Policy And Resources Committee - 10/09/2012

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th September, 2012.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th August, 2012 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II MINUTES

(a) PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE OF 7TH AUGUST, 2012

(b) SUPERANNUATION INVESTMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF 20TH AUGUST, 2012

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

III REVENUE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 332-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2012/2013 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st July, 2012 monitored against the adjusted 2012/2013 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2012/2013 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st July, 2012 showed an overspend of 636,000 against the adjusted 2012/2013 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st July, 2012 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2012/2013 Revenue Budget;

(iii) instructed the Director of Corporate Services to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2012/2013 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

(iv) instructed the Director of Corporate Services, in conjunction with all Chief Officers of the Council, to continue to monitor the Council's 2012/2013 Projected Revenue Outturn.

IV CAPITAL MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 321-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Expenditure Programme for 2012/2013.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

V COUNCIL PLAN 2012/2017

After considering Report No 333-2012 by the Chief Executive relative to the above, the Committee adopted the Council Plan 2012/2017 appended thereto.

VI DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND 2012/2013

There was submitted Report No 344-2012 by the Chief Executive relative to the above. The Committee approved the funding proposals contained in Section 5.2 of the report appended hereto (Appendix III).

VII CORPORATE SERVICES (RESOURCES) SERVICE PLAN REVIEW

There was submitted Report No 337-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services reviewing the performance of the Finance Department and the IT Department in relation to the Service Plan 2010/2012.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the contents of the Corporate Services (Resources) Department Service Review and instructed the Director of Corporate Services to continue to seek improvement on the level of performance; and

(ii) approved the actions identified in the review to be included in the Corporate Services Department's Service Plan.

VIII CORPORATE SERVICES (SUPPORT SERVICES) SERVICE PLAN REVIEW

There was submitted Report No 341-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services reviewing the performance of the Corporate Services (Support Services) Department in relation to its Service Plan 2010/2012.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the contents of the Corporate Services (Support Services) Department Service Plan Review and instructed the Director of Corporate Services to continue to seek improvement on the level of performance; and

(ii) approved the actions identified in the review to be included in the Corporate Services Department's Service Plan.

IX ANNUAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT 2011/2012

There was submitted Report No 322-2012 by the Head of Human Resources seeking approval for the Council's Annual Health and Safety Report.

The Committee approved the Annual Health and Safety Report which helped to promote the management of health and safety across the Council.

X ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 2011/2012

There was submitted Report No 317-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services reviewing the Treasury Management activities for the period 1st April, 2011 to 31st March, 2012.

The Committee noted the information contained therein and approved the limits shown in Appendix 1 of the report.

XI ANNUAL SUPPORT AND PROTECTION COMMITTEE - INDEPENDENT CONVENER'S BIENNIAL REPORT TO THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

There was submitted Report No 324-2012 by the Director of Social Work advising the Committee that the Independent Convener of the Adult Support and Protection Committee had produced his Biennial Report for the Scottish Government for the period April, 2012 to March, 2012.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the Independent Convener's Biennial Report;

(ii) noted the progress that had been made in developing an effective partnership response to adult support and protection issues in the City; and

(iii) noted the Independent Convener's recommendations as outlined in paragraph 4.2.8 of the report.

XII HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION

There was submitted Report No 334-2012 by the Chief Executive regarding the proposed response to the consultation paper issued by the Government relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the proposals for integration outlined in the Health and Social Care Integration consultation document shown in Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii) approved the response to the consultation shown in Appendix 2 to the report; and

(iii) approved the recommended arrangement for governance of transitional planning for the change outlined in paragraph 4.6 of the report.

XIII ADULT EDUCATION FUND (ADULT EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS)

After considering Agenda Note AN150-2012, the Committee approved a grant of 2,850 to the Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association to allow the organisation to continue to provide a very valuable and wide-ranging evening class provision for the residents of Broughty Ferry and Dundee.

XIV NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS - MEMBERSHIP OF YOUTHLINK SCOTLAND

After considering Agenda Note AN151-2012, the Committee approved a grant of 1,000 to Youthlink Scotland, the National Youth Work Agency, it being noted that the organisation provided the following services:-

- Policy Briefings

- Youth Work Training

- Youth Information

- Cashback for Communities

- National Representation

XV COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM PROCUREMENT APPROACH

There was submitted Report No 350-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services providing an update to the policy for securing community benefits from public procurement and on activity locally.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed that the City Council should implement a Community Benefits Through Procurement Policy Guidance which secured maximum economic and social benefit from procurement activity;

(ii) agreed that community benefit and sustainable procurement should become a fundamental element of City Council procurement activity;

(iii) noted that the community benefit policy would apply to the purchase of all goods and services but initially activity will focus on securing benefits from capital design, build and maintenance programmes before being expanded to all appropriate areas of procurement. Outcomes would typically include:-

- Employment and Skills Activity: (Targeted Recruitment and Training) including the provision of new entrant employment opportunities; apprentices, vacancy sharing agreement and monitoring of local labour rates.

