Scrutiny Committee - 25/06/2014

At a MEETING of the SCRUTINY COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th June, 2014.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th April, 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 FOR WHICH GRADES ARE GOOD OR BETTER

There was submitted Report No 226-2014 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 East Port House and Turriff House, both of which received grades of good or better in all areas covered by the inspections; and

(ii) remitted the Director of 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 ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPLAINTS

There was submitted Report No 178-2014 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the key performance indicators on complaints closed between 1st April, 2013 and 31st March, 2014;

(ii) noted the latest summary of findings from the Complaints Review Group which met quarterly to check the quality of complaints handling and to promote learning and process improvement from complaints; and

(iii) noted the results of the satisfaction survey sent to everyone who made a complaint which was closed during 2013/2014.

IV CORPORATE PERFORMANCE SELF-ASSESSMENT 2013/2014 - REPORT FOR TWELVE MONTHS TO 31ST MARCH, 2014

There was submitted Report No 256-2014 by the Chief Executive advising elected members of the performance of Dundee City Council for the twelve months to 31st March, 2014 as defined by the key quarterly performance indicators.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that performance levels for the twelve 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 as it related to their service and consider if there were any indicators for which performance could be improved in the new financial year 2014/2015.

V ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

(a) CONSTRUCTION DIVISION PSIF ASSESSMENT

There was submitted Report No 182-2014 by the Director of Environment reporting to Committee the results, key strengths and areas for improvement identified following a self-assessment utilising the Public Service Improvement Framework model for the Construction Services Division.

The Committee noted the key findings of the PSIF Assessment including the areas for improvement and associated improvement plan.

(b) ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PSIF ASSESSMENT

There was submitted Report No 271-2014 by the Director of Environment reporting on the results, key strengths and areas for improvement identified following a self-assessment utilising the Public Service Improvement Framework model for the Environmental Management Division.

The Committee noted the key findings of the PSIF Assessment including the areas for improvement and associated improvement plan.

VI AN OVERVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SCOTLAND

There was submitted Report No 202-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with a summary of the above national report which had been undertaken by Audit Scotland on behalf of the Accounts Commission.

The Committee noted the key findings, checklist and links to other materials.

VII ASSURANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2014-2017

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 23rd June, 2014, there was submitted Report No 254-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with an update on the Assurance and Improvement Plan 2014-2017 that was recently issued by Audit Scotland on behalf of the various regulatory bodies responsible for scrutinising the services provided by the Council.

The Committee noted the information contained within the report and in the Assurance and Improvement Plan Update 2014-2017 appended thereto.

VIII REVIEW OF PREVIOUS YEARS EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT ACTION PLANS

There was submitted Report No 194-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with an update on the progress on implementing recommendations from previously agreed External Audit Reports.

The Committee noted the information in the report and Appendix A thereto which updated progress on implementing previously agreed recommendations.

IX OPTIONS APPRAISAL: ARE YOU GETTING IT RIGHT?

There was submitted Report No 239-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with a summary of the above national study that had been undertaken by Audit Scotland on behalf of the Accounts Commission.

The Committee noted the key findings arising from this national study including the list of questions shown in Appendix 2 of the report but was designed specifically for Councillors to help identify key issues and consider improvement actions.

X CHARGING FOR SERVICES: ARE YOU GETTING IT RIGHT?

There was submitted Report No 255-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with a summary of the above national study that had been undertaken by Audit Scotland on behalf of the Accounts Commission.

The Committee noted the key findings arising from the national study including a list of questions shown in Appendix 1 of the report that was designed specifically for Councillors to help identify key issues and consider improvement actions.

XI INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

There was submitted Report No 269-2014 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.

XII 2013/2014 INTERNAL AUDIT ANNUAL REPORT

There was submitted Report No 270-2014 by the Chief Internal Auditor summarising the activities of the Council's Internal Audit Service during the financial year 2013/2014 and providing an opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation's governance, risk management and control framework.

The Committee noted the information contained within the report.

XIII CORPORATE RISK REGISTER

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 9th June, 2014, there was submitted Report No 229-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee noted the content of the register and approved the revised Corporate Risk Register.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.