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Council Minutes
January 2003
29th January 2003
MINUTES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH MEETING
OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 29TH JANUARY 2003 AT 1.30 P.M.
IN THE COUNCIL BOARDROOM
1320/03 PRESENT:
Mr E Deane, Mr W Erwin, Mr E McCartan (Chair), Mr C O'Halloran, Mr N McCausland, Mr C Neilands, Mr D O'Loan, Ms M Pollock, Dr D Stevens, Mr M Wardlow, Mr R Wilson.
1321/03 APOLOGIES:
Dr D Stevens.
Staff: Mr P Jordan [Assist PD/Funding & Dev], Ms D McGlade [PD/Policy & Dev].
1322/03 IN ATTENDANCE:
Ms P Armstrong [SO/EU], Mr J Dennison[ PD/EU], Ms J Ellis [AA/Policy & Dev], Mr J Fitzsimons[PD/Finance/Admin & Personnel], Ms M Mackin [PD/Funding & Dev], Mr D Mathews [PO/Victims], Ms A Montgomery [SO/Core Funding], Mr R Mullan [PD/Information & Resources], Mr J Morgan[PO/NOF], Ms C Walls [SO/EU], H Scott [Secretary].
1323/03 OBSERVERS:
Mr D Ritchie and Ms C Barr (CRU)
1324/03 REFLECTONS & UP-DATE ON CR REVIEW:
The Chairman introduced Mr Will Haire, Second Permanent Secretary (OFMDFM) and welcomed him, on behalf of the Council, to the meeting.
Mr Haire up-dated Members on current issues and outlined some of the main items in the consultation paper entitled “A Shared Future”. (Copies of which were received during the meeting).
At the end of the presentation there was an opportunity for questions from Members.
1325/03 MINUTES:
The minutes from the previous meeting 13 November 2002 having been circulated were taken as read. Three numerical amendments to page 5 were noted. Ratification was proposed by Mr E Deane and seconded by Ms M Pollock.
1326/03 CHAIRMANS BUSINESS:
1 New members: The Chairman informed members that, since meeting, the Selection Panel had appointed 6 new members and the number included, with
1326/03 CHAIRMAN'S BUSINESS continued: Action
permission from Government, two Government appointees. He said that it had not
been possible to invite them to this meeting as official approval of the two
(Govt) members had come too late for Council papers. He pointed out that
recruitment of new members had gone some way to addressing, in part, addressed
current (gender and geographical ) imbalances. The Chairman asked Council to ratify
the following new membership:
Ms Maureen Hetherington (Coleraine)
Ms Karen Johnston (Derry)
Ms Maria Miskelly (Belfast)
Ms Maura Muldoon (Belfast)
Mr Damien McIlroy (Derry)
Ms Caroline Wilson (Belfast)
Council endorsement was proposed by Mr McCausland and seconded by Mr Erwin.
Mr Ewin requested that new members provide a “penpic” of themselves. The Chairman suggested that it would be useful if all members provided a “penpic” (brief biog) for the forthcoming residential.
PS/CEO
2 Council residential 19th & 20th February: The Chairman reminded members of these dates and confirmed the venue as being the Radisson Roe Park Hotel, Limavady.
3 Core funded and EU groups: The Chairman reminded members that the 3rd meeting in this series would take place on Friday 7th March 2003.
4 Community Relations week 7th – 11th April: The Chairman confirmed that this week was being set aside to promote community relations and it hoped to include some high profile events.
5 Renew of Membership: The Chairman proposed the renewal of membership (for a second term) for Ms M Pollock and Mr R Wilson. Renewal was proposed by Mr O'Loan and seconded by Mr Erwin.
This was agreed.
1327/03 MATTERS ARISING:
1 New Members [Item 1309, items 5 & 5.1 refer]: This item was dealt with under Chairman's business.
2 CR review [Mins 1311/02, item 1 refers]:Dr Morrow informed members that the review was scheduled to last 6 months ending July 2003. He said that it was proposed that the Council would adopt a pro-active role (this item is covered in CEO's report to Council).
3 Staffing review update [Mins 1311/02, item 2.1 refers]: The Chairman reported that the panel had met to discuss some of the changes recommended (M Mullan, Penna Consulting). He said there was broad
1327/03 MATTERS ARISING continued: Action:
3. continued: agreement on proposed changes. (An draft flow-chart was circulated to members outlining some new proposals). The Chairman said that the two major additional staff posts would be a proposed Director of Operations and support for the Director of Finance, Admin and Personnel. He asked that Council endorse these proposals in principle.
This was agreed.
3.1 Staff recruitment: The Chairman extended congratulations to Mr Jim Dennison, Ms Claudine Walls (EU Sector) on their promotions. He also welcomed Ms Joan Clements (Project Officer), Mr Brian Mullan (who had moved from the NOF programme as a Project Officer) and Carol Taylor (Administrative Assistant) all of whom had jointed the Victims/Survivors Programme, and finally Ms Mary Pantaleoni the new receptionist.
