Department for the Economy Board minutes 2024 - 29 February 2024

Agenda Item

Actions Arising from Discussion

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

Agenda Item 1: Presentation by Labour Relations Agency

Gordon Milligan, Chair, Labour Relations Agency, gave an introduction to the Board. He mentioned the independent review by Business Consultancy Service, the success of their recruitment campaign, the pure statutory requirement of the Agency, trying to resolve issues before the need to go to conciliation, development of good workplace relationships, their upcoming conference on flexible and hybrid working and the NI Engagement Forum.

Don Leeson, Chief Executive, Labour Relations Agency, presented.

Vision and Purpose

• The vision was set by their Board some 7 years ago and may need revisiting.

Values

• They are very much a values led organisation and set themselves a very high benchmark.

What They Do

• They are best known for resolving workplace disputes.
• They have an overarching duty to improve employee relations.
• They have the power to intervene in collective bargaining arrangements.
• They work to prevent workplace disputes happening.

Research

• The cost of workplace conflict in NI is circa £1bn per annum. There are a number of recommendations around early intervention and informed resolution.
• Other research on building a business case for good jobs.

Delivering the Minister’s Economic Mission

• Good Jobs – charters with hospitality and care homes. Developed good employment charter for NI.
• Inclusive Growth & Reducing Economic Inactivity – improving access to flexible working.
• There will be a new Engagement Forum.

Holiday Pay Conciliation

• This is a statutory duty.
• 190k Tribunal claims from 13k claimants.
• Need about 20+ staff for 3 years to administer.

Agenda Item 2: Board Register of Interests/ Conflicts

No new interests declared.

Agenda Item 3: ODT Agenda

Board members convened a Programme Board meeting.

Agenda Item 4: Minister’s Priority and 10X

Giulia Ni Dhulchaointigh presented.

• Over the last weeks Minister has made clear what his priorities are and metrics at a high level.
• We need to have a structure around this and this has been discussed with SpAd and Leadership. G3s will lead workshops for each priority.
• We need to engage with Partner Organisations to clarify questions around 10x ASAP.
• This needs to be appropriately resourced.
• We need governance structures to keep on track with delivery, though careful not to set up too many.
• We need to clarify with Minister the outcomes/changes he wants delivered.
• We need partnership working in practice to produce a set of metrics.
• The language in pages 12 and 13 of the Board paper needs revisited.

Agenda Item 5: Minutes of Previous Meetings

Minutes of the January meeting were approved without amendment.

Agenda Item 6: Strategic Issues

Ian Snowden presented.

Restoration of the Executive

• There are a lot of positive noises around the Executive table.
• Minister Murphy has come in at significant pace. He is clear about what direction he wants to go and what his priorities are. His decisions are unambiguous and speedy. He is willing to take tough decisions and ownership.
• City of Derry Airport paper has been presented to him, which he asked to be reconsidered. Need to be precise with what is put in papers and expect him to read them.
• He is willing to take on the Ministerial direction on the flooding scheme.
• The Committee has been briefed by Perm Sec and the G3s.
• DfE staff are being briefed on processes. There should be an in-depth session for SCS at a future SMT, including being in front of the Committee.

Major Capital Projects

• A report has been published by Audit Office about major capital projects and there will be a focus on that.

Major Projects in the Public Sector

• The Audit Office have held a session of all SROs of Major Projects in the Public Sector.
• There is a report on the route causes of delay.
• We need fundamental reform of the planning system.
• Staffing is an issue.

Agenda Item 7: Budget Discussion

(Name redacted) made a presentation on information gathering for 2024/25.

• DoF have commissioned an information gathering exercise to inform the Executive for the 2024/25 budget. This will not be in place for April but ASAP.
• We aren’t modelling any reduction in budget.
• Inescapable pressures have increased including recent pay pressures and proposals out now. Pay funding is not rolled forward into 2024/25.
• There are inescapable pressures of 7.5% but savings to date are currently £15.7m, however we don’t have the financial package yet. There are savings from actions taken forward in 2023/24.
• The focus of the return to DoF is on bids. A list of priorities and bids was presented listed in priority order as discussed with Minister but this has to be confirmed.
• HMT & Irish Govt Anticipated Earmarked Funding - Windsor Framework funding for 2024/25 was discussed and will be looked at separately. Funding is from HMT. DoF want Departments to declare funding they anticipate getting outside of the Block grant. We have been assured that 3 New Deal items will flow into 2024/25.
• Alternate Funding Bids – These are to allow the Executive information on things they may need to make decisions on. Need to look at Catalyst more holistically.
• No major change to the Capital picture presented last month.
• Current Financial Position 2023/24 – received £12.1m from the Executive to meet pressures and potential pay awards. Balanced RDEL. Received £9m Capital which is also balanced.

Agenda Item 8: Papers for Approval

Corporate Risk Register Update

Alan Russell presented.

• A new risk has been added re the sustainability of the HE structure.
• A risk on the flood scheme has not been fully worked up.
• A risk appetite session will be scheduled in the near future.
• Priorities are changing rapidly.
• The Board agreed the Corporate Risk register Quarter 3 updates.

Stormont Brake Implications for DfE

Shane Murphy presented.

• The Board agreed that SCS staff should be the grade in front of the Committee at the outset.
• The Board approved the guidance provided to inform a consistent, deliverable and politically neutral approach to DfE’s response.
• The Board approved the proposal that the DfE Operational Advisory Group provides departmental oversight and strategic direction to these processes.

Agenda Item 9: Papers for Discussion

Quarterly HR Update

(Name redacted) presented.

• A significant number of vacancies are expected to be filled over the coming months due to the supply position.
• If vacancies aren’t declared then staffing won’t be allocated.
• End to end recruitment will be moving to NICSHR.

Agenda Item 10: Any Other Business

There was no other business.