| David A Lavery (Chair) | Director, NICTS |
| The Hon Mr Justice Deeny | Judicial Representative |
| His Honour Judge Burgess, Recorder of Belfast | Judicial Representative |
| Mrs Bagnall, Presiding District Judge (MC) | Judicial Representative |
| Mr MacLynn, President, Appeals Tribunal | Judicial Representative |
| Jacqui Durkin. | Head of Business Operations |
| Geraldine Fee | Head of Criminal & Coroners Policy |
| Siobhan Broderick | Head of Civil Policy & Tribunal Reform |
| Anthony Carleton | Head of Business Support |
| Robert Crawford | Head of Public Funded Legal Services |
| Carol Moore | Department of Justice Representative |
| PJ Fitzpatrick | Independent Board Member |
| Colm McKenna | Independent Board Member |
Angela Barratt Secretary
Alison Houston Office of the Lord Chief Justice
Derek Anderson (Agenda items 7-9) Head of Risk & Assurance Branch
None
There were no conflicts of interest declared.
The Director formally welcomed the new Independent Board Member to his first
meeting.
1.1 The minutes of the meeting on 7 March were agreed, subject to an amendment at paragraph 2.5. The minutes were subsequently amended and signed and will now be published on the NICTS website.
1.2 There were no matters arising that were not covered on the agenda.
2.1 The Board noted the Director’s Report.
2.2 The Board discussed the increase in business volumes during 2010/11. The Department of Justice Representative commented that the DOJ Research and Statistics team were analysing the statistics to identify the reason for the increase.
2.3 It was noted that all courthouses in Northern Ireland have been re-accredited as meeting the Customer Service Excellence standard.
2.4 The organisational sickness absence levels for 2010/11 showed a decrease on the previous year.
2.5 The Board noted the legal challenge to the award of the Security and Ancillary Services contract.
2.6 The Board also noted the report following the ‘Review of Court Orders made in Sexual Offence Cases from 1997 to 2011’.
2.7 The Board noted that Criminal Justice Inspection NI is undertaking an inspection looking at the adequacy of the court & tribunal estate.
2.8 The Board noted the ongoing withdrawal of services by solicitors and barristers following the introduction of new Crown Court legal aid fees. The Minister had offered to hold an early review of the remuneration arrangements.
2.9 The Board discussed the proposed DOJ re-structure. The Judicial Representatives expressed reservations regarding the positioning of the NICTS as an Agency. They considered that this did not reflect the constitutional independence of the judiciary.
3.1 The Board noted the publication of the NICTS Business Plan for 2011/12, following approval by the Minister.
4.1 The Head of Business Operations provided an overview of the work of the NICTS Organisational Redesign Group and agreed to provide a further update at the September meeting.
5.1 The Finance Director provided an update on the financial position at 31 May and presented a synopsis of the 2010/11 end of year results and accounts. The Audit & Finance Committees had approved the end of year accounts, which had received an unqualified audit opinion, and were recommended to the Board.
5.2 Savings Delivery Plans had been approved by the Finance Committee. It was agreed to put proposals forward to the Minister for a consultation exercise on the possible phased closure of the Hearing Centres.
6.1 The Board noted the achievements in the 2010/11 Report.
7.1 The Board noted the quarterly report from the Audit and Risk Committees. The Audit Plan for 2011/12 had been approved by the Audit Committee and was noted by the Board.
7.2 There was a discussion of the risk associated with the withdrawal from cases by the legal profession following the introduction of the new Crown Court remuneration arrangements. It was agreed to review the Corporate Risk Register to reflect this.
8.1 The Head of Risk and Assurance Branch presented proposals for a Board Effectiveness Review. An overview of the findings would be presented to the Board at the September meeting.
9.1 There was no other business.
9.2 The next meeting will take place on Monday 26 September 2011.
Signed: David Lavery
Date: 26th September 2011
Chair