- Supplier Development: including monitoring the spend with local business, requiring prime contractors to advertise all sub-contract opportunities on the Procurement Scotland portal; supporting SME and social enterprises development activities and developing guidance to encourage local suppliers to compete for Council contracts.

- Community and Awareness Raising Activity: including development of construction awareness raising activity, community programmes and donation of materials.

(iv) noted that an employability through procurement working group had been established with representatives from services across the City Council;

(v) noted that a consultation event would be held with representatives of the local construction industry through the Tayside Construction Forum; and

(vi) noted a Changing for the Future Developing Social Enterprise Group had been established to promote engagement with, and support of Social Enterprise in the locality.

It was further agreed to add after programmes in paragraph (iii) above 'and promoting public service contracts with supported businesses in the City in line with Article 19 of the EU public procurement directive'.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

XVI RELIEF OF NON-DOMESTIC RATES ON THE GROUNDS OF HARDSHIP (HARDSHIP RELIEF)

After considering Report No 336-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services relative to the above, the Committee approved the recommendation detailed therein.

XVII DUNDEE ENERGY RECYCLING LTD (DERL) - BALDOVIE WASTE TO ENERGY PLANT

The Committee noted the action taken by the Chief Executive in view of the timescales involved in consultation with the Convener, Councillor Keenan, Bailie Scott, Councillor Macpherson and Bailie Borthwick.

Ken GUILD, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 7th August, 2012.

APPENDIX I

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th January, 2012 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Sub-Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

I APPEAL AGAINST DISMISSAL

It was reported that an appeal against dismissal from an employee of the Social Work Department had been submitted.

The Sub-Committee heard the Council's representative and witnesses and thereafter, the Appellant, and his representative.

After questions had been put and answers given by both parties to each other and the witnesses, and by members of the Sub-Committee, the parties withdrew.

Thereafter, following careful consideration of all the information, the Sub-Committee agreed that the grounds of the appeal had been substantiated in part and that the appeal be upheld to the extent that the Appellant be reinstated to the Social Work Department and issued with a final written warning and a period of unpaid suspension from the date of dismissal to the present day.

Councillor Roberts intimated her dissent from the foregoing decision.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.

At a MEETING of the SUPERANNUATION INVESTMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th August, 2012.

APPENDIX II

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Also in attendance, Shane Mochine-Cox, Trade Union representative.

Bailie Willie SAWERS, Convener, in the Chair.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II SCOTTISH LGPS TRAINING - OCTOBER 2012

There was submitted Agenda Note AN139-2012 advising that a training seminar was being organised by Fife Council for all Scottish LGPS members. The seminar would take place in Baillie Gifford's offices in Edinburgh on 24th October, 2012.

The Sub-Committee agreed that all members of the Superannuation Sub-Committee be authorised to attend this seminar.

The Sub-Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 4, 6 and 11 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

III TAYSIDE SUPERANNUATION FUNDS

(a) PERFORMANCE SUMMARIES

There was submitted Report No 315-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services relating to performance summaries for the quarter, twelve months and three years to 30th June, 2012.

This report reviewed the investment performance of the Main Fund's five Fund Managers (including Property) for the quarter to 30th June, 2012. It also considered the performance of the Transport Fund which shared three of these managers.

The report compared investment performances of the Funds with the Funds' specific benchmarks which consist of various stock market indices.

The Sub-Committee noted the information contained therein with regard to the performance of the Tayside Superannuation Fund and Tayside Transport Superannuation Fund and their Fund Managers.

(b) SUMMARIES OF INVESTMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS

There was submitted No 304-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services summarising investments and transactions during the period 1st April to 30th June, 2012 and reviewing the investment activities of the Main Fund's six Fund Managers for the quarter to 30th June, 2012. The Transport Fund shared three of these managers and their transactions were included.

The report summarised the transactions of each Fund Manager and showed the market values of the Main and Transport Fund.

The Sub-Committee noted the information contained therein with regard to the activities of the Tayside Superannuation Fund and Tayside Transport Superannuation Fund and their Fund Managers.

(c) QUARTERLY FUNDING REPORT

There was submitted Report No 316-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services which considered a report by the Fund Actuary which reviewed the current funding levels of the Funds.

The Sub-Committee noted the report by the Fund Actuary.

IV PRESENTATION

Graeme Rutter and Tony Docherty of Schroders Property gave a short presentation.

Graeme Rutter gave an overview of the UK element of the Fund, noting that although performance was largely stable, it was unrealistic to rely upon economic growth to deliver property returns. Leverage remained a key consideration, but key stock picking and asset management would create out‑performance.

Thereafter, Tony Docherty gave an overview of the European element of the Fund, noting that this had been a volatile and challenging market, however, the long-term outlook was positive.

In conclusion, a review of the whole portfolio was given and members noted that the overall strategy was to reposition the portfolio for the current investment environment.

After they had completed their presentation and answered questions from members of the Sub‑Committee, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

Willie SAWERS, Convener.

APPENDIX III

Boxing Club