3. Round up of pre-meeting session 3.1 In its informal pre-meeting session, the Board had discussed the ongoing industrial dispute. 3.2 As part of the regular programme of Board development, Commissioners had been briefed on the Commission’s UN treaty monitoring work. This had been well-received and Commissioners expressed their continued support, and the importance of integrating treaty monitoring across the Commission’s workplans. 4. Minutes of the previous meeting 4.1 The minutes of the Board’s 69th meeting of 23 January (EHRC 70.01) were agreed as a correct record. 5. Matters arising 5.1 The Board noted that items on the actions log were either complete, in progress or were to be addressed at today’s meeting. 6. CEO’s overview 6.1 Rebecca Hilsenrath gave an overview, noting that following feedback this would deal more prominently with performance and risks. Recent engagements were as listed in the report. 6.2 On the Commission’s independence, Rebecca had met with the Department for Education Permanent Secretary (Jonathan Slater) who appeared to be sympathetic to the Commission’s aim of enhancing its independence. She noted that the delay to the appointments process was an area of risk. The executive would continue to pursue changes to the Commission’s accountability arrangements which would enhance its independence, being mindful of the UN re-accreditation process due in a future year. 6.3 On stakeholder engagement, Rebecca Hilsenrath updated the Board on the high-level Strategic Reference Group, which had met to discuss the Commission’s business planning. A new stakeholder and parliamentary strategy had been developed. In terms of international engagement, it was notable from attending the conference of the General Assembly of NHRIs that the Commission was held in high esteem by the NHRI community. 6.4 The Chair’s appointment had been welcomed by the Scottish and Welsh Governments. A meeting between the Executive Directors for ‘tri-nations’ England, Scotland and Wales and relevant Commissioners had been helpful. 6.5 The Commission’s messages on Brexit were getting traction, including in a meeting with Keir Starmer and at an event held by the Equality and Diversity Forum.
3. Round up of pre-meeting session 3.1 In its informal pre-meeting session, the Board had discussed the ongoing industrial dispute. 3.2 As part of the regular programme of Board development, Commissioners had been briefed on the Commission’s UN treaty monitoring work. This had been well-received and Commissioners expressed their continued support, and the importance of integrating treaty monitoring across the Commission’s workplans. 4. Minutes of the previous meeting 4.1 The minutes of the Board’s 69th meeting of 23 January (EHRC 70.01) were agreed as a correct record. 5. Matters arising 5.1 The Board noted that items on the actions log were either complete, in progress or were to be addressed at today’s meeting. 6. CEO’s overview 6.1 Rebecca Hilsenrath gave an overview, noting that following feedback this would deal more prominently with performance and risks. Recent engagements were as listed in the report. 6.2 On the Commission’s independence, Rebecca had met with the Department for Education Permanent Secretary (Jonathan Slater) who appeared to be sympathetic to the Commission’s aim of enhancing its independence. She noted that the delay to the appointments process was an area of risk. The executive would continue to pursue changes to the Commission’s accountability arrangements which would enhance its independence, being mindful of the UN re-accreditation process due in a future year. 6.3 On stakeholder engagement, Rebecca Hilsenrath updated the Board on the high-level Strategic Reference Group, which had met to discuss the Commission’s business planning. A new stakeholder and parliamentary strategy had been developed. In terms of international engagement, it was notable from attending the conference of the General Assembly of NHRIs that the Commission was held in high esteem by the NHRI community. 6.4 The Chair’s appointment had been welcomed by the Scottish and Welsh Governments. A ‘tri-nations’ meeting between the Executive Directors for England, Scotland and Wales and relevant Commissioners had been helpful. 6.5 The Commission’s messages on Brexit were getting traction, including in a meeting with Keir Starmer and at an event held by the Equality and Diversity Forum.
ehrc-70th-board-meeting-09-march-2017.docx