Joint Forum Panel Minutes 1 October 2003

PRESENT:

Zoe Anderson (secretariat), Rosie Dargan, Niall Fitzduff, Diane Forbes, Edwin Graham (Chair), Jane Gribbin, Seamus McAleavey, Frances McCandless (secretariat), Carol O’Bryan.

WELCOME

Edwin welcomed everyone to the meeting, including Zoe Anderson who will be taking over much of the secretariat work.

APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Stevie Johnston.

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 16 JUNE 2003

Rosie Dargan noted that she had sent apologies for this meeting. Apart from this, the minutes were agreed.

MATTERS ARISING

Edwin reported that regarding the SOLACE/NILGA representation on the Joint Forum, Dave Wall was talking to Heather Moorhead about taking up Observer status.

PANEL MEMBERSHIP

It was noted that there were some changes in the Panel membership. Charlie Mack has left the National Trust. Diane Forbes is Charlie’s alternate. The Panel agreed that Diane would take up the full position and that Geoff Nuttall would be the alternate. Tony O’Reilly has also left the Panel. His alternate is Patricia Bray and she was confirmed as a full member of the Panel. Frances agreed to approach Patricia to ask her to name an alternate. It was also noted that Anne O’Reilly has left Help the Aged but is represented on the Joint Forum Panel as the NICVA Chair, not as the Director of Help the Aged, so her position remains unchanged. Her alternate is still Avril Craig. It was decided that next time alternates are being nominated, guidance might need to be given on choosing an alternate who represents the same area of work in which the full member is nominated. Edwin noted that there will also be changes in the statutory side of the Joint Forum as the Inland Revenue Observer, Paul McGreevy, has now left and Billy Gamble will be joining for OFMDFM.

TASKFORCE UPDATE

Edwin reported that the four Taskforce sub-groups have produced papers and a consultation document is currently drafted which should be available at the end of October or beginning of November. The timing of a possible election might affect consultation dates.

Issues emerging for the Joint Forum from the working group reports are that the Forum may have an enhanced role if some of the proposals are accepted including being chaired by a Minister. The Panel felt that this could change the nature of the body and that there were pros and cons including issues of relationships with any future Civic Forum. Edwin noted that these issues are on the agenda of the next full Joint Forum meeting. Frances noted that as part of that agenda item, there would also be a discussion of bilateral relationships with individual departments as the Taskforce’s work progresses. She noted that some voluntary and community organisations had expressed concerns that the Taskforce was primarily a DSD undertaking while their primary relationships are with other departments. These issues will be discussed in working groups at the Joint Forum meeting on 23 October 2003.

Niall noted that his presentation to the Joint Forum and to the Taskforce on rural issues didn’t seem to have been picked up and this may reinforce the perception that DSD’s role is dominant.

It was also noted that the possibility is apparently being discussed that other government departments might set up their own versions of the Voluntary and Community Unit.

AGENDA FOR NEXT FULL JOINT FORUM MEETING ON 23 OCTOBER 2003 IN NEWRY

Edwin outlined that the major items on the next agenda would be the Taskforce (as described above) and Partners for Change. There will also be shorter items on the Northern Ireland Office in Brussels and the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. He also outlined a long list of updates and was asked to clarify with Dave Wall which of these would be written only, which required decisions and which would require discussion. It was noted that at the last Panel meeting, Carol had requested that if possible, updates could be circulated in advance so that people would have the possibility to ask for clarification if necessary. One of the updates on the list was on BRO (Belfast Regeneration Office). Seamus outlined some of the current problems being encountered by groups waiting for BRO funding.

FEEDBACK FROM JOINT FORUM STUDY DAY

All agreed that feedback from the Study Day was extremely good. Edwin reported that at the Joint Chairs’ meeting feedback from DSD and other departments was very positive. He felt that the day had ended rather untidily but that apart from that, the day was a very positive experience. Niall reported that he had received feedback from some of the groups visited which indicated that they had enjoyed the experience. Edwin noted that VCU is discussing the possibility of a second study day, possibly focusing on the government side.

CONSULTATION ADVISORY GROUP

The Panel noted minutes of a special meeting held on 14 August 2003 at which Panel members were joined by Equality Coalition members. Edwin outlined the process which had led to this meeting which came from a suggestion made at a meeting with OFMDFM and the Equality Commission in June to discuss proposals for spending pilot funding for consultation and for improving consultation processes around Section 75. Edwin noted that he had felt the meeting was negative and although a second meeting had been requested, Equality Coalition members had decided not to attend that meeting. The Panel was disappointed at this outcome and felt that Edwin should draft a letter to Mary Bunting setting out progress or lack of progress thus far and leaving the next steps with her. It was also agreed that Edwin should propose to Mary Bunting that what was necessary was a comprehensive piece of evaluative research on consultation experience up to now in terms of good practice models.

NOF/COMMUNITY FUND MERGER

Frances reported that consultation on this merger and on priorities for the merged fund ends at the end of October. NICVA has prepared a briefing paper which it will circulate and will encourage organisations to respond to. Niall emphasised the importance of additionality and a local devolved decision-making structure. Rural Community Network is hosting an event on this topic on 13 October 2003.

REVIEW OF THE NOBLE DEPRIVATION INDICATORS

Frances reported that a review is about to begin of the Noble Deprivation Indicators and that she is on the Review Group and will report back to the Panel on progress. Niall outlined some of the current problems with Noble. Carol pointed out the need for thematic statistics as well as geographical statistics plus guidance on the use of indicators.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT PLANS

It was noted that Niall, Edwin and Katie Hanlon from Ballynafeigh Community Association have been sitting on an advisory group for consultants Deloitte Touche who have been drawing up guidelines for District Councils on Community Support Planning. The guidelines are now ready and have been sent out to Councils. Lurgan Council for Voluntary Action will be holding a seminar on 15 October 2003 looking at the guidelines. There will also be a report back on progress at the full Joint Forum meeting. Edwin agreed to circulate a copy of the guidelines to Panel members.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Seamus raised correspondence from DEFRA to Nigel Hamilton, Head of the NI Civil Service, which had been copied to him. The correspondence relates to DEFRA’s Compact Group. The voluntary and community sector in England is represented on this group but as some DEFRA functions are UK-wide, the Department is suggesting that a nominee could be included from Northern Ireland. It was agreed that RCN would be the most appropriate organisation to take up at least a watching brief. Niall noted that RCN is currently looking at Compacts between rural support networks and Councils and that if an official invitation comes in, Seamus could pass it to him for consideration.

DATE(S) OF NEXT MEETING(S)

23 October 2003, 10.00 am, Ballybot House, Newry – full Joint Forum meeting

21 November 2003, 10.00 am, NICVA – Joint Forum Panel meeting