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Council Minutes
February 2005
24th February 2005
Minutes of Community Initiatives Committee
24 February 2005
Present: Mr Michael Wardlow, Dr David Stevens, Ms Jane Leonard, Ms LibbyKeys, Mr Barney Devine, Ms Maura Muldoon
In Attendance: Dr Duncan Morrow, Ms Jacqueline Irwin, Mr Paul Jordan, Ms Alison Montgomery, Ms Roisin McGuire, Ms Marianne Laird (Minute Taker)
Observers: Ms Jane Corderoy
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1. Minutes of Previous Meeting: Agreed |
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2. Matters Arising: None |
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3. Conflict of Interest: |
No direct conflicts of interests were declared although Ms Keys' daughter drew up the business plan for the Apprentice Boys (Maiden City Festival application).
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4. Staff Reports: |
Core Funding Officer (Paper CIC/24/02/05/001)
Ms Montgomery spoke to this paper.
- The terms of reference for the review of the Core Funding Programme have been agreed with CRU. It is anticipated that this work will begin in March with a report due out in May or June.
- Staff have met with Future Ways to discuss the next stage of the External Evaluation of the programme. It is hoped that Future Ways will be able to present their findings at the committee meeting in May.
- A series of seminars and workshops for Core funded groups are currently being run by the Labour Relations Agency and the Equality Commission. Feedback from groups has been very positive and attendance has been good.
Acting Director, Funding & Development (Paper CIC/24/02/05/002)
This paper was tabled.
- Mr Jordan gave a brief overview of volume of CR/CD small grants received and processed since the December meeting. Mr Jordan reported that the programme will reach full committal by the end of the financial year with the possibility of spending more.
- Mr Jordan informed members that CROs in every district council will receive updates on grants received from groups in their area. Committee considered informing CROs of groups seeking Core Funding.
- The Dungannon Office has remained busy over the last few months with an income of around £2,000.
- All contracts have now been issued to the successful applicants for the Research Awards. The first draft of the research findings will be available for May/June of this year.
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5. Continuation Funding: (Paper CIC/24/02/05/003) |
Members were asked to consider continuation of funding for groups in their second or third year of contracts.
05/0065 Beat Initiative
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006. Costs were agreed to be reasonable and committee agreed to continue funding at current level.
Amount: £15,000
05/0048 Corrymeela
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at a reduced basis as per committee decision of 2004.
Amount: £150,121
05/0049 Counteract
Ms Montgomery gave a brief background of the organisation and the difficulties that they have experienced over the past year. Discussion ensued as to whether or not to continue funding the organisation. Committee agreed to withdraw funding as the organisation has failed to meet the terms and conditions of grant aid. Committee agreed in principle to grant aid of £10,000 through the CR/CD small grant scheme (subject to discussion with Counteract) to help the group reposition and apply for core funding at a later date.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0050 Democratic Dialogue
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at current level.
Amount: £24,100
05/0051 ECONI
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.
Amount: £44,000
05/0052 Forthspring
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.
Amount: £20,500
05/0053 FULS
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at a reduced basis as per committee decision of 2004.
Amount: £41,000
05/0054 Greater Belfast Community Network
Committee considered the budget considered for period 2005/2006. Costs submitted include external supervision at £1,260 which is not eligible under this programme. Committee agreed to continue funding at a reduced level.
Amount: £22,691
05/0055 Groundwork NI
Committee considered the budget submitted for 2005/2006. The Officer did not consider the rental costs outlined in the budget to be proportionate. Committee agreed to continue funding at a reduced level.
Amount: £26,000
05/0056 Holywell Trust
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.
Amount: £29,590
05/0057 Interaction Belfast (SICDP)
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by committee in 2004.
Amount: £54,922
05/0058 Intercomm
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by committee in 2004.
Amount: £23,418
05/0059 Mediation NI
Committee considered the budget submitted for 2005/2006. The organisation has supplied costs totalling £121,438 of which £750 is not eligible under funding policy. Committee agreed to continue funding at a reduced level.
Amount: £121,690
05/0060 NIMMA
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.
Amount: £15,260
05/0061 PAKT (Lurgan)
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by committee in 2004.
Amount: £23,655
05/0062 Peace and Reconciliation Group
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level agreed by committee in 2004.
Amount: £84,170
05/0063 Rural Community Network
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006. RCN have showed underspend to date which could be avoided in 2005/2006 with an appropriate reduction. Committee agreed to funding at a reduced level.
Amount: £42,000
05/0064 St Columb's Park House
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the level agreed by committee in 2004.
Amount: £34,517.50
05/0066 Somme Association
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by committee in 2004.
