Scrutiny Committee - 12/12/2012

At a MEETING of the SCRUTINY COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 12th December, 2012.

Present:-

Bailie Willie SAWERS

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor McCready declared a non-financial interest in Article XI by virtue of being a Council representative on Leisure and Culture Dundee.

II INSPECTION - ST ANDREWS PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY CLASS

There was submitted Report No 475-2012 by the Director of Education reporting on the findings of the HMIe inspection of St Andrew's RC Primary School and Nursery Class.

The Committee, having questioned the Director of Education and senior management, agreed to:-

(i) note the contents of the report; and

(ii) instruct the Director of Education to monitor progress towards meeting the areas for improvement contained in the report.

III PUBLIC SERVICE IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK (PSIF ASSESSMENTS)

There was submitted Report No 397-2012 by the Chief Executive summarising the strengths, areas for improvement and high level performance indicators for the services that completed a PSIF assessment between April, 2012 and September, 2012.

The Committee noted the findings of the PSIF assessments for Architectural Services and Revenues Division.

IV INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

There was submitted Report No 477-2012 by the Chief Internal Auditor providing the Committee with a summary of the Internal Audit Reports finalised since the last meeting of this Committee.

The Committee agreed to note the information contained within the report.

V INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS - SUMMARY OF PROGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS

There was submitted Report No 478-2012 by the Chief Internal Auditor providing elected members with an update on the progress in implementing internal audit recommendations previously reported to and agreed by management.

The Committee noted the information contained within the report.

VI THE PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS IN PLACE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CASH WITHIN SCHOOLS AND MEASURES IN PLACE TO CHECKARRANGEMENTS

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd August, 2012, there was submitted Report No 488-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services and Director of Education providing members with an assurance on the processes and systems in place for the management of cash within schools, along with the measures in place to check these arrangements.

The Committee noted the information contained within the report.

VII MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE - ARE YOU GETTING IT RIGHT?

There was submitted Report No 486-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with a summary of the above national study that had recently been issued by Audit Scotland on behalf of the Accounts Commission.

The Committee noted the main findings arising from this national study, including a tool for checking progress and tools to aid performance management and improvement.

VIII NATIONAL FRAUD INITIATIVE 2012/2013

There was submitted Report No 363-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services informing elected members of the Committee's participation in the National Fraud Initiative 2012/2013.

The Committee noted:-

(i) the Council's participation in this exercise;

(ii) the value of fraud and irregularities to date as a result of past participation in the National Fraud Initiative exercises; and

(iii) the contents of The National Fraud Initiative in Scotland.

XI CORPORATE PERFORMANCE SELF-ASSESSMENT 2012/2013 - REPORT FOR SIX MONTHS TO 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2012

There was submitted Report No 451-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services advising elected members of the performance of Dundee City Council for the six months to 30th September, 2012 as defined by the key quarterly performance indicators.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that performance levels for the first six months to 30th September, 2012 had generally been maintained or improved;

(ii) remitted to all Chief Officers to review the contents of Appendix 1 as it related to their service and consider if there were any indicators for which performance could be improved over the remainder of the 2012/2013 financial year; and

(iii) remitted to Chief Officers to also review their Service Plans and consider if there were any further performance indicators which could usefully be reported to the Scrutiny Committee on a quarterly basis.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.