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Council Minutes
February 2003
25th February 2003
Meeting of the Core Funding Committee
Community Relations Council Boardroom
Tuesday 25 February 2003, 10.00am
PRESENT:
Dr David Stevens (Chair), Ms Cecilia Clegg, Mr George Patterson, Ms Maura Muldoon
IN ATTENDANCE:
Ms Alison Montgomery, Ms Gillian Gowdy
OBSERVER:
Ms Carolyn Barr
APOLOGIES:
Ms Karen Johnston, Mr David Holloway, Dr Jonathan Bardon
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Ms Clegg Irish School of Ecumenics
Dr Stevens Corrymeela
MINUTES
Minutes of the previous meeting (20 February 2002) were agreed
MATTERS ARISING
None
CORE FUNDING BRIEFING PAPER
Ms Montgomery spoke to this paper, indicating that the budget for the Core Funding programme was anticipated as remaining the same for the financial year 2003/2004.
Verification visits to core funded groups as agreed at the meeting of February 2002 had been undertaken during the year by the Council's Administration Officer. The majority of groups were compliant with requirements, although underspends were identified within a number of awards. It was recommended that on site verification of expenditure be continued at least once per year, this was agreed by Committee.
Ms Montgomery proposed that an information session be held for the admin/finance officers of core funded groups to clarify financial procedures, compliance requirements and eligible expenditure. This was agreed by Committee.
Ms Montgomery advised Committee that the £50,000 which was set aside for North Belfast in February 2002 had not been reallocated, and this, in addition to underspends identified through verification visits, had led to overall programme slippage of £71,657. In addition, c£28,000 had been identified as an underspend in monies secured from the Northern Ireland Fund for Reconciliation. Ms Montgomery advised that requests for awards from slippage money had been solicited from core funded groups, and that these had been brought forward for Committee consideration.
Ms Montgomery advised the Committee that new Committee and Council structures would come into effect from April 1st. The Core Funding programme would now become part of the Funding and Development programme within Council, and a new Committee – The Community Initiatives Committee – would be established. Ms Montgomery thanked the longstanding members of the Core Funding Committee and mentioned that new structures within Council would involve development of a number of committees with different remits, and that members should express any areas where they might be interested in becoming co-optees.
Eleven external evaluations have been undertaken in the past financial year, the majority of which have been largely positive. Ms Montgomery stressed the need for the existing evaluation process to be re-examined in regard to the terms of reference, the evaluation criteria and who is to undertake the process. Ten core funded groups are subject to renewal in 2004, in line with existing practice, the Committee agreed to set aside £27,000 for this process.
As a result, the budget for grant aiding in the programme for the coming year is £1,323,994.
Members were advised of the development of a Core/EU funded groups forum within Council. Feedback from these groups was that they wanted more contact with Council and other groups. The forum meets on a bi-monthly basis and discusses both policy and practice issues. Ms Clegg stated that she had received positive feedback from core funded groups about these meetings.
Ms Montgomery stated that she would be undertaking review meetings with all core funded groups was a priority for the first 3 months of the new financial year.
Slippage
Ms Montgomery advised Committee that core funded groups had been requested to apply for slippage monies based on an identified need which was not already met through their Core Funding award. Applications were primarily for developmental costs or were responses to findings of external evaluations.
