Department for the Economy Board minutes 2023 - 26 October 2023

No new interests declared.

Board members convened a Programme Board meeting.

(Name redacted) presented: 

• Recent cyber-attack on a major supplier. Subsequent investigation of DfE systems shows it is in a position of weakness.
• A lot of smaller systems are out of support. One of the larger systems has issues which need to be addressed promptly. 1 system is 20 years old, out of support and needs updated.
• Looking at other NICS solutions to replace unsupported smaller systems. Want to replace some using low code solutions which can be rapidly developed.
• AI will drive efficiency but needs done in a secure manner.
• The Board agreed that any new IT development projects are supported centrally within DfE,
• The Board approved a scoping exercise to identify what the additional resource requirements are for this solution.
• The insolvency application has been health checked and a medium risk identified – AP: A report to be produced on the detail of this.
• It was noted that the final payment on the domestic RHI system will be made this year.

Name redacted

Agreed without amendment.

Mike Brennan presented:

Budget

• The NICS overspend for 2023/24 is currently estimated at slightly over £1.4bn.

Joe Kennedy Visit

• This comes to an end tomorrow. Thanks to Shane’s team for their work.

Invest NI

• Kieran Donoghue will be the new Chief Executive.
• The Chair competition has launched.

FE Reform

• An update was given to the current position of a severance scheme.

Sharon Hetherington presented:

• DfE have commissioned the final budget exercise for 2023/24.
• There is a plan in place to use up to £15m RDEL. Need to plan how to spend any further funding if it becomes available as there could be some significant easements/ underspends.
• We should be able to utilise any CDEL.
• Assurances have been received that Shared Prosperity funding will be spent.
• Nothing received from DoF on future years budgets. An internal information gathering exercise will probably be commissioned.
• Annual Report and Accounts – Auditors think C&AG may have these signed off by the end of November.

(Names redacted) presented: -

• The Action Plan has been published. 35 strategic actions across 17 areas. Each action underpinned by a delivery plan.
• Stakeholder calibration & pre-launch engagement included HOCS endorsement, political engagement, Local Government engagement and external calibration with the Independent Review Panel, Frances Ruane, NI Business Alliance and Solace NI.
• Mixed reactions to the Action Plan have been received.
• Immediate actions taken were discussed.
• Invest NI have a new written purpose.
• Next steps to target outcomes will involve a DfE led Implementation Oversight Group and an Invest NI programme.
• Immediate Priorities are: Enhanced oversight and assurance; Invest NI’s delivery structures, Implementation Oversight Group meeting 16th November and Quarterly assurance reporting from January 2024.
• 45 staff from Invest NI have been identified to be redeployed to implement the Action Plan.

Resourcing and People Committee

David Malcolm led a discussion on vacancies:

• We know where vacancies are but not if they are needed. Only line managers know the reality.
• Some work areas are much busier than others. How important is the work that is being done? Are jobs being done by the wrong grades?
• We need to challenge if there are genuine gaps, to be led by G3 down. AP: RPC need to be advised to challenge requests to fill vacant posts.
• There has been concern that some Skills Academy staff didn’t have a job description or PPA for their post.

Results of 2023 NICS People Survey

David Malcolm led a discussion on the results of the survey; -

• Disappointing results compared to last survey but DfE results above NICS average in all areas. A good response rate.
• Leadership results surprisingly poor. Pay is an issue.
• A lot of people want less hybrid working.
• ODT work hadn’t factored in as the responses to the survey were 6 months ago.

David Malcolm

RHI

• DfE are in front of the NI Affairs Committee in two weeks.
• Business case being revised after being through Casework.
• Plans for legislation are progressing. This needs to be through Parliament Q1 2024.

G3 Session 27/10/23

• This is a 3-hour session. It is not clear what the agenda item is.