Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 28 June 2021

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Forward Look

  • The DUP electoral college will meet tomorrow to formally elect Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson as DUP Leader Designate. Party officers will then arrange a meeting of the central executive committee to ratify the election. The Belfast Telegraph is reporting that former DUP MLA Brenda Hale is the favourite to run in any future Lagan Valley by-election.

  • The Executive will meet on Thursday to ratify a series of relaxations to Covid-19 regulations with the indicative date of 5 July. These include the return of conferences and exhibitions; reopening of seated theatres and concert halls; return of live music at ambient levels to licensed and unlicensed premises and the return of live music and dancing without restriction at outdoor events.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has allocated over £220m as part of the June monitoring round, including: £66m for Health, over £30m of which is to tackle waiting lists and £17.7m for pharmaceutical pressures; £35m to support children with SEN and £19m for the Victims Payment Scheme.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA will introduce a bill for soft opt-out organ donation to the Assembly following agreement with the DUP and Executive approval.

  • Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA’s Justice (Sex Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill will be introduced to the NI Assembly ahead of the summer recess following Executive approval on Thursday.

  • DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA intends to bring his draft Climate Change Bill before the Assembly in this mandate following Executive agreement, meaning two alternative Climate Change Bills will be passing through the Assembly. The Department’s 2021-22 Business Plan, including an overarching Environment Strategy to be published this year, was released this week: LINK.

  • The appointment of a chair to the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Public Inquiry will be announced next week, Department of Health officials have indicated.

  • Question Time will take place for The Executive Office and Economy Minister on Monday. The Education Minister will answer questions on Tuesday.

  • The Final Stage of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill will take place on Tuesday. The Second Stage of the Charities Bill will also take place on Tuesday.

  • Junior Ministers Gary Middleton MLA and Declan Kearney MLA will brief The Executive Office Committee on Brexit on Wednesday. The Finance Committee will hear from trade and customs experts on the NI Protocol.

  • Hospitality Ulster, Sport NI and the Arts Council will brief the Communities Committee on Thursday on post-Covid recovery. The Health Committee will consider the HSC Bill and will also receive a Departmental briefing on Brexit.

  • Publishing the consultation analysis report on a draft Mental Health Strategy, Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has indicated he will publish the full Mental Health Strategy in Summer 2021.

  • An international certification scheme for vaccines will go live in Northern Ireland on or before 19 July. It comes as several countries were added to the green list for travel including the Balearic Islands, Madeira, Malta and Barbados.

  • The MIT Technology Review conference EmTech Europe will take place in Belfast on Thursday and Friday 1-2 July. Broadcast live from Titanic Belfast, the virtual event will unite the world’s leading voices on health-tech, sustainability and artificial intelligence. To register: LINK

Other Stories this week

  • The first British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in over two years took place at Dublin Castle on Thursday, Chaired by NI Secretary Brandon Lewis and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney. A ‘process of intensive engagement’ on legacy matters was agreed.

  • MPs have debated the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill during its second reading in the House of Commons. The Bill, which makes provisions on Ministerial appointments, extraordinary Assembly elections, petitions of concern and the Ministerial Code of Conduct in Northern Ireland has progressed to a Public Bill Committee for scrutiny.

  • The HSC Business Services Organisation has published its annual General Pharmaceutical Service Statistics, highlighting that Community Pharmacies dispensed over 99% of items in 2021, some 78,000 for each pharmacy on average.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has published a three-year blueprint recovery plan for cancer services. Care will be focused on clinical priority and equality of waiting across Northern Ireland. View the plan: LINK.

  • The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) has launched a co-design process to allow victims and survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Northern Ireland to help develop support and services. For further information: LINK.

  • Economy Minister Paul Frew MLA has announced a £4.5m NI Domestic Aviation Kickstart Scheme (NIDAKS) to enhance connectivity with the rest of the UK. For further information: LINK.

  • Belfast News Letter Editor Alistair Bushe has been appointed Senior Editor (Ireland) of Reach Plc and the Daily Mirror in Northern Ireland.

