Heritage Lottery Fund: Committee for Meeting on 20 March 2017 CNI 2017 (1)

Summary report the meeting of the Committee for Northern Ireland held on 20 March at 10 a.m. The Clarence Room, Titanic Suites, 55-59 Adelaide Street

Members: • Anna Carragher (Chair and Trustee) • Angelina Fusco • Mark Glover • Jacqueline Irwin • Tony McCusker • Martin McDonald

Apologies: • Sheila McClelland

Observers: • Jodie Jackson • Jim McGreevy • Mukesh Sharma

Committee Business

1. Declarations of interest Oral Jacqueline Irwin informed the committee that one of the applicant groups for item 8. tSean Eaglais, received core funding from the organisation of which she was the CEO (Community Relations Council). The Committee was content that this did not constitute a conflict of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

2. Minutes of the meeting on 22 November 2016 CNI 2017 (1) 2 The minutes were agreed and signed as an accurate record of the meeting.

3. Matters arising from the minutes Oral There were none.

4. Chair’s report and Committee Feedback Oral The Chair thanked Mark Glover and Martin McDonald for their considerable effort and contribution to the Northern Ireland Committee. Their term as Members would come to an end on 31 March 2017.

The Chair welcomed Jodie Jackson, Jim McGreevy and Mukesh Sharma who would be joining the Committee as Members on 1 April 2017.

The Chair and Members fed back on projects they had visited since the last Committee meeting. 1

5. Northern Ireland Overview Report CNI 2017 (1) 5 Paul Mullan presented the overview.

The Committee noted the report.

6. Northern Ireland Budget CNI 2017 (1) 6 Angela Lavin presented the budget paper. There were six round applications for decision with a combined first round pass request of ££2,703,000 against an indicative first round pass budget allocation for the meeting of £1,432,300.

There were three second round applications for decision. The Committee noted that the grants budget was sufficient to fund the applications if they were satisfied that the quality threshold had been met.

The Committee noted the budget paper.

SF4 first round applications for discussion and decision: Heritage Grants

7. Sea Deep CNI 2017 (1) 11 Applicant: Ulster Wildlife Trust

Request: First round pass of £214,700 including development grant of £6,700 (53% of total eligible development costs)

Project: A programme of awareness raising and data collection to contribute to the development and decision making of Marine Protected areas and their management plans. Five ‘Living Seas Champions’ would be trained annually in collecting marine wildlife and habitat data.

The Committee for Northern Ireland considered that the project represented a MEDIUM priority for support and AWARDED a first round pass of £214,700 including development grant of £6,700 (53% of total eligible development costs).

8. tSean Eaglais CNI 2017 (1) 12 Applicant: An Gaelaras

Request: First round pass of £751,900 including development grant of £38,900 (95% of total eligible development costs)

Project: To refurbish Great James Street Church, Derry and form a community hub in a 'cluster' of arts and cultural buildings. The main body of the church would be restored to create a performance and arts space and the basement would be transformed into a space for exhibitions. An associated programme of activities would be delivered.

The Committee for Northern Ireland considered that the project represented a MEDIUM priority for support and AWARDED a first round pass of £751,900 including development grant of £38,900 (95% of total eligible development costs).

9. Restoring Florence Court’s historic Kitchen Garden to provide local communities with experiences that move teach and inspire Oral Applicant: The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty

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Request: First round pass of £384,600 including development grant of £43,000 (49%).

Project: To restore the walled garden at Florence Court House, Co. Fermanagh to its 1930s incarnation. The proposals would facilitate learning and engagement opportunities and bring the garden back to full production as a 'big house' kitchen garden.

The Committee for Northern Ireland considered that the project represented a MEDIUM priority for support and AWARDED a first round pass of £384,600, including development grant of £43,000 (49%).

10. Chambre House Heritage Interpretation Centre at Forest Park CNI 2017 (1) 14 Applicant: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Request: First round pass of £856,300 including development grant (56% of total eligible development costs)

Project: To establish a new interpretive centre and visitor attraction within the derelict Chambre House in Slieve Gullion Forest Park. The grounds would be turned into a highly interactive, augmented reality experience telling the story of the natural heritage of the site and stories from Irish mythology. Facilities would also be improved within Slieve Gullion Forest park, increasing the number of car parking spaces, improving toilet provision and improving signage.

The Committee for Northern Ireland REJECTED the application due to the concerns raised.

11. Health and social care professionals experiences of delivering treatment during the Northern Ireland conflict (1968-1998) CNI 2017 (1) 15 Applicant: Ulster University

Request: First round pass of £233,100 including a development grant of £25,700 (55% of total eligible development costs)

Project: To, in partnership with Queen's University Belfast Film Studies School record the stories of health and social care professionals (including nurses, GP's, hospital consultants/doctors, ambulance workers, surgeons, and social workers) working during Northern Ireland's troubles.

