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Council Minutes
November 2003
26th November 2003
MINUTES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH MEETING
OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2003 AT 3.30 P.M.
IN MURRAY STREET OFFICES
1401/03 PRESENT:
Mr W Erwin, Ms M Hetherington, Ms K Johnston, Mr E McCartan (Chair), Mr C O'Halloran, Dr D Stevens, Mr M Wardlow, Ms C Wilson, Mr R Wilson.
1402/03 APOLOGIES:
Mr J Cousins, Mr E Deane, Mr D McIlroy.
Staff: Mr J Fitzsimons[PD/Finance]
1403/03 IN ATTENDANCE:
Dr D Morrow (CEO), Mr J Dennison[PD/EU], Ms M Mackin [PD/Funding & Dev], Ms D McGlade [PD/Policy Dev], Mr R Mullan [PD/Communication], Ms J Adamson [Administrator], Ms E Tomasso [Manger, Resource Centre], Ms L Smit [PO/Research EU Prog], Ms J Irwin [Director of Ops], Ms P Armstrong [PO/EU Prog], Ms C Walls [PO/EU Prog], Mrs D Russell [AA Policy Dev], Ms H Scott [Secretary].
1404/03 OBSERVERS:
Ms K Jardine (CRU)
1405/03 MINUTES:
The Minutes from the previous meeting (18th September 2003) having been circulated were taken as read. Minor grammatical amendments were noted. Acceptance of the minutes (subject to the above amendments) was proposed by Mr Wilson and seconded by Ms Wilson.
1406/03 CHAIRMAN'S BUSINESS:
Shared Future: The Chairman said that due to the election, the consultation finale at Queen's (Whitla Hall) had been postponed to 27th January 2004.
Staff residential: The Chairman informed that staff would be attending a residential on 1st and 2nd December and that members were welcome to attend, particularly to join staff at the evening meal (on the 1st )
New Staff: The Chairman reported that David Russell had joined the Policy Development team and that Vanessa McCrory the EU team.
Departures: The Chairman said Ms Sarah O'Neill had left to pursue another career.
Forthcoming Events: The Chairman said the following were for members diaries:
No.5 Forthcoming events:
Sustainability in Community Development : Duane Gautier 27th November in Dungannon offices.
1407/03 MATTERS ARISING:
There were no matters arising that were not on the agenda [e.g. Shared Future
Mins: 1394/03; Memorandum of Understanding Mins: 1394/03 Item 2; Operational Plan Mins 1394/03, Item 3 – dealt with separately below]
1408/03 SHARED FUTURE RESPONSE:
[Paper CRC/100/11/03/02 refers]
Dr Morrow gave a broad overview of the responses from the political parties to the Shared Future review document.
CEO's “Key Messages” paper reference CRC/100/11/03/04.1 tabled at the meeting.
(It was agreed to take these papers first as they both relate to Council's Strategic Planning process.)
Dr Morrow outlined the Key Messages paper which he said was divided into sectors, the main message, managing conflict; structures; and funding matters.
Mr O'Halloran suggested that there be some input around Interfaces.
Mr Wardlow suggested that EDI (Equity, Diversity and Interdependence) be redefined, e.g. “building of trust” because of the lack of understanding around this term.
It was agreed to use this paper as a basis of on-going [subject to some amendments/additions (noted) including possible re-defining of EDI].
1409/03 STRATEGIC PLANNING [2004 – 2007]:
[Paper CRC/100/11/03/01 refers]
Dr Morrow summarised the Context, Aims, Vision and Principles; Ms Irwin outlined Strategic Objectives, Activities and Measuring/Learning/Achievement.
Ms Irwin pointed out that the Plan was ahead of time and was for discussion/decision and consultation.
After debate there were some suggestions regarding e.g. combining Aim and Vision; dropping the use of the term EDI (when appropriate) replacing it with something easier to understand for example, “to lead and support”; reworking Themes and possibly calling them Objectives; and generally shortening the detail.
Mr Erwin suggested that two key words should be included, “communication” and “safety”.
The Chairman said that suggestions/amendments had been noted and if members had any other thoughts post the Council meeting, they should e-mail them by Monday 1st December latest.
It was agreed that an amended version, taking into consideration member's suggestions, would be prepared for the January Council meeting.
1410/03 MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING:
[Mins 1394, Item 1 refers]
Dr Morrow told members that the Council's relationship with the Equality Commission was now a good one. He said that during a meeting with Ms Evelyn Collins it had been agreed, when the Shared Future results become clear, both organisations would look at working together. Dr Morrow suggested that whereas the Commission had legal responsibilities, they did not have the capacity to be alongside people.
