Members Present:
Dorinnia Carville, Chair (C&AG)
Rodney Allen (COO)
Patrick Barr (Director)
Suzanne Jones (Director)
Colette Kane (Director)
Brian O’Neill (Director)
Seamus Wade (Director)
Tomas Wilkinson (Director)
In Attendance:
Jill Aicken (Head of Organisation Development & People) – Agenda Item 2
Megan O’Neill (Head of Corporate Services) – Agenda Item 6
Frances Byrne (Head of Corporate Affairs) – Agenda Item 7
Teri Nicholl (Secretariat Support)
Apologies:
None
Declaration of Conflicts of Interest
There were no conflicts declared by members.
Minutes of previous meeting Matters Arising
Minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 October 2025 were agreed and the matters arising noted as updated.
1. Corporate Management Team (CMT) Briefing
There was no briefing this month as the CMT meeting has not yet taken place.
2. People and OD
2.1
People and OD Monthly Report
Jill Aicken presented the Head of People and OD report. Members noted the increase in sickness levels, mainly due to Long-Term incidents.
Members also noted current recruitment opportunities, ongoing work around succession planning, training and an update on the review of HR policies. Members were asked to ensure that all Performance Management reviews are completed.
3. Strategic Projects
3.1
Workforce Planning
Seamus Wade provided an update on the work of the Operational Resource Team relating to the Operational Structure to deliver a model of financial and performance audits.
3.2 People Engagement Programme
Rodney Allen noted that the next People Engagement Programme Steering Group meeting is scheduled for 24 November and requested completed templates from director leads.
3.3 Accommodation Project
Members agreed to stand down Accommodation as a Strategic Project with any updates in relation to Accommodation to be included in the monthly Corporate Services Report.
4. Strategic Performance
4.1
Management Information Report – Financial Audit and Public Reporting
It was noted that there are still several outstanding timesheets that need to be approved and some anomalies in the report that need to be addressed. A list of outstanding timesheets is to be prepared and circulated to Directors to ensure all timesheets are approved and up to date and the Management Information Report to be prepared and reviewed again at the next weekly SLT meeting on 25 November 2025.
4.2 Position re Backlog Accounts
Members noted the position presented.
4.3 Net Zero Action Plan – Quarterly Update
Brian O’Neill presented the Quarterly Update, highlighting that the Action Plan is to be renewed with actions mapped to the overall emissions target.
4.4 Charge out Rates
Brian O’Neill presented a paper outlining a number of options, taking account of various assumptions, for the charge-out rates applicable to audits of 2025-26 financial statements. After discussion, new rates were agreed and a circular is to be issued to staff detailing the new charge-out rates.
5. Quality Report
5.1
Technical Team Update
Members noted the report presented by Suzanne Jones with no significant issues raised.
5.2
Public Reporting Update
Patrick Barr provided an update on Public Reporting Guidance, the work of the Practitioner Group, ongoing training, the timing of peer reviews and dates relating to the Chartered Qualification.
6. Financial Management
6.1
Corporate Services Report
Finance - Megan O’Neill provided forecast figures based on current assumptions, noting areas of expenditure estimates. Megan also provided an update on accommodation, IT, procurement, legal advice, Information Management and Governance. No significant issues were raised.
7. Communications and Engagement
7.1
Corporate Affairs Report
Frances Byrne updated members on Assembly Liaison, NIAO reports and other work, recent social media coverage, upcoming engagements and an update on the Communication Strategy.
7.2
Handling Correspondence – Quarterly Update
Colette Kane reported to members on MLA Correspondence and the Raising Concerns caseload, agreeing to add additional information to explain why each case is still open.
8. Risk Management
8.1
Corporate Risk Register
Colette Kane provided an update on the draft Risk Register and a number of actions in the Risk Register were discussed. Colette noted that the Corporate Risk Register Working Group (CRRWG) are working on the Risk Management Strategy and will be reported on and communicated in due course.
9. To Note
9.1
Draft Advisory Board Agenda – 08 December 2025
Noted.
9.2 Upcoming Meetings:
• Corporate Report Meeting with NEDs – 28 November 2025
Noted
• ARAC meeting – 26 January 2026
Noted.
10. Matters for escalation to Advisory Board, ARAC, RemCom For escalation to Advisory Board:
• Development work on the use of AI – noted.
• Summary of Leadership courses undertaken by staff - noted.
11. AOB
The C&AG and COO made special mention to Colette Kane on her last monthly SLT meeting before retirement. They expressed their thanks and gratitude to her for her many years of service to public audit as both Local Government Auditor and SLT member of the NIAO.
12. Date of next meeting
The next monthly meeting will be held on 15 December 2025.
