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Council Minutes
September 2004
16th September 2004
Core Funding Committee Victims and Survivors Meeting
16th September 2004
Chair: John Cousins
Attendees: Sheena Funston, Caroline Wilson, Sarah Todd, John Clarke, Marie-Héléne Knox, Chris O'Halloran, Sheila-Jane Malley
Apologies: Jim Campbell
In Attendance: Jacqueline Irwin, Paul Jordan, Joan Clements, Brian Mullan, Cathy Curran, Carol Taylor
Minutes from last Meeting – Approved
Minutes were agreed subject to changes.
Matters Arising
Pensions, however this will be discussed later in the agenda by Brian Mullan.
Officers Report:
Brian Mullan had nothing further to add to his report; there were no questions or matters arising.
Update on Core Funding Scheme Evaluation
Capita are now nearing completion. Brian asked to set a date with the committee to discuss the final report. Capita are meeting with the funded groups on 21st October 2004 to present the report, it was agreed committee needed to meet prior to this.
Committee agreed to meet Wednesday 6th October at 2pm in the Belfast office. Marie-Héléne Knox and Sheila-Jane Malley are unable to attend - it was agreed that the report will be sent out one week before this meeting and Marie-Héléne and Sheila-Jane will offer comments.
Pensions
It was originally estimated the cost for year 2 pension provision to groups would be £91,000. The process has gone out to groups twice due to poor response. The final amount requested was £30,000. Staff are currently awaiting approval from committee before making payments.
Uptake was low due to conditions stipulated by CRC that if other employees within the organisation didn't receive pension contributions from other funding methods, that it would be inequitable to offer those in funded employment through the Victims Core Funding. This was to ensure equality among staff in the workplace. Groups who did not wish to avail of the pension scheme returned a form stating their decision.
As this is an additional budget heading specific to “pensions” it cannot be used for any other budget heading, therefore any group who have not availed of the pension contribution will not be at a disadvantage. Verification will be carried out on all groups to ensure funding is being used as specified.
Committee gave approval for payment to commence.
Re-allocation of Under-spend/In contract savings
The deadline with groups to submit their requests for utilising underspends was set at Friday 10th September. The total requested funding is just over £150,000. Each request will be assessed and considered under eligible costings. Groups can only apply for funding if they have had a verified under-spend in that area. Groups that previously put in a special request to the committee and were unsuccessful due to lack of resources in the budget are now encouraged to apply under this allocation.
Brian and Joan will assess each application, compile a recommendation and email to the committee in order to move the process along as quickly as possible – due to the fact that the next committee meeting is not until December.
Small Grant Applications for Committee Approval:
Ballymurphy Women's Centre
Cathy gave a brief description of the project and history of the group and alerted committee that the group currently had a long waiting list. Concern was expressed over the remaining £920 as to whether this would hinder the participants if it is not raised by the group as participants could lose out on crucial sessions. Clarity will be sought that if the outstanding amount of £920 is not brought in through other sources of funding that it will not affect the course for participants. It was agreed to fund this application in full, payments to be staged as normal.
Decision – Agreed funding up to £10,000 subject to clarification that the programme would not be affected by the shortfall of £920.
Contact Youth
Cathy gave a brief description of the project. The group has experienced a significant increase in referrals.
Decision – Application will be broken down into two applications. In order to focus on the two areas. £5,000 will be awarded for the supervision of volunteers and £5,000 will be awarded to the training of volunteers.
Special Requests
As a result of Wave continuing to contribute 5% to employee's salaries they are now in a deficit. Pensions were not originally awarded within the Scheme due to a lack of resources. Groups are responsible as employers to undertake the decision to continue with staff pensions. As to not affect all staff within Wave they continued their pension scheme.
Concern was expressed that if we funded this request to cover Wave's deficit and cover year 1 pensions it would be unfair to other groups who were also not in a position to cover pensions. It is also not the practice of the Scheme to offer funding retrospectively and the committee could possibly set a precedent in doing so.
Decision – Request denied, group can still apply to cover year 2 contribution to staff pensions which the Scheme now have the resources to offer.
SAVER/NAVER
Request to re-allocate current under-spend to increase admin support and cover maintenance for the premises.
Decision: Declined as this would not be consistent with capped contributions to groups across the board. Maintenance can be applied for through the current general re-allocation of under-spend which is available to all groups.
Any Other Business
WAVE
Wave has requested to increase salaries as they feel that the volume of work which is carried out is not represented in employee's salary. Wave has experienced difficulty with recruitment and believes this is due to the salary levels they have been offering. Wave has received agreement from some of their other funders. Wave would like to reallocate their under-spend towards salaries.
Concern was expressed that this would entail a change to their original application and this has previously been declined with other groups. This is an issue for the groups' management as they are responsible for their own budgets/workplans.
Decision: Request declined. Increasing salary provision would not be consistent with conditions or previous decisions made by the committee.
Announcements:
The committee would like to pass on their congratulations to Micháela and Declan Mackin on the birth of their son Jacob Keelan Mackin.
Date of Next Meetings:
Capita Evaluation meeting 6th October 2004 at 2pm Belfast Office
Committee Meeting 9th December 2004 at 1pm Belfast Office
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