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24 February 2005

Minutes of Community Initiatives Committee

24 February 2005

Present:  Mr Michael Wardlow, Dr David Stevens, Ms Jane Leonard, Ms LibbyKeys, Mr Barney Devine, Ms Maura Muldoon

In Attendance:   Dr Duncan Morrow, Ms Jacqueline Irwin, Mr Paul Jordan, Ms Alison Montgomery, Ms Roisin McGuire, Ms Marianne Laird (Minute Taker)

Observers:   Ms Jane Corderoy

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting: Agreed

2. Matters Arising: None

3. Conflict of Interest:

No direct conflicts of interests were declared although Ms Keys' daughter drew up the business plan for the Apprentice Boys (Maiden City Festival application).

4. Staff Reports:

Core Funding Officer (Paper CIC/24/02/05/001)

Ms Montgomery spoke to this paper.

• The terms of reference for the review of the Core Funding Programme have been agreed with CRU. It is anticipated that this work will begin in March with a report due out in May or June.
• Staff have met with Future Ways to discuss the next stage of the External Evaluation of the programme. It is hoped that Future Ways will be able to present their findings at the committee meeting in May.
• A series of seminars and workshops for Core funded groups are currently being run by the Labour Relations Agency and the Equality Commission. Feedback from groups has been very positive and attendance has been good.

Acting Director, Funding & Development (Paper CIC/24/02/05/002)

This paper was tabled.

• Mr Jordan gave a brief overview of volume of CR/CD small grants received and processed since the December meeting. Mr Jordan reported that the programme will reach full committal by the end of the financial year with the possibility of spending more.
• Mr Jordan informed members that CROs in every district council will receive updates on grants received from groups in their area. Committee considered informing CROs of groups seeking Core Funding.
• The Dungannon Office has remained busy over the last few months with an income of around £2,000.
• All contracts have now been issued to the successful applicants for the Research Awards. The first draft of the research findings will be available for May/June of this year.

5. Continuation Funding:                                             (Paper CIC/24/02/05/003)

Members were asked to consider continuation of funding for groups in their second or third year of contracts.

05/0065                                  Beat Initiative

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006. Costs were agreed to be reasonable and committee agreed to continue funding at current level.

Amount: £15,000

05/0048                                  Corrymeela

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at a reduced basis as per committee decision of 2004.

Amount: £150,121

05/0049                                  Counteract

Ms Montgomery gave a brief background of the organisation and the difficulties that they have experienced over the past year. Discussion ensued as to whether or not to continue funding the organisation. Committee agreed to withdraw funding as the organisation has failed to meet the terms and conditions of grant aid. Committee agreed in principle to grant aid of £10,000 through the CR/CD small grant scheme (subject to discussion with Counteract) to help the group reposition and apply for core funding at a later date.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0050                                  Democratic Dialogue

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at current level.

Amount: £24,100

05/0051                                  ECONI

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.

Amount: £44,000

05/0052                                  Forthspring

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.

Amount: £20,500

05/0053                                  FULS

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at a reduced basis as per committee decision of 2004.

Amount: £41,000

05/0054                                  Greater Belfast Community Network

Committee considered the budget considered for period 2005/2006. Costs submitted include external supervision at £1,260 which is not eligible under this programme. Committee agreed to continue funding at a reduced level.

Amount: £22,691

05/0055                                  Groundwork NI

Committee considered the budget submitted for 2005/2006. The Officer did not consider the rental costs outlined in the budget to be proportionate. Committee agreed to continue funding at a reduced level.

Amount: £26,000

05/0056                                  Holywell Trust

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.

Amount: £29,590

05/0057                                  Interaction Belfast (SICDP)

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by committee in 2004.

Amount: £54,922

05/0058                                  Intercomm

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by committee in 2004.

Amount: £23,418

05/0059                                  Mediation NI

Committee considered the budget submitted for 2005/2006. The organisation has supplied costs totalling £121,438 of which £750 is not eligible under funding policy. Committee agreed to continue funding at a reduced level.

Amount: £121,690

05/0060                                  NIMMA

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.

Amount: £15,260

05/0061                                  PAKT (Lurgan)       

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by committee in 2004.

Amount: £23,655

05/0062                                  Peace and Reconciliation Group

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level agreed by committee in 2004.

Amount: £84,170

05/0063                                  Rural Community Network

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006. RCN have showed underspend to date which could be avoided in 2005/2006 with an appropriate reduction. Committee agreed to funding at a reduced level.

Amount: £42,000

05/0064                                  St Columb's Park House

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the level agreed by committee in 2004.

