Minutes of the VSS Board Meeting No 83

Board Meeting Type: Strategic Board            

Tuesday 9 November at 10:00am

Clayton Hotel, Belfast

Board Members Present:

Oliver Wilkinson (OW)               Chair

Patricia Haren (PH)                  Board Member

Bertha McDougall (BMcD)         Board Member

Beverley Clarke (BC)                Board Member

VSS Officers in Attendance:

Margaret Bateson (MB)              CEO

Andrew Walker (AW)                Head of Service Development

Ivor Johnston (TL)                    Acting Head of Corporate Services

Bryan Leonard (BL)                  Head of Health and Wellbeing

Melissa McCartan (MMcC)         Business Support Officer (minutes)

A      Apologies

Richard Solomon, Board member.

B     Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 October 2021 were agreed. 

C       CEO Reporting by Exception

MB advised the Board that there is no significant update since the VSS Quarterly Board meeting on 19 October 2021. The following key points were noted:

- An update was provided to the Board on Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA). MB advised that she is due to meet TEO tomorrow to discuss how to take forward the outstanding development and operational improvements between VSS and Redress Board. It was noted that the Review of the Redress process may result in a changing role for VSS and increased demand for support and services.

- The new Victims Strategy for the Troubles/conflict is currently under development and VSS continue to engage in a co-design process with the sector. The Board noted there is a significant risk in that there will be no new strategy in place ahead of VSS submitting Peace Plus Business Plan/funding application in early 2022.

- MB highlighted that the needs of the Bereaved are not being met. The Board noted that MB is currently drafting a policy paper in respect of the Bereaved.

- The Board noted a significant risk around Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in NI (MBI-MLW) in that a decision is to be made between TEO and DoH in relation to who will take responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations of the Truth Recovery Design Panel’s report into MBI-MLW. MB advised VSS continue to provide interim emotional support to victims of MBI-MLW.

BMcD requested an update on the October Monitoring Round bid. The Board noted that TEO has indicated that this has been approved (final written confirmation pending) and VSS await formal budget confirmation and funding.

 D     PEACE Plus Consultation Response

AW delivered a presentation on Peace IV & Peace Plus: Review, Reflection and Planning. Key areas covered included:

- Background to Peace IV and progress to date

- Peace IV Workforce Training and Development

- Peace IV Research Projects

- Background to Peace Plus Programme and VSS’ approach

- Peace Plus Consultation Response

AW welcomed feedback and questions from the VSS Board members and then engaged in separate Q&A session in relation to the new Victims Strategy.

E      Guidance on Conflicts of Interest

IJ provided an update on the new guidance on conflicts of interest. The Board noted this paper.

F     Board Effectiveness Training – Next Steps

IJ provided the Board with an update on the Board Effectiveness Training.

It was noted the Board Effectiveness Training will take place in February 2022 with an external facilitator.

G     Next Meeting

Provisional date for the next meeting of the Board is Wednesday 8 December 2021.  This meeting will be to approve the Annual Report and Accounts and also to plan out next year’s Communications plan/activity (with Brown O’Connor).