Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

26 May 2005

MINUTES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL ON 26^th May 2005 at CRC's DUNGANNON OFFICE (THE LINEN GREEN CENTRE), MOYGASHEL

(CONFIRMED)

01 PRESENT:

Dr David Stevens (Chair), Colin Neilands, Colin Craig, Maria Bannon, Paul Smyth (joined the meeting at @11.00), Pauline Morgan (Observer)

02 APOLOGIES:

Eamonn Deane, Dr Cathy Gormley-Heenan, Maggie Bryson, Claudine Walls (Staff), Sean Pettis (Staff)

03 IN ATTENDANCE:

Jim Dennison, Patricia Armstrong, Libby Smit, Vanessa McCrory, Eileen Deacon, Duncan Morrow

04 GENERAL BUSINESS

Meeting commenced at 10.30am.

Members were welcomed and apologies noted.

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

05 MATTERS ARISING

None

06 BRIEFING PAPER

Peace II Extension

Committee were advised that CRC has formally been appointed as the Intermediary Funding Body to deliver Measure 2.1 of the PEACE II Extension and will have an additional £6M to support peace-building and reconciliation work until the end of December 2008 (project spend deadline is June 2008). Committee were informed/advised that a lot of work will need to be carried out i.e. redrafting application form, guidance notes, scoring matrix, publicity materials.

Project Progress, Monitoring and Verification

Committee were advised that the progress of all funded projects continues to be monitored and verified on an ongoing basis through the completion of 6 monthly reports and Article 4 verifications. Project reports for the period covering the period 1^st January-30 June 2005 will be issued to all Measure 2:1 funded projects in early June for completion and submission by 29^th July 2005. These will provide staff with an overview of the work undertaken/progress made and database participant/beneficiary details updated.

ARTICLE 10 Verification Checks

Members were advised that all funded projects are subject to an Article 4 verification visit to ensure that proper systems and procedures are in place for the management of grant aid. Similarly, all IFBs are subject to an Article 10 visit (A10). The A10 check is carried out by DFP's EU Verification Unit over the life of the funding award.

The European Programme is currently undergoing a second A10 visit by the Verification Unit. A report detailing the findings of the A10 check and any recommendations will be issued to CRC European Programme and members will be kept informed of the status/outcome of this second visit.

Slippage Funding

Members were informed that an open call for 'Slippage' Applications was issued on 28.04.05 to all Measure 2.1 funded groups drawing to a close before end of June 2005. These applications are to be presented to/considered by Committee at this meeting. Staff will work in conjunction with the groups to formulate work-plans and budgets for the funded period, once decisions have been made.

Funded Workers Meeting

Staff recently held a session on 'Evaluation' facilitated by Derick Wilson and Karin Eyben from the Future Ways Project for workers funded by Measure 2:1. Staff have received and are analysing a number of responses from evaluations that were given to participants who attended the workshop.

EU Programme Publication

Layout and graphics for the first publication of 'E-Update' are being finalised. Staff hope that this will be circulated soon. It is hoped that this will prove to be an effective tool for communicating with Measure 2:1 funded groups and the sector as a whole.

Financial Update April 2005

Members were advised that N+2 2005 stands at £2,426,034 with spend from January 2005 to date totalling £708,637.33 (including advance payments £21,712.58). Claims totalling approximately £260,000 are waiting to be processed.

Research

Members were informed that a meeting with research projects/staff took place on 27 April. The meeting served to provide information to the projects regarding funding requirements and also served as a networking opportunity. Staff distributed feedback forms to those present to ascertain the usefulness of such meetings and possible topics for future meetings. All of this information will be fed back into a CRC Research Group Meeting on the 18^th May. Staff continue to liaise with funded researchers regarding research seminars planned as part of the dissemination process with the next seminar taking place on the 22^nd June. Results from a research report by Democratic Dialogue entitled “Reconciliation: Rhetoric or Relevance?” will be presented at this meeting.

PEACE II Seminars

Members were advised that the third event in the 'Learning from PEACE II Project' - 'Prosperity – A Part of Peace?: Learning from the Economic Experience of PEACE II,' was held at the Canal Court Hotel on Friday, 13^th May. Members were informed that the seminar was considered by staff and delegates to have been very successful.

