Policy And Resources Committee - 25/02/2016

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th February, 2016.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost Bob DUNCAN

 

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

 

BAILIES

 

Willie SAWERS

Helen WRIGHT

Ian BORTHWICK

 

Derek J SCOTT

 

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Ken GUILD

Stewart HUNTER

Lesley BRENNAN

John ALEXANDER

Ken LYNN

Georgia CRUICKSHANK

Jimmy BLACK

Gregor MURRAY

Tom FERGUSON

David BOWES

Alan G ROSS

Brian GORDON

Bill CAMPBELL

Kevin KEENAN

Richard McCREADY

Kevin CORDELL

Mohammed ASIF

Norma McGOVERN

Will DAWSON

Laurie BIDWELL

Fraser MACPHERSON

 

Bailie Willie SAWERS, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th February, 2016 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

No declarations of interest were made.

 

II REVENUE BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX 2015/2016

 

The Committee agreed to hear deputations in respect of the above and after the deputations had put forward their case and answered questions from members of the Committee, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

 

Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th January, 2016.

 

The Committee had before them the following:-

 

(i) Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2016/2017 - Report No 72-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services;

 

(ii) Letter dated 16th February, 2016 by the Head of Democratic and Legal Services regarding voting instructions in terms of Section 112 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1992; and

 

(iii) Provisional Revenue Budget 2016/2017 and the Review of Charges 2016/2017 - Report No 80-2016.

 

After considering Report No 72-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Bailie Sawers, seconded by Councillor Black, moved that the Committee:-

 

(i) notes the contents of Report No 72-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, together with the estimates of revenue expenditure for the year from 1st April, 2016 to 31st March, 2017, as contained in the Provisional 2016/2017 Revenue Budget Volume;

 

(ii) approves the 2016/2017 Revenue Budget as detailed in the Budget Volume, subject to the adjustment outlined in paragraphs (iv) and (v) below;

 

(iii) approves the 2016/2017 Review of Charges as detailed in the Review of Charges document totalling 188,000 which is already included in the Budget Volume;

 

(iv) approves the additional expenditure totalling 208,000 as shown in Appendix 1 appended hereto;

 

(v) approves the budget savings totalling 10,124,000 as shown in Appendix 1 appended hereto;

 

(vi) approves the calculation of the Council Tax for 2016/2017 as detailed in Appendix 2; and

 

(vii) approves that the 2016/2017 Band D Council Tax be frozen at 1,211 and the Council Tax for each band be set as follows:-

 

2016/2017 Council Tax Per Band

Council Tax Band

Factor

2016/2017 Council Tax

 

 

A

6/9

807.33

B

7/9

941.89

C

8/9

1,076.44

D

9/9

1,211.00

E

11/9

1,480.11

F

13/9

1,749.22

G

15/9

2,018.33

H

18/9

2,422.00

 

As an amendment, Councillor Macpherson, seconded by Bailie Scott, moved that the Committee:-

 

(i) notes the contents of Report No 72-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, together with the estimates of revenue expenditure for the year from 1st April, 2016 to 31st March, 2017, as contained in the Provisional 2016/2017 Revenue Budget Volume;

 

(ii) approves the 2016/2017 Revenue Budget as detailed in the Budget Volume, subject to the adjustments outlined in paragraphs (iii), (iv) and (v), below;

 

(iii) approves the 2016/2017 Review of Charges as detailed in the Review of Charges document with the following amendments:-

 

Remove the proposed increases in the following charges:-

 

Off-Street Car Parking (Page 5)

80,000

On-Street Car Parking (Page 6)

31,000

 

Resulting in revised additional income for Council Tax purposes totalling 108,000;

 

(iv) approves the additional expenditure totalling 208,000 as shown in the above motion;

 

(v) approves the budget savings totalling 10,124,000 as shown in the above motion with the following amendments:-

 

Savings to be Amended

 

City Development: Review of Roads and Street Lighting Maintenance - reduce proposed saving in revenue expenditure by 87,165

 

87,165

Neighbourhood Services: Garden Maintenance Scheme - do not implement charges for private individuals who currently receive no charge *

50,835

Total

138,000

 

* It is further proposed to establish a short-term working group to consider proposals for a charging system for 2017/2018 that takes account of recipients income and ability to pay and also tasked with developing a social enterprise alternative for these users.

 

Savings to be Added

 

Various Savings per Appendix 3

218,000

Total

218,000

 

Resulting in a revised savings total of 10,204,000.

