Policy And Resources Committee - 09/03/2015

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th March, 2015.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th February, 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Asif and Cruickshank declared a non-financial interest in Article XXIII by virtue of receiving e-mail correspondence from the applicant.

II FRANKS LAW

It was report that this item had been placed before the Committee at the request of Councillor Macpherson.

The Committee agreed to hear a deputation from Mrs Kopel in support and after she had put forward her case and answered questions from members of the Committee, she was thanked for her attendance and withdrew.

Thereafter, the Committee approved the undernoted resolution.

The Policy and Resources Committee notes that, currently, legislation enables personal care to be provided free for people in Scotland aged over 65, provided they are assessed as needing it.

Of the 85,807 dementia sufferers in Scotland, 3,201 are under the age of 65 and therefore not entitled to the help.

The Committee commends the campaign by Mrs Amanda Kopel - "Frank's Law" - to request that the Scottish Government extend free personal care to under-65s with dementia.

The Committee therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the First Minister requesting her to consider the introduction of a 'Frank's Law' so that free personal care is extended to under-65s with dementia.

III REVENUE BUDGET 2015/2016 - REVIEW OF CHARGES

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th February, 2015, there was submitted Agenda Note AN21-2015 reporting that it had since been identified that coinage issues on the existing meters within West Bell Street car park may prevent some of the approved charges being collected efficiently and therefore it was recommended that car parking charges for the West Bell Street car park be retained at their 2014/2015 levels. Any resulting change to the level of car parking income received would be contained within the City Development Department's overall revenue budget.

In addition, it was noted that the charge for cricket and American football had been omitted from the Review of Charges document and therefore it was proposed that this charge be increased from 56.20 in 2014/2015 to 59.00 for 2015/2016.

The Committee approved accordingly.

IV DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND 2014/2015 AND 2015/2016

There was submitted Report No 108-2015 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

The Committee noted the allocations of the Community Regeneration Fund for 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 and approved the funding proposals contained in Section 5.2 of the report appended hereto (Appendix I).

V REVENUE MONITORING 2014/2015

There was submitted Report No 107-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2014/2015 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st January, 2015 monitored against the adjusted 2014/2015 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2014/2015 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st January, 2015 was projecting an underspend of 615,000 against the adjusted 2014/2015 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st January, 2015 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2014/2015 Revenue Budget;

(iii) instructed the Director of Corporate Services to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2014/2015 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, to continue to monitor the Councils 2014/2015 Projected Revenue Outturn.

VI CAPITAL MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 88-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Expenditure Programme for 2014/2015.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

VII ANNUAL SOCIAL SURVEY

There was submitted Report No 105-2015 by the Chief Executive providing further information from the annual survey commissioned by the Council and the Dundee Partnership focusing on the wider social aspects of the survey and highlighting any variations between the results for community regeneration areas and the city as a whole.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the results in the report and agreed that all departments and partnership groups consider any implications arising from it;

(ii) invited each Local Community Planning Partnership to consider the key results for their area which would be sent to chairs and community officers for distribution; and

(iii) authorised publication of the full survey and community regeneration area reports on the Council and Dundee Partnership websites and agreed to make available copies on request.

VIII DUNDEE FAIRNESS COMMISSION

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th September, 2014, there was submitted Report No 41-2015 by the Chief Executive proposing the membership, remit and outline programme and timetable for the Dundee Fairness Commission.

The Committee:-

(i) endorsed the proposed membership and remit of the Dundee Fairness Commission, subject to a place on the Commission being allocated to an elected member from the Opposition;

(ii) endorsed the programme and timetable for the Commission, subject to the final agreement of its members;

(iii) approved the reporting arrangements to the Dundee Partnership and Dundee City Council; and

(iv) instructed the Chief Executive to bring an interim report on progress to the Policy and Resources Committee in September, 2015.

IX RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

There was submitted Report No 106-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed therein.

X LOCAL GOVERNMENT BENCHMARKING FRAMEWORK PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

There was submitted Report No 85-2015 by the Chief Executive advising elected members of the performance of Dundee City Council for the financial year 2013/2014 as defined by the performance indicators compiled by the Improvement Service and, in particular, in relation to other peer local authorities.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the results contained in the report;

(ii) remitted the report to the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration;

(iii) remitted to Chief Officers to continue to seek improvement to the indicators contained in the report;

(iv) authorised officers to publish customised pages of this report on the Councils website to make it widely available; and

(v) authorised the publication of selected excerpts from the report in the Evening Telegraph to ensure exposure to the Councils stakeholders was maximised.

XI SUPPLY OF IT EQUIPMENT

There was submitted Report No 78-2015 by the Head of Information Technology relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the IT purchases amounting to 213,721 detailed in appendix 1. This covered the period 1st October, 2014 to 16th February, 2015; and

(ii) noted on-going engineering maintenance costs of 11,790 per annum.

XII PROPOSED REORGANISATION OF DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL REGISTERED CHARITIES

There was submitted Report No 66-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services presenting proposals for the reorganisation of Dundee City Council registered charities.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the proposals for the reorganisation of Dundee City Council registered charities, as set out in paragraph 4.3 of the report;

(ii) instructed the Director of Corporate Services to submit applications to OSCR in order to progress the necessary statutory approvals, including an application to establish a new charity with appropriate charitable purposes, named The Dundee Trust;

(iii) agreed that the new charity named The Dundee Trust should have seven trustees, four from the Administration, two from the Labour Group and one from Bailie Borthwick, Bailie Scott and Councillor Macpherson; and

(iv) noted that the Director of Corporate Services would report to a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on the proposed governance arrangements for the new charity named The Dundee Trust.