1411/03 OPERATIONAL PLAN:
[Paper CRC/100/11/03/03 refers]
Ms Irwin told members that this Plan was a revised of the document previously circulated to Council by the CEO. She said that she would be meeting Mr Stephen Hill (CRU) regarding performance indicators.
Dr Morrow told members that it was intended to devise a more sophisticated form of measurement and establish a panel of critical people to oversee the process as part of the next Strategic Plan.
1412/03 CURRENT ISSUES:
Elections: Dr Morrow said that prospects for community relations remained clouded by on-going political difficulties.
Policing: Dr Morrow told members that although the Council was not involved in direct funding of policing matters he had been approached about a number of initiatives regarding designing and providing training.
The Chairman confirmed that there was a consensus about the Council's need to be involved in this area at policy level, assistance with training programmes, and the possible funding of “pilot schemes” (i.e. not mainstream funding).
Policing: Mr Erwin suggested that Council also needed to contribute to awareness about training and be involved in briefs to Community Safety Partnerships.
Equality of Access: Dr Morrow pointed out that murals and emblems placed at strategic points continue to deter specified members of the public from accessing core 'universal' facilities such as Council Leisure centres. He pointed out that no agency was currently willing to take responsibility for this secondary intimidation.
Media: Dr Morrow said that he would continue, where appropriate, to do interviews about controversial situations (e.g. Carnmoney cemetery and attacks on school busses). He said that he would, as has been practice, discuss this with staff and the Chair prior to agreeing to do so. Dr Morrow said that if any Council Member had a problem with anything he had said/will say, they should let him know immediately.
1413/03 CEO'S REPORT:
[Paper CRC/100/11/03/04 refers]
This paper outlines the main areas of CEO's business.
1414/03 NI : A ROUTE TO STABILITY: Robin Wilson and Rick Wilford
[This paper was tabled at the meeting]
Due to time constraints, Mr Wilson summarised the paper making the following suggestions:
recognition of NI's unique constitutional character;
reform of the electoral system to encourage parties to moderate their identities;
removal of the requirement for NI Assembly members to register their communal affiliation; and
formation of the executive by inter-party agreement rather than automatic appointment
Mr Wilson suggested that the paper might be helpful if parallel discussions (alongside the official ones) were to take place involving civil society.
Mr Erwin suggested that there could be evening discussions to which politicians could be invited to discuss neutral topics which effect all of our lives.
The Chairman suggested this format could take place three times in a year.
(Ms C Wilson left at 14:04 hrs)
1415/03 SECTOR REPORTS:
[Papers CRC/100/11/03/06 to 09 refer]
These papers (No. 06 to 9) were circulated for member's information.
European Programme: Ms K Jardine (CRU) extended congratulations and thanks to the EU team (on behalf of CRU/OFMDFM) for their hard work in achieving the N+2 target.
1416/03 FINANCE:
[Papers CRC/100/11/03/10 & 10.1 refer]
Budget profile of expenditure CRC/100/11/03/10
Grant Review CRC/100/11/03/10.1
Dr Morrow told members that the level of spend on small grants had increased and that the Council might apply for additional money (if available) from CRU. He said that the Victims/Survivors Scheme small grants scheme had picked up and was progressing well.
The Chairman suggested that the Finance Section be taken earlier (before Sector Reports) at the next meeting. This was agreed.
1417/03 AOB:
None
1418/03 STAFFING MATTERS:
[Papers tabled at meeting CRC/100/11/03/05 & 05.1 refer]
All staff left the Boardroom, except Ms Irwin (Director of Operations] who took the minute.
Papers relate to the Internal Review of the Programme Director, Policy Development Programme position.
Following initial discussion with CRU it was recommended to Council that this post be made permanent. It was originally advertised as a 2-year post. After taking guidance, there appears to be no need to re-advertise it.
The Chief Executive Officer's recommendations (in consultation with CRU) were unanimously approved and the post is now permanent.
1419/03 DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:
Thurs 29th January 2004 @ Murray Street 1 p.m. for 1.30 p.m. start
Wed 24th (p.m.) and Thursday 25th March 2004 Council Residential (venue tba)
Thurs 20th May @ Dungannon 3 p.m. for 3.30 p.m. start
Wed 30th June @ Murray Street 1 p.m.for1.30 p.m. start
Thurs 23rd Sept Murray Street 1 p.m. for 1.30 p.m. start
Thurs 5th Nov @ Dungannon possible 3.30 p.m. start
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