-
ABOUT COMMUNITY
RELATIONS COUNCIL -
OUR
SERVICES
Council Minutes
March 2005
23rd March 2005
MINUTES OF THE ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTH MEETING
OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 23RD MARCH 2005 @ 130 P.M.
IN THE CRC BOARDROOM (MURRAY STREET)
1536/05 PRESENT: Action:
Mr J Cousins, Mr E McCartan (Chairman), Mr N McCausland, Mr C O'Halloran, Dr D Stevens, Mr M Wardlow, Ms C Wilson, Mr R Wilson.
1537/05 APOLOGIES:
Mr W Erwin, Ms M Hetherington, Mr C Neilands, Mr D O'Loan, Ms M Muldoon. Staff: Ms J Irwin [Director of Operations]
1538/05 IN ATTENDANCE:
Dr D Morrow (CEO), Mr J Dennison (PD/EU Prog], Mr J Fitzsimons [PD/Finance, Admin & Personnel], Ms D McGlade [PD/Policy Dev], Mr D Russell [PO/Policy Dev], Mr R Mullan [PD/Communication, Learning Resources], Ms H Scott [Personal Secretary].
1539/05 OBSERVERS:
Mr D Ritchie and Ms J Corderoy (CRU)
1540/05 MINUTES:
The Minutes from the previous meeting (27 January Nov 2005) having been circulated were taken as read. There were no amendments
1441/05 PRESENTATION:
Ms Mary McKee, Director of Groundwork NI outlined their work as a leading environmental regeneration organisation, their links within the UK, their vision for the future, and their objectives within a Northern Ireland context. She made use of a number of case studies to highlight successes as well as some of the problems encountered.
1542/05 CHAIR'S BUSINESS:
Condolences: The Chairman extended condolences on behalf of members and staff to Mr O'Loan on the death of his brother.
Congratulations: Were extended to Mr Wardlow and Dr Stevens on the training manual 'Joined up : Developing Good Relations in the school community'
Staffing matters: The Chairman reported that Ms Curran (Victims Programme) had moved to the Community Bridges Programme; Ms Mackin had now returned from maternity leave; he extended congratulations to Mr Jordan for the smooth running of the Funding and Development Programme during the Director's absence
Peace II: The Chairman confirmed that Peace II had been extended and CRC would be bidding for an enhanced measure.
CEO's USA visit: The Chairman said that Dr Morrow had participated in the AMBIT programme and this had facilitated useful discussions and contacts as well as lobbying opportunities
1543/05 MATTERS ARISING:
Shared Future [Mins 1526/05, Items (i) refer): Policy and strategic framework (photocopy) CRC/108/03/05/01 circulated at meeting refers.
Dr Morrow pointed out that finished document was more coherent than the drafts had been and that it had implications to the to the Council with regard to the development and growth of Council's internal functions, structures and its role within the community.
Dr Morrow said he was very pleased that the proposals were for an enhanced CRC with a broader remit. He offered congratulations to Mr Gamble and to the staff at OFMDFM who had worked so hard.
Mr Ritchie (CRU) thanked Council/staff for its input and assistance.
A general discussion followed, the following were agreed:
A “full” launch (Shared Future document) would take place around September when new ministers/Assembly members were in place.
Council needed to lobby for increased resources, particularly with respect to the Core Funding Programme.
Public relations strategy: Dr Morrow and Mr Wilson would look at advocates for this, possibly with a small group. The following members (subject to their agreement) could be invited: Dr Stevens, Mr Wilson, Mr Cousins, Ms Hetherington, Ms Miskelly. (Or a meeting date set, members notified, and whoever is available can respond).
The Chair emphasised that there was be an open invitation to any member wishing to participate.
It was agreed that the Chief Executive would circulate details to all members.
CEO
Public relations events:
Mr Wilson suggested that the Council might consider running an event for journalists.
Mr Wardlow suggested that the American Consul might offer some suggestions for liaising with media.
