EQUALITY COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND. Corporate Plan June 2011

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1 EQUALITY COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND Corporate Plan June 2011 Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide Commissioners with information on the administrative framework within which its Corporate and Business planning needs to take place and to outline the general objectives and timeframe for delivery. Background Under the Management Statement agreed with OFMdFM, the Commission is required to produce its next Corporate Plan covering the period 2011/15 and forward it to OFMdFM for approval by 31 January Included with the Corporate Plan will be a more detailed Business Plan and budget, setting out the Commission s costed work programme for the first year of the new plan. To meet the 31 January deadline, a substantial programme of work will be required during the remainder of Although the Commission has significant discretion as to the structure and content of its Corporate Plan, paragraphs of the Management Statement outline a number of requirements (see Annex 1). 1

2 A recent internal audit report of the Commission s strategic planning arrangements provided a Satisfactory level of assurance. The report also included a number of recommendations that will be implemented in the course of the forthcoming planning period. Included amongst these were: - involving Landscape Review Group in situation assessment prior to commencement of process; - engaging in targeted consultation with a small number of key stakeholder groups in advance of plan development; - taking a more outcome focused approach to defining success and prior to setting targets and objectives. A meeting of the Landscape Review Group will be arranged to give consideration to progressing these recommendations as part of the overall planning process. In previous years the Corporate Plan was prepared following away day sessions with Commissioners. A similar approach was taken to engagement with managers and other staff. It is planned to utilise this approach as a key aspect for the development of the 2012/15 Plan. Although preparatory work will be undertaken over the Summer, it is anticipated that the bulk of this development work will be undertaken following the appointment of a new Chief Commissioner. The following short paper outlines proposed objectives and a general planning framework. For the August meeting a more detailed timetable and communications strategy will be prepared. At successive Commission meetings further detail will be added, progress will be reviewed and draft materials will be discussed. Recommendations/Decisions That following consideration, Commissioners give approval to the objectives and approach outlined in the attached paper. 2

3 CORPORATE PLAN 2012/15 Key Objectives In accordance with the Management Statement, prepare for approval by OFMdFM by 31 January 2012, a Corporate Plan for the period 2012/15 and associated Business Plan and budget for 2012/13. Maximise participation by key internal stakeholders in the development of the plan. Secure involvement and buy-in from key external stakeholders during the course of the planning period and to the plan developed. Develop a set of outcome focused key performance indicators for measuring progress against delivery. Key Stages 1. Review progress on delivery of the 2009/12 Corporate Plan. Confirm legislative mandates and review mission and values. Evaluate internal and external environment and identify key strategic themes for 2012/15, through: - consideration by Landscape Review Group; - in-days with Commissioners, managers and staff; - targeted consultation with a number of key stakeholders, including: OFMdFM, staff, trade union side, NICCI, CBINI, NICICTU, Equality Coalition; July/October June/August August/October September 3

4 2. Drafting and communication with key internal stakeholders at key stages throughout. September/January 3. Preparation of draft plan for consultation. Draft plan to be approved by Commission prior to wider consultation. November 4. Consultation with key stakeholders on ongoing basis and on draft Plan. December/January 5. Drafting for approval by Commission at special meeting in January, including draft Business Plan and budget for 2012/15. January 6. Submission of draft to OFMdFM for approval on or before 31 January January 4

5 Annex 1 Management Statement excerpt (paragraphs 47-53) The Corporate Plan 47. Consistent with the timetable for public spending reviews, the ECNI shall submit by 31 January annually to OFMDFM a draft of the ECNI s updated rolling corporate plan covering three years ahead. This should be agreed with the Department by 28 February each year. The ECNI shall have agreed with OFMDFM the issues to be addressed in the plan and the timetable for its preparation. 48. OFMDFM will agree the ECNI s Corporate Plan. 49. The plan shall reflect the ECNI s statutory duties and, within those duties, the priorities set from time to time by the Minister. In particular, the plan shall demonstrate how the ECNI contributes to the achievement of the Department s strategic aims and PSA objectives and targets. 50. The Corporate Plan shall set out: the ECNI s key objectives and associated key performance targets for the three forward years, and its strategy for achieving those objectives; a review of the ECNI s performance in the preceding financial year together with comparable outturns for the previous 3 years, and an estimate of performance in the current year; alternative scenarios to take account of factors which may significantly affect the execution of the plan, but which cannot be accurately forecast; 5

6 a forecast of expenditure and income, taking account of guidance on resource assumptions and policies provided by OFMDFM at the beginning of the planning round. These forecasts should represent the ECNI s best estimate of all its available income not just any grant or grant-in-aid; other matters as agreed between OFMDFM and the ECNI. 51. The main elements of the plan, including the key performance targets, shall be agreed between OFMDFM and the ECNI in the light of OFMDFM s decisions on policy and resources taken in the context of the Government s wider policy and spending priorities and decisions. The Business Plan 52. The first year of the Corporate Plan, amplified as necessary, shall form the Business Plan. This should be submitted to the Department by 31 January and agreed with the Department by 28 February each year. The Business Plan shall include key targets and milestones for the year immediately ahead and shall be linked to budgeting information so that resources allocated to achieve specific objectives can readily be identified by OFMDFM. Publication of plans 53. The Corporate and Business Plans shall be published and made available on the internet. A version shall be made available to staff. 6