  • Head of BT in Northern Ireland Paul Murnaghan has succeeded Henry Brothers Director Ian Henry as president of the NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

  • President Joe Biden has named Massachusetts representative and senior Democratic lawmaker Claire Cronin as the next US ambassador to Ireland, subject to approval by the Senate foreign relations committee.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Brown O’Connor Communications provides fast, accurate and relevant political monitoring and research services for the public, private and non-profit sectors. We can help you track the latest developments in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Local NI Councils, Westminster and the Oireachtas. To find out more, please get in touch at arlene@brownoconnor.com or chris@brownoconnor.com.

£200,000 EU PEACE IV funding provided to support victims and survivors in reducing social isolation and loneliness

Margaret Bateson, Chief Executive of the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS)

Margaret Bateson, Chief Executive of the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS)

The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) has awarded £200,000 in funding to 19 community organisations supporting victims and survivors to build social connections and reduce social isolation.

The funding, provided through the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, which is managed by the SEUPB, will enable 6,000 social interactions, positively impacting the lives of victims and survivors throughout the summer months. 

VSS is committed to reducing social isolation and improving the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors of the Troubles/conflict.  

The funding supports activities that are centered around ‘TAKE 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ initiative. The concept of TAKE 5 is to encourage victims and survivors to connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, and to give. Activities funded by the programme include outdoor photography, book clubs and painting workshops, walking tours, equine-assisted learning and horticulture.

CEO of VSS, Margaret Bateson said:

“VSS is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors. This initiative will allow us to provide 19 community organisations with the means to help reduce social isolation amongst victims and survivors, which is more important now than ever due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The funding provided to our community partners will enable victims and survivors to safely interact and connect through a range of social activities, now that restrictions on social interaction are easing.”

Welcoming the funding awarded, Chief Executive of the SEUPB, Gina McIntyre said:

“Many victims and survivors of our shared history experience high levels of isolation which can have a negative impact upon their mental health. Unfortunately, this has only been intensified, as a direct result of the pandemic.

“This EU PEACE IV funding will allow community organisations to deliver further health and well-being support activities, that will give thousands of victims and survivors the opportunity to positively connect with those around them.”

This programme is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding has been provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

Universities and colleges lead initiative to offer school leavers alternative routes to university at local colleges

Ken Webb, Chair of the College Principals’ Group

Ken Webb, Chair of the College Principals’ Group

Northern Ireland’s Universities and Further Education Colleges have united behind a new initiative aimed at ensuring school leavers are made aware of the full range of higher education options available locally.

For the first time school leavers, parents and careers staff will have access to the full higher education course listing through a single source at each of Northern Ireland’s two universities.

Dedicated pages on University websites will provide a full listing of all higher education opportunities available to school leavers. Individuals who do not receive an offer can use the web pages to signpost them towards other provisions, including foundation degrees and higher education courses at Northern Ireland’s six local Further Education Colleges.

The aim is to ensure that Northern Ireland’s school leavers understand the many alternative and valued routes to a university degree that are available via Northern Ireland’s six regional Colleges.

This is the first time that tertiary education providers have jointly worked on a project of this scale, and it is hoped that the move will not only benefit students, but will also benefit employers, by ensuring there is a strong pipeline of highly skilled individuals coming into the local workforce.

Colleges offer a wide range of higher-level qualifications, including Level 5 qualifications, foundation degrees and higher national diplomas, as well as higher level apprenticeships.

The Department for the Economy’s recent 10X Skills Strategy highlights the future undersupply of skilled individuals coming through at Level 5. Many of these work-related qualifications have been co-designed with employers to address skills gaps and provide participants with clear progression routes through to employment or alternatively the opportunity to progress through to a full honours degree with a local university.

Those behind the initiative include Northern Irelands six Further Education Colleges, Queens University Belfast, Ulster University, Stranmillis University College, St Mary’s University College, Open University and CAFRE.

Chair of the College Principals’ Group, Ken Webb, said:

“Results day can be a joyous or disappointing occasion for some. To give school leavers confidence to move their careers forward, we have partnered with the universities on this landmark initiative.”

“Young people who do not receive their expected grades for university should not lose hope or feel that they must forgo their career aspirations. There are alternative routes to that university degree at the six local colleges and they can still reach their end destination by taking on a higher education course or foundation degree in college first.”