Mr Ritchie (CRU) pointed out that Co-Operation Ireland have a media conferences and that they might be able to offer useful suggestions.
One Small Step:
Dr Morrow said that, according to reports, the campaign appeared to have gone well.
After a general discussion, the following was noted:
- People were using the terminology
- The slogan was recognisable
- The campaign and been built on and referred to during CR week
- The initial group had been energised and wanted to continue to promote the idea(s).
- Secretary of State's office was enthusiastic about the campaign and the message it gave to civil society.
- It's value was that it (the message) came from civil society
1544/05 COMMUNITY RELATIONS WEEK:
[Paper CRC/108/03/05/02 refers}
The Chairman offered congratulations, on behalf of the Council, to Mr Ray Mullan for the outstanding success of CR week.
Dr Morrow confirmed that there were a huge number of events, almost double last year's and that half of these were organised by the public sector. He said in terms of quality and range it had been great success.
Mr Ritchie (CRU) extended Departmental congratulations.
1545/05 CORE FUNDING:
[Paper CRC/108/03/05/03 refers]
Mr Wardlow confirmed that applications received totally c£2.24m, he said there were several issues which needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency e.g.
- Resources – insufficient to meet demand.
- Appropriateness of funding – some of the applications could be funded by sponsoring bodies.
- Expectations have increased particularly from those in receipt of funding from other Programmes within the Council e.g. Pathfinder (which were being reviewed on appeal in April 2005)
- Mr Wardlow said that he required 2 members to volunteer to sit on the Appeals Committee and that this would be a “one off” in terms of commitment.
CEO
Dr Stevens pointed out that there had not been additional resources to this Committee for over 4/5 years and this was having huge consequences for people. He though the finance of the Core Funding Programme should be a strategic priority.
Mr Ritchie (CRU) pointed out the Department was aware of the difficulty and the current mismatch between programme resources and the value of applications. He said that an evaluation of the Core Funding programme had commenced and would hopefully provide an evidence-based argument for more resources. He said that priority had to be given to organisations which were able to make a “strategic contribution”.
In reply to Mr O'Halloran's question Ms Corderoy (CRC) said that it was hoped the evaluation would be completed at the end of May 2005.
Dr Morrow said that the current funding difficulties was evidence of success of the programme, but pointed out that:
Even those in receipt of funding were had been cut to basics
The current dilemma continued to be that small grants did a wide sweep whereas Core Funded worked showed commitment and sustained work and how could be balanced
Peace II would contribute to this inasmuch as it would end so the debate of ceased funding would not disappear.
Mr Ritchie (CRU) advised that the recommendations of the recently published
DSD report on the funding of the community sector suggested the funding might be concentrated on larger organisations operating in partnership with government rather than smaller groups.
1546/05 VICTIM'S CONFERENCE:
[Paper CRC/108/03/05/04 refers]
The paper summarises the day.
Mr Cousins said that it had been an excellent conference and the Minister Angela Smyth had attended.
1547/05 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP:
Dr Morrow said that a small number of people had been approached with regard to membership for a 1 year period. (This had been agreed at the January 2005 Council meeting) He said that some of these people had had to decline because of time constraints. However he confirmed that Ms Eileen Gallagher from Beleek, Co Fermanagh had accepted. Dr Morrow said that Ms Gallagher was had been active for some time in the community, civic and church sectors in her area and fulfilled the essential criteria e.g. representation from rural areas and gender imbalance.
Dr Morrow asked for Council's approval for this appointment.
Approval was unanimous.
1548/05 PATHFINDER PROPOSALS:
[Papers CRC/108/03/05/05, 05.1 and 05.2 refer]
North and West Belfast Parades Forum (05 refers)
Grant proposed Total £26,512.00
Grant approved Total £26,512.00 (ends March 2006)
174 Trust
Grant proposed Total £33,382.00
Grant approved Total £33,383.00 (ends March 2006)
Community Dialogue – paper 05.2 tabled at meeting refers
Grant proposed Total £20,500.00
Grant approved Total £20,500.00 (six month period)
(ends Sept 2005)
(Mr C O'Halloran declared an interest and left the boardroom prior to this discussion (Item iii refers) returning post the decision by Council members).
