Scrutiny Committee - 16/04/2014

At a MEETING of the SCRUTINY COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th April, 2014.

 

Present:-

 

Bailie Willie SAWERS

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Kevin KEENAN

Jimmy BLACK

Kevin CORDELL

Richard McCREADY

 

John ALEXANDER (substituting for Craig MELVILLE)

 

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th February, 2014 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

No declarations of interest were made.

 

II SUMMARY OF EXTERNAL INSPECTION REPORTS WHICH GRADES ARE GOOD OR BETTER

 

There was submitted Report No 187-2014 by the Chief Executive providing a summary of recent external inspection reports which did not require in-depth scrutiny.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the summaries of recent inspection reports on Janet Brougham House, Oakland Centre, Mackinnon Centre Respite Service, Menzieshill House, White Top Centre Respite Facility, Balgay Hill Nursery School, Drummond House and Millview Cottage, all of which received grades of good or better in all areas covered by the inspections; and

 

(ii) remitted to the Directors of Education and Social Work to ensure that the areas for improvement, requirements and recommendations included in the reports were acted upon, both in relation to the particular services inspected and as guidance on good practice for other services.

 

III ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT - CONSTRUCTION DIVISION PSIF ASSESSMENT

 

This item was withdrawn.

 

IV CORPORATE SERVICES HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION PSIF ASSESSMENT

 

There was submitted Report No 183-2014 by the Head of Human Resources summarising the results, key strengths and areas for improvement identified following a self-assessment utilising the Public Service Improvement Framework model for Human Resources.

 

The Committee noted the areas for improvement and Improvement Plan.

 

V KPMG INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT - FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2014

 

There was submitted Report No 190-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

 

The Committee noted KPMG's report and approved the agreed management actions in response to their recommendations.

 

VI EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT - TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS AUDIT STRATEGY OVERVIEW AND PLAN 2013/2014

 

There was submitted Report No 176-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services providing a summary of the responsibilities and approach in respect of the Tayside Pension Funds for 2013/2014.

 

The Committee noted the information included in the report.

 

VII AUDIT SCOTLAND RISK ASSESSMENT REPORT ON THE REVENUE DIVISIONS HOUSING BENEFIT SERVICE

 

There was submitted Report No 181-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services informing elected members of the recent risk assessment audit undertaken by Audit Scotland on the Revenue Division's Housing Benefit service.

 

The Committee approved the Action Plan prepared by officers to address the recommendations contained within the Audit Scotland Report.

 

VIII INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

 

There was submitted Report No 185-2014 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.

 

IX 2014/2015 INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN

 

There was submitted Report No 186-2014 by the Chief Internal Auditor relative to the above.

 

The Committee noted the information contained within the report.

 

X CORPORATE PERFORMANCE SELF-ASSESSMENT 2013/2014 - REPORT FOR NINE MONTHS TO 31ST DECEMBER, 2013

 

There was submitted Report No 159-2014 by the Chief Executive advising elected members of the performance of Dundee City Council for the first nine months of the financial year to 31st December, 2013 as defined by the key quarterly performance indicators.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted that performance levels for the first nine months of the financial year had generally been maintained or improved; and

 

(ii) noted that all Chief Officers should review the contents of Appendix 1 of the report as it related to their service and consider if there were any indicators for which performance could be improved for the financial year 2014/2015.

 

 

 

 

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.