Minutes of the VSS Board Meeting No 79
Board Meeting Type: Strategic Board
Tuesday 9 March 2021 at 10:00am
Remote – via Zoom
Board Members Present:
Oliver Wilkinson (OW) Chair
Patricia Haren (PH) Board Member
Bertha McDougall (BMcD) Board Member
Richard Solomon (RS) Board Member
Beverley Clarke (BC) Board Member
VSS Officers in Attendance:
Margaret Bateson (MB) Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Walker (AW) Acting Head of Service Development
Tara Lewsley (TL) Acting Head of Corporate Services
Bryan Leonard (BL) Head of Health and Wellbeing
Melissa McCartan (MM) Business Support Officer (minutes)
No apologies received.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 09 February 2021 were approved.
MB provided the Board with an update on Mother and Baby and Magdalene Laundry Institutions.
The Board noted receipt of one NIPSO complaint and a judicial review.
The Board noted RSM’s final draft report of the Evaluation of the Strategy for Victims and Survivors (2009-2019).
AW delivered a presentation summarising key areas for discussion. The Board engaged in a discussion and feedback session, highlighting what did and did not work well and what themes and patterns could be explored in the next strategy.
The Board noted Ministers have approved the re-opening of the Bereaved SDA scheme with effect from 1 April 2021.
There was discussion around the Transgenerational Research Project. It was noted this report will be discussed with Board members at the May 2021 meeting.
BL provided an update on the work carried out around substance misuse/addictions. An update was then provided on VSS approach to engaging, co-designing and communicating with VSS funded organisations on the upcoming important strategic developments.
The next meeting of the VSS Board is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 20 April 2021.