Policy And Resources Committee - 14/08/2006

At a MEETING of the FINANCE COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th August, 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Fraser MACPHERSON, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th June, 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE SUPERANNUATION INVESTMENT SUB-COMMITTEE

The minute of meeting of the Superannuation Investment Sub-Committee of 7th June, 2006, a copy of which is appended hereto, was enclosed for information and record purposes.

II RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

Councillor Grant declared a non-financial interest in the University of Abertay by virtue of being an employee of the University.

There was submitted Report No 468-2006 by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) seeking authorisation to grant charity relief on the undernoted non-domestic properties:-

The Committee approved accordingly.

In addition arising therefrom, the Convener intimated that he had asked the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) to review the existing policy on Relief of Rates and to submit a report to this Committee in due course.

III REVENUE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 447-2006 by the Head of Finance providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2006/2007 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 30th June, 2006 monitored against the adjusted 2006/2007 Revenue Budget.

The Committee -

(a) noted that the overall General Fund 2006/2007 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 30th June, 2006 showed an overspend of 237,000 against the adjusted 2006/2007 Revenue Budget.

(b) noted that the Housing Revenue Account Projected Outturn was projecting a spend in line with the HRA 2006/2007 Revenue Budget.

(c) instructed the Head of Finance to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2006/2007 Revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget.

(d) instructed the Head of Finance in conjunction with all Chief Officers of the Council to continue to monitor the Council's 2006/2007 Projected Revenue Outturn.

IV CAPITAL MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 442-2006 by the Head of Finance appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Expenditure Programme for 2006/07.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

V SCHEME OF ADMINISTRATION ON DELEGATED POWERS

There was submitted Report No 471-2006 by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) informing the Committee of a proposed change to delegated authority as a result of the retirement of the Head of Revenues.

The Committee agreed that it be remitted to the Head of Income and Recovery and the Head of Accounts and Benefits, both Finance Department, to take all necessary actions with regard to billing, collection and the recovery of any Community Charge, Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rate Income or Miscellaneous Income due to the Council and that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to make the necessary amendments to the Scheme of Administration on Delegated Powers.

In addition, it was further agreed that the delegation should also include all necessary actions with regard to the processing of credit balances or refunds.

VI UPDATE ON BENEFIT TAKE UP CAMPAIGN

There was submitted Agenda Note AN257-2006 intimating that the City Council and the Department of Work and Pensions organised and delivered the Benefit Take Up Campaigns from 20th March to 25th March, 2006 in the Wellgate Centre and the Overgate Centre.

It was noted that there were 69 enquiries during the week many of those were of a multiple nature covering more than one benefit or allowance. At present 53 of the enquiries had been concluded providing additional annual benefit and allowances of 30,280. The remaining 16 enquiries were more complex involved agencies other than the Council. When these were concluded it was estimated that the additional annual benefits and allowances would exceed 40,000.

The Committee noted the position and that it was planned to run a further event in 2007.

Fraser MACPHERSON, Convener.