Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

25 November 2004

MINUTES OF THE ONE HUNDRED & SIXTH MEETING

OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL

HELD ON THURSDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2004 @ 1.30 P.M.

IN CRC OFFICES, LINEN GREEN CENTRE, MOYGASHEL

1502/04 PRESENT: Action:

Mr J Cousins, Mr C O'Halloran, Ms M Hetherington, Ms M Miskelly, Mr E McCartan (Chairman), Ms M Muldoon, Dr D Stevens, Mr M Wardlow, Ms C Wilson, Mr R Wilson.

1503/04 APOLOGIES:

Mr D O'Loan, Mr W Erwin.

1504/04 IN ATTENDANCE:

Dr D Morrow (CEO), Ms J Irwin [Director of Ops], Mr J Fitzsimons [PD/HR and Administration], Ms D McGlade [PD/Policy Dev], Mr D Russel [PO Pol Dev], Mr R Mullan [PD/Communication, Learning Resources], Ms H Scott [Secretary].

1505/04 OBSERVERS:

Mr D Ritchie and Ms K Jardine (CRU)

1506/04 UP-DATE ON SHARE FUTURE/GOOD RELATIONS STRATEGY:

Mr Gamble (OFMDFM) up-dated members and staff on the current position. He advised that there would be a further brief consultation period (with representatives of political parties and key stakeholders) after which the document would be ready for publication. He indicated that it was hoped to complete this before the New Year.

1507/04 MINUTES:

The Minutes from the previous meeting (23 Sept 2004) having been circulated were taken as read. There were no amendments. Acceptance was proposed by Dr Stevens and seconded by Mr Wardlow.

1508/04 CHAIR'S BUSINESS:

Staff changes: Miss Jude Hoben has secured a permanent position with BIFHE and has been replaced at the Resource Centre by Miss Catherine Curran.

Events: A reminder about CR week 2005 which has been brought forward to March; 3rd December is SEUPB's Peace Programme Learning Seminar (at the Europa); One Small Step's TV Campaign to commence late January 2005; possible late start to the January (27th)

Council meeting followed by a meal to which past members would be invited.

The Chairman extended compliments to all CRC staff who had worked on the “Live Issues” conference (at the Europa) and on the success of the event.

1509/04 MATTERS ARISING:

Shared Future (Mins 1497/04, Item No. 2 refers) : This matter was dealt with under Agenda No.1 (Minute 1506/04 refers) and presentation by Mr Gamble (OFMDFM)

Committee Policy Review (R Wilson) : Paper CRC/106/11/04/01 refers. Mr Wilson outlined the review's conclusions and recommendations.

The Chairman said that outcomes and implications of the Shared Future document might effect the proposals, however he recommended approval be given for a period of a year. He suggested that if changes were required post publication of the Shared Future document/debate these could be implemented.

Council endorsed this paper as a remit for work for the Policy Development Programme, subject to an annual review.

1510/04 FINANCE:

[Papers CRC/106/11/04/02, 02.1 and 02.2 refer]

Efficiency Savings Up-date – 02 refers

Mr Ritchie (OFMDFM) told members that the 2.5% efficiency savings had been a standard requirement for all departments.

Budget Profile – 02.1 refers

Grant Review – 02.2 (A,B.C.D. and E refer]

Mr Fitzsimons indicated that the budget was in line for full spend by the end of the Financial Year.

Dr Morrow extended thanks to all grant-making staff. He said that a huge amount of work had been undertaken not only in the grant aiding process, but in terms of support and development.

1511/04 STRATEGIC & OPERATIONAL PLANNING:

[Papers CRC/106/11/04/03, 03.1 and 03.2 refer]

Performance Indicators 04-05 (Papers, 03.1 03 refer)

Ms Irwin told members that this paper was a revised draft which incorporated feedback from CRU.

Mr Ritchie (CRU) said that this paper reflected the agreed level.

These were agreed.

Equality up-date (Paper 03.2 refers)

Ms Irwin told members that this report reflected staff awareness training to date and that an interim review had also been carried out by staff.

1512/04 ONE SMALL STEP CAMPAIGN – presentation by Mr Marc Casey and Stephen Lamb of FireIMC.

