Minutes of the VSS Board Meeting No 88

Board Meeting Type: Strategic Session         

Tuesday 10 May 2022  - 10:00

Remote, via Zoom

 

 

Board Members Present:

Patricia Haren (PH)                   Board Member

Bertha McDougall (BMcD)         Board Member

 

VSS Officers in Attendance:

Margaret Bateson (MB)              CEO

Andrew Walker (AW)                Head of Service Development

Bryan Leonard (BL)                   Head of Health & Wellbeing

 

 

A      Apologies

 

The Chair, Oliver Wilkinson, sent apologies.  Nicola Nugent (VSS) also unable to attend.

 

The Board noted that with only two members, it was inquorate and could take no decisions (including ratification of previous minutes etc).  It was agreed that the meeting would proceed as a strategic/informational session – without any decisions being made.

 

 

 

B     Minutes of previous meeting

 

To be agreed by correspondence in lieu of a quorum at board meeting.

 

C       CEO Reporting by Exception

 

MB noted the situation with respect to the laying of accounts and submission to companies house.  Upon advice from TEO, accounts sent to Assembly Business Office on 9th May, and later on 9th May lodged at Companies House.

Assembly Business Office subsequently declined the accounts advising that laying could not yet take place as Assembly remains dissolved.

 

VSS has adhered to guidance, advice and legal obligations in respect of this matter (and informed NIAO and TEO of situation).

 

D       Strategic Session - Communications

 

Arlene O’Connor and Eimear Quinn from Brown O’Connor facilitated a session/discussion looking at VSS communications strategy.  The following points were discussed:

 

·       Reflection of current political environment (inc recent NI Elections)

 

·       Revision to VSS Purpose (Power of Choice work recently completed) & move towards more community-led service/model.

 

·       VSS Reputation – what has worked well

 

o   HIA Apology, HIA services

o   Relationships built and maintained

o   Maintaining reputation and relationships during Covid (by being flexible, taking risks, amending approaches)

o   Clear comms to internal and external stakeholders.

 

·       (and less well)

o   Pressure on staff

o   Taking on new areas at short notice and at pace

 

·       Risks and Opportunities – in addition to those on the slides, discussed new Service Delivery Model, Peace Plus and Victims Strategy as opportunities.  In terms of risks – staffing remains a challenge, and need to carefully manage comms re TPDPS (given staffing challenges in VPB also).  Risks also around Board complement (AP – VSS to write to TEO for update on recruitment situation after 13th May)

 

·       Social Media discussed – clear that appropriate resource required if this was to be considered.  To revisit after new staffing structure is embedded (including Planning & Comms Manager/team).

 

·       Stakeholder Engagement – to consider re-engaging with MLAs (specifically new MLAs, victims spokespersons and TEO Committee in due course).

 

 

Arlene and Eimear will collate points from above, and draft a comms plan in line with the discussions held today.

 

 

 

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