SEUPB JC 20 February 2002

1. The sixth meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in the Special EU Programmes Sector was held in Ballymena on Wednesday 20 February 2002. The Northern Ireland Administration was represented by Dr Seán Farren, MLA, Minister of Finance and Personnel, who chaired the meeting and Mr Dermot Nesbitt, MLA, Minister for the Environment. Mr Charlie McCreevy, TD, Minister for Finance represented the Irish Government.

2. The Chief Executive of the SEUPB, Mr John McKinney, gave an overview of developments since the last meeting of the Council on 30 October 2001. This progress report covered a range of topics including: progress made in implementing the PEACE II and INTERREG III Programmes and the LEADER+, URBAN II and EQUAL Community Initiatives all of which have an important impact on local communities and help to promote social inclusion and cross-border co-operation. The Chief Executive also advised the Council of progress made on a number of corporate issues.

3. The Council welcomed the report from Mr McKinney on the progress made since its last meeting. The Council emphasised the importance of the SEUPB in implementing the EU Programmes for which it is responsible and welcomed the progress that had been achieved in developing the network of channels through which EU funds support individual projects. These projects are very important for building bridges of peace and reconciliation across communities and in maximising social and economic benefits on the island, especially in border areas.

4. The Council approved the SEUPB's Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2000.

5. The Council approved the Corporate Plan for the period 2002-2004 and welcomed the comprehensive and strategic approach the SEUPB has taken in defining its key objectives and setting key operational targets. The Council also approved the SEUPB's Business Plan for 2002, which details how the SEUPB will implement its strategic objectives during the course of the coming year.

6. The Council noted the substantial progress made by the SEUPB towards recruitment of a full complement of permanent staff and noted that this was expected to be completed by May 2002. This will enable the SEUPB to make substantive progress in its demanding work programme. The Council approved the remuneration structure for senior SEUPB personnel in line with similar levels within the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Civil Service in the South and agreed future uplifts in salary scales in line with Civil Service increases in Northern Ireland and the South.

7. The Council received a report giving details on progress made by the SEUPB in implementing the PEACE II Operational Programme in Northern Ireland. The Council heard that all 26 Local Strategy Partnerships (LSPs) in NI have been set up and formally approved by the SEUPB. Six of these Partnerships have already had their Interim Local Strategies and Action Plans approved, they are; Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Londonderry/Derry, Magherafelt and South Tyrone. The Council was told that allocations to each of the 26 LSPs have been agreed with the Northern Ireland Executive and published and that interim negotiations have taken place so that the Partnerships could operate with effect from January 2002. The setting up of the six County Council led Task Forces in the Border Region is also well advanced. It is expected that details on this aspect of the Programme will be announced shortly, with allocations based on the criteria used for PEACE I.

8. The Council heard that the final structure of the INTERREG III Programme was agreed with the European Commission at the end of December 2001 and it is expected that the Commission will shortly give its formal approval to the Programme. So that individual projects can get up and running as quickly as possible, the SEUPB has already started developing the Programme Complement which sets out the detailed implementation arrangements, objectives and benchmarks for the Programme. The Council was also told that three Cross-border INTERREG Partnerships have been set up and are being assisted by the SEUPB. The Council welcomed the imminent approval of the Programme and progress made so far and encouraged the SEUPB to have the Programme working on the ground as quickly as possible.

9. The Structural Funds Plan for Northern Ireland and the National Development Plan (NDP) for the South, 2000-2006, contains a Chapter of agreed text on North/South co-operation, common to both Plans, referred to as the Common Chapter. At its meeting in October, the Council approved the setting up of a Joint Steering Group to support the SEUPB in discharging its statutory responsibility to monitor and promote implementation of the Common Chapter in both parts of the island. The Council heard that the Steering Group has agreed Terms of Reference that would enable the SEUPB to discharge its responsibilities in relation to the Common Chapter.

10. In addition, the Council heard that the Northern Ireland Community Support Framework (CSF) Monitoring Committee and the Irish CSF/NDP Monitoring Committee have established a joint Working Group to oversee the effective contribution of Structural Funds to relevant aspects of the Common Chapter. The Council asked for regular reports on these activities so that it can continuously review the implementation of the Common Chapter.

11. The Council agreed that its next meeting in this Sectoral format will take place in Northern Ireland in May/June 2002.

Joint Secretariat

20 February 2002