Members

• Mukesh Sharma - Chair

• Dr. Jim McGreevy

• Olive Hill

• Patricia Corbett

• Dr. Sally Montgomery

• Darren Rice

• Nikki McVeigh

Committee Business

1. Welcomes, apologies and declarations of interest

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting held at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.

Apologies: none

Dr Sally Montgomery noted a conflict of interest with item 9. The Square –Transforming the Heart of Hilltown.

Condolences: the death of Dr Eamon Phoenix, one of the great popularisers of Irish history, was recognised. Eamon had played a key role in the Decade of Centenaries.

2. Minutes from the meeting held 6 September 2022 and matters arising

Thereafter the minutes were agreed as a true record of the meeting and signed by the Chair.

3. Chair’s report

The Chair updated the Committee on his activities since the last Committee meeting. It was noted:

• Attended the NW Migrant Forum event; a lot of community and political interest was generated.
• Attended the Polish and Intercultural Centre.

Fellow Committee Members reported the following:

Sally Montgomery

• Attended the launch event of the Rawdon Portraits in Lisburn.
• Attended the launch of Our Places, Our Pasts, Our Perspectives – in which Corrymeela worked in conjunction with the Atlas Centre to tell the local story of Lilian Metge and the suffragette movement in Lisburn. A great event with a lovely story.

Nikki McVeigh

• Had previously attended the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership event for the traditional handcrafted Cot boat launch. Very well attended by the community and a very impressive event.

Darren Rice

• Met with the Engagement team with a view to getting the message out at a local community level.

Jim McGreevy

• Attended the Foyle Valley Railway launch of the Interpretive Centre.
• Attended the film launch of ‘Sea Bound’ by Causeway Coast Maritime Heritage in the Portrush. Playhouse. An extremely well-attended event detailing the association between local community and our international links. Great acknowledgement for us.
• Attended the launch of the book ‘Myths and Legends: Tales from Around Binevenagh for the Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands LP.

4. Corporate update

Confidential in confidence.

The Committee noted the highlights of the report.

5. Strategy and Place update

Committee heard an update on the work in response to the external consultation undertaken earlier in the year.

6. Overview Paper NI

The Committee noted the highlights of the report.

The highlights included:

• St Macartan’s Church in Augher, Co Tyrone, was the recipient of the Church of the Year award for 2022.
• The Overview report features further updates for churches, highlighting the successes.

The Chair spoke of the success of Bangor Court House as the first Community Asset Transfer. An excellent example of what can be done.

Policy and Public Affairs update:

Noted – no comment

Communications update:

Noted – no comment

SFF Development round applications for discussion and decision

7. Friends of Glenock Exploring and Retaining our Heritage in Newtownstewart Area                                                                                       

Applicant: St Columb’s Diocesan Trust

Recommendation: Development grant of £26,728 (49% of total eligible development costs) and potential delivery grant of £688,491 (50%) 

Project: The restoration of the listed Grade B+ St Eugene’s Church originally built in 1785. The applicant will work in collaboration with other heritage assets in the rural area to coordinate a broad range of activities. The activities strand will look also at local cultural heritage alongside nature and biodiversity. The project will create formal and informal educational opportunities in a socio-economically deprived area, improving wellbeing. 

The Committee for Northern Ireland agreed the application represented a MEDIUM priority and AWARDED a development grant of £26,728 (49% of total eligible development costs), and potential delivery grant of £688,491 (50%) 

8. Re-creating a Great Place: North Belfast

Applicant: Belfast Charitable Society

Recommendation: Development grant of £64,376 (95% of total eligible development costs) and potential delivery grant of £682,939 (95%) 

Project: The area falls within the north side of Belfast city centre and is marked by poor urban development and social deprivation with a legacy of division and environmental neglect. The project is designed to ensure that the collective heritage assets of North Belfast Heritage Cluster can contribute to improving these legacies, providing regeneration and growth in the area, whilst ensuring assets are developed and retained for the local community.

The Committee for Northern Ireland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority and AWARDED a development grant of £64,376 (95% of total eligible development costs) and potential delivery grant of £682,939 (95%). 

Sally Montgomery now left the room for item 9 due to a declared conflict of interest.

9. The Square – Transforming the Heart of Hilltown

Applicant: Clonduff Development Enterprise (COI) Limited

Request: Development grant of £141,916 (85% of total eligible development costs) and potential delivery grant of £1,130,561 (78%)

Project: An ambitious project focusing on the repair and redevelopment of the Grade B listed deconsecrated St John’s Church, in the heart of Hilltown, Co Down. The church opened in 1771, the first building constructed in the town. The project will include capital works to provide a community space with arts, recreation, and leisure as a focus and a variety of activities are planned to engage a wide range of people.

The Committee for Northern Ireland agreed the application represented a HIGH priority and AWARDED a grant of £141,916 (85%) and potential delivery grant of £1,130,561 (78%).

Sally Montgomery returned to the meeting after discussion and decision.

Papers for information

No other papers.

10. Any other business

None.

The next meeting will be held on 9 March 2023.