Amount: £34,517.50

05/0066                                  Somme Association

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by committee in 2004.

Amount: £23,666

05/0067                                  Somme Heritage Centre

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by CRU and committee in 2004.

Amount: £20,000

05/0068                                  Ulster Peoples College

Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.

Amount: £20,892

05/0069                                  WEA

Committee considered the budget submitted for 2005/2006. WEA showed substantial underspend in 2004/2005 and have reduced their request for 2005/2006 to reflect this. Committee agreed to continue funding at the reduced level requested by the organisation.

Amount: £41,160

Committee were also requested to decide on which groups should be evaluated. Committee agreed to the evaluation of the following groups:

Beat Initiative, Democratic Dialogue, ECONI, Forthspring, Greater Belfast Community Network, Holywell Trust, Mediation NI, NIMMA, and Women's Information Group.

6. Evaluation Budget:                                                   (Paper CIC/24/02/05/004)

Committee discussed paper CIC/24/02/05/004A. Committee agreed that Future Ways should have input into the programme development day in May. Ms Montgomery is to issue a letter or e-mail requesting member's opinion on issues raised by Future Ways overview report to be discussed at the meeting in May.

Committee discussed paper CIC/24/02/05/004B. Members agreed a £30,000 budget for the external evaluation of the groups mentioned above.

Ms Montgomery briefed members on the self evaluation model and process which is still in its developmental stage.

7. Decisions on Applications:

 

7(A) Applications Recommended for Decline (Criteria Based Assessment)

(Summary Paper CIC/24/02/05/005)

Committee have reviewed the applications and agree to decline the following groups which scored below the qualifying threshold:

05/0016          Owenkillew Community Development Association

05/0017          Holy Trinity Centre

05/0020          Sugar & Spice Playgroup

05/0021          Newry & Mourne Women Ltd

05/0024          Women's News

05/0027          Roe Valley Women's Network

05/0032          The Pushkin Trust

05/0033          British Deaf Association

05/0034          Atlas Women's Group

05/0042          Red Lead Arts

05/0043          Ulster Scots Cultural Development Trust

05/0044          Inter-Estate Partnership Parenting Centre

Members further discussed the following applications:

05/0028                                  Reconciliation Education and Community Training (REACT – Armagh)

Committee considered all the application materials and were agreed that the application did not meet the qualifying threshold. Committee agreed to decline this application but agree in principle for the organisation to apply for up to £10,000 through the CR/CD small grant scheme.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0035                                  NI African Cultural Centre  

Committee considered all the application materials. This application failed to meet the eligibility threshold due to lack of engagement with CR issues. Government has also just announced continuation (for a further 3 years) of funding for organisations working with ethnic minority groups.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0037                                  Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association

Committee considered all the application materials. The application failed to meet the qualifying threshold yet committee feel that this is a good project proposal. Committee agree in principle to a small grant award of up to £10,000 should the organisation wish to apply. IFI may have scope to fund this project.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0039                                  Scout Association

Committee considered all application materials. The application failed to meet the qualifying threshold but committee feel that this is a credible project. Members suggested referring the application to other sources of funding e.g Youth Council, DEL.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0045                                  Reaching Everyone and Creating Trust (REACT – Kilkeel) 

Committee considered all application materials. The application failed to meet the qualifying threshold and as such could not be supported through this programme.

Amount: £ NIL

7(B) Applications Recommended for Decline

05/0013                                  Altnaveigh House  

Committee considered all application materials. Mr Jordan gave a brief background to the organisation. The application did meet the qualifying threshold, however the application lacked sufficient CR focus to be funded through the Core Funding Programme.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0014                                  174 Trust  

Committee considered all application materials and agreed to refer this application to Pathfinder

Amount: £ NIL

05/0015                                  Terry Enright Foundation  

Committee considered all application materials and agreed that this application did not pass the threshold.. Committee discussed further ways of helping the group e.g helping with policy building, referring them to other funders (Youth Council) Staff to action this.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0018                                  Community Network Portadown

Committee considered all application materials and whilst the application passed the qualifying threshold, it lacked sufficient evidence on product to be funded.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0023                                  Fortnight Publications Ltd

Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not meet the criteria and as such could not be supported through the Core Funding programme. The group may be able to secure funding through the Publications Grant scheme.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0030                                  Conflict Trauma Resource Centre

Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not meet the criteria of the Core Funding programme and as such could not be supported.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0037                                  Maiden City Festival Committee

Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not pass the threshold and as such could not be supported through the core funding programme. The group could apply to Derry City Council or DCAL and staff should discuss this with them.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0038                                  Community Visual Images

Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not pass the threshold and as such could not be supported through the core funding programme.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0041                                  Creative Writers Network

Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not pass the threshold and as such could not be support through the core funding programme.