The Committee for Northern Ireland considered that the project represented a LOW priority for support and REJECTED the application due to the concerns raised.

12. The Playful Museums Northern Ireland Programme CNI 2017 (1) 16 Applicant: Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC)

Request: First round pass of £259,400 without development grant

Project: To extend the work of their Our Heritage Playful Museums project through which NIMC had worked with five regional museums to develop and deliver programmes targeted at children. Proposals would extend the project across 41 museums enabling wider access to their collections. Two Playful Museums festivals would be held and a programme of activities would be developed.

The Committee for Northern Ireland REJECTED the application due to concerns raised.

13. Prioritisation of first round items CNI 2017 (1) 17 During the case by case discussions, the Committee considered that:

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• Item 7, Sea Deep, item 8 tSean Eaglais and item 9 Restoring Florence Court, represented a medium priority for support. • Item 10 Chambre House and item 11 Health and social care professionals experiences of delivering treatment during the Northern Ireland conflict represented a low priority for support. • Item 12 The Playful Museums Northern Ireland Programme should be rejected.

SF4 first round applications for discussion and decision: Grants for Places of Worship

14. Grants for Places of Worship overview and applications CNI 2017 (1) 14

The Committee took the following decisions:

Item Project Title Applicant Decision Repair of church tower FIRST ROUND PASS OF £97,600 including external walls, Seagoe INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT GRANT 14a floors and parapets. Church OF £4,000 (75% OF TOTAL ELIGIBLE Digitising 1905-35 Parish DEVELOPMENT COSTS) Magazines FIRST ROUND PASS OF £200,700 St Teresas Church, Loughgilly Parish INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT GRANT 14b Tullyherron - Preserving Trust OF £2,000 (7% OF TOTAL ELIGIBLE our Heritage DEVELOPMENT COSTS)

FIRST ROUND PASS OF £138,500 Church of the Sacred St Columb’s INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT GRANT 14c Heart, Plumbridge Diocesan Trust OF £18,400 (88% OF TOTAL ELIGIBLE DEVELOPMENT COSTS) St Mellan’s Chancel and Window Parish Church, 14d REJECT Repairs Select Vestry, Loughbrickland

SF4 second round applications for discussion and decision: Heritage Grants

15. Northern Bank Portglenone; CNI 2017 (1) 15 Grantee: Portglenone Enterprise Group

Request: Award grant of £192,100 (32%)

Project: To acquire and redevelop the B1 listed former Northern Bank to create an interpretive community space. The project will safeguard the historic building, interpret and promote the social history of the area, provide a shared community facility and business provision through a two- storey extension.

Uplift: £52,100 (37%) due to the discovery that the previous owner had carried out inappropriate, unauthorised works which now need addressed, leading to an increase in project costs.

First round decision: The Committee awarded a first round pass of £154,300, including development grant of £14,300 (72% of total eligible development costs) in March 2016.

The Committee for Northern Ireland AWARDED a grant of £192,100 (32%).

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16. Cushendun Old Church Centre Oral Grantee: Cushendun Building Preservation Trust

Request: Award grant of £304,200 (58%)

Project: To restore the B1 listed Cushendun Old Church to provide a venue for local people and visitors to connect with the area's heritage through permanent interpretive displays and a programme of cultural / heritage activities.

Uplift: £40,600 (15%) due to the inclusion of roof repairs, which only became evident during development phase survey works, increased staff costs, volunteer time and a more robust contingency sum.

First round decision: First round pass of £286,400 including a development grant of £22,800 (74% of total eligible development costs) in November 2014.

The Committee for Northern Ireland AWARDED a grant of £304,200 (58%).

17. Saving, restoring and displaying the Mew Island Lighthouse Optic, a very rare hyper- radial optic

Grantee: Titanic Foundation Limited

Request: Award grant of £332,000 (58%)

Project: To restore, interpret, explain and display a rare lighthouse optic in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, one of only two surviving examples of its type, and the largest ever produced. The optic would be put on free public display in a purpose designed glass structure. Activity and educational programmes would be delivered to engage people with the history and science of the optic.

Uplift: £30,000 (10%) due to increased capital costs and associated fees.

First round decision: First round pass of £325,000 including development funding of £23,000 (43% of total eligible development costs)

The Committee for Northern Ireland AWARDED a grant of £332,000 (58%).

Items for Information

18. Major Projects Overview

The Committee noted the overview.

19. Communications Report

The Committee noted the report.

20. Corporate Update

Sue Bowers updated the Committee on funding for places of worship..

The Committee noted the updated.

21. Small Grants Overview 2015- 16

The Committee noted the overview. 5

22. Any other business

There was none.

The next meeting will be held on 20 June 2017.

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