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Council Minutes
June 2005
29th June 2005
MINUTES OF THE ONE HUNDRED & TENTH MEETING
OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 29TH JUNE 2005 @ 3.30 P.M.
IN THE CRC BOARDROOM, MURRAY STREET, BELFAST
1570/05 PRESENT: Action:
Ms M Bannon, Mr E McCartan (Chairman), Mr W Erwin, Ms E Gallagher, Ms M Hetherington, Mr C O'Halloran, Mr D O'Loan, Dr D Stevens, Ms C Wilson, Mr R Wilson.
1571/05 APOLOGIES:
Mr J Cousins, Mr N McCausland , Ms M Muldoon, Mr C Neilands.
1572/05 IN ATTENDANCE:
Dr D Morrow [CEO], Ms J Irwin [Deputy CEO],Ms D McGlade [PD/Policy Dev], Mr J Fitzsimons [P/D Finance, Admin Personnel] Mr R Mullan [PD/Communication, Learning Resources], Mr J Dennison [P/D EU Programme], Mr D Russell [Project Officer, Policy Dev], Ms H Scott [Personal Secretary].
1573/05 OBSERVERS:
Mr D Ritchie, Mr D Haire (CRU)
1574/05 MINUTES:
The Minutes from the previous meeting (26 May 2005) having been circulated were taken as read. There were no amendments
1575/05 PRESENTATION:
[Paper tabled at meeting refers]
Summer Arrangements: Mr O'Halloran provided a brief historical overview of the past ten years, highlighting some of the key events. He expressed the view that the capacity to manage and contain disruption on the ground was higher than it had ever been. This he felt was due to the considerable amount of work being done in the various communities. Mr O'Halloran said however that there remained a number of number of concerns e.g.
1575/05 Summer Arrangements continued: Action:
- disaffected youth
- lack of positive political leadership which could mean agreements could be undermined and de-railed.
- parades in contentious areas (as well as potential disruption in places such as e.g. Dunmurry, Glengormley, Ballymena and Portadown )
Mr O'Halloran was hopeful that the many initiatives would help to minimise levels of disruption.
Dr Morrow said that there were already indications that a number of routes of Orange Order parades were likely to be contentious. He pointed out that community relations had broken down and media pictures of rioting and public disorder were challenges that needed to be met and Council should clarify its position with regard to policy and practice.
Council members agreed the proposed three-pronged approach (under following headings):
Ø Policy stance
Ø Practical Issues
Ø Future and long term issues
Mr Wilson suggested, following on the roundtable seminars, a seminar on the media. He thought that this might be facilitated by someone with a record/reputation.
Mr O'Halloran thought that this person might be someone who would have experience of ethical issues involved, in particular, someone who had dealt with other conflict areas (other countries).
1576/05 CHAIR'S BUSINESS:
Mr Drew Haire (CRU) was welcomed by the Chairman. (Mr Haire will be replacing Mr Denis Ritchie who retires later this year.)
2 Staffing matters:
- Congratulation were extended to Alison McAllister on attaining at 2:1 Bsc Hons degree in Community Development.
- Patricia O'Neill has returned to her post as Manager of the Information Centre after a 2 year secondment to North Belfast.
- Job advertisements: CRC currently advertising for two posts under the EU Programme and one under the Victims & Survivors Scheme.
1576/05 Chair's business continued: Action:
Dates for diaries: 5th July - A Shared Future (Council) sub group @ 1.p.m. in Murray Street offices.
29th July - A Shared Future (Council) sub groups @ 10 a.m. in Murray Street offices.
8th September - Peace II seminar entitled 'Peacebuilding and the Public Sector'
1577/05 MATTERS ARISING:
(1) Shared Future up date [Mins 1561/05, Item (1) refers]:
The Chief Executive gave a verbal up-date. He said that work progressing A Shared Future was taking place at different levels, e.g. on-going round table seminars, such as The Flag and Emblems, the recent Policy Conference where the process was evidenced in practical terms. Dr Morrow said that he had been involved various on-going meetings, both at local and government level as well as the on-going meetings with CRU (the next one taking place 30th June) and that he would also be meeting with the Equality Commission and OFMDFM on 8th July in this connection.