Amount: £ NIL

05/0047                                  NIPPA – The Early Years Organisation

Committee considered all application materials and whilst the application passed the threshold, committee felt that the remit for funding fell under the remit of other funders such as DEL or DENI.

Amount: £ NIL

7(C) Applications for Renewal of Core Funding (Initial Consideration 15/12/04)

(Supplementary Paper CIC/24/02/05/006)

05/0002                                  Irish School of Ecumenics

Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to fund at the level of £45,000 for a two year period but that no further funding would be provided after this period.

Amount: £45,000

05/0003                                  Sole Purpose Productions

Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to fund this group on a three year phased exit strategy to enable the organisation to explore a business model. Year one £20,000; Year Two £14,000; Year Three £8,750.

Amount: £20,000

05/0004                                  Belfast Interface Project

Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to renew funding for a further three years at £45,000 plus £12,000 towards additional post. Staff to discuss post with organisation.

Amount: £57,000

05/0005                                  Community Relations Forum

Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to fund this organisation for a further three years at £30,782.

Amount: £30,782

05/0006                                  The Ulster Society

Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to fund this group £35,000 for one year but with strict conditions attached. Staff to action this.

Amount: £35,000

05/0008                                  Partisan Productions

Committee considered all application materials. Members were agreed as to the quality of the group's work and its approaches and agreed to renew funding for a further three years at the current level of £16,000 per annum.

Amount: £16,000

05/0009                                  Community Dialogue

Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to renew funding at £50,000 for one year, taking account of the financial difficulties currently faced by the organisation.

Amount: £50,000

05/0010                      Ballynafeigh Community Development Association

Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to increase funding to support 90% of costs for the funded posts for a further three year period.

Amount: £28,000

05/0011                                  Ashton Community Trust

Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to renew funding at a level of £30,000 for one year only in order that applicants can demonstrate structured progress on CR issues in North Belfast.

Amount: £30,000

05/0012                                  Trademark

Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to renewal funding at a level of £33,000 for a further three years.

Amount: £33,000

05/0046                                  WAVE

Committee considered all application materials. Members were agreed that the committee decision in 2004 was an exit strategy, but in the absence of further funding at present agreed to renew funding at a level of £14,000 over a 6 month or 1 year period.

Amount: £14,000

7(D) Applications Recommended for Consideration

05/0001                                  Tides Training

Mr Jordan gave a brief background on the group. Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund at a level of £33,465 for a period of three years.

Amount: £33,465

05/0007                                  The Nerve Centre

Ms Montgomery gave a brief background on the group. Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund at a level of £16,700 and that the organisation can seek further funding for projects through the small grant scheme.

Amount: £16,700

05/0019                                  The Junction: Towards Understanding & Healing

Mr Jordan gave a brief background on the group. Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund the organisation for 3 years.

Amount: £46,430

05/0022                                  LINC Resource Centre

Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund up to £30,000 for a period of one year with applicants required to demonstrate structured engagement and progress on CR issues in North Belfast in that period.

Amount: £30,000

05/0025                                  The Link Family & Community Centre

Committee considered all application materials and acknowledged the work of the organisation but felt unable to fund it given constraints on resources and the area specific nature of programme.

Amount: £NIL

05/0026                                  Institute for Conflict Research

Committee considered all application materials and were agreed as to ICR's lack of fit with the programme as well as question their capacity to engage in new work at present.

Amount: £NIL

05/0029                                  Kilcranny House

Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund for a period of two years.

Amount: £22,317

05/0031                                  Suffolk/Lenadoon Interface Group (SLIG)

Committee considered all application materials and discussed the proposal at length. Members agreed that the interface location of the group strengthened its case for funding. Members agreed to fund for 3 years at £6,000 year 1 increasing to £12,000 in years 2 and 3.

Amount: £6,000

05/0040                      Portadown Local Action for Community Engagement

Committee considered all application materials and questioned scores allocated. Members did not believe that PLACE would be a strategic investment of Core Funding and as such, declined the application.

Amount: £NIL

8. AOB:

• Mr Devine asked about visiting groups. Ms Montgomery suggested tying in the group visits with the evaluation process.
• Mr Wardlow suggested that committee meets a few hours before the next meeting on 19^th April 2005 to prepare for the meeting in May.
• Mr Devine would like an update on Shared Future and the impact on CRC and if this would have a knock on effect to the committee.

9. Date of Next Meeting:

10.00 am Tuesday 19^th April 2005 @ CRC's Belfast Office