Approved Requests (core funding slippage):
|
Ballynafeigh CDA |
Laptop for community faciliator |
£1,500.00 |
|
Beat Initiative |
Publicity leaflets and promotional materials |
£2,000.00 |
|
Belfast Community Theatre |
Design and maintenance of website and/or publishing of information and publicity material |
£1,600.00 |
|
Corrymeela |
Upgrate of IT systems at Ballycastle Centre |
£12,000.00 |
|
Counteract |
Upgrade of IT systems |
£3,000.00 |
|
ECONI |
Additional contribution to core funding to reflect inflation |
£1,250.00 |
|
FULS |
AGM, website and auditor costs |
£1,400.00 |
|
Holywell Trust |
Additional contribution to core funding to reflect inflation |
£500.00 |
|
Intercomm |
Review of Peace Building Programme |
£2,000.00 |
|
Mediation NI |
Development of Personnel systems |
£3,500.00 |
|
Mediation NI |
Development of Financial systems |
£2,000.00 |
|
NIMMA |
Consultancy support and associated costs for development plan |
£2,500.00 |
|
NIMMA |
Promotional blinds |
£570.00 |
|
PAKT |
Mangagement committee residential |
£1,157.00 |
|
PRG |
Internal evaluation residential |
£2,400.00 |
|
PRG |
Photocopier upgrade |
£3,000.00 |
|
SICDP |
Consulation and development of strategic plan |
£5,000.00 |
|
Sole Purpose Productions |
||
|
St Columb's Park House |
Development of financial systems |
£4,000.00 |
|
The Ulster Society |
Purchase of a PC, Digital camera and database development |
£2,750.00 |
|
WAVE |
Publication of information leaflets and posters |
£3,270.00 |
|
Women's Info Group |
Additional hours for co-ordinator to undertake outreach work |
£580.00 |
|
Women's Info Group |
June Information Day in Bangor |
£350.00 |
Approved Requests (NIFR slippage):
|
Ballynafeigh CDA |
Staff Training - Facilitative Leadership |
£2,875.00 |
|
Ballynafeigh CDA |
Staff Training - certificate in CR |
£720.00 |
|
FULS |
Training/self appraisal for staff and committee |
£1,000.00 |
|
NIMMA |
Attendance at British Conference on Interchurch families |
£450.00 |
|
NIMMA |
Attendance at International Conference on Interchurch families |
£950.00 |
|
PRG |
Community Relations Week Events |
£3,000.00 |
|
Sole Purpose Productions |
Staff Training - organisational process, conflict resolution and staff relations |
£2,040.00 |
|
St Columb's Park House |
Staff Training - team building and problem solving |
£1,410.00 |
|
St Columb's Park House |
Board Training - organisational healthcheck and team building |
£352.50 |
|
WAVE |
Staff residential - teambuilding and presentation skills |
£2,170.00 |
The Following applications for slippage were declined, but Ms Montgomery agreed that proposal materials would be forwarded to the Funding and Development programme for consideration under the small grants scheme.
The Somme Association
Democratic Dialogue
Nerve Centre
Irish School of Ecumenics
Ongoing Contracts:
Ballynafeigh Community Development Association
Second year of three year award. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £25,000
Belfast Community Theatre
Second year of three year award. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level.
Amount: £16,000
Belfast Interface Project
Second year of three year award. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level, and granted approval to employ a part time Development Worker rather than the part time Administrative Officer position currently supported.
Amount: £45,000
Community Dialogue
Second year of three year award. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level.
Amount: £50,000
Community Relations Forum
Second year of three year award. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level.
Amount: £31,655
Sole Purpose Productions
Second year of three year award. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level.
Amount: £15,000
The Ulster Society
Second year of three year award. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level.
Amount: £35,000
Corrymeela Community
Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £182,343
Dooneen Community Development Association
Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £30,399
FULS
Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £52,181
The Nerve Centre
Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated. Committee granted approval to change the post supported by Core Funding from CRO to Community Relations Training Officer. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £19,864
Peace And Reconciliation Group
Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £84,695
SICDP
Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £48,340
St Columbs Park House
Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £69,035
The Somme Association
Committee were advised that rental costs for the Somme Association were not eligible for grant aid and the award reduced accordingly. Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated.
Amount: £31,537
Ulster Scots Heritage Council
Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £27,155
WAVE
Final year of three year award. Project to be evaluated. Committee agreed to continue to fund at current level
Amount: £35,807
Applications for renewal of funding:
The Irish Association
All application materials were considered and discussed, but it was Committee's opinion that the association was not delivering strategic community relations work, and had not fulfilled the objectives of its previous award. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: £NIL
The Beat Initiative
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further three years.
Amount: £15,000 pa for 3 years
Counteract
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further three years. In light of the income generating capacity of the organisation through work with private and public sectors, it was agreed that funding should be set at a maximum of 50% of costs.
Amount: £63,000 pa for 3 years
Democratic Dialogue
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further three years.
Amount: £25,000 pa for 3 years
ECONI
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further three years.
Amount: £44,000 pa for 3 years
Forthspring
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further three years. The post to be supported is the Project Co-ordinator.