Queen’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Greer said:

“Northern Ireland’s third level education sector is world-leading, and our universities and colleges equip thousands of people every year with the skills and qualifications they need to pursue valuable careers.”

“We understand that this year will cause anxiety for many school leavers. This website will provide detailed information on the extensive range of higher education options at local colleges available to school leavers as a viable alternative that will help pursue their intended degree course.”

Ulster University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew said:

“A shared priority is to enable young people to keep their career ambitions intact and their options open by signposting them to the pathways that can lead to a wide range of degree choices.”

“At Ulster University we have a long-established track record in widening participation in and access to higher education. Through our partners in the FE Colleges, we offer well over 100 pathways into a diverse range of Ulster University degree programmes. These alternative routes open up a wealth of options for study and lay the foundations for rewarding careers.”

Minister for the Economy, Paul Frew MLA, said:

“It’s always important that young people are aware of all the options available to them as they leave school and are considering next steps. Studying for a higher education qualification in a further education college is an excellent option for many school leavers who wish to continue their learning journey.”

“The new websites provide a one-stop shop setting out the availability of foundation degree and other HE courses at our local colleges and will be a valuable tool for young people who are seeking to continue their pathway to a bright future.”

Cross Border Workers Coalition meets with Irish Finance Minister Donohoe

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The Cross Border Workers Coalition, a group campaigning to change remote working tax rules in the Republic of Ireland, has met with Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe TD this week.

In the virtual meeting, Coalition Co-Chairs Aidan O’Kane, Conor Dowds, and Paul Quinn engaged with the Minister on the Republic of Ireland’s tax laws which can deny home-working opportunities to thousands of cross-border workers. The group were encouraged by the Minister’s response that his department’s advisory body, the Tax Strategy Group, will publish a report addressing the issue later this year, with the Minister continuing to engage with the Coalition ahead of its release.

Established in March 2020, the Coalition is an alliance of individual employees who live in the border regions of the Republic of Ireland but work in Northern Ireland. Restrictive personal tax rules mean that, if cross-border workers work-from-home at all, they can face a ‘double tax’ on their income. Finance Minister Donohoe has temporarily waived these rules until January 2022 and responded positively to the Coalition’s ask that the current temporary amendments are made permanent.

Earlier this month, when asked about this issue during a meeting of the Shared Island Dialogue by Coalition Co-Chair Aidan O’Kane, An Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar TD, said this is an issue the Government is hoping to “work out” before Budget 2022 in October this year. The Coalition are optimistic that, following this positive engagement with senior Irish Government Ministers, a long-term, pragmatic solution can be found.

Conor Dowds, Co-Chair of the Cross Border Workers Coalition, said:

 “It was good to engage with Minister Donohoe yesterday who, during the meeting, acknowledged the importance of the issue and committed to thoroughly consider options to address it while engaging with us further. The Minister recognised our concern that, left unchanged, current tax legislation threatens to impose an unfair tax penalty to thousands of cross-border workers seeking to work-from-home. We appreciated his constructive engagement with us and look forward to the publication of the Tax Strategy Group’s report on our issue.”

“Alongside the recent positive contribution of An Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar TD, yesterday’s meeting with Minister Donohoe represents a turning point in our campaign to change these outdated remote working tax rules. We were very thankful for the Minister’s time and look forward to further interaction with him and his department to bring forward a long-term solution to this issue.”

New report says Community Pharmacy services can provide a ‘transformative solution’ for healthcare pressures

A new report by one of the UK’s top 4 accounting firms has concluded that the impact of community pharmacy in Northern Ireland over the last 10 years and throughout COVID has been transformative in supporting patients and the health service but increased investment in the sector is required to enable community pharmacy to continue its important contribution to primary care.

The new report by KPMG highlights the resilience of the sector in meeting a steep rise in demand during Covid-19 through the provision of enhanced frontline services to communities during that time.

The report also shows a minimum 16% increase in the basic annual cost of providing commissioned services from £126million in 2011/12 to £146million in 2020/21*, as well as an increase in workload with dispensing activity and other pharmacy services up by 49%.

The report comes 16 months after community pharmacists unanimously voted to take industrial action following years of funding shortfalls by the Department of Health. This planned action was paused when the pandemic struck in March 2020 and pharmacies took the decision to remain open and provide an uninterrupted service to patients.

