Minutes of the VSS Board Meeting No 111

Board Meeting Type: Strategic Board Meeting      

Wednesday 20^th March at 09:30 am

Titanic Suites, Adelaide Street

Board Members Present:

Sandra Horley (SH)                        Board Member (Interim Chair)

John Cahill (JC)                              Board Member

Brian Gilfedder (BG)                        Board Member

Catriona MacArthur (CMA)             Board Member

VSS Officers in Attendance:

Andrew Walker (AW) Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Guest Speaker: Steve Mungavin

Facilitator – Board Effectiveness Session

Apologies: John Cahill

Board Member

A   Board Effectiveness Session – facilitated by Steve Mungavin

The Board discussed a range of topics to assist with their assessment of effectiveness including:

· Welcome, introduction and governance horizon scan 

· Analysis of progress made from the assessment made in June 2024

· Areas of continuing Board development from 2024

· VSS strategy update

· Partnership Agreement with The Executive Office (TEO) and engagement plan

· Effectiveness of engagement with other stakeholders

· Induction plan

· Board Member appraisal and development

· Developing roles and responsibilities of a Board Member

o Summary of responsibilities

o Managing diversity of thought, conflicting views and corporate responsibility

o Understanding VSS business

o Leading on and embedding culture and behaviours

· Actions for 2025/26 and next steps

A range of actions were agreed, and Steve would provide a summary report from the session.

Steve left the meeting at 2 pm.

VSS Officers and Board Members continued with the remaining agenda matters.

B      Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Board approved the minutes of the previous meeting on 12 February 2025.

C      Conflict of Interest

Chair confirmed no conflicts of interest.

D       CEO Update

The CEO provided a verbal update on a small number of matters:

· Board Appointments – the Board noted the First Minister’s response to a question in the Assembly on 18 March and agreed that the Interim Chair will write again to FM/dFM, referencing that response and seeking an update on appointments.

· 2025/26 Self Directed Assistance Payments – CEO noted that budget is secured, cash availability confirmed by TEO, and Spot Check complete.  Payments will therefore issue in the first 2 weeks of April.

· 2026-2028 VSP – ongoing consultation, co-design and development of programme outline.  Aim remains to issue a funding call in May 2025.

· PEACEPLUS – launch (photoshoot and press release) planned for 8^th April.  FM/dFM have confirmed participation in photo.

· Staff Survey – survey is live now and outline results will be shared with Board in due course.

· HIA – redress closes shortly (2^nd April 2025) – WAVE continuing to support applicants on their waiting list with Statements of Experience.

· MBMLW – awaiting introduction of Bill to the Assembly (which will include Public Inquiry and Redress Scheme)

E       AOB/Close

K      Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 30^th April 2025.