Department for the Economy Board minutes 2021 - 20 December 2021

Agenda Item 1:Declaration of Interests

None

Agenda Item 2: Minutes 25/11/21 Board meeting

Agreed without amendment.

Agenda Item 3:

Strategic Issues

There was discussion on a number of areas:-

• Covid – Potential restrictions, potential impacts through absenteeism.
• Work of the NI Audit Office in the current environment.
• General staffing pressures throughout the NICS and consequent difficulty progressing work.
• Investment Strategy and timing when it will be taken to the Executive.
• NI Water funding.
• Potential for grant schemes.
• Current position with standing up CCG(NI).
• An additional Non Executive Board Member, (name redacted), will join from January’s Board meeting.

Agenda Item 4: Monitoring Round and Finance Update

Sharon Hetherington presented:

January Monitoring – Stage 1

• £41m has been surrendered, mainly from the Economic Recovery Action Plan, but also from staff vacancies, apprenticeships and further education.
• Some areas of expenditure where spend is not yet clear including the High Street Scheme but hope to firm things over the Xmas period.
• Just over £16m capital is being held back which has been earmarked for spend.

Budget

• A draft budget has been received from the Finance Minister proposing cuts including to DfE.
• There is no priority for the economy within the budget.
• The capital allocation to DfE is concerning, particularly year 3.
• Future commitments to be paused until more work has been done. Leadership to meet mid-Jan to consider the position.

Agenda Item 5: Questions on Papers to Note

• HR Update - No questions.
• Diversity Action Plan - Several group meetings have been held. Just to note.
• Staff Engagement - DfE had highest response rate at 66.4 per cent.
• Project Stratum - Disappointment with Comptroller and Auditor Genaral comments. Additional funding should cover virtually every household.
• Board Operating Framework - No questions
• RHI Lessons Learned update - No questions

Agenda Item 6:
Organisational Delivery and Transformation Programme

Board members convened a Programme Board meeting for the rest of the available time.

Agenda Item 7:

AOB

Accounts

• Disappointment with the further delay with signing off the Annual Accounts.