Minutes of SMT Meeting held on 21 March 2023 at 12:30 in 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 from the previous meeting
The minutes from the 16 February 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 taking place today (21 March) by Premises staff, Management and Trade Union.
- It was also agreed that we would review our lone working policy which will be taken forward by the Head of Extractive Industries Group and his staff and will report back.
5. a) Audit, Risk Management and Finance
- SMT noted a legal case which is underway and agreed that this would not be included in the risk process.
5. b) Emerging Risks
- SMT discussed the issue of our underspend as we approach the year end. Financial Management Unit has done an excellent job tracking spend and seeking to ensure we minimise our underspend and fall within our 1% target.
- The ballot for industrial action has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. The potential impact is that HSENI would be unable to meet targets as a result of work to rule or strike action by staff. At the very least our service will be impacted as industrial action is likely to involve at least 50% of the workforce. SMT will continue to monitor the situation.
- Retained EU legislation is an ongoing issue for the Legislation Team. It continues to be a live issue with engagement continuing with the Department and GB colleagues and a desire to avoid any of our legislation made under EU cover, being sunsetted.
- SMT noted the disappointment that following the meetings with senior staff in NICSHR which unfortunately has not progressed any of our vacancies in the weeks that have followed. CEO agreed to send a further email to C Smart.
|
Date of SMT meeting where Emerging Risk was first discussed |
Nature of Emerging risk |
Action required |
Current Status of Emerging Risk |
|
21st March 2023 |
Underspend on HSENI’s 2022-23 budget due to staff vacancies and some programme spend not taking place. |
Financial Management Unit has been monitoring the spend and liaising with Heads of Groups and SMT. At present we anticipate coming in within our tolerance target for underspend. |
To be added to 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 balloted its members and is likely to progress with 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 |
|
16th February 2023 |
Retained EU Law Bill. Risk that legislation with its basis in S.2(2) of ECA may fall etc after 31.12.23. Risk that the volume of work required for REUL will mean other routine work will not progress as planned. |
Engagement with DfE and GB/HSE colleagues.
Monitor. |
To remain on Quarter 4 risk register as an emerging risk with a likelihood of 3 and an impact of 2. |
|
16th 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 took place with NICS HR but following these we have seen no further progress. CEO to write to C Smart seeking an update. |
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 a series of discussions with NICS HR on a number of staffing matters including recruitment delays, process to fill vacancies and two-way communications with NICSHR. Unfortunately several weeks later and nothing has changed. Chief Executive to write to C Smart.
7. Case and Project Work
- SMT discussed the Major Investigation Team update which had been provided and noted that at present there is a little capacity for additional case load.
8. Business Planning
- SMT discussed the launch of the Corporate Plan on 2 March. Feedback has been very positive and it was agreed that it was an excellent day for all who attended.
- It was noted that the final version of the Operating Plan is almost ready and will be shared with staff and the board.
9. Performance Monitoring
SMT noted that RIDDORs were down 3%, major accidents down 17%, fatals down 61%, complaints were down 25% and Improvement Notices served had doubled. The direction of travel is to be welcomed.
10. Board Business
SMT discussed a number of matters which will come to the Board meeting in April including Business Cases, Corporate Plan, provisional end of year figures the Partnership agreement.
11. Any Other Business
SMT discussed success and feedback from the welding event. There were 160 attendees from more than 120 duty holders and feedback indicated that a significant increase in knowledge was imparted during the day. It is planned to make the presentations available via our website.
12. Date of next meeting
The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 18 April 2023.
The meeting concluded at 1.30pm.