In response to the latest report, Community Pharmacy NI is calling on the Department of Health to consider the report’s findings as attention turns to transformation of the health service, and within that, the changes needed in primary care services.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“This report shows the reality of the community pharmacy response during COVID and the costings for community pharmacy services in Northern Ireland. Since 2011, we have seen rising costs and an overall increase in service provision so on-going and enhanced investment in the sector is required.

“With continued pressures on the health service, community pharmacies have, and will continue to see, an increased reliance on the service by patients with an associated increase in costs, dispensing and services over the next ten years. Funding therefore must match this rise in demand to ensure the correct provision of care is afforded to patients.

“In early 2020, the community pharmacy network was in crisis. Our pharmacists had reached breaking point and voted in favour of industrial action. When the pandemic arrived, we put aside these long-standing issues to support the patients reliant on our services at a time when many services closed.

“The Health Minister recognised the pressure and allocated the funds required to meet pandemic demand in July 2020. However, this funding only addressed issues for one year and meant that community pharmacy contractors could remain open to support patients at a time of national crisis. This level of funding needs to be recurrent, matched to the cost of providing the service and a long-term solution is now needed.

“As we move out of the pandemic, and talk turns to transformation, it is imperative that community pharmacy is part of the discussion around planning for primary care. We have proven time and time again that we are a vital component part of the health service. Investment and forward planning are now required for our services to be elevated so we can continue to support our communities.”

Vice Chair of Community Pharmacy NI, Peter Rice said:

“Working on the ground in my pharmacy, I see daily the impact of the increasing demand for services. This has been going on for years and there is a need for sustained long-term investment in the service.

“We have never been busier, with patients seeking advice and needing dispensed medicines and other services on a wider scale than we have seen before. We are now the first point of contact for many patients with health queries, we want to support patients and indeed do more, but we need the investment aligned to our costs and we need stability to plan for an increased role and offering going forward.

“The past fifteen months have brought an insurmountable amount of pressure, but pre-Covid we were in crisis. We had been pushed to our limit and were calling out for the Department to intervene and provide desperately needed funding. The sense of urgency has not left us. The pandemic meant we were focused on supporting patients through the worst health emergency in a generation, but our need for proper funding and planning is still apparent.

“The pandemic highlighted the agility of our network, with pharmacies adapting their premises and working practices overnight in many cases. Despite the unrelenting pressures the network was facing we stood up during the health emergency, launching new services to respond to the pandemic, ensuring all patients had the correct medicines and, most recently, administering the COVID vaccine with over 70,000 people having accessed their vaccine within their community pharmacy.  

“Community pharmacy is the heartbeat of our neighbourhoods, with many of our patients coming to us when they needed help most. Through sustained funding and forward-thinking planning, we have the opportunity to continue to offer first class primary care to our communities. We implore the Department to look at this insightful report, recognise the value of community pharmacy, and allocate the much-needed investment to allow community pharmacy teams to play their part in the transformation of a stretched health service, ensuring patients across Northern Ireland can continue to access both the existing and enhanced healthcare services they need and deserve.”

Victims and Survivors Service seeks expressions of interest from those impacted by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses

Margaret Bateson, Chief Executive of the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS)

Margaret Bateson, Chief Executive of the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS)

On 21 June 2021, the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) was commissioned by the Department of Health to identify support and services needed for victims and survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Northern Ireland.

The VSS is encouraging victims and survivors impacted by these institutions to consider participating in a co-design process from June 2021 to September 2021 to help design and develop support and services.

The process will enable service delivery to be developed in way that focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors.

VSS is encouraging victims and survivors to register an interest and be part of this process to ensure specialist and dedicated services are survivor-led and meet the needs of victims and survivors.

Chief Executive of the VSS, Margaret Bateson said:

“We welcome the opportunity to commence the co-design process and work alongside victims and survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses. Putting the voices of victims and survivors at the heart of the process will ensure specialist and dedicated support and services are developed and put in place.

“We are committed to listening to victims and survivors to ensure the co-design process is survivor-led, accessible and responsive to the unique needs of each victim and survivor. Our dedicated team in VSS will ensure victims and survivors are supported and empowered throughout the process.