Dr Morrow informed members that advertisements for a further 7 posts would appear in next week's local papers.
4 Communications review up-date [Mins 1312/02 refers]: Dr Morrow said that there had been a misunderstanding about dates and apologised to Mr Wilson for this. He informed members that, in this connection, there were two papers 03. & 03.1 in connection with proposals for new committee structures and membership.
5 Article 44 [Mins 1312/02 refer]: Mr Fitzsimons referred Members to enclosure reference CRC/94/01/03/01.
Mr O'Loan suggested that a two-page summary would, in future, suffice.
6 Meeting with Minister [Mins 1296/02, Item 1 refers]: Mr Wilson enquired whether there had been any further progress regarding a meeting with Mr Des Browne. Dr Morrow said that several attempts had been made and the matter would be followed-up after to the meeting. He said he would notify Mr Wilson accordingly. CEO
1328/03 CEO'S REPORT:
[Paper CRC/94/01/03/02 refers]
This report outlines main areas of work.
1 CR review: Dr Morrow said that during the 6-month consultation period Council would adopt a pro-active and positive stance. He said that he hoped that all members would participate in the process. Dr Morrow suggested that 4 key (consultation) areas were:
§ general public (as wide as possible)
§ people involved in CR/think-tank
§ policy makers, politicians
§ other key constituents, e.g. housing, education etc.
1328/03 CEO'S REPORT continued: Action:
Dr Morrow asked Council's indulgence over the coming period. He said that due to staff restructuring, the CR review, the new grant schemes that the volume of work generated meant that some work would not be completed in the time frame initially envisaged.
2 Staffing matters: Dr Morrow confirmed that Dr Maurna Crozier would be returning to CRC after her secondment at DCAL. He pointed out that her Cultural Diversity post was now integrated within Funding and Development Sector so she would not be running a CD programme. Dr Morrow pointed out that there was a huge amount of work around training and that part of her work would be to develop training and resources.
2.1 Departures: Dr Morrow extended best wishes to both Dr Langlois and Ms Gormley-Heenan both of whom had secured posts with the University of Ulster and were leaving CRC at the end of the month.
1329/03 COMMITTEE STRUCTURE PROPOSALS:
[Paper CRC/94/01/03/03 and tabled paper 03.1 refer]
Dr Morrow said it was important for Members to feel attached to the Council. He pointed out that the purpose of committees was to enable/encourage members to talk openly and to create a sense of ownership as to what the Council was doing. Dr Morrow said it was necessary to; (i) reduce the number ad-hoc meetings (as highlighted by Mr Wardlow); (ii) limit the number of committees people were being asked to join (time consideration & identifying interests/skills etc) (iii) ensure a fair/equitable representation of members in committees
Dr Morrow indicated that paper 03.1 (tabled at the meeting) proposed membership of the various committees.
The Chairman said that these proposals (and papers) would, pending agreement in principle, be brought to the residential (19/20th February) for member's consideration.
This was agreed. CEO
1330/03 MID ULSTER OFFICE:
[Paper CRC/94/01/03/04 & O4.1 up-dated paper tabled at meeting refers]
Colour coded “gold” for a decision.
Ms Mackin provided an overview and rationale; availability of premises, number of offices and general office space plus costings. She pointed out that, subject to contractual negotiations for rent and with Dungannon District Council, it could provide the much needed satellite centre/rural office as well as being an out-of-town venue for Council meetings and events. Ms Mackin asked for members' approval (in principle) so that negotiations could proceed.
After some discussion members gave unanimous approval (in principle) to this proposal.
(Mr Wilson left at approximately 15:45 hrs)
1331/03 SECTOR REPORTS: Action:
[Papers CRC/94/01/03/05 to 09 refer]
The above reports were for members' information only.
Loyalist Feud – discussion paper [Paper CRC/94/01/03/09.1 tabled at the meeting] It was agreed that this issue would be part of discussions at the Residential on 19/20th February 2003
There were no matters arising.
1332/03 FINANCE:
[Papers CRC/94/01.03/10 & 10.1 refer]
Profile of expenditure CRC/94/01.03/10 refers
Grant review CRC/94/01.03/10.1 refers
Mr Fitzsimons informed members that budgets were on line for full spend. He said that he would be approaching CRU to seek virement for media and publications funding to other grant areas where there was currently a heavier commitment.
1333/03 AOB:
Dr Morrow informed members that he had received communication with regard to a press release and his use of the word “perpetrators”. He said that the request was that this word was not used. Dr Morrow said that he thought it was important to raise the issue as a matter for future further debate and would be interested to hear members' views (possibly at the forthcoming residential).
1334/03 DATE OF NEXT MEETING(S):
Thurday 27th March 2003 - late start at 3.30 p.m.
Dr Morrow said this meeting could be held in Dungannon (pending successful negotiations). Members would be notified accordingly.
Wednesday 21 May 2003 at 1 for 1.30 p.m.
Thursday 26th June 2003 at 1 for 1.30 p.m.
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