XIII DUNDEE DRAFT HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION SCHEME

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st November, 2014, there was submitted Report No 121-2015 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the Dundee Draft Integration Scheme;

(ii) instructed the Chief Executive to forward the Dundee Draft Health and Social Care Integration Scheme to the Scottish Government not later than 31st March, 2015; and

(iii) delegated to the Chief Executive authority to approve on behalf of the Council any necessary changes to the Dundee Draft Health and Social Care Integration Scheme that arise following consideration of the draft by NHS Tayside and the Scottish Government and to report back to Committee on any further changes which were made for information in due course.

XIV TAYSIDE PENSION FUND ACTUARIAL VALUATION AS AT 31ST MARCH, 2014

There was submitted Report No 90-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services updating the Committee on the actuarial valuation of the Tayside Pension Fund at 31st March, 2014.

The Committee noted the information contained within the report.

XV TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2015/2016

There was submitted Report No 91-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services introducing the Dundee City Council Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2015/2016.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that in terms of the Treasury Policy Statement, the Director of Corporate Services was obliged to present the annual Treasury Management Strategy at the start of each financial year; and

(ii) approved the strategy proposed by the Director of Corporate Services for 2015/2016 as set out in the document "Treasury Management Strategy 2015/2016".

XVI COUNTER-FRAUD REPORT AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2014

There was submitted Report No 84-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services informing elected members of the Revenue Division's counter-fraud activity as at 31st December, 2014.

The Committee approved the counter-fraud performance report.

XVII WELFARE REFORM UPDATE

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st April, 2014, there was submitted Report No 126-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services updating members on the UK Government Welfare Reforms and the work being undertaken by the Council to mitigate the risks and prepare individuals for the Welfare Reform changes.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the update on the work streams which had been identified to assist in preparing for the Welfare Reform changes;

(ii) noted the announcement from the DWP on the rollout dates relating to Universal Credit and the transition from Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to Personal Independence Payment (PIP);

(iii) noted the implications in terms of increased debt, potential increases in homelessness and demand for advice services from various organisations and the voluntary sector; and

(iv) noted the update on projects which had been established because of the successful external funding applications.

XVIII 18 GARDNER STREET WALL COLLAPSE

There was submitted Report No 123-2015 by the Director of City Development advising on the issues regarding a major retaining wall collapse to the rear of properties in Gardner Street and seeking authority for the Council to reinstate the wall and seek recompense from any liable parties.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the circumstances regarding the collapse of the retaining wall at Gardner Street and the impact it was having on adjacent residents;

(ii) agreed that the Council should take the initiative to bring a resolution to the present situation;

(iii) remitted to officers to instruct Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd to carry out the necessary works to reinstate the retaining wall at a total cost of 776,967.20; and

(iv) remitted to officers to then pursue the reimbursement of the Council's costs from any parties found to be liable either in whole or part for the collapse of the retaining wall.

XIX HOUSING BENEFIT OVERPAYMENT RECOVERY POLICY

There was submitted Report No 104-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services updating the previously approved Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Policy.

The Committee approved the revisions to the Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Policy set out in Appendix A of the report, it being noted that the changes with regard to the weekly rates of deductions would come into effect from 1st April, 2015.

XX HOSPITAL FUND AND JOHNSTON BEQUEST

Reference was made to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th January, 2013, wherein it was agreed to allocate 25,000 from the Hospital Fund and Johnston Bequest to pilot a targeted welfare benefit advice service for older people in the city.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN23-2015 indicating that the previous practice had been to award pensioners a lifetime pension of 80 per annum, generating a total of 14,880 income into the pensioner community. By creating a welfare benefits adviser post at a cost of 25,000 per annum, 200,000 to 250,000 additional income in terms of additional benefits and tax credits etc could be generated and injected into the pensioner community.

Reference was also made to Article VII of the minute of meeting this Committee of 8th September, 2014, wherein the Committee agreed to extend the period of the pilot through to 31st March, 2015 at a cost of 12,500 which would be met from available funds in the Hospital Fund and Johnston Bequest, it being noted that a review of the outcomes would be carried out near the end of the extended pilot and a recommendation would be brought to the Committee on whether it should be continued on a long-term basis after that review.

It was proposed that the Older Peoples Advice Service continue for a further financial year from 1st April, 2015 at a cost of 25,000. Lifetime payments to individual pensioners would continue at the current level of 80 per annum. (The estimated cost in 2014/2015 was 10,640).

The Committee approved accordingly.

XXI CITY DEAL FUNDING

There was submitted Report No 125-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking to advise the Committee of a proposed approach to the Council's participation in a City Deal as a means to contribute to the funding of future economic infrastructure in the Tayside area.

The Committee:-

(i) remitted to officers to liaise with the neighbouring authorities of Angus, Perth and Kinross and Fife to prepare a bid for a City Deal that would assist in bringing forward key economic infrastructure projects in the Tayside area;

(ii) agreed that the Council allocates 25,000 towards the initial cost of external advisors to work on the City Deal proposed and to facilitate negotiations with government; and

(iii) agreed that an interim Governance structure be established with Dundee's neighbouring authorities and that the Convener of the Policy and Resources and Convener of City Development be nominated to participate in emerging governance arrangements on behalf of the Council.

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 paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

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

After considering Report No 102-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services relative to the above, the Committee approved the recommendations detailed therein.

XXIII RELIEF OF RATES - 109-111 HIGH STREET, LOCHEE

The Committee heard a deputation from the applicant and after the deputation had stated their case and answered questions, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th December, 2014, there was submitted Report No 127-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this matter and remitted to the Director of Corporate Services to submit a further report to this Committee.

Ken GUILD, Convener.

APPENDIX I