Amount: £23,666
05/0067 Somme Heritage Centre
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level as agreed by CRU and committee in 2004.
Amount: £20,000
05/0068 Ulster Peoples College
Committee considered the budget submitted for the year 2005/2006 and agreed to continue funding at the current level.
Amount: £20,892
05/0069 WEA
Committee considered the budget submitted for 2005/2006. WEA showed substantial underspend in 2004/2005 and have reduced their request for 2005/2006 to reflect this. Committee agreed to continue funding at the reduced level requested by the organisation.
Amount: £41,160
Committee were also requested to decide on which groups should be evaluated. Committee agreed to the evaluation of the following groups:
Beat Initiative, Democratic Dialogue, ECONI, Forthspring, Greater Belfast Community Network, Holywell Trust, Mediation NI, NIMMA, and Women's Information Group.
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6. Evaluation Budget: (Paper CIC/24/02/05/004) |
Committee discussed paper CIC/24/02/05/004A. Committee agreed that Future Ways should have input into the programme development day in May. Ms Montgomery is to issue a letter or e-mail requesting member's opinion on issues raised by Future Ways overview report to be discussed at the meeting in May.
Committee discussed paper CIC/24/02/05/004B. Members agreed a £30,000 budget for the external evaluation of the groups mentioned above.
Ms Montgomery briefed members on the self evaluation model and process which is still in its developmental stage.
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7. Decisions on Applications: |
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7(A) Applications Recommended for Decline (Criteria Based Assessment) |
(Summary Paper CIC/24/02/05/005)
Committee have reviewed the applications and agree to decline the following groups which scored below the qualifying threshold:
05/0016 Owenkillew Community Development Association
05/0017 Holy Trinity Centre
05/0020 Sugar & Spice Playgroup
05/0021 Newry & Mourne Women Ltd
05/0024 Women's News
05/0027 Roe Valley Women's Network
05/0032 The Pushkin Trust
05/0033 British Deaf Association
05/0034 Atlas Women's Group
05/0042 Red Lead Arts
05/0043 Ulster Scots Cultural Development Trust
05/0044 Inter-Estate Partnership Parenting Centre
Members further discussed the following applications:
05/0028 Reconciliation Education and Community Training (REACT – Armagh)
Committee considered all the application materials and were agreed that the application did not meet the qualifying threshold. Committee agreed to decline this application but agree in principle for the organisation to apply for up to £10,000 through the CR/CD small grant scheme.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0035 NI African Cultural Centre
Committee considered all the application materials. This application failed to meet the eligibility threshold due to lack of engagement with CR issues. Government has also just announced continuation (for a further 3 years) of funding for organisations working with ethnic minority groups.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0037 Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association
Committee considered all the application materials. The application failed to meet the qualifying threshold yet committee feel that this is a good project proposal. Committee agree in principle to a small grant award of up to £10,000 should the organisation wish to apply. IFI may have scope to fund this project.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0039 Scout Association
Committee considered all application materials. The application failed to meet the qualifying threshold but committee feel that this is a credible project. Members suggested referring the application to other sources of funding e.g Youth Council, DEL.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0045 Reaching Everyone and Creating Trust (REACT – Kilkeel)
Committee considered all application materials. The application failed to meet the qualifying threshold and as such could not be supported through this programme.
Amount: £ NIL
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7(B) Applications Recommended for Decline |
05/0013 Altnaveigh House
Committee considered all application materials. Mr Jordan gave a brief background to the organisation. The application did meet the qualifying threshold, however the application lacked sufficient CR focus to be funded through the Core Funding Programme.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0014 174 Trust
Committee considered all application materials and agreed to refer this application to Pathfinder
Amount: £ NIL
05/0015 Terry Enright Foundation
Committee considered all application materials and agreed that this application did not pass the threshold.. Committee discussed further ways of helping the group e.g helping with policy building, referring them to other funders (Youth Council) Staff to action this.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0018 Community Network Portadown
Committee considered all application materials and whilst the application passed the qualifying threshold, it lacked sufficient evidence on product to be funded.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0023 Fortnight Publications Ltd
Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not meet the criteria and as such could not be supported through the Core Funding programme. The group may be able to secure funding through the Publications Grant scheme.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0030 Conflict Trauma Resource Centre
Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not meet the criteria of the Core Funding programme and as such could not be supported.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0037 Maiden City Festival Committee
Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not pass the threshold and as such could not be supported through the core funding programme. The group could apply to Derry City Council or DCAL and staff should discuss this with them.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0038 Community Visual Images
Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not pass the threshold and as such could not be supported through the core funding programme.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0041 Creative Writers Network
Committee considered all application materials and were agreed that the application did not pass the threshold and as such could not be support through the core funding programme.
