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:
Declan Cooper (Audit Manager) – Agenda item 1
Damien Gunn (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 18 September 2025 were agreed and the matters arising noted as updated.
1. Corporate Management Team (CMT) Briefing
Declan Cooper provided a briefing on the recent CMT meeting, highlighting the following key areas discussed: possible secondments to the third sector, update on recruitment, timing of future exams set by CAI, training requirements and progress on developing an audit manual.
2. People and OD
2.1 People and OD Monthly Report
Brian O’Neill presented the Head of People and OD report, members were asked to note the slight increase in sickness levels, current recruitment opportunities, succession planning, training and current projects in progress, namely review of HR policies, EDI submission and the People Engagement Programme.
Members were asked to ensure all mid-year staff appraisals are completed as a priority.
3. Strategic Projects
3.1 Workforce Planning
Seamus Wade provided an update on the recent paper prepared by the Operational Resource Team (ORT) relating to the Operational Structure to deliver a model of financial and performance audits which members welcomed. Seamus agreed to update the paper with some further options and report back to SLT.
4. Strategic Performance
4.1 Management Information Report – Financial Audit and Public Reporting
A combined report providing a breakdown of the costs associated with financial audits and the costs and timing for completing public reports was presented. Members were asked to ensure all timesheets were submitted and approved as soon as possible, so that an updated report could be provided to the next weekly SLT meeting.
4.2 Position re Backlog Accounts
Members noted the position presented. The C&AG requested that future reports include details as to whether the Accounting Officer and Audit and Risk Assurance Committee have been informed of relevant backlog accounts.
4.3 Contracted Out Audits - Update
Tomas Wilkinson provided an update on contracted out audits with no issues arising.
5. Quality Report
5.1 Technical Team Update
Members noted the report presented 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, training and the timing of peer reviews.
Members welcomed the learning and development opportunities in public reporting for staff.
6. Financial Management
6.1 Corporate Services Report Finance
Finance - Brian O’Neill provided forecast figures based on current assumptions, noting areas of expenditure estimates. Members raised queries and it was agreed to include a monthly analysis and reasons for expenditure variations for future reports.
Brian also presented an update on recent DoF guidance on authorising credits, accommodation, IT, procurement, legal advice, Information Management and Governance. No significant issues were raised.
7. Communications and Engagement
7.1 Corporate Affairs Report
Brian O’Neill updated Members on Assembly Liaison, NIAO publications, recent social media coverage and upcoming engagements.
8. Risk Management
8.1 Corporate Risk Register
Colette Kane provided an update on the draft Risk Register and asked for feedback from Members in relation to the actions. Colette outlined that Internal Audit would review the final draft of the Risk Register.
9. To Note
9.1 ARAC Draft minutes of meeting – 22 September 2025
Noted.
9.2 Advisory Board Draft minutes of meeting – 29 September 2025
Noted.
10. Matters for escalation to Advisory Board, ARAC, RemCom For escalation to ARAC - Internal Audit Report – Payroll
11. AOB
Include People Engagement Programme under Strategic projects for future meetings.
12. Date of next meeting
The next monthly meeting will be held on 17 November 2025.