Joint Forum Minutes 20 May 2004

MINUTES OF JOINT FORUM MEETING
LOUGHRY COLLEGE, COOKSTOWN
20 MAY 2004. 9.30 am-13.30pm

Present: Dave Wall, (Joint Chair) VCU (DW); Edwin Graham, Lurgan Council for Voluntary Action (Joint Chair) (EG); Marie Abbott, VCU (MA); Zoë Anderson, NICVA (ZA); Carolyn Barr, DFP (CB); Alex Boyle, DOE (AB); Paul Brunton, DETI (PB); Niall Fitzduff (NF); Margaret Langhammer, DRD (ML); Stevie Johnston, WEA (SJ); Valerie Keys, DARD (VK); Maurice Leeson, Barnardos (ML); Frances McCandless NICVA (FM); Maire McCotter, Greater Belfast Community Network (MMc); Adrian McCracken, Greater Belfast Community Network (AM); Marian McIlhone, DHSSPS (MM); Lorraine Walls VCU, (LW)

In attendance: Kate McCullough, VCU

MINUTES

1. Welcomes and Introductions

Dave Wall welcomed the members of the Joint Forum to the meeting.

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from the following:

Gerry McWhinney, DARD; Peter McNaney, SOLACE: Billy Gamble, OFMDFM; Tom Clarke, NIO; Stephen Martin, VCU; Patricia McAuley; Seamus Murray, VCU, Monica Wilson, Disability Action; Stephen Shooter, DETI; Diane Forbes, National Trust (including alternate); Carol O’Bryan, Simon Community (including alternate); Angela Welsh NIACAB (including alternate); Seamus McAleavey, NICVA; Jane Gribben, Ballymena Community Forum; David Lennox, VCU; Angela Clarke, VCU; Terry Smyth, DENI

3. Minutes of previous meeting (ACTION: All to note)

The minutes of the 18 February 2004 meeting were agreed and approved.

4. Matters arising

I. PATHWAYS FOR CHANGE

Mr Wall reported that the Pathways for Change’s recommendations were being prepared for the Minister by the Task Force in the summer. A series of consultations involving the government, voluntary and community sector took place which had raised a high level of interest with almost 200 responses received by the Taskforce. Feedback will be available on the website.

II. PARTNERS FOR CHANGE (ACTION: All to note)

Ms Walls reported that the evaluation of the Partners for Change had been circulated for comment on accuracy by departments and responses were due by the end of the week. An executive summary was to be provided and would be circulated for information.

Ms Walls advised she hoped to submit the report to Minister in the next few weeks, she hoped it might be available by the end of June.

A meeting of the Strategy Sub Group is scheduled for early June to look at monitoring arrangements for this year and give early consideration to the next stage Strategy, and the outcomes that we want from it in terms of engagement and relationship building between government and the sector.

It was agreed that the Partners for Change was a key area of work for the Forum. It was noted that the priorities and plans (Programme for Government) has specifically asked Departments how they might engage with the sector in drawing up and delivery of their plans.

III NEW WORK PLAN

Mr Wall informed the Forum that the review of Charities legislation had been included in the work plan as the Joint Forum should have an input into the consultation which should be taking place after it has been presented to the Minister in June. The Forum agreed.

A number of suggestions for inclusion to the work plan were recommended: 1. Raising awareness of the Joint Forum through leaflets/meetings/visits and other engagements; and 2. Interface between the sector and Peace III.

The Joint Forum agreed the new work plan was a valuable tool for the new members. (ACTION: LW)

IV. SHARED FUTURE (ACTION: ZA)

Following a meeting with Billy Gamble from OFMDFM on 21 April 2004 it was reported by Mr Wall that a report was being prepared. This report would be available at a future date. It was agreed that a paper prepared by Duncan Morrow on Community Relations at a recent RCN event would be made available on the websites of NICVA, to bring it into the public debate.

V. SECTION 75

The meeting between OFMDFM and the Strategy Sub Group on consultations in the Section 75 Duty on 29 March 2004 had recorded a positive meeting with many comments being raised. Mr Wall said it was important for the Joint Forum to contribute to issues of concern like Section 75 consultation, however, it is important to ensure that the Forum does not get drawn in to issues and “become all things for all men (people?)” The Joint Forum agreed that we need to keep a focus on the relationship between government and the sector.

VI. COMMUNICATION/CONFERENCE WORKING GROUP (ACTION: All to note)

At the meeting on the 21 April 2004 the Communication/Conference Working Group agreed the Forum should have a planning day to look at their work plan and the shape of the next stage Strategy, it would also be a good introduction for the new members of the Forum. The working group also discussed the possibility of organising a conference; this issue could also be teased out further at the planning day.

VII. PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT (ACTION: All to note)

Mr Wall advised this item had been deferred. It was intended to explore a role most effective method for any further discussion by the Forum in considering how the sector might assist departments in the achievement of PSAs .