“Further information can be found on our website www.victimsservice.org or if anyone would like to talk through what the process will involve, we can be contacted at codesign@vssni.org or on 02890 311 678.”

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 21 June 2021

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Forward Look

  • Edwin Poots MLA has asked DUP Chairman, Lord Morrow to begin the electoral process to elect a new party leader. It came after it was widely reported that 24 of the 28 DUP MLAs voted against Mr Poots’ nomination of Paul Givan for First Minister at a party meeting on Thursday morning, expressing concern at the deal struck with the British Government on the Irish language.

  • Paul Givan MLA has been appointed the new First Minster alongside Michelle O'Neill MLA as deputy First Minister. The British Government has agreed to legislate for Irish Language and the wider cultural package as agreed in New Decade, New Approach if Stormont does not progress legislation by October.

  • The DUP will hold its Annual General Meeting next Thursday.

  • The Executive has delayed the relaxation of restrictions around live music and large-scale events until 5 July due to concerns over the spread of the Delta variant.

  • A North-South Ministerial meeting will no longer take place today in Armagh after First Minister Paul Givan refused to attend.

  • DAERA Permanent Secretary Denis McMahon is due to become the Executive Office Permanent Secretary, previously a joint role with the Head of the Civil Service. An announcement on when Mr McMahon will take up his post will be made shortly.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann launched a new Elective Care Framework which sets out a £700 million 5-year roadmap for tackling hospital waiting lists. The Minister also announced the reinstation of a new Cross-Border Healthcare Directive for a 12-month period from July 2021, allowing patients to seek and pay for treatment in the private sector in the Republic and have the costs reimbursed. To view framework: LINK

  • Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan was appointed as the new Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. She will take up the post in September 2021.

  • The Second Reading of the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill will take place on Tuesday in the House of Commons. This legislation extends the time between an election and the appointment of Executive ministers and will seeks to ensure that the institutions are more sustainable.

  • The Further Consideration stage of the of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill will take place on Monday. 23 amendments have been tabled.

  • Question Time will take place for the Justice and Agriculture Ministers on Monday. The Communities Minister is up for questions on Tuesday.

  • On Wednesday, the Infrastructure Committee will receive a briefing from Departmental Officials on the review of the Planning Act. The Finance Committee will receive a briefing from Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre on Covid recovery and business rates reform. The Executive Office Committee will receive three briefings on Historical Institutional Abuse.

  • On Thursday, the Health Committee will receive oral evidence on the Severe Fatal Abortion (Amendment) Bill and will receive an update on the truth recovery design panel. The Agriculture Committee will receive briefings from the NI Meat Exporters Association, Dairy Council NI and UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre on the Climate Change Bill.

  • Global tech conference EmTech Europe will take place in Belfast from 1-2 July and is to be the first in-person business conference to take place in the UK and Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic. To register: LINK

Other Stories this week

  • Paul Frew MLA and Michelle McIlveen MLA were officially appointed as the new Economy and Education Ministers on Monday following the resignations of Peter Weir MLA and Diane Dodds MLA.

  • DUP Cllr Stephen Dunne will be co-opted to replace his father Gordon as MLA for North Down, who is stepping down on health grounds.

  • The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has published a report detailing the action needed to tackle climate change. The report states that the lack of green policy in NI has "increased the uncertainty" over future climate change impacts. It also advises that summer heatwaves, flooding, droughts, and wildfires are to become more common.

  • SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has introduced the Climate Change and Green Jobs private members Bill at Westminster which would declare a climate emergency, create new green jobs, and increase taxation of large companies to generate revenue to be spent on tackling climate change.

  • The Health and Justice Ministers jointly published a report on the outcome of the recent consultation on the establishment of a Care and Justice Campus. Detailed plans will now be put in place to get the Campus up and running.

  • Fine Gael Leader and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told his party’s Ard Fheis that he believes a united Ireland could happen in his lifetime and that his party should establish a branch in Northern Ireland in preparation for unification.

  • Finance Minister, Conor Murphy MLA has announced a revaluation of all 74,750 non-domestic properties in Northern Ireland. Known as 'Reval 2023', the process will result in a new non-domestic Valuation list being used to calculate business rate bills from April 2023.

  • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced £17 million for a Roads Recovery Fund to address areas of immediate concern across the road network.

  • Economy Minister Paul Frew MLA announced the creation of 771 jobs at PWC with a £40 million investment in a new Advanced Research and Engineering Centre.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

EmTech Europe encourage young people to join conference with Bright Future Pass

(Left to Right): Chief Executive of Staffline Ireland, Tina McKenzie, Director of Aisling Events, Connla McCann and Catherine Daly of Women Who Code.

(Left to Right): Chief Executive of Staffline Ireland, Tina McKenzie, Director of Aisling Events, Connla McCann and Catherine Daly of Women Who Code.

EmTech Europe is encouraging young people and females in the tech sector to get involved in this year’s conference through a special ticket offer.

The Bright Future pass, for students across Ireland studying at third-level education, will enable young people working or studying in the STEM sectors to attend the prestigious MIT conference on 1-2 July. The ticket, priced at £10, will allow entry to all EmTech Europe talks virtually throughout the two-day conference.

Conference organisers, Aisling Events are encouraging any young person interested in technology to avail of the Bright Future pass which will give them an opportunity to connect with some of the Europe’s leading technologists and entrepreneurs.

A Women in Tech pass has also been created to ensure females working in the tech space have access to EmTech Europe. The pass will give attendees a 25% discount for a standard virtual conference pass.

Europe’s female technology leaders, researchers, and innovators across artificial intelligence, health and sustainability are paving the way for the next generation of tech entrepreneurs. Speakers at this year’s conference include;

  • Nicole Eagan, Chief Strategy Officer, AI Officer of Darktrace

  • Henrietta Moon, CEO and co-founder of Carbo Culture

  • Joanna J Bryson, Prof. of Ethics and Technology, Hertie School of Governance

  • Liz Ashall-Payne, Co-founder and CEO of ORCHA

  • Nora Khaldi, Founder and CEO of Nuritas

  • Nathalie Casas, Head of Technology, Climeworks

  • Rachel Dunscombe, CEO & Director of the NHS Digital Academy

  • Marga Hoek, Global Author & Speaker.

Connla McCann, Director of Aisling Events said:

“This year’s EmTech Europe will see some of Europe’s best and brightest join us, including revered women who are trailblazing the way forward in the technology sphere. Speakers such as Nicole Eagan of Darktrace, Henrietta Moon of Carbo Culture and Nora Khaldi from Nuritas are leaders within their own right, and we are thrilled to be offering Belfast’s own female tech leaders an opportunity to join us at the conference.

“The talented pool of young people working and studying in STEM in Belfast is really remarkable and is one of the key reasons why our city is emerging as a leading tech city in Europe. Therefore, we are reaching out to our young people and inviting them to partake in EmTech Europe, offering them a unique opportunity to connect with some of the most influential people of the European tech scene.

“We would also like to welcome Staffline as one of our partners for this year’s conference. As one of our leading recruitment agencies who work to ensure the right people are employed within our technology sector, it is fantastic to have them join us and contribute to this year’s programme.”

Partner of EmTech Europe, Staffline’s Managing Director, Tina McKenzie said:

“I am delighted that Staffline is partnering up with EmTech Europe to showcase the talent and opportunity that Northern Ireland has to offer. As we begin to emerge from the pandemic and react to the changing economic landscape, it is essential that we focus on innovation and new technologies as we adjust to living and working differently.

“I am thrilled with the focus on encouraging participation from women and young people, as we know those groups have been most adversely affected by the pandemic. It is wonderful to see Belfast leading the way as a modern, entrepreneurial city and I welcome the opportunity to engage with leading tech entrepreneurs throughout Europe.”

 

'Hardship ahead for commercial renters' by Gareth Planck, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, as appeared in the Irish News

Gareth Planck, Partner - Consumer & Real Estate, Eversheds Sutherland

Gareth Planck, Partner - Consumer & Real Estate, Eversheds Sutherland

The reopening of our economy and society across these islands is extremely positive and welcome news as we seek to return to some form of normality. Recovery and rebuild will be the watchwords for businesses and governments going forward and people are being encouraged to shop and support local to boost businesses which have been badly hit by the pandemic.

