The Board, and the Staff of the Ulster-Scots Agency, will:
· Observe the highest standards of propriety involving impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the management of and accounting for public funds and all aspects of its operation;
· Maximize value for money through ensuring that services are delivered in the most effective, efficient and economical way, within available resources;
· Be accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly – or to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during suspension -, Dáil Éireann and the North/South Ministerial Council, users of services, individual citizens and staff for the activities of the Ulster-Scots Agency, the stewardship of public funds, and the extent to which key performance targets and objectives are met;
· In accordance with legislation and the Governments policies on openness, comply fully with Freedom of Information legislation and the principles of Service First;
· Promote equality of opportunity in dealing with staff, members of the public and comply in all respects with equality and human rights legislation.
· Through the complaints procedure deal efficiently and effectively with expressions of dissatisfaction about any aspect of the service that a person/organization has received from the Ulster-Scots Agency
Human Resources
The Ulster-Scots Agency is committed to the principles of Business Excellence. It will achieve this by realising fully the skills and experience of its staff.
Consequently, the Ulster-Scots Agency will:
· Promote fairness and equality;
· Place a priority on staff training and development;
· Encourage team working within an open and participative management culture;
· Maintain good industrial relations.
In accordance with the provisions of Northern Ireland Act 1998, The North/South Language Body has produced an Equality Scheme that has been approved by the Equality Commission.
The Scheme sets out a substantial programme of work in terms of organizational arrangements, training, screening of all policies, procedures, and programmes and the carrying out of Equality Impact Assessments. This is to be carried out over a period of 5 years with actions being specified for each particular year.
The Ulster-Scots Agency is currently recruiting a number of staff whose duties will include taking forward the agenda of the Equality Scheme.
New targeting Social Need (TSN)
New TSN aims to tackle social need and social exclusion by targeting efforts and resources on people, groups and areas in greatest social need. The Ulster-Scots Agency understands that its policies and delivery must be especially inclusive of those in our society in greatest social need when possible.
The Ulster-Scots Agency will, within its overall strategic approach, and its operation, work to promote social inclusion and to support disadvantaged communities.
The Ulster-Scots Agency has drawn up a New TSN Action Plan that has been approved by the North/South Ministerial Council. This Action Plan sets out targets and actions to be undertaken within a given timescale. There has been slippage in relation to these targets due to delay in recruiting a number of full time staff.