Dr Morrow outlined CRC's involvement with the project. He said that the campaign would use billboards and TV to communicate the message which would be “life without barriers”. Dr Morrow said that the campaign was due to end just before CR week (beginning of March 2005) and that he hoped this could coincide with the launch, by the NIHE of an integrated housing and anti-racism strategy. He asked Council members to go back to their organisations regarding CR week and see if there is anything practical they would do in terms of “one small step”.

There was unanimous support for the campaign. A concern was raised that the “barrier” should retain its fluid appearance so as not be mistaken for a wall.

1513/04 POLICY PAPERS

[Papers CRC/106/11/04/04 & 0.41 refer]

Single Equality Bill response (04 refers)

Mr Russell outlined the salient points and said that the purpose of the Bill was to draw together a more coherent and workable form of the law relating to equality and discrimination in Northern Ireland.

There followed a discussion after which members endorsed the draft response.

It is noted that Mr Cousins is against a Single Equality Bill.

District Council Research (04.1 refers)

Ms McGlade told members that CRC had commissioned a number of short scoping exercises which focused on the extent of sectarianism within seven Council areas. She said four had been completed and the final three should be ready by the end of the year.

Ms McGlade said considerations were:

Research material be distilled and linked into the Review of Public Administration.
Research material used to inform work with CROs/District Councils.
Approval sought to commission a comparative analysis which would review all research to date.
Mr Ritchie (CRU) thought that Shared Future should be mentioned in the third paragraph of the paper.
Members approved to proceed using evidence/research collected to feed into the process.

Policy Development

1514/04 CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT:

[Paper XRC/106/11/04/05]

The above paper outlines the main areas of work.

Good Relations Framework: Dr Morrow said this has been launched in the Belfast City Council and was well received. He thanked CRC staff for their hard work and Ms C Wilson (Belfast City Council) for her assistance. Copies were available to members.

Events: Dr Morrow said that there had been numerous events which had run from the end of September through to November 2004 e.g :

13 October - Roundtable with Professor Byron Bland of Stanford University (paper tabled for Member's information)

2 November - OUB seminar The 2001 Census (overheads tabled for Member's information)

16 November - Roundtable with Ted Cantle

Linenhall lecture series: Dr Morrow said there were three remaining:

30 November : NI Peace Process in Comparative Perspective

7 December : Contemporary Politics

14 December : Living in a divided society

1515/04 SECTOR REPORTS:

The under-mentioned Report for Members' information

(1) Funding & Development Programme

(Paper CRC/106/11/04/06 refers)

(2) European Programme

(Paper CRC/106/11/04/07 refers)

(3) Communication & Learning Resources

(Paper CRC/106/11/04/08 refers)

(4) Policy Development Programme

(Paper CRC/106/11/04/09 refers)

There were no questions.

1516/04 AOB:

(1) Integration of Community Bridges Programme

[Paper CRC/106/11/04/10 tabled at meeting refers)

Dr Morrow requested permission from Members to complete transactions. He said the outstanding matter had been salary implications and finalising this item had been delayed by the long term illness of a BDS staff member. Dr Morrow told members that legal advice was being sought and that members would be notified of any consequences as they arose. He said that CB staff had already moved into the building.

This was agreed.

Mr Cousins proposed acceptance

This was agreed.

1517/04 CLOSED BUSINESS:

It was agreed that the Chairman should be invited to serve a further term of office (subject to changes agreed by Council as a result of the Shared Future review). This period would commence 1 February 2005 to 31 January 2008.

1518/04 revised DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:

(Thurs) 27th January (4.00 p.m. for 4.30 p.m. start with meal to follow at about 7.00 p.m.)

(Wed) 23rd March (1.00 for 1.30 p.m. start Murray Street)

(Thurs) 26th May (1.00 for 1.30 p.m. start Linen Green Centre, Moygashel)

(Wed) 29th June (3.00 for 3.30 p.m. start Murray Street)

(Wed) 28th Sept (1.00 for 1.30 p.m. start Murray Street)

(Wed) 30th November (1.00 for 1.30 start Linen Green Centre, Moygashel)