Amount: £20,500 pa for 3 years
Holywell Trust
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further three years. In the light of reduced Core Funding available from Derry City Council, it was agreed that the award be increased.
Amount: £29,900pa for 3 years
Intercomm
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation. In light of the fact that Council is developing an overarching funding strategy for North Belfast, it was agreed that the term of the award would be one year.
Amount: £23,840 pa for 1 year
Irish School of Ecumenics
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further two years.
Amount: £45,000 pa for 2 years
Mediation Northern Ireland
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further three years. In light of the income generating capacity of the training post requested, Committee agreed not to fund this post.
Amount: £122,000 pa for 3 years
NIMMA
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further three years. Application for a further post of development worker contained in application materials will be considered by Committee in February 2004.
Amount: £16,000 pa for 3 years
PAKT (Lurgan)
All application materials were considered and discussed and in light of the appointment of a new Director to the organisation and the associated progress now being made Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further year. A detailed review of progress is to be undertaken at the end of this term.
Amount: £20,500 for 1 year
(13) WIG
All application materials were considered and discussed and Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a further three years.
Amount: £7,200 pa for 3 years
New Applications
Active Age Group
All application materials were considered, but it was the opinion of Committee that the proposal did not meet Core Funding programme criteria and would not be a strategic contribution to community relations work. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
All application materials were considered, but it was the opinion of Committee that the proposal did not meet Core Funding programme criteria and would not be a strategic contribution to community relations work. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
Fortnight Magazine
All application materials were considered, but it was the opinion of Committee that the proposal did not meet Core Funding programme criteria and would not be a strategic contribution to community relations work. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
Gaelghno na nGlinnti Teo
All application materials were considered, but it was the opinion of Committee that the proposal did not meet Core Funding programme criteria and would not be a strategic contribution to community relations work. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
Largy Community Association
All application materials were considered, but it was the opinion of Committee that the proposal did not meet Core Funding programme criteria and would not be a strategic contribution to community relations work. The group however should be encouraged to apply for development grant support to further its community relations activities. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
Northern Visions
All application materials were considered, but it was the opinion of Committee that the proposal did not meet Core Funding programme criteria and would not be a strategic contribution to community relations work. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
Portglenone Women's Group
All application materials were considered, but it was the opinion of Committee that the proposal did not meet Core Funding programme criteria and would not be a strategic contribution to community relations work. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
Ashton Community Trust / Lower North Belfast Community Council
All application materials were considered and discussed. Committee expressed reservations about funding of a proposal which was more project based in nature than the core business of the organisation. Committee agreed however that North Belfast was a strategic priority for funding interventions by the Core Funding programme and on this basis agreed in principle to ringfence £60,000 for the two proposals (£30,000 each) subject to the Core Funding officer and Chief Executive meeting with representatives of the groups to agreed the conditions and parameters of funding. Proposal to be returned to Committee in May for formal approval.
Amount: £60,000 (agreed in principle) for 2 years
Groundwork Northern Ireland
All application materials were considered and discussed. Committee expressed reservations about funding of a proposal which was eligible for funding from a range of other sources/departments. Concerns were also expressed regarding possible overlap of proposed activities with those of other core funded organisations. On this basis, and taking into account pressures on the Core Funding budget, the proposal was declined.
Amount: NIL
Institute for Conflict Research
All application materials were considered and discussed. It was the opinion of Committee that the proposal being from a research orientated organisation did not fit with the criteria of the Core Funding programme and as such the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
The Junction
All application materials were considered, but it was the opinion of Committee that the proposal for support for rental costs did not meet Core Funding programme criteria. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
Kilcranny House
All application materials were considered, but it was the opinion of Committee that the proposal would not be a strategic contribution to community relations work. On this basis the application was declined.
Amount: NIL
(13) Trademark
All application materials were considered and discussed. Committee expressed reservations about funding such a newly formed group, but felt that the background of the two Directors added credibility to the proposal. The fact that the organisation is involved in work with loyalist communities as well as the public and private sectors was considered positive and the Committee agreed to fund the organisation for a period of two years, subject to a review at the end of the first year.
Amount: £30,000 per annum for 2 years
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