Department for the Economy Board minutes 2021 - 28 October 2021

Minutes from the Departmental Board meeting on 30 September 2021.

Present

David Malcolm (Chair)
Heather Cousins
Paul Grocott
Shane Murphy
Colin Woods
Richard Rodgers
Michelle Bell
Colm McKenna (Non-Executive Board Member)
Fiona Keenan (Non-Executive Board Member)

In Attendance:

(Name Redacted) (Permanent Secretary’s Office)
(Name Redacted) (Secretariat)
(Name Redacted) (Boardroom Apprentice)
(Name Redacted) (For Review of Board Effectiveness only)
(Name Redacted) (For ODT only)
(Name Redacted) (For ODT only)
(Name Redacted) (For ODT only)

Apologies: Mike Brennan, Sharon Hetherington

Agenda

Agenda Item	Actions arising from discussion	Action owner and current position (to be completed prior to the next Board meeting)
Agenda Item 1:Declaration of Interests	None
Agenda Item 2:Minutes 30/9/21 Board meeting	Agreed without amendment.
Agenda Item 3: Strategic Issues	There was discussion on a number of areas: Vocational Qualifications Review – pace with reforms. FE Review – Ministerial approval to commence 1^st phase received. Awaiting implications for Skills following yesterday’s Budget. Energy Strategy – timing of launch. RHI Tariffs – the judgement that has taken place. Covid update. EU Exit – proposals that have been made by the European Commission. High Street Voucher Scheme – statistics and delivery.
Agenda Item 4: Review of DfE Board Effectiveness	(Name Redacted) gave an overview of the review of DfE Board effectiveness that will be carried out by Business Consultancy Service:- Objective is to produce an action plan that will enhance Board effectiveness. Input from members will be via a questionnaire and 1 to 1 meetings. An action plan will be presented at January’s Board meeting. Board interaction with ALBs will be considered in the questionnaire.
Agenda Item 5: Finance Update	David Malcolm updated:- Spending Review Annual Accounts Actions: 1.Summary of the Autumn Budget 2021 paper to be shared with NEBMs and Boardroom Apprentice. 2.Deadline for the statutory laying of the Annual Accounts to be ascertained.	Shane Murphy David Malcolm
Agenda Item 6: Papers to Note	There was discussion on the following papers to note:- HR Update Ongoing concerns with recruitment and vacancy rate. NI Protocol Update Risks due to uncertainties. Machinery of Government Report. How the recommendations are being taken forward.
Agenda Item 7: AOB	There was no AOB.
Agenda Item 8: Organisational Delivery and Transformation Programme	Board members convened a Programme Board meeting for the rest of the available time.

Date of Next Meeting – Thursday 25 November 2021 at 10.30am