Policy And Resources Committee - 09/02/2009

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th February, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th January, 2009 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTES

(i) PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE OF 19TH AND 26TH JANUARY, 2009

(ii) BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY SUB-COMMITTEE OF 29TH JANUARY, 2009

The minutes of meetings of the above Sub-Committees, copies of which are appended hereto (Appendices I to III), were submitted for information and record purposes.

II REVENUE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 81-2009 by the Head of Finance providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2008/2009 projected revenue outturn as at 31st December, 2008 monitored against the adjusted 2008/2009 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2008/2009 projected revenue outturn as at 31st December, 2008 showed an overspend of 418,000 against the adjusted 2008/2009 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted that the Housing revenue account was projecting an overspend of 141,000 against the adjusted HRA 2008/2009 Revenue Budget;

(iii) instructed the Head of Finance to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2008/2009 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

(iv) instructed the Head of Finance in conjunction with all Chief Officers of the Council to continue to monitor the Council's 2008/2009 projected revenue outturn.

III CAPITAL MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 72-2009 by the Head of Finance appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's capital expenditure programme for 2008/2009.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

IV TAYSIDE SUPERANNUATION FUNDS - ACTUARIAL VALUATION AT 31ST MARCH, 2008

There was submitted Report No 41-2009 by the Head of Finance updating the Committee on the Actuarial Valuation of the Tayside Superannuation Fund and the Tayside Transport Superannuation Fund at 31st March, 2008.

The Committee noted the information detailed in the report.

V COMMON GOOD FUND - UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE BOTANIC GARDENS

Councillors Macpherson and Hay declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of being members of the Friends of Dundee Botanic Gardens.

Reference was made to Article VI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th March, 2008, wherein funds were earmarked within the Common Good Budget for 2008/2009 in respect of a possible contribution to the University of Dundee Botanic Gardens.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN35-2009 intimating that following extensive discussions with the University of Dundee regarding the investment required to improve the sustainability of the Botanic Gardens, the Council offered, in principle, a grant of 60,000 plus the cost of a replacement boiler to reduce energy costs and a grant of 10,000 per annum for three years. The Curator had now asked whether the Council would agree to grant 90,000 for a replacement boiler and withdraw the 10,000 revenue funding for three years. As the amount requested in total was the same, it was proposed that a contribution of 90,000 be made from the Common Good Fund towards the purchase of a replacement boiler.

The Committee approved accordingly, it being noted that the total cost of the boiler was 145,500 and the balance would be met from the Botanic Gardens Donations Fund.

VI FAIRER SCOTLAND FUND COMMUNITY REGENERATION FORUM ALLOCATION 2008/2010

There was submitted Report No 89-2009 by the Assistant Chief Executive relative to the above.

The Committee noted the process for allocating grants through the Local Community Regeneration Forums as agreed by the Dundee Partnership and endorsed the funding proposals detailed below.

VII FIBRE CITY BROADBAND

There was submitted Report No 91-2009 by the Chief Executive advising the Committee on a major new initiative to install 100 megabyte broadband fibre-optic cable to every household and business in the City.

The Committee approved the formation of an Officer Liaison Group chaired by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) to work with Fibre City to ensure smooth planning and negotiations throughout this project and agreed to the Council facilitating briefing sessions for all members, Chief Officers and key stakeholder groups in the City.

VIII AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHEME OF DELEGATION ON DEVELOPMENT QUALITY MATTERS

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th January, 2009, there was submitted Report No 101-2009 by the Director of Planning and Transportation relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) noted paragraph 28 of the Councils Standing Orders relative to the Reception of Deputations and agreed that these requirements be applied to all deputations to the Development Quality Committee;

(ii) agreed to amend the Councils Scheme of Delegation of Powers to Officers of the Council relative to the Planning and Transport Department as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report; and

(iii) referred the report to the Development Quality Committee for noting.

IX CORPORATE BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLAN

There was submitted Report No 88-2009 by the Head of Finance, together with a copy of the Council's Corporate Business Continuity Plan.

The Committee approved the contents of the Plan.

X RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIC PLAN AND STRATEGIC RISK REGISTER

There was submitted Report No 87-2009 by the Head of Finance, together with a copy of the Council's updated Risk Management Strategic Plan and Strategic Risk Register.

The Committee approved the contents of the Plan and Register.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.