Transparency data

HMCTS Board meeting summary - 3 March 2021

Published 28 May 2021

1. Present HMCTS Members:

Board member	Role
Tim Parker	Independent Chairman
Victoria Cochrane	Senior Independent Non-Executive Member
Lakh Jemmett	Non-Executive Member
Nicky Wilden	Non-Executive Member & Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair
Kevin Sadler	Acting Chief Executive
Andrew Baigent	Chief Financial Officer
Gemma Hewison	Strategy and Change Director
Paul Harris	Acting Operations Director
Annabel Burns	Judicial & Legal Services Policy Directorate Director – MoJ representative
Lord Justice Keith Lindblom	Senior President of Tribunals (SPT)
District Judge Tim Jenkins	Judicial Board member

1.1 Presenters and additional attendees:

Name	Role
Lord Justice Charles Haddon-Cave	Deputy Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ)
Jan Gower	Non-Executive Change Portfolio Board member/Critical Friend
Catherine Blair	Strategic Finance Deputy Director
	Head of Modelling and Forecasting
	Head of Strategy Unit
Louise Alexander	HR Director
	HR Head of Strategy and Planning
Fiona Rutherford	Director of Access to Justice Policy, MoJ
Alice Adamson	Dispute Resolution Deputy Director
	Stakeholder Lead, Family & Criminal Justice
	Judicial & Legal Services Policy
Clare Farren	Deputy Director, Judicial Private Offices
	HMCTS Board Secretary
	Head of HMCTS Corporate Governance & Board Secretariat

1.2 Apologies:

Name	Role
Lady Justice Kate Thirlwall	Senior Presiding Judge (SPJ)

2. Welcome and Introductions

Tim Parker welcomed attendees to the meeting and gave apologies.

3. Minutes and actions

The minutes from 4 February 2021 were approved and updates on actions were noted.

4. HMCTS Audit and Risk Assurance (ARAC) quarterly update

The Board was presented with a report on the last HMCTS ARAC meeting on 5 February 2021.

Updates were provided on the key areas of discussion including substantive items in relation to:

• compliance and assurance
• the transfer of responsibilities for Application Hosting and Application Management Services
• business continuity
• risk
• internal audit

5. Performance and finance updates

The Board was provided with an overview of the current position across the organisation. Following significant improvements in performance towards the end of 2020, the overall throughput had reduced in January and the early parts of February as listing practices were changed in order to reduce footfall in HMCTS buildings. However, in respect of magistrates’ courts, it was noted that steps were being taken to increase listing over the coming weeks. In relation to the Crown Court, it was highlighted that the focus was on increasing the utilisation of courtrooms available for jury trials.

The performance in relation to other jurisdictions was discussed, with particular focus on the challenges in the Immigration and Asylum Chamber (IAC).

It was highlighted that the previous day had seen the highest ever number of Cloud Video Platform (CVP) remote hearings taking place. There was a discussion around the different experiences of using CVP and the potential use of video hearings following the end of COVID-19 related measures.

The Board was informed that staff absence was still not materially higher than the average level for this time of year. It was felt that anxiety amongst HMCTS staff and users may be decreasing and that morale across HMCTS and the judiciary was relatively positive. However, HMCTS would continue to consider if any further activity was required with regards to any concerns that may be raised around safety.

The Board considered the latest financial report.

6. Major Projects Review Group (MPRG) update

The Board was informed that HMCTS had achieved a positive outcome with the MPRG endorsing the deliverability of the preferred option for the delivery of the Reform Programme, which was testament to all the work that had taken place.

Engagement was ongoing in respect of the funding that would be provided by Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT), and the Board discussed the different options that were being suggested and their potential impact.

7. HMCTS Reform Programme update of key achievements and challenges

The Board received an update of key deliverables and challenges in relation to the Reform programme.

8. Quarterly service demand forecasting update

The Board was presented with the key conclusions from the latest demand forecasting across jurisdictions. There were substantive discussions in respect of the Employment Tribunal, Social Security and Child Support and Crown Court jurisdictions.

9. HMCTS budget allocation 2021 to 2022

The progress made since the last Board meeting was noted and there was a discussion in respect of the indicative allocation, pending receipt of a formal offer.

The Board agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer to set indicative budgets without prejudice to the concordat process, which would come to the Board for approval at the required time.

10. Proposal for a Performance Framework Dashboard for 2021 to 2022

Following a discussion, the Board agreed the proposals to develop an interim dashboard and the approach to further developing the performance framework.

11. HMCTS people and culture strategy 2021 to 2023

The Board discussed and provided feedback on the proposed people priorities for 2021 to 2023 as outlined in the HMCTS people and culture strategy.

12. Dispute resolution project update

There was a discussion of the aims of the project and its potential challenges and the Board provided its feedback. The importance was emphasised of focusing on HMCTS users and the outcome of resolving disputes in the most timely, effective and proportionate manner.

In conclusion, the Board confirmed that it was supportive of the project and would welcome regular updates as this work progressed.