Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

26 May 2005

MINUTES OF THE ONE HUNDRED & NINTH MEETING

OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL

HELD ON THURSDAY 26TH MAY 2005 @ 1.30 P.M.

IN THE CRC BOARDROOM, DUNGANNON (LINEN GREEN CENTRE)

1555/05 PRESENT: Action:

Mr E McCartan (Chairman), Mr W Erwin, Ms E Gallagher, Ms M Hetherington, Mr N McCausland, Ms M Muldoon, Mr C Neilands, Mr C O'Halloran, Mr D O'Loan, Dr D Stevens, Mr M Wardlow, Mr R Wilson.

1556/05 APOLOGIES:

Ms M Bannon, Mr J Cousins, Ms C Wilson,

1557/05 IN ATTENDANCE:

Dr D Morrow (CEO), Ms J Irwin [Director of Operations]Ms D McGlade [PD/Policy Dev], Mr R Mullan [PD/Communication, Learning Resources], Ms H Scott [Personal Secretary].

1558/05 OBSERVERS:

Ms J Corderoy (CRU)

1559/05 MINUTES:

The Minutes from the previous meeting (23 March 2005) having been circulated were taken as read. There were no amendments

1560/05 CHAIR'S BUSINESS:

The Chairman apologised for the delay in starting.

Council members: The Chairman welcomed new member Ms Eileen Gallagher, and Mr Ward Erwin on his return after illness.

Staffing Matters:

David Russell: The Chairman congratulated him on his Phd; Cathy Curran: The Chair told members that Cathy had decided to pursue an alternative career and would not be joining the Community Bridges Programme; Iris Mathews had been offered the Community Bridges post and had accepted; Carol Taylor had been offered and accepted the Development Officer post with the Victims' Programme.

Letter to Minister: The Chairman confirmed that he had, on behalf of the Council, written to Lord Rooker requesting a meeting.

Victims: The Chair confirmed that Ms Angela Smith MP would continue to have responsibility for the Victims remit and this provided continuity.

1561/05 MATTERS ARISING:

Shared Future up date [Mins 1543/05, Item (i) refers]: Papers CRC/109/03/05/01, 0.1., 01.2, 01.3 and paper entitled 'Strategic Priorities in a Shared Future' tabled at meeting refer.

The Chief Executive made a presentation to Council members under the heading 'Moving from policy to Action'. Main themes covered were:

Vision
Path to date (March 2005 to June 2005)
Next Steps for CRC

Dr Morrow said that the papers tabled were for members' information and also terms of reference for the next Shared Future planning meeting (1st June)

The Chairman said that paper CRC/109/03/05/01.3 was a gap analysis by Mr Robin Wilson highlighting some of the remaining challenges. Mr Wilson outlined the outstanding areas he had identified as needing to be secured.

Mr Wilson said that Mr Billy Gamble's contribution to the Shared Future document and his on-going involvement and commitment to the process was invaluable. This view was endorsed by Council.

A general discussion ensued. The following were highlighted as main concerns:

The lack of mainstreaming, or commitment to A Shared Future programme by government Departments such as DENI, DCAL etc.

The financial situation and the term “resource neutral”. It was suggested that in terms of development, administration and evaluation CRC would require a major financial uplift on existing funding if A Shared Future programme was to be implemented.

It was agreed that work with 'Stakeholders' should be seen as a priority.

Council Membership [Mins 1547/05 refer]: The Chairman welcomed new member Ms Eileen Gallagher to the Council.

New Chair of the Communications Committee: Ms Maureen Hetherington (whose appointment as Chairperson had been approved by the Committee) was ratified by Council members.

1562/05 Operational Plan:

[Paper CRC/109/05/05/02 refers]

Ms Irwin indicated that the Council's strategic plan 2004 – 2007 had been used as a basis of the Operational Plan 05-06. She said that the plan did not (as yet) include detailed actions arising from the roll-out of the Shared Future document and that these would be added to the plan as they emerged.

Performance Review:

[Paper CRC/109/05/05/02.1 refers]

Ms Irwin said that, subject to Council approval this paper would go to CRU.

This was approved.

Equality Scheme up-date:

[Paper CRC/109/05/05/02.2 refers ]

Ms Irwin informed members that the CRC Equality Group was in the final stages of drafting a revised scheme in light of the recently published Equality Commission guidance up-date. The draft revised scheme would come to the next Council meeting.

The Chairman commended staff for their work.

The CEO said he was satisfied with the Operational Plan, in particular the outcomes, and he thanked Ms Irwin for her work.

Mr Nelson enquired if he could have a copy of the Arts Council initiative.

