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Council Minutes
September 2005
9th September 2005
Minutes of the Community Initiatives Committee
Friday 9th September 2005
Present: Mr Michael Wardlow (Chair); Ms Libby Keys; Dr David Stevens; Ms Eileen Gallagher; Mr Barney Devine; Ms Jane Leonard
Apologies: Ms Maura Muldoon
In Attendance: Mr Duncan Morrow (CEO); Ms Jacqueline Irwin (DCEO); Ms Micháela Mackin (Director); Mr Paul Jordan (Assistant Director); Ms Alison Montgomery (Core Funding Officer); Ms Roisin McGuire (Project Officer); Ms Marianne Laird (Minute Taker)
Observer: Mr Drew Haire (CRU); Ms Jane Corderoy (CRU)
Minutes of Previous Meeting were agreed
No Matters Arising were noted
Mr Wardlow welcomed Ms Eileen Gallagher and Mr Drew Haire to the committee
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Officers Reports |
Funding and Development (paper CIC/09/09/05/02 refers)
Members read the paper and agreed that there are no issues arising.
Mr Jordan updated the committee on summer diversionary work supported through the CR/CD grant scheme. Officers are drawing up a questionnaire to assess the interface work taken place over the summer. These will be distributed during verification visits.
Ms McGuire informed committee about an Interfaith event taking place in the Dungannon Office on 22nd September 2005. Members are welcome to attend.
Discussion ensued about CRC's presence at Funding Fairs and also CRC led Information Seminars for groups in geographical areas with a low uptake of grants. Ms Keys suggested that staff should link with Anna Clarke from RCN when working in rural areas.
Core Funding (paper CIC/09/09/05/03 refers)
Members read the paper and agreed that there are no issues arising.
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Core Funding Underspends/In contract Savings 2005/2006 (Paper CIC/09/09/05/04 refers) |
Ms Montgomery gave a brief background on the nature of the Core Funding Programme and how underspends arise.
Committee further discussed the paper and agreed with the proposal drawn up by staff with the additional inclusion of additional funding for running costs. Running costs to be the first priority followed by training, capacity and sustainability programmes.
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Review of Core Funding Programme (Paper CIC/09/09/05/05 refers) |
Mr Haire informed committee that he had hoped to have had the re-draft of the Review of the Core Funding Programme but it was unavailable at this time. Discussion arose regarding the implications of the delay in the review of the Core Funding Programme in terms of making decisions on applications in the new round of Core Funding and future policy implications with respect to a Shared Future. Members discussed the issue that it was unlikely that further funding would be provided to the CFP and therefore difficult decisions would need to be made in the future.
Mr Haire apologied for the delay and assured members that a re-draft would be provided to the Council by Monday 19th September at the latest.
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Evaluation Practice within Core Funding Programme (Paper CIC/09/09/05/06) |
Ms Montgomery informed committee that a call for tenders for the external evaluation contract was issued on 19th August 2005. The selection process is on-going due to time constraints and volume of tenders received. It is hoped that an evaluator will be appointed within the next few weeks.
Ms Montgomery gave members a copy of the proposed self evaluation framework document developed by Future Ways which was received on 9th September. Members were asked to read over the document and bring first impressions back for discussion at the next meeting.
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Core Funding Policies (for agreement) (Paper CIC/09/09/05/07 refers) |
Committee read the relevant papers and were in agreement with the financial and employment policies.
Ms Montgomery gave a brief outline of the current situation in regards to double funding. Committee further discussed the options appraisal drawn up by CRC staff. Committee were informed that option is currently in use by the CRC's European Programme. Members had hesitations with regards to the clawback clause and were assured by staff that since core funding awards towards salaries are not usually 100% that there is scope for funded posts to generate income without double funding.
Members agreed with use of Option 1, 2 and 8.
Summary:
Option 1 “Pro-Bono” work with community and voluntary organisations
The organisation or funded post undertakes a % of its work on a “pro-bono” basis each year, levying no charge to the group.
Option 2 Reduced rates for community and voluntary organisations
The rate charged for service delivery is reduced by an amount proportionate to funding received.
Option 8 Re-investment/Clawback Clause in contract
Earned income must be lodged to the CRC/Core Funding account of the funded organisation and should be re-invested in the organisation by way of additional project work or running costs. Where income generated is not spent, it is classed as an underspend and clawback exercised accordingly.
Ms Montgomery to establish with CRU if there is a legal requirement for clawback.
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Strategic Funding Approaches (CIPFA report) (Paper CIC/09/09/05/08 refers) |
Due to time constraints and the nature of the discussion required, this paper has been deferred until the next meeting.
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Special Requests from Core Funded Groups (Paper CIC/09/09/05/09 refers) |
The Nerve's Centre: Proposal was agreed by Committee
Suffolk and Lenadoon Interface Group: Committee declined the proposal on the basis that the group were seeking to cover costs that were not in the original application. The group will need to make another application for decision in February. In the interim, the small grant scheme may be able to cover some costs. The £6,000 allocated in February will now be added to the underspend total for the year and other core funded groups will have access to this.
Belfast Interface Project: Committee declined the proposal for the reallocation of funding. If the group manage to secure match funding before February 2005 the money will be available for next year. The £12,000 awarded in February for this year will be added to the underspends for this year.
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AOB |
Ms Mackin gave an update on the Live Issues III Conference which will take place on 16 November at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry. Further information on the conference will be issued to members in October.
Ms Irwin informed Committee of the development of a new Challenge Fund as a result of Shared Future. This fund will be managed by local government and is at the early planning stages at the moment.
Mr Jordan informed Committee that the Research Award Scheme will be calling for applications this month. Ms Leonard agreed to sit on the Panel assessing the applications. Committee will be required to make decisions on applications at the December meeting.
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Date of Next Meeting: Planning Day 10 November 2005 |