5. Review of Public Administration

Mr Wall welcomed Debbie Donnelly and Colette Murphy from the OFMDFM. Dr Donnelly gave a presentation on The Review of Public administration, a copy of the slides attached.

During discussion members expressed their concern that a reduction in the number of Councils will create difficulties, impacting on social engagement and resulting in a democratic deficit. Questions were raised as to whether the review reflected the importance of the voluntary and community sector and its contribution to society? Would it take into consideration how the new councils might engage with the sector? Dr Donnelly said that while formal consultation had ended, no decisions/recommendations had yet been made. She reflected that the recent consultation had asked about the future role of the voluntary and community sector. Changes in the current structure will result in many challenges, key challenges for the sector are likely to include balancing a service delivery role with one on advocacy and the sector’s relationship with larger Councils. The RPA Team would welcome further input from the sector on how to such challenges may be identified and addressed. Dr Donnelly advised the RPA team would be compiling a brief summary of the key themes emerging from the consultation responses by sector. It should be available in the next few weeks on the RPA website.

It was agreed that NICVA would convene a group to consider the themes highlighted, any concerns and more detailed consideration on the role of the sector in any future arrangements. Dr Donnelly cautioned that time was short as the Minister planned to publish firm proposals in the Autumn.

There was discussion about the possible impact on the Review of a return to devolution. Dr Donnelly advised that political parties were content for the Review to proceed as it had been initiated by the NI Executive under devolution. Return to devolution would provide an opportunity to amend the proposals should the Assembly and Executive decide.

6. Neighbourhood Renewal

Mr Wall welcomed Henry Johnston from the Neighbourhood Renewal Team. Mr Johnston gave a presentation on the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, a copy of the slides attached.

Mr Stevie Johnston commented that the NR Strategy was particularly well thought out, he would have concerns however on the practical implementation on a day-to-day basis. Mr Henry Johnston agreed it would be important to ensure arrangements are in place to ensure follow up action and he outlined a number of measures that would be taken in terms of the transfer of BRO work and the support for key infrastructure and services. There was some discussion on how to how to obtain mixed communities agreement to action plans.

7. NI Office in Brussels

Mr Wall welcomed William Dukelow, NI Office in Brussels. Mr Dukelow gave a brief outline of the history, staffing and role of their office, he provided members with his business card including details of their website www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/onieb .

He highlighted to Forum members that one of their key functions was to represent and facilitate NI interests including NGO’s in Brussels. He gave some detail on groups who had visited. Ms McCandless advised that Concordat were organising a trip in the Autumn and one later in the year.

Mr Dukelow advised that they also had some space available in their office which they would be willing to let to representatives from NGO groups. Both Scotland and Wales already had this arrangement in place in their offices.

Mr Wall gave his apologies for having to leave the meeting which would continue to be chaired by Edwin Graham. Mr Wall acknowledged that this was Mr Graham and Mr Johnston’s final meeting and thanked them both for their contribution and support He particularly thanks Mr Graham for his support as Joint Chair of the Joint Forum over the past three years.

8. The Compact

Mr Fitzduff gave member a brief update on discussion by the DEFRA Compact Group and Ms Abbott gave a brief outline on the 5th Compact Review meeting in London. The Joint Forum broke into two working groups to discuss the Compact document and the main issues raised were:

• the need to revitalise and promote the document to the government and voluntary/community sector
• the need to ensure that the Compact is understood by other public agencies/Councils etc. across government, not just at Department level
• the usefulness of the document as the overarching framework of relationship between government and the voluntary/community sector
• Partners for Change (Next Stage Strategy) could be an appropriate mechanism for monitoring implementation of Compact
• need for further consideration of monitoring arrangements
• promotion of the Compact by highlighting ways to use it, the benefits, the benefits that it can bring to both the government and the sector.

It was agreed that the Scottish experience of implementing the Compact might offer useful comparisons/lessons for Northern Ireland.

It was agreed to invite a representative from the Scottish Assembly Unit and SCVO to attend the next meeting.

9. New TSN

Mr Graham welcomed Mrs Harriet Ferguson, OFMDFM.

Mrs Ferguson gave members a brief presentation on the consultation for the new TSN Strategy, a copy of the slides attached.

Harriet noted that the current statistics used in the ‘Noble’ indicators of deprivation are being updated and will include focus on rurality. This work will be completed by December 2004. The consultation will be open will be open until 3 September 2004.

Harriet offered to email dates of the consultation workshops in rural areas being organised by NICVA and NIAPN. (ACTION: All to note)

10. AOB

Niall Fitzduff requested that the minutes record the Joint Forum’s thanks to Edwin Graham for his role as the Joint Chair of the Joint Forum over the past three years.

11. Date of Next Meeting

20 October 2004 10.00 am at NICVA.