Department for the Economy Board minutes 2023 - 31 August 2023

Agenda Item 1: Board Register of Interests/ Conflicts

No new interests declared.

Agenda Item 2: ODT agenda

Board members convened a Programme Board meeting.

Agenda Item 3: Minutes of the meeting of 29 June

• AP1 from June meeting – A job forum was discussed, AP – a specific proposition to be developed – ownership to be moved to (name redacted) and Lisa Morgan.

Agenda Item 4: Strategic Issues

Mike Brennan presented:-

Retirement of DfE Permanent Secretary

• Mike Brennan will be formally retiring in February 2024 but use of outstanding leave may mean an earlier last day in early December 2023.
• A recruitment competition for Permanent Secretaries may be undertaken to fill this and other vacancies.
• A temporary Accounting Officer will be required.

Enhanced Powers for Permanent Secretaries

• The Secretary of State is proceeding with legislation to giver Permanent Secretaries enhanced powers.

Revenue Raising

• The current situation with revenue raising for possible DfE areas of responsibility was discussed. Political engagement will be necessary.

RHI

• Tariff deadline of 7^th November for inclusion in King’s Speech. Business case and legislative clause required.
• Judicial review of statutory process in court this morning. 4 cases need brought into the system.

Covid Inquiry

• Discussion on how normal IT policy in relation to mobile phones and laptops had been applied, resulting in some loss of records.

Kilroot

• The coal plant is unreliable and will close at the end of September. The cost to keep it running is too high.
• A gas plant will come online once the coal plant closes.
• Margins will be tight. SONI will manage the situation.

Agenda Item 5: Update on the Independent Review on Invest NI

Michelle Scott presented.

• Steering Group meeting held on Tuesday.
• 35 actions, each with delivery plans. Findings and recommendations agreed. Understanding on how things will change going forward.
• Working on next steps. Will do external calibration.
• Making sure actions in plan have senior buy in.
• CEO applications close next Friday, interviews 11^th October. A Chair competition will then launch. Work ongoing on G3 restructuring.
• Will publish an action plan on 5^th October which if implemented will deliver profound change.

Agenda Item 6: Budget Discussion

David Malcolm presented on the 2023/24 Mid-Year Financial Exercise.

• An overview of the initial financial position was discussed. £29m of RDEL unallocated.
• There was a discussion on NICS and ALB pay.
• Funding to be allocated was discussed with options to utilise the £29m unallocated funding. There have been reduced requirements with a lot of technical easements.
• The budget is difficult and challenging but balanced. There are plans if there are any slippages. There is a need for quick alert if there are any under/overspends.

Agenda Item 7: Papers for Approval

Corporate Risk Register

• There are 12 risks, 4 new and 1 recommended for closure.
• AP – wording of a risk on trade policy to be reconsidered.
• The Board agreed the quarter 1 updates.

Commercial Capability Plan

• We are more comfortable that those who require the training have received it. Some have requested the training but do not need it.
• The Board agreed that the reporting on this will transfer to the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee.
• AP - Compliance information will be shared with G3s to take forward at group level.

Shane Murphy

Alan Russell

Agenda Item 8: Papers for Discussion

HR Update

• The change to end-to-end recruitment was explained which was following a review. There will be a single point of accountability rather than it being fragmented.
• In future there will be access to dashboards with real time access to vacancy requests and KPIs.
• Age profile of staff and succession planning was discussed.

Agenda Item 9: Any Other Business

Further Education and Finance have a submission to go to Permanent Secretary regarding Public Sector pay.