Minutes of the 131st meeting of the board of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland held on Thursday 20 June 2024 at 11.30am in the T&R Room, HSENI, Ladas Drive.
Present
Board Members:
- Mrs C Irwin - Chair
- Dr P Hart
- Mr S McDowell
- Mrs S Rooney
- Mr G Strong
HSENI Officials:
- Mr R Kidd - Chief Executive
- Mr L Burns - Deputy Chief Executive
- Mr K Neeson - Deputy Chief Executive
- Mr M Ditchfield - HSENI Finance Unit
- Mrs U Dempster - HSENI Accountant
- Mrs D Mullan - HSENI
- Ms L Nelson - Secretary
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. Apologies
- Dr B Monson - Deputy Chief Executive
- Mrs N Monson - Deputy Chief Executive
2. Corporate health, safety and welfare
Nothing to report.
3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest(s)
Nothing to report.
4. Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) 2023/2024
Mr McDowell reported that at the ARMC meeting, Mr Stewart from Ross Boyd Ltd (External Auditors) was pleased to report a clean audit and an unqualified set of accounts, with one priority 3 recommendation to review and refresh the Annual Report.
Mr McDowell stated that NI Audit Office (NIAO) has requested that the signing of the accounts is held back until next week with a view to having the accounts certified on 3 July and laid on 5 July. The Chief Executive provided an update for the Chair on the process of signing the accounts and the use of electronic signatures.
The Chief Executive thanked everyone for their work on the ARA and thanked Board members for their comments in relation to the document.
Mr McDowell reported that at the Audit and Risk Management Committee (ARMC) meeting, the Annual Report and Accounts had been discussed and recommended to the Board for signing in due process.
The Chair requested that Board members are informed via email once the Chair and Chief Executive have signed the accounts.
Mrs Mullan reported that she will inform the Board if any further changes are made by NIAO and Ross Boyd Ltd before the accounts are signed.
The Chair acknowledged the work carried out to produce the Annual Report and Accounts and thanked Mr Burns, Mrs Mullan and all staff involved in the process. The Chair agreed with the recommendation to review the report ahead of next year.
The Annual Report and Accounts were formally adopted and approved by the Board for signing week beginning 24 June 2024.
Action:
- Board members to be updated via email once the Annual Report and Accounts have been signed
5. Report to Those Charged with Governance year end 31 March 2024
The Chief Executive reported that HSENI was content with the draft Report to Those Charged with Governance and had accepted the priority 3 recommendation to review the Annual Report and Accounts. The Chief Executive confirmed that SMT will engage with the Board and review the format of the document, adding that it is important to reflect all activities carried out by the organisation.
The Chair stated that it is important to start the review of the document within the next few months. Mr McDowell values the information in the report but also welcomes the recommendation to carry out a review of the document.
The Chair thanked everyone for their comments.
6. Any Other Business (AOB)
Nothing discussed.
7. Date and venue of next meeting Board meeting
Thursday 25 July 2024 at 10:00am, T&R Room, HSENI, Ladas Drive, Belfast.
Board closed at 11:50am.
Board Minutes adopted and approved.
They were signed by Mrs Irwin on 25 July 2024.