Amount: £ NIL
05/0047 NIPPA – The Early Years Organisation
Committee considered all application materials and whilst the application passed the threshold, committee felt that the remit for funding fell under the remit of other funders such as DEL or DENI.
Amount: £ NIL
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7(C) Applications for Renewal of Core Funding (Initial Consideration 15/12/04) |
(Supplementary Paper CIC/24/02/05/006)
05/0002 Irish School of Ecumenics
Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to fund at the level of £45,000 for a two year period but that no further funding would be provided after this period.
Amount: £45,000
05/0003 Sole Purpose Productions
Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to fund this group on a three year phased exit strategy to enable the organisation to explore a business model. Year one £20,000; Year Two £14,000; Year Three £8,750.
Amount: £20,000
05/0004 Belfast Interface Project
Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to renew funding for a further three years at £45,000 plus £12,000 towards additional post. Staff to discuss post with organisation.
Amount: £57,000
05/0005 Community Relations Forum
Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to fund this organisation for a further three years at £30,782.
Amount: £30,782
05/0006 The Ulster Society
Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to fund this group £35,000 for one year but with strict conditions attached. Staff to action this.
Amount: £35,000
05/0008 Partisan Productions
Committee considered all application materials. Members were agreed as to the quality of the group's work and its approaches and agreed to renew funding for a further three years at the current level of £16,000 per annum.
Amount: £16,000
05/0009 Community Dialogue
Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to renew funding at £50,000 for one year, taking account of the financial difficulties currently faced by the organisation.
Amount: £50,000
05/0010 Ballynafeigh Community Development Association
Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to increase funding to support 90% of costs for the funded posts for a further three year period.
Amount: £28,000
05/0011 Ashton Community Trust
Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to renew funding at a level of £30,000 for one year only in order that applicants can demonstrate structured progress on CR issues in North Belfast.
Amount: £30,000
05/0012 Trademark
Committee considered all application materials. Members agreed to renewal funding at a level of £33,000 for a further three years.
Amount: £33,000
05/0046 WAVE
Committee considered all application materials. Members were agreed that the committee decision in 2004 was an exit strategy, but in the absence of further funding at present agreed to renew funding at a level of £14,000 over a 6 month or 1 year period.
Amount: £14,000
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7(D) Applications Recommended for Consideration |
05/0001 Tides Training
Mr Jordan gave a brief background on the group. Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund at a level of £33,465 for a period of three years.
Amount: £33,465
05/0007 The Nerve Centre
Ms Montgomery gave a brief background on the group. Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund at a level of £16,700 and that the organisation can seek further funding for projects through the small grant scheme.
Amount: £16,700
05/0019 The Junction: Towards Understanding & Healing
Mr Jordan gave a brief background on the group. Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund the organisation for 3 years.
Amount: £46,430
05/0022 LINC Resource Centre
Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund up to £30,000 for a period of one year with applicants required to demonstrate structured engagement and progress on CR issues in North Belfast in that period.
Amount: £30,000
05/0025 The Link Family & Community Centre
Committee considered all application materials and acknowledged the work of the organisation but felt unable to fund it given constraints on resources and the area specific nature of programme.
Amount: £NIL
05/0026 Institute for Conflict Research
Committee considered all application materials and were agreed as to ICR's lack of fit with the programme as well as question their capacity to engage in new work at present.
Amount: £NIL
05/0029 Kilcranny House
Committee considered all application materials and agreed to fund for a period of two years.
Amount: £22,317
05/0031 Suffolk/Lenadoon Interface Group (SLIG)
Committee considered all application materials and discussed the proposal at length. Members agreed that the interface location of the group strengthened its case for funding. Members agreed to fund for 3 years at £6,000 year 1 increasing to £12,000 in years 2 and 3.
Amount: £6,000
05/0040 Portadown Local Action for Community Engagement
Committee considered all application materials and questioned scores allocated. Members did not believe that PLACE would be a strategic investment of Core Funding and as such, declined the application.
Amount: £NIL
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8. AOB: |
- Mr Devine asked about visiting groups. Ms Montgomery suggested tying in the group visits with the evaluation process.
- Mr Wardlow suggested that committee meets a few hours before the next meeting on 19th April 2005 to prepare for the meeting in May.
- Mr Devine would like an update on Shared Future and the impact on CRC and if this would have a knock on effect to the committee.
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9. Date of Next Meeting: |
10.00 am Tuesday 19th April 2005 @ CRC's Belfast Office
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