Sectors like retail, leisure and hospitality have been among the worst and most disproportionately affected since last March, forced to shut their doors for long periods and shun customers in order to stop the spread of the virus. While the struggles of high street and city centres businesses, especially those in the retail sector, were well documented before the coronavirus, the pandemic has been the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back for many retailers, especially those who did not have strong online or e-commerce presences. In recognition of this, the Executive recently established its High Street Task Force which aims to bring forward long term policy proposals to help support and rejuvenate the high street.

To help ease the difficulties faced by businesses, the government passed a series of legislative measures, including the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020.  These brought temporary protections for businesses including restrictions on the forfeiture of commercial leases, and presentation of winding up petitions and statutory demands. While these measures have been extended until 30 June this year, businesses should now consider how they will cope when they run out. A number of important factors must be considered including where it leaves the landlords of commercial premises, on whom should the financial burden of the pandemic fall, and does there remain an obligation on tenants to pay rent?

Recent legal rulings in England and Wales in April confirm that businesses remain liable to pay the accumulated rent, despite their hardships. While this doesn’t apply to Northern Ireland yet, businesses should begin preparing for such a situation as it is likely to inform the courts’ thinking locally when the matter inevitably arises.

Greater and sustained communications between all parties can go a long way to avoiding the unpleasant situation of ending up in a court battle between tenant and landlord. For tenants who may be in rent arrears, however, there should be a recognition that as lockdown winds down and legislation runs out, the ball is increasingly in the court of the landlord.

It’s crucial that commercial tenants are now aware of their obligations, but landlords should continue to take a pragmatic and flexible approach where possible. They should be cognisant of the commercial considerations when dealing with their tenants, as rental arrears will largely be unrecoverable from an insolvent company.

The government’s action at the start of the pandemic was radical and may have been key in saving thousands of businesses. However, while this protected commercial tenants from forfeiture in the short term, it likely won’t protect them from landlords recovering this rent in the longer term. As the economy begins to reopen, it’s incumbent on all parties now to take constructive steps to avoid lengthy and potentially fatal legal battles.

Fleming Fulton School pupils welcome Lord Mayor to school

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Kate Nicholl meets the Year 9-10 class whose letter she read out at her installation earlier this month.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Kate Nicholl meets the Year 9-10 class whose letter she read out at her installation earlier this month.

The pupils of Fleming Fulton School have welcomed Belfast’s new Lord Mayor, Cllr Kate Nicholl to the school after she read a letter written by them in her inaugural address.

Fleming Fulton, situated in South Belfast, is a special educational school that teaches children and young people primarily with physical and medical needs.

During the visit, the pupils showcased work they did during the pandemic including ‘The Pandemic through our Eyes’, a photo exhibition depicting their lockdown experience in partnership with Leonard Cheshire.

The Lord Mayor also met and spoke with the Year 9 and 10 class who penned the letter to her ahead of her installation in early June. In the letter, the pupils described to the Lord Mayor how they envisioned a more inclusive and accessible Belfast which caters for those with physical disabilities more.

The Alliance Lord Mayor selected the letter as part of her initiative to give a voice to the youth of Belfast.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Kate Nicholl said:

“It’s been such a pleasure meeting the pupils of Fleming Fulton today. I chose to share their words when I became Lord Mayor because we need to get much better at listening to our children’s and young people’s voices in public life. That’s what will help us achieve better outcomes and opportunities for them.

“The theme for my year in office is simply ‘Our Belfast’ – I want our city to become a more inclusive, more forward-thinking and a kinder city. And input from our young advocates will be incredibly important on that journey.”

Principal of Fleming Fulton School, Karen Hancock said:

“It was really great to welcome the new Lord Mayor, Kate Nicholl to our school today. Our pupils were thrilled when she chose their letter to read during her opening speech as Mayor, so to meet her and talk more about their hopes of making Belfast more inclusive was special.

“Most of our pupils live with physical and medical needs. This means they face issues in their day-to-day lives that many would not understand. I am so proud that they were able to voice this in their letter to the Lord Mayor and advocate for a more accessible city. I would also like to thank the Lord Mayor for coming down and visiting our pupils, giving them a real boost as they end this Covid school year.”