Minutes of the VSS Board Meeting No 89

Board Meeting Type: Quarter End Board Meeting  

Tuesday 26 July 2022 at 10:00am

Remote – via Zoom

 

 

Board Members Present:

Oliver Wilkinson (OW)               Chair

Patricia Haren (PH)                   Board Member

Bertha McDougall (BMcD)         Board Member

Sarah McKnight (SMcK)            Board Apprentice

 

VSS Officers in Attendance:

Margaret Bateson (MB)             Chief Executive Officer

Andrew Walker (AW)                Acting Head of Corporate Services

Emma Dargan (ED)                  Acting Head of Service Development

Bryan Leonard (BL)                    Head of Health and Wellbeing

Carla Forte (CF)                         Business Support Officer (minutes)

 

 

A      Apologies

 

Apology noted from Nicola Nugent.

 

B     Minutes of the Previous Meeting

 

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 08 February 2022 were approved.

 

 

 

 

D      Conflict of Interest

 

        No conflicts declared

 

D1    Supplier List / Agenda Items

 

The Board noted this paper.

 

D2    Declaration Form

 

No conflicts of interest were declared.

 

F      Quarter End December 2020

 

F1    CEO/AO Exception Report

 

 

  MB provided an update on the difficulties of the external operating environment including the absence of an Executive, an expired Victim’s strategy and continuing uncertainty over the VSS budget. All ALBs are in the same situation.  Peace funding is yet to be confirmed but TEO have confirmed they will provide gap funding in the interim as and when required.   This is positive news. 

 

  The Board asked for an update on the impact on VSS of the budget uncertainty.  MB advised that there is currently no budget for 2022/2023 allocated for HIA and Mother and Babies.  If this is assumed to be the same as last year, we anticipate no issues.

 

  However, if this remains the same for the Troubles/conflict, it will be problematic in three key areas:  (1) scheme for the bereaved re-opened and these payments have been made (2) salary uplifts from 2016 to current NJC scales within VSP funding (3) commitment VSS made to community and voluntary partners to review rates of psychological therapies in line with the new Regional Trauma Network due to launch in August 2022.

 

  MB also provided an update on the internal impact. 13 staff out of just over 50 are agency cover and this not a long term solution. Front line functions are operating well but issues in the Finance and Governance team remain.  There have been no applications for the DP Accountant and a shortage of Finance staff is being seen across the public sector.   The HOCS returns from maternity leave on 1st August 2022 and other options including daily rate accountants from a private firm will need to be considered.

 

  The Board asked for further information on the Redress review.  MB confirmed that the redress review has been completed with 28 recommendations made. A VSS response to TEO is due in August 2022.  MB also stressed that the review has not been well received by victims and survivors.

 

F2    Quarterly ALB Performance Report

 

The Board noted this paper.

 

F2.1   Annex 1 - Strategic Risk Register

 

The Board noted this paper.

 

F2.2    Annex 2 – Budget Report

 

The Board noted this paper.

 

F3    Quarterly Assurance Statement

 

The Board noted this paper.

 

F4    Quarterly Outcomes Based M&E 

 

The Board noted this paper.

 

 

H Work Plan & Development

 

  AW stated that there are some activities in work plan & that there are a reasonable number of action points in relation to the self- assessment which will be taken forward in the remainder of the financial year.

 

  AW also stated that an accurate and detailed listing of all training Board Members have undertaken needs to be prioritised over the next coming weeks. CF to undertake and update training document for next Quarter End Board Meeting in

October.

 

H1    Board Attendance/Work Plan

 

The Board noted this paper.

The Chair advised that he will be in contact with Board members individually to arrange Board appraisal dates.

 

20.04.21 AP1: TL to circulate 2020/21 Board appraisal form.   

 

                      

H2    Board Training Update and Questionnaire

 

The Board noted this paper. 

 

         

H3    Board Self-Assessment Update                                    

 

The Board noted this paper. 

 

 

I       Standing Agenda Items

 

  I1     Compliance Update

 

The Board noted this paper. 

 

 

 J     Any other Business

 

  Chair of the Board OW took the opportunity to acknowledge that this would be MB last Board Meeting. OW stated that it had been a pleasure working with MB, thanked her for the work she had undertaken in VSS and wished her every success in her future endeavours. MB responded by thanking the Board for their continuing support and in transforming the organisation to ensure there is now a great team in place going forward.

 

  OW also asked for CF to send out an email to board members to confirm future board meeting dates.

 

  Date of Next Meeting

 

The next meeting of the VSS Board is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 13 September 2022.