TERMS OF REFERENCE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM (JUNE 2008)

 

Role

1.            The role of the Economic Development Forum shall be to provide advice and recommendations to the Northern Ireland (NI) Executive on matters relating to the development of the economy of Northern Ireland within the context set by the current Programme for Government.

 

2.            In particular, the Forum shall:

 

Ř       provide an effective mechanism for engagement between the social partners and government on matters relating to the NI economy;

 

Ř       identify and provide advice on key issues inhibiting or likely to inhibit the competitiveness and productivity of the NI economy;

 

Ř       provide advice on the evaluation of existing public policies, and development of future policies, relating to the development of the NI economy in accordance with the direction set by the current Programme for Government;

 

Ř       provide advice on the actions/interventions required by the non-government sector to develop a more productive/competitive economy in line with the Programme for Government and monitor progress on the actions/intervention undertaken;

 

Ř       advise on ways to balance the objectives of improving competitiveness and productivity, maximising economic growth, achieving sustainable development and promoting social cohesion and inclusion through an equitable distribution of the benefits of economic growth;

 

Ř       identify the need for, and commission where agreed by Plenary, economic research and policy advice in the priority areas identified within the current Programme for Government;

 

Ř       provide advice on economy-related public expenditure allocations and priorities.

 

Membership

3.            The Forum will consist of representatives of the social partners and  Government, as follows:

 

Business                                6 representatives from the Institute of Directors, the Confederation of British Industry, the NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses, North West Chamber of Commerce and the Centre for Competitiveness.

 

Trade unions                         4 representatives nominated by the NI Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions

 

Community / Voluntary           2 representatives nominated by the NI Council for Voluntary Action

 

Rural / Farming                     2 representatives nominated by the Ulster Farmers Union

 

Education                              2 representatives from Higher Education and 1 from Further Education – nominated by Universities and FE sector.

 

Government                          Representatives from the Departments of Enterprise Trade and Investment, Employment and Learning, Education, Regional Development, Finance and Personnel, Invest NI, the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and the Employment and Skills Advisor.

 

4.            The term of office of members will be agreed between the nominating organisation and the DETI Minister.  In general, members should aim to serve a period of at least three years.  However, where appropriate, the Business representatives’ period will align with their term of office (2 years).

 

Plenary Meetings of the Forum

5.            Forum plenary meetings shall be chaired by the DETI Minister.  The Permanent Secretary of DETI shall be member ex officio and shall act as Chairman of the Forum in the absence of the Minister.

 

6.            Forum plenary meetings will be held regularly, as agreed by Members with four plenary meetings held each year. The Forum may also hold ad hoc meetings either on its own initiative or at the request of the Executive.

 

7.            The agenda for plenary meetings will be drafted following consultation with EDF at plenary meetings and will be approved by the DETI Minister.

 

Sub-Groups

8.            The Forum may also establish Sub-groups to consider specific issues.  These will be chaired by Social Partner members of the Forum, appointed by the EDF Chair,  and may co-opt, on a temporary basis, individuals with specialised knowledge on the issues being considered.

 

9.            The Terms of Reference and duration of each Sub-group will be agreed by EDF Plenary.

 

10.         In order to enable it to fulfil its objectives, the plenary Forum, and any Sub-group, may request briefing on economic development issues and the commissioning of economic research.

 

11.         DETI will provide secretariat support to the EDF and its sub-groups.

 

Attendance Fees and Members’ Expenses

12.         Members of the Forum and the Sub-Groups shall be entitled to claim a fee and travel expenses for attending EDF meetings.  These will be determined by DETI.

 

Review

13.         The Forum will be reviewed by the DETI Minister on a periodic basis to ensure that it is meeting its objectives and is appropriately constituted.

 

In conjunction with members and the Secretariat, an independent review will be undertaken on a biennial basis.  The review will focus on the role and performance of the Forum/Sub-group(s) and will aim to ensure the activities of the Forum remain aligned to, and impact on, the priorities set out in the Programme for Government.