfast funded projects (Ashton Community Trust, Cliftonville Regeneration Forum and Lower North Belfast Community Forum) and with other Measure 2:1 funded organisations; a uniformity of approach with the CR audit should be undertaken by all funded groups in North Belfast; CRC should help develop and agree the audit before it is carried out; release of funding for years 2 and 3 of project activity will be subject to the successful delivery and evaluation of project activities in year 1; proposed work plan for activities in years 2 and 3  must be submitted to, and agreed by, CRC by the first 9mths of project activities; CRC must be kept informed at all times about project progress.  Members agreed that funding should be made available to fund x1 worker and that costs should be revised downwards (query over admin support, audit and residential).  Amount awarded c£100,000 towards the costs involved in a 24mth project, subject to the conditions as outlined above and all usual conditions.  (Exact figure to be agreed by the EU Programme Director and CEO)

RESEARCH CONSIDERATION

SHIRLOW – 02/0231/008082

No conflicts of interest were declared

Members discussed this application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it.  This application was originally considered by the EU Committee at the December Committee Meeting (10th) and rejected as the actual proposal was insufficiently developed (lack of methodological detail).  Members also expressed concern around the 'subjective' aims and objectives of the proposal and the position/relationship between the organisations to be involved in the research with the applicant.  Upon further discussion with the applicant (who was pursuing a review of the decision) it was agreed that the application should be reconsidered.  Members had agreed at the December meeting that the idea of researching the role of ex-prisoners in peace-building strategies had much merit.  With this in mind, and taking into consideration the revised methodology and additional material, Members agreed that Measure 2:1 assistance should be made available.  Members requested that the new proposal be presented to a Research-specific nominated member for comment and that in the fulfilment of aims/objectives, applicants should work closely with a CRC staff member and with the Research Advisory Group.  Amount to be confirmed.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Date for the next EU Committee Meeting –   TBA

Members and staff thanked for their contributions

Meeting finished @1.00pm.