 

(vi) approves the calculation of the Council Tax for 2016/2017 as detailed in Appendix 4; and

 

(vii) approves that the 2016/2017 Band D Council Tax be set at 1,211 and the Council Tax for each band be set as follows:-

 

2016/2017 Council Tax Per Band

Council Tax Band

Factor

2016/2017 Council Tax

 

 

A

6/9

807.33

B

7/9

941.89

C

8/9

1,076.44

D

9/9

1,211.00

E

11/9

1,480.11

F

13/9

1,749.22

G

15/9

2,018.33

H

18/9

2,422.00

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, Murray, Ross and Guild, Bailie Sawers, Lord Provost Duncan and Depute Lord Provost Roberts (14); and for the amendment - Councillor Macpherson and Baillie Scott (2) - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern and Bailies Wright and Borthwick declining to vote - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

 

 

 

Willie SAWERS, Convener.

 

APPENDIX I

 

 

ADMINISTRATION GROUP

 

 

Department/Additional Expenditure Proposal

2016/2017

000

2017/2018

000

Children and Families

 

1. School Clothing Grants (Report No 68-2016)

 

 

208

 

 

208

 

 

Total Additional Expenditure Proposals

 

208

 

208

 

 

Department/Savings Proposal

2016/2017

000

2017/2018

000

Children and Families

 

1. Restructure of Children and Families Service

(Report No 67-2016)

 

 

 

968

 

 

1,124

 

Budgets Delegated to Dundee Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board

 

1. Re-modelling of Home Care Service (Report No 64-2016)

 

2. Strategic Commissioning (Report No 65-2016)

 

3. Management and Support Savings through creation of Joint Management Structure

 

The creation of a new joint organisational management structure as a result of integrating health and social care services provides the opportunity to deliver efficiencies in management costs. This new structure is currently being developed and is designed to build and lead the new integrated body, plan for and lead significant service change and development and to manage the effective delivery of services delegated to the Integration Joint Board. It is anticipated that financial efficiencies will be generated in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 through creating this new structure and these will be shared equally between Dundee City Council and NHS Tayside.

 

4. Cost Pressures to be met from Additional Scottish Government Funding

 

The Provisional Revenue Budget includes assumptions for various inflationary pressures including pay awards, increase in employers national insurance contributions following the end of the contracting out rebate, payments to third party bodies etc. It is anticipated these cost pressures will now be met from the Dundee Health and Social Care Integration Joint Boards share of the additional 250m resources provided by the Scottish Government.

 

 

 

 

250

 

1,089

 

65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,115

 

 

 

500

 

1,089

 

98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,115

 

 

City Development

 

1. Council Property Rationalisation (Report No 50-2016)

 

2. Energy Costs

 

Following a further review of these budgets, and taking into account latest projections for energy consumption, it is possible to reduce the 2016/2017 budget provision for energy by 134,000.

 

3. Review of Roads and Street Lighting Maintenance

(Report No 52-2016)

 

4. Reduction of the Employability Childcare Subsidy Budget

 

The budget for Childcare Subsidy within the Employability service has been significantly underspent over the past three years. It is proposed to reduce this budget to reflect the current level of expenditure.

 

 

 

200

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

1,300

 

 

100

 

 

678

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

1,300

 

 

100

Neighbourhood Services

 

1. Review of Garden Maintenance Service (Report No 48-2016)

 

2. Domestic Waste Recycling Strategy (Report No 53-2016)

 

3. Service Redesign etc

 

The Policy and Resources Committee approved a new Service and Management Structure on 8th June, 2015 (Article III of the minute of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on 8th June, 2015, Report No 216-2015 refers). This restructure involved the merger of the Environment and Housing Departments, and the integration into the new service of some front-line functions which were previously within the Communities Division of the Chief Executive's Department. The merger has identified various areas where resources are currently duplicated and has provided the new service with opportunities to deliver services more effectively. The above efficiencies will be generated mainly through the previously agreed re-introduction of the VER/VR scheme.

 

 

 

287

 

120

 

717

 

 

338

 

54

 

717

Corporate Services

 

1. Back Office and Support Functions (Report No 63-2016)

 

 

 

841

 

 

1,441

Corporate

 

1. Workforce Strategy

 

Council Service areas are working collaboratively with Human Resources and Business Support and the trade unions to seek to support attendance at work with positive results over recent months with attendance rates improving. There is also greater in-depth scrutiny of overtime and additional hours worked within services on a quarterly basis which is also shared with the trade unions with the aim of achieving an ongoing reduction. Recruitment practices are also being reviewed with increased scrutiny and challenge provided when a request to fill a vacancy is submitted. In addition, with the ongoing Council restructure into the new service areas and the impending launch and implementation of the 'Our People Strategy' initial recommendations, all of these strategies and approaches will allow this saving to be achieved.

