Department for the Economy Board minutes 2021 - 25 November 2021

Actions Arising From Discussion

Action Owner and Current Position (to be completed prior to the next Board Meeting)

None

Agreed without amendment.

Graeme Wilkinson discussed the current position of the public consultation on the draft skills strategy ‘Skills for a 10x Economy’:

• The consultation process has been positive and feedback has been received from all parts of society.
• There is broad agreement with the direction of travel.
• Diversity & inclusion are consistent themes from respondents.
• We are working closely with DE to ensure there is a joined up approach to childcare strategy.
• HOCS has identified skills as one of her three key priorities.

Next Steps

• The Strategy is being finalised and will need to go to the Executive for approval as it is cross-cutting.
• The implementation plans are being looked at.
• Prioritisation/scaling of work depends on resourcing/staffing.

There was discussion on a number of areas:

• Progression of policy issues – submissions to Minister.
• Budget paper – how tight the settlement is likely to be for DfE and the importance of appropriate staffing and funding to take work forward.

(name redacted) presented:

Q2 Updates to the Corporate Risk Register

• This is the first cycle producing the risk register through the new web based system.
• Feedback on the new system, including any suggested changes is welcome.
• 19 corporate risks were reported mid-year, 3 rated as extreme, and 16 as high.
• Due to work pressures, not all risks have been updated.
• The Delivery Committee have considered the updates in advance and made recommendations.
• Reputational damage due to failure to deliver because of lack of funding should not be considered in the risk register.

Board Decisions

• The new target risk rating facility should be adopted.
• Risks marked in blue in the summary paper will be retained.

Actions: (name redacted) to be advised about de-escalation and incorporation of risks within HE/FE.

Heather Cousins

Commercial Capability Plan:-

• 75% increase in need for training. 260 staff advised they need foundation, 107 higher level and 22 SRO level.

Actions: ALBs to be made aware of the availability of the training.

Business Plan Q2 Update:-

• Actions are on target.

Resourcing & People Committee Update:-

• Challenges with staff resources. The Committee will need to look at staffing corporately.

HR Update:-

• Working to ensure the information that is held on vacancies is up to date and processes have been followed to assist with filling posts.
• A pilot project is being developed using a different resourcing model which would run in addition to the current recruitment process.

Independent Review of Invest NI:-

• There was a discussion on Chairperson and Panel recruitment along with potential cost and the need to get the right internal people involved.

Colin Woods

Third non-executive board member recruitment

• It is expected that an additional, new non-executive board member will take up an offer of appointment with first board meeting in January.

Accounts

There has been difficulty getting a timeline/draft qualification for the accounts.