Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

27 May 2004

CORE FUNDING COMMITTEE VICTIMS + SURVIVORS

MINUTES OF MEETING: 27 MAY 2004

Attendees: John Cousins (CHAIR), Maureen Hetherington, Sarah Todd,Marie-Helene Knox, Sheena Funston, John Clarke.

Apologies: Jim Campbell, Sheila-Jane Malley, Chris O'Halloran, Caroline Wilson.

In Attendance: Michaéla Mackin Brian Mullan, Joan Clements, Cathy Curran, Theresa Cullen.

1. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING - CFCVS27/05/04/01

The minutes of the last meeting were accepted. Proposed by Ms Hetherington and seconded by Ms Funston.

2. MATTERS ARISING FROM AGENDA - None

3. CORE FUNDING OFFICERS REPORTS (CFCVS27/05/04/02)

Mr Mullan noted that work has taken place on the selecting tenders for the evaluation of the Core Funding Scheme.
Ms Todd confirmed approval for the Small Grants Scheme to continue until March 2005.
Ms Mackin welcomed Cathy Curran to the team.

4. CONFERENCE REPORT (CFCVS27/05/04/03)

A brief summary of the Conference was presented to the Committee. Committee were informed that Cathy would be compiling the report on the Conference and it was hoped to have it ready for groups prior to the onset of the Summer period. Ms Mackin noted that feedback was very positive. Ms Hetherington requested that congratulations be noted to the team. Ms Knox requested that it be noted that the conference was excellent, well organised and had no pressure on victims. Mr Cousins stated that he was very impressed with the organisation of the event and also the way in which the victims related to each other and to the organisers. Mr Cousins suggested CRC write to thank the Minister for attending.

Action: Thank you letter to Minister (MM)

4. PAPER - CONTRIBUTIONS TO PENSIONS (CFCVS27/05/04/04)

The Committee had previously agreed it would be good practice to fund pensions if funding was available and staff noted that there was money for the 2^nd year of the Scheme. CRC sought approval from Committee members. It is also noted that conditions would be applied to this contribution towards pensions, i.e. if groups are not already paying pensions then they will not be eligible. Groups will be informed in near future. Mr Cousins proposed that applications must include support towards pensions for year 2 only.

6. PAPER – REDISTRIBUTION OF UNDERSPENDS (CRCVS27/05/04/05)

Committee agreed that consent would be sought of OFMDFM for the use of underspends for the following:

A simple application process is proposed to be initiated with groups which would not include salaries or other fixed costs that were fully awarded (e.g. rent). But would include bank charges, audit fees, variances in supervision costs, administrative fees (stationary, telephone etc.) and travel costs.

Action: Request to OFMDFM for use of underspend.

7. SPECIAL REQUESTS TO COMMITTEE (CFCVS27/05/04/06)

Springhill Community - Recruitment Process – Decision of Committee – request granted
Ballymurphy Womens Group - Supervision and Travel Request - Decision of Committee – request granted.
South East Fermanagh Foundation - Group Request re: Funding Allocation - Decision of Committee – request denied.
Contact Youth - Group Request - Using underspend for Pensions. Decision of Committee – Matter already dealt with through earlier discussion).
West Tyrone Voice - Group request re: small grant - Decision of Committee – all projects to have clearly demonstrated a process and programme of learning and further information to be sought from group – deferred to next committee meeting).

Action – Officer to present paper to next meeting.

Firinne - Group request for Supervision - Decision of Committee – request granted.
Omagh Self-Help & Support Group – Re: consistency of hours for staff member, salary to be brought up in line with other decisions - Decision of Committee – request granted.
WAVE - Group request Insurance Increase - Decision of Committee – request granted (subject to paperwork being in order).
WAVE - Group request – Travel & Telephone - Decision of Committee – request denied.

8. SMALL GRANT APPLICATIONS TO V.S.D.G.S

Wave - Reg. No. 03/0725 - Group had been awarded £3500 towards an Independent review. Committee agreed this figure was too low and have agreed up to a maximum of £10,000.00 towards the work. Committee agreed that the review would go out for tender.

9. REPORT ON GALA CELEBRATIONS (CFCVS27/05/04/07)

Sarah Todd thanked Joan Clements for her report on the Gala Celebrations of Christmas Peace.

10. AOB: no other business

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Next meeting dates are as follows:

· Extraordinary meeting with Evaluators – 11 August 2004 from 1pm-4pm

· 16 September 2004 from 1pm-3.30pm Belfast

· 9 December 2004 from 1pm – 3.30pm Dungannon

· 3 March 2005 from 1pm – 3.30pm Belfast