Minutes of Senior Management Team (SMT) meeting - August 2023

Minutes of SMT Meeting held on 16 August 2023 at 9.30am, Robens Room, Ladas Drive.

In attendance:                

  • R Kidd Chair and Chief Executive
  • N Monson Deputy Chief Executive
  • L Burns Deputy Chief Executive
  • K Neeson Deputy Chief Executive
  • B Monson Deputy Chief Executive

1. Apologies

There were no apologies.

2. Minutes of the last meeting 

The minutes from the 13 June meeting were agreed.

3. Action points

There were no action points not covered by the agenda.

4. Corporate health, safety and welfare

SMT noted and agreed the paper on the proposed solution for fire wardens in Ladas Drive. It will now be referred to TUS to invite their comments and endorsement.

There was also a discussion on the options for first aid training. SMT agreed that familiarisation with the defibrillator would be useful for all staff and so we will seek staff views on who would be willing to undertake first aid training as some options exist which include defib awareness.

SMT noted that R Magee has confirmed he will deliver Legionella awareness training for staff.

SMT discussed the front of the building which is overgrown and gives a very unprofessional image to visitors to the building.

It was also noted that G4S should be asked to unlock the rear pedestrian gate to prevent staff having to walk on the road when leaving the complex on foot.

It was also agreed to raise the issue of road marking at the rear of the building as the lines delineating the pedestrian areas are badly worn and it was agreed we should raise this with DoF estates as a safety matter.

5. (a) Audit, Risk Management and Finance

SMT discussed our data holdings in light of the recent PSNI data leak. Corporate Services and Information Management Unit (IMU) were involved in a discussion around some of what might be considered the higher risk documents and some actions were agreed. We agreed that we would report back to ARMC verbally at the next meeting.

The tabled finance paper was discussed and agreed with one amendment.

5. (b) Emerging risks

No new emerging risks were identified at this time.

6. Staffing

SMT discussed longer term staff absences and looked at the various report and BI dashboard which give us some information but with some discrepancy over the accuracy of the material. We will chat this through with the HR business partners at the next meeting.

7. Case and project work

SMT noted the MIT update and the fact that there are plenty of new cases coming onstream.

8. Business planning

It was noted that the signed RTTCWG has now been received.

9. Performance monitoring

SMT noted there have been five fatalities already since 1 April. Interaction numbers are on target for the year. Complaints are up 15%, RIDDORS are slightly down and Majors are up by 15% and Prohibition Notices are up 40% compared to last year.

10. Board business

The board will meet on 26 September to discuss the Annual Report and members have been asked to provide their thoughts in writing in advance of the workshop to allow them to be considered more fully.

11. Any other business

SMT briefly discussed which PI would be asked to speak at the next board meeting.

SMT considered the opportunity to take in a placement student in 2024 and we agreed that our opportunities are limited and the budget uncertainty makes it difficult to commit to another salary.

K Neeson raised the prospect of delivering an electrical safety course relating to EV charging points.

SMT discussed the Staff Survey document and noted that once again HSENI has come out very highly rated by our staff. The paper will now go to the WWSG and then be shared with all staff.

12. Date of next meeting

The date of the next meeting is scheduled for 13 September 2023.

The meeting concluded at 1.45pm.