The CEO said that the Joe Blake report was in the process of being redrafted and when it was finished he would forward a copy

CEO

1563/05 INTERFACE POLICY:

[Paper CRC/109/05/05/03 (for decision) refers]

Ms McGlade pointed out that one of the priorities in the Government's A Shared Future policy framework was reducing tensions at interfaces. She said that the document indicated that short, medium and long term approaches should be rooted, and local dialogue be encouraged, set in a context of social and economic renewal.

Ms McGlade indicated to members that, for consideration was, “what was the role of CRC in the implementation of this agenda?”

This was followed by a general discussion.

Council members approved the paper and three recommendations (as summarised below):

CRC conducts an internal review to ensure a joined-up approach;
acts in a lobbying and advocacy role;
commissions research on the broader issue of interfaces and builds on existing work

Mr O'Halloran told members that the Interface Project was implementing its own lobbying strategy and suggested that CRC and BIP could develop a joined-up lobbying policy.

The Chairman suggested that Ms McGlade and Mr O'Halloran get together to discuss co-operation on this issue. Ms McGlade/Mr O'Halloran

1564/05 PATHFINDER PROPOSAL:

[Papers 109/05/05/04 and 0.41 tabled at meeting refers)

(1) The Link, Newtownards (04)

Dr Morrow informed members that this proposal had been withdrawn as the applicants had just received reallocated funding under Peace II. (EU Programme Committee meeting Thursday 26th May 2005 refers).

(2) North Belfast Inter-agency Group (04.1 tabled at meeting refers)

Dr Morrow told members that other potential funders were involved in this project (including CFNI, BCC, DENI, DSD and Community Empowerment Partnerships) and that Council was being asked to consider the scheme before issues had been resolved.

North Belfast Inter-agency Group continued: Dr Morrow said that this was a request for permission to go ahead and explore (in consultation with OFMDFM). He asked that, provided satisfactory answers were received, if would members agree to fund “up to” an amount of £30,000?

A general discussion followed during which some members expressed concerns about the responsibilities (in particular) of DENI, DSD and DCAL. Members agreed funding subject to the resolution of issues to the satisfaction of the OFMDFM/CEO and the other funders.

CEO

1565/05 CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT:

[Paper CRC/109/05/05/05]

Dr Morrow extended congratulations to the two Council members who were elected during the recent local and national elections.

Dr Morrow confirmed that CRC would be continuing as an Intermediary Funding Body responsible for Measure 2.1 under (the extension of) Peace II.

Dr Morrow said that the third of the series of seminars in the 'Learning from Peace II' (Canal Court, Newry) had been very successful and was well attended.

He reminded members of two further CRC seminars:

7th June – Flags and Emblems with Dominic Bryan (QUB)

22nd June – Defining Reconciliation with Brandon Hamber and Grainne Kelly (Democratic Dialogue)

1566/05 FINANCE:

[Papers CRC/109/05/05/06 and 06.1 A to D refer]

Ms Irwin (on behalf of Mr Fitzsimons) outlined the following:

Profile of expenditure (06) : This paper indicates expenditure position for the first month of the new Financial Year 2005/06.

Ms Irwin confirmed that the Council is awaiting formal confirmation from CRU of the 2005/06 budget.

Grant Review - April 2005 (06.1 A to D) : Provides a snapshot of grants paid in the month of April 2005 across the various schemes.

Mr Irwin informed members that the audit of the Council's financial records for 2004/05 was planned for week commencing 6th June and that audited financial statements to 31 March 2005 would be presented to Council's Audit Committee on 29th June. She said a formal report would be presented to Council at its next meeting i.e. 29th June (later in the day).

1567/05 SECTOR REPORTS:

The under-mentioned reports are for members' information.

Funding & Development Programme

(Paper CRC/109/05/05/07 refers)

Mr O'Halloran enquired if there was any further information about the evaluation of the Core Funding Programme.

Dr Morrow said that it was not finished but that he hoped to hear in June and would keep Council members advised.

CEO

European Programme

(Paper CRC/109/05/05/09 refers)

The Chair extended congratulations, on behalf of Council members, to EU Programme staff on the formal appointment as Intermediary Funding Body to deliver Measure 2.1 of the Peace II extension.

Communication & Learning Resources

(Paper CRC/109/05/05/10 refers)

Mr Mullan confirmed that Ms Maureen Hetherington was the new Chair of the Committee and thanked Mr McCartan for his assistance during the past year.

Policy Development Programme

(Paper CRC/109/05/05/11 refers)

Ms McGlade reminded members of the conference “Shared Future : From Consultation to Action” to be held at the Indian Community Centre in Clifton Street, Belfast on Monday 20th June (9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.)

Mr O'Halloran pointed out that he had requested consideration be given to the current issues reports regarding the inclusion of interfaces as a key heading.

Ms McGlade

1568/05 AOB:

The Chairman reminded members of the late start of the next Council meeting and asked that they stay behind for a short time afterwards to facilitate a presentation.

1569/05 DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:

(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) late start