Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Council Minutes

18 January 2006

Policy Development Committee Meeting

Wednesday 18^th January 2006 (Europa Hotel)

Present: Robin Wilson (Chair), Vivienne Pollock, Ward Erwin, Neil Jarman, Declan O'Loan, Ann Anderson-Porter, Edwin Graham.

Apologies: Nelson McCausland

In Attendance: Jacqueline Irwin, Dympna McGlade, Ali McAllister, Gemma Attwood, Peter Thompson.

Minutes of the last meeting:

Agreed as accurate

Matters arising

Gemma Attwood was welcomed in her new post as Policy Officer and also Ali McAllister in her new role as Shared Future Policy Officer.

Review of Public Administration

Dympna has met with Damien McKevitt and updated her on the RPA.

Taskforce to be setup
Permanent Secretary will chair new taskforce
5 Sub Groups to be established
Political sub group to be established
Direct task force to consider recommendations from sub groups.

The committee stated that CRC should be on the taskforce and not just part of the sub groups. Organise a roundtable to discuss the sub- groups and our role. Ask Greg McConnell or Damien to attend.

IFA – Report on recommendations. New aim for football for all

Report available on request on CRC website

Overview of work – Gemma Attwood (Policy Officer)

Gemma gave a presentation to the committee of her envisaged job duties for the coming year which included:-

Consultation Process – Record, Prioritise incoming consultations. Present draft paper to committee for feedback. Introducing a timeframe to ensure all members are kept up-to-date with progress and to enable feedback.
Current consultations

            NIHE Corporate Plan 2006-09 – completed.
            NIHE Statement of Policy & Procedures on Anti Social Behaviour Draft
            NIHRC Strategic Plan 2006-2009 - Draft.

Future Consultations

            Equality Commission's Draft Corporate Plan for 2006-2009 -
            due 17 February 2006
            NIO Draft Guidelines for Community-based Restorative
            Justice Schemes – due 24th February 2006.

Representing the council on appropriate boards and panels, conferences and information events
Organising seminars, conferences and events.
Working on trying to utilise CRC's website and monitor progress on ASF.
Maximising the use of our media monitoring process and information.

Newspaper reports

Peter reported to the committee on the Newspaper reports he produces on a monthly basis. He stated that although useful for use within the organisation, it had reached a point were it needed a new direction and focus. Internal planning on the future role and process in this area of work will take place within CRC and reported back to Committee at a later date.

Overview of work – Ali McAllister (A Shared Future Policy Officer)

Ali gave a presentation to the Committee indicating her core work for the next 6 months.

External

Commission Key experts to develop a draft paper and participate in consultation process for each theme.
Promote 'A Shared Future' through a series of events/media coverage including PD Conference.

Internal

To conduct a scoping exercise to establish the extent of work being undertaken by, and issues arising through CRC's work in relation to 'A Shared Future'.

Process Steps

Commission seven themed research projects by key experts in each field
Produce policy analysis and recommendation paper
Produce report of CRC's work in each theme.
Consultation through seminars with reps from organisations with experience and knowledge including, practitioners, CD workers, policy workers, CROs, GROs etc.
Final report presented at PD Conference
Feed findings to TAP

Conference Overview

Agenda for the conference was presented to the committee. Some specific concerns were highlighted during the discussion, mainly the suitability of the venue and the cost. It was agreed that a meeting be set up for members and staff to discuss and plan the conference agenda and venue in more detail.

AOB

Date of next meeting – 14^th March 2006, 3pm CRC