Members were informed that the first publication in the series 'Beyond Sectarianism?: The Churches and Ten Years of the Peace Process' has now been published and is ready for distribution. The contributors for the second publication 'Shaping and Delivering Peace at Local Level?: Learning From the Experience of PEACE II' have been selected. It is hoped that articles for the second publication will be received by end of June. Planning work around the next seminar looking at the Public Sector and Peace II to be held in early September and the plenary event in Brussels (November), is underway.

07 ROLL OUT OF PEACE II EXTENSION PAPER

Committee were given a paper discussing the various elements of the roll out of the Peace II Extension i.e. what it is that we (as an IFB) hope to achieve, how criteria are set, project selection, grant allocation (tranches), timelines etc . Members then availed of the opportunity to raise questions about how the extension would be administered. A brief discussion ensued before the following dates/timescales/action points were agreed:

Measure (Mainstream & Capital) to open before the end of June 2005 with the call for applications to the first tranche (c£3.25million and £750k) of funding to close on the 15^th August 2005
The call for applications to the 'Outward and Forward Looking Region' tranche (£200k) to open on 1^st November 2005 and close on the 31^st December 2005;
The second tranche (£1million) of the Mainstream Measure to open on 1^st January 2006 and close on the 28^th February 2006;
The Research element (£600k) of the Measure to open on 1 February 2006 and close at the end of March 2006;
The second tranche (£200k) for the 'Outward and Forward Looking Region' to open on 1^st August 2006 and close on the 30^th September 2006;
All grant aid to be committed by end December 2006.

08 SLIPPAGE APPLICATONS

INTERACTION BELFAST - 01/0341/000841

No conflicts of interest were declared.
Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, slippage funding of c£4,500.00 could be made available. (It was not possible to grant the full amount requested because it would breach the threshold for Economic Appraisal). Members were advised that this funding would be used to continue to employ the existing Project Development Workers to build intercommunity networks, to co-ordinate the mobile phone network and to assist/support other community groups in the area.

CENTRE FOR CONTEMPARY CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND (ECONI) - 01/0337/000600

No conflicts of interests were declared.

Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed in principle that, on the basis of the information provided, slippage funding of c£11k could be made available to continue current work and develop further projects. Given the level of slippage funding requested and the amount which could be awarded (not breaching the threshold for Economic Appraisal) Members advised staff to discuss with the project promoter whether funding at this reduced level (c£11k) would be sufficient to allow the project to deliver on the proposed aims and objectives (in the 6 month funding period).

EDGEHILL THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE – 01/0306/001349

Colin Craig declared a conflict of interest and left the meeting.
Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, slippage funding of c£18k could be awarded. Members were advised that funding is sought to carry out additional work which it sees as “essential to work through and beyond the legacies of the Troubles”.

THE CRAIGAVAN YOUNG MENS 18-25 PROJECT LTD – 02/195/006826

Colin Craig declared a conflict of interest and left the meeting.
Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, slippage funding of c£5k could be awarded. Funding is sought to provide accredited training (in Conflict Management and Good Relations) for some of the previous project participants, project staff and associate project staff who will then be in a position to assist in the delivery of the programme. Members requested that staff work with the project to revise/focus proposed project objectives.

TIDES TRAINING – 01/0310/001547

Colin Craig declared a conflict of interest and left the meeting.
Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, slippage funding of c£18k could be awarded. Funding is sought to continue to support the 'Training for Trainers' Programme. Members requested that staff work with the project to revise/focus proposed project objectives.

LARNE MILLENIUM INITIATIVE - 01/0327/000885

No conflicts of interest were declared.
Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, slippage funding of c£22k could be awarded. Members were advised that the group is seeking further funding to provide an opportunity to challenge and overcome obstacles to achieving good community relations in the Larne area, to facilitate and expand upon the ongoing work of the Tuesday Group, intercessory Prayer Meetings and Men United and to facilitate a Women's Conference. Members requested that the group provide a detailed work-plan outlining proposed (peace-building/community relations specific) activities for 6 months.

