Minutes of the SMT meeting held on 16 February 2023 at 9:30am in the 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
- M McIntyre HR Business Partner (Item 6 only)
- J Smyth HR Business partner team (Item 6 only)
1. Apologies
There was an apology from B Monson.
2. Minutes from the previous meeting
The minutes from the 18 January meeting were agreed.
3. Action Points
There were no action points not covered by the agenda.
4. Corporate Health, Safety and Welfare
An inspection of the premises is currently being arranged with premises, management side and Trade Union side. This will take place when a suitable date for all is found.
5. (a) Audit, Risk Management and Finance
SMT noted the tendering of the Internal Audit contract. The Board recently approved the commencement of the process with a view to having a replacement auditor appointed by the summer.
5. (b) Emerging Risks
- Overspend on HSENI’s 2022-23 budget due to pay rise in excess of 2.5% budget – this emerging risk is no longer an issue as a formal pay offer has been made within 2.5% budgeted by Financal Management Unit.
- HSENI unable to deliver to meet targets as a result of work to rule or strike action by staff – no further updates on this. SMT will continue to monitor the situation.
- Retained EU legislation is an ongoing issue of the Legislation team. It is very much a live issue with a great deal of engagement with the Department and GB colleagues and a desire to avoid any of our legislation made under EU cover, being sunset.
- Ongoing issue of staffing vacancies was noted and there are a number of meetings due to place in the coming weeks with NICS HR colleagues.
Table of Emerging Risks
| Date of SMT meeting where Emerging Risk was first discussed | Nature of Emerging risk | Action required | Current Status of Emerging Risk |
| Carried forward from Quarter 3 risk register | Overspend on HSENI’s 2022-23 budget due to pay rise in excess of 2.5% budget | No action required. Emerging risk to be removed from Quarter 4 risk register as final pay offer made and within 2.5% budget. | To be removed from Quarter 4 risk register |
| Carried forward from Quarter 3 risk register | HSENI unable to deliver to meet targets as a result of work to rule or strike action by staff | NIPSA has confirmed that it is consulting with its members and is likely to ballot members on possible strike/work to rule action. Management will continue to monitor the situation. | Currently being monitored by SMT – to remain on Quarter 4 risk register as an emerging risk |
| 16 February 2023 | Retained EU law bill. Risk that legislation with its basis in S.2(2) of ECA may fall etc 31.12.23. Risk that the volume of work required for Retained European Union Legislation (REUL) will mean other routine work will not progress as planned. | Engagment with DfE and GB/HSE colleagues. Monitor. | To be added to Quarter 4 risk register as an emerging risk with a likelihood of 3 and an impact of 2. |
| 16 February 2023 | Of the current eight vacancies, six are considered to have the potential to jeopardise statutory functions or Corporate Plan targets in the short term. | Regular liaison with NICS HR to highlight the importance of filling critical vacancies – a number of meetings to take place with NICS HR over the coming weeks | To be added to Quarter 4 risk register as a Business Continuity Risk with the likelihood of 3 and an impact of 3. |
6. Staffing
SMT had an open and frank discussion with M McIntyre and J Smyth on a number of staffing matters including recruitment delays, process to fill vacancies, two-way communications with NICS HR, reporting tools and data quality and provision of advice and support in a timely manner.
7. Case and Project Work
SMT discussed the Major Investigation Team update which had been provided and noted that at present there is some capacity for additional cases.
8. Business Planning
- SMT considered some of the matters for the Agenda of the launch of the Corporate Plan on 2 March.
- It was noted that the bi-laterals were all now complete and it had been a worthwhile engagement with all Heads of Groups.
9. Performance Monitoring
L Burns updated SMT that accident numbers remain lower than the previous year. Visit contact numbers are 4,489 so on target for the 5,000 by year end. Complaint numbers remain significantly lower even when compared to pre Covid years. Fatalities down by 61% on this time last year, Over-three-day incidents are down to 1,576 and Major Accidents are down by 19%.
10. Board Business
It was noted that the Board has agreed to the Board Effectiveness Review independent exercise being carried out through the Chief Executives' Forum (CEF) who offer an off the shelf package for this service. The Board comments on the Terms of Reference were passed to the Chief Executive of CEF in order that they could be taken into consideration as part of the exercise.
11. Any other business
SMT discussed and agreed to the re-opening of the front of the building. As part of this we will be asking Premises to have the landscape contractors clear the paths and tidy the front area up.
12. Date of next meeting
The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 22 March 2023.
The meeting concluded at 1.30pm.