(2) Pathfinder up-date [Mins 1564/05, Item (2) refers] North Belfast Inter-Agency Group: The Chief Executive reminded members that it had been agreed (in principle) to support this grant along with other agencies, subject to the resolution of issues to the satisfaction of all concerned (including OFMDFM). He said that after on-meetings this amount had now reduced to “up to £20,000” but this would only be sanctioned subject to agreement (between agencies involved) and it being in line with other CRC grant criteria. The matter was “work in progress”.
(3) Evaluation of Core Funding Programme {Mins 1567/05, Item 1 refers] : The Chief Executive said that there had been no up-date as to the current status of this evaluation.
1578/05 FINANCE:
[Papers CRC/110/06/05/01 to 01.2 refer]
Profile of Expenditure: 01
Budget & Grant Review: 01.1
Audit of Financial statements 2004-2005: 01.2
(copies of draft report available at meeting)
1578/05 Finance continued: Action:
Dr Stevens (Chairman of the Audit Committee) confirmed the following:
- Financial Statements for year ending 31 March 2005 had been examined and approved by the Audit Committee
- It was confirmed that the balance at the year end was within the 2% carry-over limit (as specified by CRU in the Financial Memorandum)
- The Chairman asked for formal recommendation that the draft Financial Accounts be accepted.
- That Finegan Gibson be re-appointed auditors as per the recommendation of the earlier Audit Committee meeting.
Draft accounts were unanimously approved by Council as was the reappointment of Messrs Finegan Gibson.
Dr Stevens pointed out that a “clean bill of health” had been achieved. He told members that all accounts had been settled within the recommended time (a 100% record) and this had been achieved against a 28% increase in budget from various funders. Dr Stevens reported that small grant payments had also increased by 2.5% on the previous year. He said this was an excellent performance and that all credit was due to the Finance team.
Mr Fitzsimons said that paper 01.1, A-F indicated the range and diversity of
Council's small grants over all regions.
Dr Morrow said pointed out that there had been an encouraging 38% increase in grants from outside the Belfast area.
Mr Fitzsimons confirmed that OFMDFM/CRU's letter of offer (budget allocations 2005/6) had been received and would, at the next Management Team meeting, be duly signed off. J Fitzsimons/Man Team
The Chairman asked members if they would adopt the draft Accounts on the recommendation of the Audit Committee with a caveat that they were draft Accounts.
The Accounts were unanimously approved by Council.
1579/05 GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE:
Actuarial Valuation NILGOSC Pension Scheme: The Chairman confirmed that notification had been received about increases in Employer's Pension contributions rising from currently 4.6% to 8.5%, 11% and 13% in the next three years.
1579/05 General Purposes Committee continued: Action:
Mr Fitzsimons reported that it had been agreed at the last meeting of the GPC (16 June 2005) that Council should approach current funders to renegotiate staff salaries budgets in light of these unavoidable increases. He said there was no implication for staff.
This proposal was endorsed by Council.
Job title changes: The Chairman outlined the proposed job title changes.
Director of Operations becomes Deputy Chief Executive
Administrator becomes Human Resources Manager
Receptionist becomes Administrative Assistant – Receptionist
The above changes were endorsed by Council.
Grant Award Review Procedure: The Chairman indicated that review procedures would be rationalised (subject to legal advice on the use on independent chairs/members on such panels) to adopt one procedure for use across all award schemes.
This was endorsed by Council (subject to legal sanction).
IFI Community Bridges Programme Integration with CRC: Dr Morrow informed members that Council was seeking an appropriate legal consultant to re-check the advice it had already received in this connection.
Employers for Childcare: Mr Fitzsimons told members that some staff had expressed an interest in the implementation of a tax and National Insurance efficient Childcare Voucher Scheme and that it had been agreed at the last GPC to propose adoption of one such scheme entitled “Employers for Childcare”. He pointed out that some of the benefits of such a scheme would be that Council would demonstrate that it was a forward-thinking and progressive employer, and that staff availing of the scheme would see reductions in both tax and National Insurance contributions
This was endorsed by Council.
