NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD BOARD MEETING. MINUTES 29 October 2015

Transcription

1 NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD BOARD MEETING MINUTES 29 October 2015 PRESENT: Captain Alistair Mackenzie Chairman Graham Crerar Sheriff Principal Ian Abercrombie QC Vice- Chairman Captain Alastair Beveridge Captain Michael Brew Captain Mike Close Sheriff Principal Marysia Lewis Sheriff Principal Duncan Murray WS Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle John Ross CBE Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen In Attendance: Mike Bullock MBE Chief Executive Captain Phillip Day Director of Marine Operations Mairi Rae Director of Finance & Administration Moray Waddell Director of Engineering Jill Bennett Secretary to the Board 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE & DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Apologies for absence were noted from s Adam, McCallum, Mulholland, Scott, Scoullar, Thomson and Wilson. There were no potential conflicts of interest other than those already declared at previous meetings and in the Annual Report. 2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2015 were agreed as a correct record and the Board agreed that the minutes could be published on the website. 3. MATTERS ARISING Business Gifts and Hospitality Register and Expense Claims The Board noted the draft Gifts & Hospitality Register 1 August 2014 to 31 March 2015 for the publication on NLB website and that it followed the format of DfT disclosures. It was agreed that the Audit and Risk Committee should be asked to ascertain whether a minimum value should be 1

2 applied and that once this had been ascertained the document should be revised and published on the website. Action: Director of Finance/Secretary to the Board The Board noted that to collate the information on expenses was more complicated, particularly with different VAT recordings within the systems. However, when the GPC provider is changed and the Finance software is upgraded (both due in April 2016) this will be reviewed. Action: Director of Finance Sickness Reports It was agreed to add the outstanding action from the 28 February meeting asking for a benchmark comparison off sickness reports against the other GLAs to the on-going Matters Arising document. 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE S REPORT The Board noted the report from the Chief Executive, highlighting items from the Departmental reports backed up by the full reports. Discussion took place on the following matters: Shipping Minister The Board noted that the Shipping Minister would be visiting NLB Headquarters on 5 November 2015 when he was in Edinburgh for other meetings. Department for Transport (DfT) The Board noted that the new Head of Maritime Safety and Environment Division, Claire McAllister had attended the Managing Board held on 29 September 2015 and had provided a helpful overview of Maritime activity within DfT in particular highlighting the Maritime Growth Study and providing additional context to the ongoing governmental spending review. Maritime Growth Study Maritime Growth Study: keeping the UK competitive in a global market report was published in September 2015 and emphasises the vital importance of the Maritime Industry to the economy and references the work of the General Lighthouse Authorities to provide an Aids to Navigation service and their work on the international scene with IALA. The document is available at: Triennial Review The Board noted that the DfT were replacing the Triennial Review with a 5 yearly review and the next review was likely to take place in early QHSE The Board noted that lessons had been learnt from recent incidents and that processes had been reviewed and amended. NLV Pharos The Board noted that NLV Pharos had been back in service since 14 August 2015 and that precautions had been put in place to mitigate against a similar grounding event occurring. Helicopter The Board noted that the preparation to implement the new helicopter contract were progressing. 2

3 Point of Fethaland The Board noted that the final sector checks had been completed and the light was back in service. AtoN Availability It was noted that the 3 year rolling availability for Category 1 Fixed Lights and Racons remains in an improving trend. Data Security Issue The Board noted that the encrypted USB containing personal information relating to current and former NLB employees was no longer missing as it had been located within the Department of Work and Pensions. Alcohol and Drugs Policy It was noted that Policy had been issued to all staff and that training courses had commenced on the ships in early October and the schedule to cover the rest of the staff was underway, with the policy due for implementation on 4 January Mandatory Medical Assessments The Board noted that a consultation meeting with the Trade Unions had been held the previous day and the outcome, following discussion by the Health & Safety Committee, would be reported to the November meeting of the Managing Board. Managing Board The minutes of the Managing Board meeting held on 29 September 2015 were noted. 5. ANY CLARIFICATION (BY EXCEPTION) ON OPERATING REPORTS There were no further points of clarification. 6. CORPORATE PLAN The Chief Executive gave a presentation highlighting the content and underlying philosophy, strategic focus and assumptions made in the draft Corporate Plan circulated with the agenda. The Board approved the Corporate Plan for submission to the Department for Transport the following day, subject to amendments discussed. Action: Chief Executive/Director of Finance 7. EFFICIENCY REGIME The Board also endorsed the submission of the Efficiency Regime paper (RPI +/-X) to accompany the Corporate Plan. The Board re-endorsed that any efficiencies and reduction in cost should not impact on safety or NLB s statutory responsibilities. Action: Chief Executive/Director of Finance The Board thanked the Executive, and the Director of Finance in particular, for the extensive work undertaken on both the Corporate Plan and Efficiency Regime paper. 3

4 8. NOMINATION COMMITTEE The Board of s noted the minutes of the meeting of the Nomination Committee held on 14 October 2015 and approved the following recommendations: Beveridge s appointment to be extended for a second term to 28 February 2019 Subject to endorsement by the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man and DfT, Brew s appointment to be extended for a second term to 31 May 2019 Action: Chief Executive Terms of reference of the membership of the Audit and Risk Committee to be amended from three to up to four s. Pyle to join the Audit and Risk Committee as the fourth. Brew to fill the vacancy in the Navigation Committee 9. REPORT FROM THE AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE The Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee gave a short presentation on the work of the Audit and Risk Committee and outlined future priorities. 10. HELICOPTER UNDERWATER ESCAPE TRAINING (HUET) The Director of Marine Operations gave a presentation outlining the background to NLB s implementation of HUET to date. The Board noted the direction of travel regarding the GLA legislative position in relation to helicopter operations and endorsed the policy that HUET will be mandatory for all NLB helicopter passengers (whether staff, contractors or adhoc passengers). Action: Director of Marine Operations Post meeting Note: The policy will be effective from 1 February FLEET REVIEW The Board noted the presentation from the Director of Marine Operations and that a preliminary report was to be published on 16 November, with the final report due to be issued on 18 December The Board agreed to delegate responsibility for the Fleet Review to the Managing Board. 12. INTER GLA MATTERS The Board noted a verbal report from Crerar, in his role as Chair of the Joint Strategic Board (JSB), and the agenda items to be considered at the meeting of the JSB to be held on 23/24 November ANY OTHER BUSINESS 4

5 No items of other business were raised. 14. CORPORATE CALENDAR The Board noted the Corporate Calendar for the remainder of 2015 and approved the calendar for