 

2. Procurement

 

The Procurement savings of 300,000 will be achieved by working with services on an ongoing basis to raise commercial awareness and identify savings opportunities by ensuring the best use of existing accessible contracts and the most suitable procurement route for new requirements.

 

3. Review of Council Tax Base

 

In light of an increased number of properties evident in the current level of billing, it is possible to increase the gross Council Tax base by 264 Band D equivalent properties.

 

4. Third Party Funding

 

4a Dundee Partnership Projects (Report No 35-2016)

 

4b Development of a Joint Commissioning Strategy

(Report No 66-2016)

 

4c Cultural and Other Bodies

 

It is proposed that funding levels are agreed as follows for 2016/2017:-

 

Leisure & Culture Dundee 6,741,000

Dovetail 144,000

Dundee Science Centre 42,000

Dundee Rep 359,000

Dundee Contemporary Arts 241,000

Dundee Industrial Heritage 58,000

 

5. Channel Shift/Programme (Report No 58-2016)

 

6. Mobile and Data Contract

 

The Council will be reviewing its mobile and data contract through the new national framework. Implementation will be phased in during 2016/2017 resulting in a reduction in tariffs.

 

 

 

500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

300

 

 

 

 

 

 

310

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

153

 

120

 

 

313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

152

 

90

 

 

500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

300

 

 

 

 

 

 

310

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

153

 

120

 

 

313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

358

 

115

Total Savings and Efficiencies Proposals

10,124

11,857

 

 

Total Savings and Efficiencies Proposals Less Additional Expenditure Proposal

 

9,916

 

11,649

 

APPENDIX II

 

 

ADMINISTRATION GROUP

 

REVENUE BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX 2016/2017

 

Council Tax Calculation 2016/2017

 

 

 

2016/2017

 

000

 

Provisional Revenue Budget per Volume

354,270

 

Add Additional Expenditure (per Appendix 1)

208

 

Less Budget Savings (per Appendix 1)

(10,124)

 

Add-back Budget Savings Relating to Council Tax Base

310

 

Revised Revenue Budget

344,664

 

Less General Revenue Funding/Non-Domestic Rates

(285,631)

 

59,033

 

Less Amount to be met from Balances

0

 

AMOUNT TO BE MET FROM COUNCIL TAX

 

59,033

Council Tax Base (Band D Equivalent)

50,357

 

Less Provision for Non-Collection (3.2%)

(1,611)

 

ADJUSTED COUNCIL TAX BASE

48,746

 

 

COUNCIL TAX (BAND D)

 

1,211

Year-on-Year Increase/(Decrease) in Council Tax

0

 

% Year-on-Year Increase/(Decrease)

0.00%

 

List of Additional Expenditure/Budget Savings Reports

 

 

Report No 68-2016 - School Clothing Grants

 

Report No 67-2016 - Restructure of Children and Families Service

 

Report No 64-2016 - Re-modelling of Home Care Services

 

Report No 65-2016 - Integration Joint Board Strategic Commissioning

 

Report No 50-2016 - Council Property Rationalisation

 

Report No 52-2016 - Review of Roads and Street Lighting Maintenance

 

Report No 48-2016 - Review of the Garden Maintenance Service

 

Report No 53-2016 - Domestic Waste Recycling Strategy

 

Report No 63-2016 - Back Office and Support Functions

 

Report No 35-2016 - Dundee Partnership Projects

 

Report No 66-2016 - Third Party Payments and the Development of a Joint Commissioning Strategy

 

Report No 58-2016 - Channel Shift Programme

 

APPENDIX III

 

 

COUNCILLOR MACPHERSON

 

 

Department/Savings Proposal

2016/2017

000

2017/2018

000

City Development

 

1.      Support Services - Postages (p31)

2.      Building Quality - Advertising (p33)

3.      Building Quality - Other Supplies and Services (p33)

4.      Sustainable Transport - Information Consumables/Systems (p35)

5.      Street Lighting - Contract Car Hire Subsidy (p39)

6.      Off Street Car Parks - Furniture and Equipment (p41)

7.      Mainstream Economic Development - Subscriptions (p42)

8.      Property Management - Printing (p43)

9.      Property Management - Other Supplies and Services (p43)

10.    Property Valuation - Repairs and Maintenance (p44)

11.    Architectural Services - Printing, Stationery and General Office Expenses (p48)

12.    Architectural Services - Contract Car Hire Subsidy (p48)

13.    On Street Car Parking - Equipment and Furniture (p49)

14.    On Street Car Parking - Clothing, Uniforms and Laundry (p49)

15.    On Street Car Parking - Postages and Telephones (p49)

 