Postal underpayment by third parties: Mr Fitzsimons said that it had been agreed that Council should not make-up the shortfall (required by Royal Mail) in underpaid items.
1579/05 General Purposes Committee continued: Action:
Extension to Secondment Derrick Mathews: Mr Fitzsimons confirmed that Mr Mathews (currently on secondment to OFMDFM-CRU's District Council Programme) had agreed to take-up an extension option and this would end on 31 January 2007.
1580/05 STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL PLANNING:
(I) Performance Indicators [Papers CRC/110/06/05/03(a) & (refers]
Ms Irwin stated that this was the first draft. She said that subject to Council agreement, it would go to CRU for consideration. Ms Irwin pointed out that these might be subject to amendment(s) arising from the impact of the roll-out of A Shared Future document during the year.
Council endorsed the draft paper.
(2) Equality Scheme up-date [Papers CRC/110/06/05/03.1 refers]
Ms Irwin said that this was an up-date on the implementation of the Council's Equality Scheme. She indicated that the schedule for the next training programme would depend on the timing of other staff training related to implementation of CRC's Good Relations Scheme.
1581/05 PATHFINDER PROPOSAL:
[Papers CRC/110/06/05/04 & 04.1 refer]
04 – Development Officer: Dr Morrow said this was a short term post (one year) within the Policy Development Programme to enable Council to fulfil obligations to support the A Shared Future implementation.
Mr Ritchie (CRU) confirmed that this proposal had been discussed and agreed in principle but that CRU needed assurance that this proposal would be contained within CRC's Pathfinder Project. He expressed the view that the grading of the post might be 'light'.
This was agreed pending formal CRU approval.
04.1 – Support for One Small Step [tabled at meeting refers]
(Mr McCartan declared an interest and left the room 16:55 hrs)
Dr Morrow advised that the proposal was for short term staff support until March 2006. He said that practical arrangements (e.g. location and payment) had been made.
1581/05 Pathfinder Proposal: Action:
Support for One Small Step continued: not been finalised and he was requesting authority for himself and the Chairman to explore the proposal in detail and to endorse/agree a salary up to:
Salary including NIC sots (until 3103.06) £31,000.00
Contribution to programme costs £ 5,000.00
Members agreed to authorise the Chief Executive and the Chairman to endorse the release of funds (subject to conditions as per Item No. 8) providing practical arrangements were satisfactory.
Dr Morrow indicated, as a caveat, he would circulate the terms of agreement to members before it was signed off. CEO
1582/05 CHIEF EXECUTIVES REPORT:
[Paper CRC/110/06/05/05 refers]
Dr Morrow outlined the main areas.
- Parades and protest: This had been covered under Agenda 1
- Political developments: Dr Morrow said that indications were that devolution continued to be some distance away while the real problem of underpinning A Shared Future was on-going,
- Meeting the Minister: Dr Morrow reported that he and the Chair had met with Lord Rooker on 16th June where the Minister had indicated an interest in pressing on with A Shared Future.
1583/05 SECTOR REPORTS:
[Papers CRC/110/06/05/06 to 09 refer]
The under-mentioned reports are for members' information.
(1) Funding & Development Programme
(Paper CRC/110/06/05/06 refers)
(2) European Programme
(Paper CRC/110/06/05/07 refers)
(3) Communication & Learning Resources
(Paper CRC/109/05/05/08 refers)
(4) Policy Development Programme
(Paper CRC/110/06/05/09 refers)
1584/05 AOB: Action:
1 Review of Public Administration:
CRC's response – tabled at meeting refers)
After a general (but time limited discussion) is was agreed that this response should be sent indicating that “this is a preliminary consideration of some aspects.
The Chairman suggested that the document be considered by members over the summer months and that they send any comments/feedback to the CEO (or Mr R Wilson) prior to the September meeting.
It was agreed that a final draft of CRC's response to the RPA be signed off at the September Council meeting. CEO
2 Retirement of Mr Denis Ritchie (CRU): Mr McCartan presented Mr Ritchie with a gift on behalf of Council members and staff and invited members to stay for refreshment.
1585/05 DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS:
(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)
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