Department for the Economy Board minutes 2022 - 24 February 2022

Actions Arising From Discussion

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

None

Agreed without amendment.

There was discussion on a number of areas:-

• A lack of an agreed budget is causing increasing difficulties for the Department and ALBs.
• Practicalities and constraints imposed on Ministers due to the current political situation.

Sharon Hetherington presented.

• The new legislation that allows Ministers to stay in place restricts the Secretary of State from giving a budget framework.
• Looking forward for a comparison, previous year’s expenditure can’t be considered typical as it contains covid expenditure.
• DfE opening agreed baseline for Resource DEL is circa £11m less than in the draft budget which wasn’t sufficient. Contingencies will need to be considered.
• The draft budget does not contain funding for DfE strategies.
• Concern about the ability to use money next year if work slows too much with budget uncertainty.
• Concern of an underspend this year due to slowing of work. Viable alternatives are being considered to minimise this.
• The Permanent Secretary has now signed the Accounts following confirmation from the Audit Office that he may do so.
• C&AG is expected to sign the Accounts on 1^st March with a laying date of 4^th March and possible slight slippage. The Economy Committee will then be immediately briefed.

HR Update

• Ongoing work on recruitment activity and changes to policies. End to end review slightly delayed.
• Absences comparable to other Departments are on a par with pre-covid.
• AP: Quarterly reports provided by NISRA on sick absence will be supplied for March Board

NI Protocol Update

• There is currently unfettered access selling to GB but no long-term regime.

Trade & Investment Update

• Focus is currently on the export side.

Vocational Qualification Reform

• Scotland and Wales not going down the ‘T’ level route. We are looking at their systems.
• Portability of qualifications is a consideration.

Risk Register

• The Board agreed the closure of 2 risks and the de-escalation of 2 risks.

Business Plan

• The Board agreed Q3 progress updates.
• Next year’s business plan - we are clear what our strategic aims are but budget is a challenge.

People Survey Results

• Good results, though a couple need looked at. Further details in March.

Vision for a 10x Economy

• Refocus within Department and ALBs to prioritise 10x.

Performance Mgt – In Year Reviews

• Difficulties improving compliance include long term illness and system problems.

(name redacted) advised she is preparing guidance to address the system problems.

(name redacted)

Media Article re Spend Local Scheme

• The Irish News ran an article this morning saying there is an external body to evaluate this scheme. AP: Detail of this to be provided to Board.

HR Key Facts Document

(name redacted) will produce a key facts document at DfE level for next Board for consideration. It will be similar to that provided to NICS Board.