Department for the Economy Board minutes 2024 - 4 November 2024

No new interests declared.

Paul Duffy presented:

• There have been challenges setting up the programme including getting the right resources. They needed to get the foundations and timing right.
• A high-level target operating model has been more or less agreed.
• HR is looking to insource a number of functions which are currently outsourced, payroll will still be outsourced.
• A cloud-based solution has been procured.
• Procurement of a delivery partner is ongoing which is down to three potential suppliers.
• Co-design workshops have started.
• Starting to design processes and a communication programme.
• The case for change includes inconsistency with data, inconsistency of service levels for departments, opportunities for automation of some work, the current systems are outdated and unsustainable and current contracts are prohibitively expensive.
• The key message is for standardisation, particularly with finance.

Kirstie Murray presented:

• This will change structure and ways of working for over 1,000 finance and HR staff. It impacts over 1,000 processes. It moves to one cloud based technology solution which has quarterly updates. It delivers modern services for all staff across NICS, within scope ALBs and external users.
• Kirstie detailed the operating model which has execution, organisation and resource layers.
• Decisions on governance are through delivery and design governance structures, headed by the DoF Permanent Secretary.
• Organisational structure will change. Transactional processes need driven down and moved to the centre.
• The programme is currently in the co-design phase. Looking forward to the appointment of the delivery partner and working through the detailed design with them. finance will be looked at first, then HR, then could take ALBs on board.
• Funding has been allocated to departments to aid them through the life of the programme. Senior stakeholder sponsorship, endorsement and support is requested along with a commitment to the principle of standardisation and ‘Adopt not Adapt.

Minutes of the September meeting were agreed without amendment.

City and Growth Deals

• Time is being invested on accountability and governance processes. Responsibility for approval is with DfE.

Invest NI Review

• Slippage and delivery dates had been discussed earlier.
• The existing Leadership position has been resolved and it is in a good position.
• There is a business continuity concern and mitigations needed in the transition of new people.

Democratic Consent Vote

• Likely outcomes were discussed, and the current position was noted

ARAC minutes of 3 September 202424

• No issues raised.

Finance update

• Finance Division is trialling a new format of providing information which was thought very helpful by Board Members.
• Barnett funding was discussed. There is still a shortfall.

Contracts register

AP: Better formatting is needed. We want to know more about if work has been started on a contract and if it is big and complex.

Laura McPolin

Q2 Business Plan 2024-25 Progress Update

• A decision on action 38 (working towards delivery of an enhanced investment zone for the North) is expected to be made today.
• Action 20 about vacating Fermanagh House has been achieved.
• The December date for the Skills Action Plan is not correct.

AP: Proposed date for Skills Action Plan to be confirmed.

Q2 Corporate Risk Register Update

• A query on the risk rating for RHI has been discussed earlier and resolved. The update was approved by the Board.

Moira Doherty

There was no other business