Minutes of The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) Board Meeting No 123

Board Meeting Type: Quarter End

Wednesday 6^th May 2026 at 9.30am (Members only) and 10.00am (All attendees)

Seatem House, Belfast

Board Members Present:

Brian Gilfedder (BG) Board Member (Meeting Chair)

Catriona MacArthur (CMA) Board Member

John Cahill (JC) Board Member

VSS Officers in Attendance:

Andrew Walker (AW) Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Tara Lewsley (TL) Head of Learning and Growth

Victoria Murray (VM) Head of Corporate Services (Minutes)

Nicola Nugent (NN) Head of Health and Wellbeing

Apologies

Sandra Horley (SH) Board Member

Emma Dargan (ED) Head of Service Development

1. Opening, Minutes and Actions

· The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting.

· The minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 March 2026 were approved.

· There were no conflicts of interest declared.

Chairperson’s Report

In the absence of a Chairperson, no Chairperson’s Report has been completed for the quarter.

2. CEO Update – Key Issues

VSP Programme Funding Call Completion

Funding call was successfully completed, with 35 organisations funded (plus 3 for PEACE PLUS overheads).

Funding decisions prioritised maintaining current service levels, covering pay inflation, and addressing urgent structural issues.

Total allocations are significantly below demonstrated demand, causing concern within the sector.

Budget Issues

Projected underspend of £169k (0.8%) for the 2025/26 financial year, within overall tolerance.

No confirmed budget for 2026/27 as at 31 March 2026. Subsequent indicative allocation letter received on 13 April sets out a flat budget position for T/c and 3% increases in ring fenced funding areas, with MBMLW adjusted slightly below business case approved level.

Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses (MBMLW)

Redress legislation is progressing, with amendments proposed by TEO Committee that could have significant implications for applicant numbers.

VSS currently supporting design of redress application process. Cost proposals submitted to TEO estimate additional costs of redress support at £3m - £5m over 6 years.

Redress Scheme start date now forecast as late 2026.

Historical Institutional Abuse

VSS is awaiting outcome of TEO review and progress on business case addendum.

One‑year contract extensions will be issued to existing community partners for 2026/27 pending a new funding call process.

PEACEPLUS

Request to extend the project term was rejected and forecast underspends will be decommitted from the project budget.

Likely that potential for extension will be reconsidered in 2027.

Victims Payment Scheme

Approaching application deadline (31 August 2026) may lead to a late surge in applications.

Sector calling for clearer, targeted communications to improve awareness.

CVS facilitating sector discussions and possible representations.

RTN Review

Independent review commissioned and commenced in April.

3. Finance & Programme Performance

Budget Position by Area

Troubles/conflict and TPDPS: Close to full allocation spent following final awards to funded organisations in 4^th quarter.
HIA: Underspend of £94k in line with forecast, largely due to vacancies in funded organisations.
MBMLW: Underspend of £58k in line with forecast, due to needs-led demand less than business case projections.
PEACEPLUS: Underspend against original budget due to delayed recruitment, expenditure in line with latest forecast provided to SEUPB.

4. Risk Management

Seven organisational risks (2 red, 5 amber). Key highlights:

STG80 – Budget pressure score reduced following receipt of indicative budget allocation and completion of VSP call.
STG82 – MBMLW redress scaling risk remains significant given ongoing uncertainty around redress model and timescales.
STG84 – HIA 10‑year delivery risk remains significant pending approval of business case addendum.
STG84 – delivery of organisational objectives present at 31 March in absence of budget but be de-escalated following receipt of indicative budget.
Risks related to PEACEPLUS cashflow and sustainability and governance oversight also tracked.

5. Assurance & Performance Delivery

The Quarterly ALB Report and Quarterly Assurance Statement were noted with no questions.
Overall performance against Delivery Plan targets positive; out of 43 targets, 31 Green and 8 Green/Amber, 2 Amber, 2 Red.
T/c Education and Training target not achieved due to uptake – associated funding redirected in year to support enhanced delivery across other programme areas.
HIA Open Call process target not achieved pending business case approval, with TEO agreement.
PEACEPLUS outcomes being closely monitored, with updated delivery plans requested from partners where delivery not on track.

6. Committee Updates

Audit & Risk Committee

Satisfactory internal audit report received on MBMLW
External audit fee increase of 4%

Health & Wellbeing Committee:

Ongoing work on development of clinical standards for Children and Young People.
Update on focus on staff training within VSS.
Progress ongoing towards Gold Trauma Informed Accreditation, plus planning for roll out of support to Community Partners.

7. Board Workplan and Development

Annual Board Self-Assessment to take place during 20 May Board meeting.

8. Compliance

· Members noted the Compliance and Client Risk papers.

9. Any Other Business

· The Board approved the 2026/27 Opening Budget allocations proposed by Management.

· Discussion of process regarding extension of terms for members nearing completion of first term, CEO to progress with members over coming weeks.

· Consideration of strategic Board sessions for 2026/27:

May: Board Self-Assessment

June/November: TEO Lead Official attendance

September/February: Updates on service delivery and engagement with community partner organisations.

December: Strategic planning

· Proposal to use recording solution for minute-taking; this will be trialled at internal VSS meetings before roll out to Board with member consent.

· Discussion of difficulties arising from ongoing lack of Interim Chair – VSS to compile list of key issues/risks for TEO. Members discussed and considered other options to highlight their concern in this area.

Date of Next Meeting

20 May 2026 – Equality House