YOUTH LINK NI – 01/0342/001348

No conflicts of interest were declared.
Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, Members agreed that slippage funding of c£8k could be awarded. Members were advised that the group is seeking further funding in order to use resources developed through current project activity in a “training for trainers” peer education project. Members advised that the award offer was subject to clarification on 'Residential' and 'Facilitation' costs.

FARSET – 01/0308/001928

No conflicts of interest were declared.
Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, slippage funding of c£19k could be awarded. Members were informed that the group is seeking further funding to facilitate four Think Tanks and produce accompanying pamphlets. Members suggested that the group undertake an evaluation of previous and current work in an attempt to determine the impact of the project. (Members suggested that the cost of such an evaluation could perhaps be sought from CRC's Small Grants Scheme.)

THE BYTES PROJECT – 01/0380/002213

No conflicts of interest were declared.
Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed in principle that, on the basis of the information provided, slippage funding of c£11k could be awarded. Members were advised that the group is seeking further funding to hold a workshop for young people to tackle issues that arose from the making of a film which explored issues including Community and Identity, Education, Employment, Relationships, Social Life and Interest, Sex and Sexuality and Alcohol/Drug Misuse. Members requested as a condition of the award offer that the group forward a detailed work-plan outlining how they intend to address issues of sectarianism and racism using modern media. Members also requested that the group clearly demonstrate the direct community relations content of the proposed activities and distinctiveness of the proposal.

THE LINK FAMILY CENTRE – 01/0325/000909

No conflicts of interest were declared.
Members discussed this slippage application and reviewed all materials which had been submitted in relation to it. Members agreed that, on the basis of the information provided, slippage funding of c£24k could be awarded. Members were advised that the group is seeking further funding to enable the project to continue to employ the Development Manager, to develop a holistic approach to promoting good relations in all of the Link's activities, and to build the organisation's capacity to deliver an effective community relations programme. Funding awarded is less than that requested because of the Measure 2:1 salary cap. Members requested that the group forward a detailed work-plan which clearly demonstrates the direct community relations content of the proposed activities.

09 NORTH BELFAST

Committee was informed that two of the Community Relations Council's funding programmes have been experiencing a number of difficulties with projects in North Belfast particularly LNBCC. There have been a number of problems in relation to staff recruitment/retention, resulting in a lack of project activity and budget underspends. The group were asked on a number of occasions to submit a work-plan for the project which they failed to do (despite the deadline for submission of this work-plan being extended twice). Members discussed the difficulties identified/experienced in relation to this group/organisation and agreed that as they were in breach of their Measure 2:1 Letter of Offer Terms and Conditions, their funding contract/award offer would be terminated. Staff anticipates that this amount will equate to in excess of £100k and will ensure that the appropriate paperwork is in place.

10 REALLOCATIONS

IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCATION – 01/0331/002387

No conflicts of interest were declared.
Members were given a synopsis of the request for a reallocation of grant aid. Members were advised that the project was requesting an uplift to the salary budget of £12,303 using underspends of £6,151.00 in the Facilitation budget heading and £6,152 in the Resource Materials budget heading. Members discussed the proposal and agreed to extend the project by 6 months as requested. Members were advised that the balance remaining in both the Facilitation and Resource Materials budget headings are sufficient to sustain project activity for the additional 6 months.

BALLYMORE OPEN CENTRE – 02/0090/004124

No conflicts of interest were declared.

Members were given a synopsis of the request for a reallocation of grant aid. Members were advised that the project is due to end in September 2005, but the co-ordinator has recently resigned. The group see the need to re-work the original budget structure in order to uplift the Administrator salary, cover associated running costs and hire in a consultant to help them carry the project through until the end. Members expressed concerns over the cost effectiveness and appropriateness of spending £6k on the use of consultants and for proposed residential costs. The budget reallocation request was subsequently declined.

11 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Members and staff were thanked for their contributions.
Dates for the next EU Committee Meetings (Peace II Extension decision-making) were agreed as Friday the 7^th October @10am (all day), and Friday the 25^th November @10am (all day).

SIGNED:_____________________________________ DATE:________________________

(Chairperson)