RECORD OF MTSPs SUB-GROUP MEETING – 11 NOVEMBER 2005

Present:
	Seamus McAleavey (Chair)	NICVA
	Jim McCusker	NIC/ICTU
	Bob Barbour	Centre for Competitiveness
	Raymond Mullan	Further Education
	David Dobbin	CBI
	Nigel Smyth	CBI
	Lord Rana	NICCI
	Graeme Hutchinson	DETI
	Richard Ramsey	DETI
	Stephen Moore	DETI

Apologies:
	John Gilliland	UFU
	Michael Maguire	Institute of Directors

Minutes of Sub-Group meeting on 11 August 2005

1. The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed, without amendment.

Regional Forecasts Ltd - ‘Vision’ Monitoring Framework / Scenario Planning

2. Seamus McAleavey welcomed Regional Forecasts Ltd, Graham Gudgin and Andrew Webb, and noted that they had been invited to this meeting to outline and discuss year 2 of the monitoring, comparative analysis and forecasting project.

3. Dr Gudgin delivered a presentation that provided an overview to the monitoring, comparative analysis and forecasting model project, highlighting the aim of the model is to provide policy makers and key advisory bodies, such as EDF, with an early warning system. He also outlined the progress made during year 1 (2004/05) and detailed plans for year 2 (2005/06).

4. During the discussion that followed, it became clear that a number of members have some issues over aspects of this project.

5. It was agreed that the Forum should continue to support the monitoring, comparative analysis and forecasting model project but that a further meeting between members and Regional Forecasts Ltd would be useful and should be arranged. The purpose of this meeting is threefold:

(i) to provide members with more detailed information on how the Regional Forecasts model works;

(ii) to give Regional Forecasts an opportunity to address the issues raised by some members; and

(iii) to explore in more detail what scenario planning means in practice and what will be required from the Sub-groups.

ACTION: EDF Secretariat to arrange a meeting involving MTSPs Sub-group members, representatives of the Vision Sub-groups and Regional Forecasts Ltd.

Communications Strategy

6. Members discussed the latest draft of the Forum’s Communications Strategy and a number of revisions were noted by the Secretariat. It was also noted that comments had been received from some, but not all, Sub-groups.

7. It was agreed, when all Sub-groups have commented, that a final draft of the Communications Strategy should be circulated to all members for comment, with a view to publication on the Forum’s website in January 2006.

ACTION: EDF Secretariat to revise draft Communications Strategy and circulate a final draft for comment and approval.

Annual Statement

8. Members discussed the timing of an annual EDF statement and agreed that, to fit in with the availability of data, any statement should be published in late Spring / early Summer 2006.

ACTION: EDF Secretariat start drafting an annual statement as data becomes available.

Any Other Business

9. Seamus McAleavey noted that the Forum had received a letter from Lord Rooker in relation to the draft NI Priorities and Budget 2006 – 2008 consultation. He observed many of the social partner organisations represented on the Forum had probably received similar letters and that, last year, when a similar letter was received, Forum members agreed it would be more appropriate for each member to respond individually. It was agreed a collective agreed response from the Forum was not appropriate nor feasible, given the consultation exercise deadline.

ACTION: EDF Secretariat to draft letter of response from the Chair of the MTSPs Sub-group to DFP.

Dates of Next Meetings

10. It was agreed that the next meeting should be arranged to coincide with output from the monitoring, comparative analysis and forecasting model project.

ACTION: EDF Secretariat to arrange meeting as required.