1549/05 CHIEF EXECUTIVES REPORT:
[Paper CRC/108/03/05/06 refers]
The above report outlines the main areas of work.
Funding for loyalism: Dr Morrow suggested that a small group should look at this issue and the implications. He said it was important that he had members views and guidance as to how staff should proceed in each of the three areas (as outlined in the above paper).
The Chair suggested that a lunch time meeting be arrange, and those members who could not attend could forward a written submission to the CEO by e-mail.
Mr Wardlow suggested that a meeting prior to Council meeting (in Dungannon) on 26th May might suit members. It was agreed that the CEO would follow this up and contact members.
CEO
1550/05 OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC PLANNING;
[Paper CRC/108/03/05/07 refers]
Dr Morrow said that the Equality Scheme up-date was for member's information.
There were no questions.
1551/05 FINANCE:
[Papers CRC/108/03/05/08 and 08.1 A to F refer]
Profile of Expenditure (08 refers)
Review of Grants (0.81 refers)
Mr Fitzsimons confirmed that full spend was anticipated (within the 2% carry-over parameter) by the Financial Year ending Thursday 31st March 2005.
Mr Fitzsimons confirmed that the virement (from CRU) had been sought. He would be writing again before year end to CRU to request further virement between sub headings in the grant-aiding section of the budget.
The Chairman asked for formal assurance that all monies received by Council had been spent in accordance with financial regulations.
Mr Fitzsimons confirmed this was so.
1552/05 SECTOR REPORTS:
The under-mentioned reports are for members' information.
(1) Funding & Development Programme
(Paper CRC/108/03/05/09 refers)
Mr Wardlow said that he would like to commend the Core Funding programme, (Ms Montgomery) on its production of papers for the Committee meeting(s). He stated that, in terms of information and clarity, they were excellent.
European Programme
(Paper CRC/108/03/05/10 refers)
Communication & Learning Resources
(Paper CRC/108/03/05/11 refers)
Policy Development Programme
(Paper CRC/107/01/05/09 refers)
1553/05 AOB:
Approved facilitators: Mr O'Halloran raised the matter of the lack of information regarding qualified facilitators operating in Northern Ireland and the fact that there was no central pool, or organisation that could recommend (based on good practice) “approved” facilitators. He pointed out that although the Council had a “register” of consultants on its website this was a voluntary list with a disclaimer saying “inclusion in this list does not imply any endorsement by Council and is for information only”.
Mr O'Halloran raised 2 issues:
(i) that would-be clients need to have some further information to indicate that a facilitator is properly trained and experienced and,
(ii) that CRC might promote the development of clearer entry/training/progression routes for those who wish to develop 'kite-marked' skills in this area.
Dr Morrow said that the raising of this issue was timely as these matters had been under consideration and confirmed that training was a core issue.. He said he hoped to report to the next meeting with suggestions as to on how these matters could be progressed.
CEO
Dr Morrow advised that financial support had been offered from IFI to develop training needs. He indicated that a consultant would be sought to work up a paper on this project and he hoped to have a report by the May Council meeting. He asked that members send him any relevant suggestions or policy issues.
CEO
Mr Ritchie (CRU) suggested that there might already be information available in the form of papers/reports from the now defunct Training and Learning Consortium. He thought these might be worth looking at.
1554/05 DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:
(Thurs) 26th May (1.00 for 1.30 p.m. start Linen Green Centre, Moygashel)
(Wed) 29th June (3.00 for 3.30 p.m. start Murray Street)
(Wed) 28th Sept (1.00 for 1.30 p.m. start Murray Street)
(Wed) 30th November (1.00 for 1.30 start Linen Green Centre, Moygashel) Late start
GO_BACK