Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

13 May 2005

Minutes of the PD Committee Meeting

Friday 13^th May 2005

Present: Edwin, Neil, Vivienne Pollock, Robin Wilson, Declan O'Loan, Roise Ni Bhaoill, Ann Anderson Porter, Nial Fitzduff

Apologies: Ward Erwin, Duncan Morrow, Nelson McCausland, Patricia O'Neill, Ali McAllister

In Attendance: Dympna McGlade, David Russell, Peter Thompson, Alison Montgomery, Jacqueline Irwin

Review of Public Administration

Following on from the previous PD Committee meeting where Greg McConnell gave an overview of the RPA the committee were asked to consider a requestfor an immediate response on the power sharing structures suggested within the document. This was agreed to on the understanding that CRC would follow up with a fuller response for the deadline of 30^th September 2005.

The following points were made by the committee for consideration in the response:

How do we bring in the issues surrounding inter-communal division? Have to make sure that it is not just a bolt on.
Powers of local Authority to be reviewed and reflective of Shared future priorities.
Sharing of power should be attached to the principle of the more power you share the more you get. Rotating Mayors approach on its own will not solve the problem of power sharing.
Symbolism – recommendations must be made in relation to addressing the issue of flags and emblems
Good Relations should be mainstreamed.
What will happen if there isn't a balance of communities.
Statutory code of conduct for councillors must be included.

Interfaces

A request was made by Chris O'Halloran (BIP) for more information on how policy was developing within CRC on Interfaces. CRC had commissioned Neil Jarman to carry out research on this matter. A paper was subsequently prepared and submitted to Council. This was approved and included a commitment to the recommendations made in 'Policy for the Interface' published by BIP. Ms McGlade will meet with Chris o'Halloran in order to discuss future work in this area.

Transforming Conflict: Flags and emblems

A paper by Dominic Bryan was handed out to the committee. This paper was not for discussion but for information purposes only at this point. A round table seminar on the paper has been scheduled for 7^th June 12-2pm in CRC. Committee members were invited to attend.

PD Conference – June 2005

This years PD Conference will be held at the Indian Community Centre. Members were asked for suggestions on what they felt should be the goal of the conference and what they would like to see achieved on the day. Focus will be on next steps planning to implement the Shared Future Strategy. Members agreed to email any suggestions to Ms McGlade.

AOB

Attention was draw to the high profile events organised to discuss Government policies and consultations. These events can be expensive and therefore prohibitive. CRC is often invited to participate in these events as delegates. The question is if CRC should pay to participate in this type of debate on Government policy organised by the private sector. No conclusive decision was reached at this point and it was agreed that it should be monitored for further discussion.

Date of next meeting

16^th September 2005 - CRC (Belfast) at 2pm.