Department for the Economy Board minutes 2022 - 30 June 2022

The Board meeting was held in Southern Regional College, Armagh. Chief Executive Brian Doran presented.

A number of areas were discussed:

• Introduction to the College.
• Estates investment from DfE.
• New HE & Innovation Centre in Newry.
• Profile of the College from NISRA stats.
• FE/HE & Essential Skills – drop in enrolment challenging; key developments referenced in 10x skills strategy; traineeships offered are more than other Colleges.
• Advanced Technical Awards – project significant increase 22/23.
• Higher Level Skills – developing in conjunction with industry; partnering with local universities & Open University.
• Honours Degree provision.
• Higher Level Apprenticeships – supporting companies; significant growth.
• School Partnership – SRC is largest provider at KS4 across the sector.
• Potential College Partnership Solution.
• Sustainability Strategy.
• Challenges & Opportunities.

A tour of the premises followed

No new interests declared.

Agreed without amendment.

A number of areas were discussed:

• Missions.

DfE lead the Employability & Productivity Mission which contains 7 signature projects and feed into the Green Growth Agenda Mission with respect to Energy.

• Chief Scientific & Technical Officer. The importance of this new role was emphasised.

• Invest NI Review.

Some officials are not clear about the difference between the Invest NI Board Effectiveness Review and the Invest NI Review.

• Covid Public Inquiry.

Terms of reference have been agreed. Resourcing is an issue for DfE.

(Name redacted) presented:

• Budget can’t be set as there isn’t an Executive but DfE have been given a ‘planning envelope’.
• We will continue to bid for larger inescapable pressures.
• £55m of pressures have been declared to DoF.
• Working with DoF re ESA10 issues which may ease pressures.
• Invest NI may have a significant in-year easement which would help DfE pressures.

Post Project Evaluation Update

• Lessons learned.

Economic Recovery Action Plan End-Year Report

• How to raise media interest.

Construction Industry Training Board

• Report circulated seemed to be a year out of date. AP: To be investigated.

Resourcing & People Committee

• Accuracy of data.

Annual Health & Safety Report

• Should there be health & safety training at Board level. AP: Information to be provided.

People Plan:

• What has been provided to staff/ detail around outcomes.

HR Update:

• Overall figures for absence and trends.
• Return to the office. Thanks was given to DfE Premises Team regarding their work.

Audit & Risk Committee Minutes:

• Accounts sign off.

Draft 2022/23 Business Plan:

• Resourcing challenges and metrics for deliverables.

Heather Cousins

Colm McKenna

Alan Russell presented:

• Board effectiveness review recommended annual session to discuss risk.
• Risk appetite levels agreed as Averse, Cautious, Open and Hungry.
• Questions to ask – from Orange Book: Management of risk – Principles and Concepts.
• 13 broad categories of risk discussed and risk appetite level agreed for each by Board. AP: List to be drafted with narrative and circulated to members.

AP: Exemplar to be shared with Alan Russell.

Alan Russell

Colm McKenna

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

Covid Inquiry:

• AP: Update to be provided for August Board.

Governance Input for Annual Report and Accounts.

• Provision of information on core activities and time allocated for each item discussed by the Board. AP: to be discussed with Corporate Governance.

June Ingram

Alan Russell