 

 

2

5

2

5

1

1

2

2

3

10

 

2

2

5

1

2

 

 

2

5

2

5

1

1

2

2

3

10

 

2

2

5

1

2

Environment

 

1.      Construction - Contract Car Hire (p53)

2.      Environmental Management - Publicity/Marketing/Advertising (p54)

3.      Environmental Management - Contract Car Hire (p54)

4.      Environment Protection - Services (p56)

5.      Environmental Protection - Publicity/Marketing/Advertising (p56)

6.      Environmental Protection - Contract Car Hire (p56)

7.      Fleet - Materials and Consumables (p58)

8.      Support Services - Equipment and Furniture (p59)

9.      Support Services - Clothing and Uniforms (p59)

10.    Support Services - Printing and Stationery (p59)

11.    Support Services - Publicity, Marketing and Advertising (p59)

12.    Support Services - Subscriptions (p59)

 

 

 

2

2

2

1

1

1

6

4

7

9

1

1

 

 

 

2

2

2

1

1

1

6

4

7

9

1

1

 

Chief Executive

 

1.      Communities - Equipment and Furniture (p66)

2.      Communities - Books and Educational Materials (p66)

3.      Communities - Catering and Hospitality (p66)

4.      Communities - Printing and Stationery (p66)

5.      Communities - Adverts, Publicity, Marketing (p66)

6.      Public Relations - Books and Educational Materials (p68)

7.      Communications and Policy - Leisure and Culture Dundee (p70)

 

 

14

1

5

8

3

2

20

 

 

14

1

5

8

3

2

20

 

 

Corporate Services

 

1.      Human Resources and Business Support - Equipment and Furniture (p73)

2.      Human Resources and Business Support - Books and Educational Material (p73)

3.      Human Resources and Business Support - Printing and Stationery (p73)

4.      Human Resources and Business Support - Telephony and Communications (p73)

5.      Democratic and Legal Services - Equipment and Furniture (74)

6.      Democratic and Legal Services - Books and Educational Materials (p74)

7.      Democratic and Legal Services - Catering and Hospitality (p74)

8.      Democratic and Legal Services - Printing and Stationery (p74)

9.      Democratic and Legal Services - Professional Consultancy Fees (p74)

10.    Democratic and Legal Services - Telephony and Communications (p74)

11.    Electoral Registration - Postages (p77)

12.    Information Technology - Equipment and Furniture (p81)

13.    Information Technology - Materials and Consumables (p81)

14.    Information Technology - Printing and Stationery (p81)

15.    Information Technology - Computing Costs (p81)

16.    Corporate Finance - Printing and Stationery (p82)

17.    Corporate Finance - Services (p82)

18.    Revenues and Customer Services - Equipment and Furniture (p86)

19.    Revenues and Customer Services - Printing and Stationery (p86)

20.    Revenues and Customer Services - Postages (p86)

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

1

1

 

2

20

2

 

2

 

2

2

6

2

10

20

2

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

1

1

 

2

20

2

 

2

 

2

2

6

2

10

20

2

2

2

2

2

Total

218

218

 

APPENDIX IV

 

 

COUNCILLOR MACPHERSON

 

REVENUE BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX 2016/2017

 

Council Tax Calculation 2016/2017

 

 

 

2016/2017

 

000

 

Provisional Revenue Budget per Volume

354,270

 

Add Reduction in Income from Review of Charges

 

80

Add Additional Expenditure

208

 

Less Budget Savings

(10,204)

 

Add-back Budget Savings Relating to Council Tax Base

310

 

Revised Revenue Budget

344,664

 

Less General Revenue Funding/Non-Domestic Rates

(285,631)

 

59,033

 

Less Amount to be met from Balances

 

0

AMOUNT TO BE MET FROM COUNCIL TAX

 

59,033

Council Tax Base (Band D Equivalent)

 

50,357

Less Provision for Non-Collection (3.2%)

 

(1,611)

ADJUSTED COUNCIL TAX BASE

48,746

 

 

COUNCIL TAX (BAND D)

1,211

 

Year-on-Year Increase/(Decrease) in Council Tax

0

 

% Year-on-Year Increase/(Decrease)

0.00%