HMCTS Board meeting summary - 8 April 2021
Published 28 May 2021
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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 |
| Annabel Burns | Judicial & Legal Services Policy Directorate Director – MoJ Representative |
| Lady Justice Kate Thirlwall | Senior Presiding Judge (SPJ) |
| 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 |
| Amy Caldwell-Nichols | Deputy Director, Head of Insights & Analysis |
| Tribunals Service Owner | |
| Service Manager – Social Security & Child Support (SSCS) Reform Project | |
| Delivery Manager SSCS | |
| Craig Robb | Governance & Assurance Deputy Director |
| Head of Risk and Assurance | |
| Audit Manager, Government Internal Audit Agency | |
| Deputy Director, Judicial Private Offices (operations and modernisation) | |
| Deputy Director, Head of Judicial Private Offices | |
| HMCTS Board Secretary | |
| Head of HMCTS Corporate Governance & Board Secretariat |
1.2 Apologies:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Paul Harris | Acting Operations Director |
2. Welcome and Introductions
Tim Parker welcomed attendees to the meeting and gave apologies.
3. Minutes and actions
The minutes from 3 March 2021 were approved and updates on actions were noted.
4. Performance and finance updates
It was highlighted that HMCTS had achieved its target of 60 Nightingale courtrooms and 750 Cloud Video Platform (CVP) rooms by 31 March 2021. The Board thanked all those involved in these significant achievements.
There was a discussion around the stability of the Cloud Video Platform and the potential use of other video audio platforms for remote hearings, including the Video Hearing Service that was in the process of being developed as part of the Reform Programme.
The Board was informed that overall jurisdictional performance remained broadly unchanged since the last month, and there were specific discussions around the positions in respect of the Crown and magistrates’ courts.
The Board considered the latest financial report, which including an overview of the emerging end of year position.
5. HMCTS Reform Programme update of key achievements and challenges
The monthly report on the Reform Programme was discussed by the Board. An update was provided in relation to ongoing engagement with the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to the Common Platform.
6. Board-level performance reporting from May 2021
The Board discussed and provided feedback on the prototype Board Summary Performance Dashboard and the format of the prototype performance cards for probate and crown jurisdictions.
7. Demonstration of Social Security and Child Support (SSCS) service
The background to the SSCS service, progress so far and future priorities were presented to the Board. A demonstration on the new SSCS service was presented.
8. 2021 to 2022 HMCTS corporate business plan
Following a discussion, the Board approved the proposed 2021 to 2022 HMCTS business plan, subject to the consideration of its feedback.
9. The Board (and Agency’s) approach to risk appetite
The Board was invited to consider its approach to risk appetite, framed against the guidance and levels framework set out in the HM Government orange book on risk management.
Subject to the consideration of its feedback, the Board approved the appetite levels plotted against the proposed risk categories.
10. Lessons learned from the implementation of live services and pilot phases
Consideration was given to the lessons that had been learned and the proposed changes in approach to the implementation of future services as a result of that learning.
The Board thanked the HMCTS and Judicial Office teams involved with this work for the clear assessment of the position. It was felt that the application of the identified lessons-learned would provide confidence around the delivery of the remaining aspects of the Reform programme.
11. HMCTS Board Effectiveness Evaluation 2020 to 2021
The Board discussed the findings of its annual effectiveness evaluation survey and agreed priority areas for continuous improvement for 2021 to 2022.