Policy And Resources Committee - 25/04/2016

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

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th March, 2016 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II MINUTES

(a) PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE - 21ST FEBRUARY AND 1ST MARCH, 28TH FEBRUARY AND 8TH MARCH AND 30TH MARCH, 2016

(b) PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE AND PENSION BOARD - 7TH MARCH, 2016

The minutes of meetings of the above Sub-Committees, copies of which are appended hereto, were submitted for information and record purposes (Appendices I, II, III and IV).

III IMPROVING SERVICES THROUGH LISTENING TO CUSTOMERS AND SERVICE USERS

There was submitted Report No 110-2016 by the Chief Executive highlighting improvements which had been made to Council services as a result of listening to the views of customers and service users over the past year.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the report and agreed that similar reports should continue to be submitted annually; and

(ii) remitted to services to maintain their efforts to listen to and respond to feedback from customers and to identify any further customers who should be consulted with a view to achieving service improvements.

IV CHANGING FOR THE FUTURE - COLLABORATIVE WORKING

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th October, 2015, there was submitted Report No 135-2016 by the Chief Executive proposing a programme of collaborative working with neighbouring Councils to commence in 2016/2017.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the participation of Dundee City Council in a collaborative programme of work with Angus and Perth and Kinross Councils;

(ii) agreed the 10 areas to be explored within the collaborative programme; and

(iii) remitted to the Chief Executive to provide update reports as the work progresses.

V DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND 2016/2017

There was submitted Report No 146-2016 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

The Committee noted the Community Regeneration Fund allocations for 2016/2017 and approved the funding proposals contained in Section 5.2 of the report appended hereto (Appendix V).

VI REVENUE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 133-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2015/2016 projected revenue outturn as at 29th February, 2016 monitored against the adjusted 2015/2016 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2015/2016 projected revenue outturn as at 29th February, 2016 had an underspend of 4,469,000 against the adjusted 2015/2016 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 29th February, 2016 was projecting an underspend of 100,000 against the adjusted HRA 2015/2016 Revenue Budget;

(iii) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2015/2016 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

(iv) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services, in conjunction with all Chief Officers, to continue to monitor the Council's 2015/2016 projected revenue outturn.

VII CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 55-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2016-2021.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

VIII HOSPITAL FUND AND JOHNSTON BEQUEST

There was submitted Report No 132-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services requesting the Committee to consider extending by a further 12 months the post of Welfare Rights Officer (Elderly People) from 1st April, 2016 to 31st March, 2017.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed that the above post within the Older People Advice Service (OPAS) should continue to be carried out by the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) Dundee and be funded via the Hospital Fund and Johnston Bequest; and

(ii) agreed that the individual lifetime grant payments to pensioners continue at the current level of 80 per year.

IX RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

There was submitted Report No 142-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendation detailed in the report.

X IMPROVING CHILDREN'S SERVICES - INTRODUCTION OF A NEW STRUCTURE

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th February, 2016, there was submitted Report No 166-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Executive Director of Children and Families Service setting out the new structure within the Children and Families Service.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the new structure for the Children and Families Service;

(ii) agreed that the new structure be implemented from 1st May, 2016; and

(iii) instructed the Executive Director of Children and Families Service to bring back a joint inspection Action Plan following consideration by the Dundee Community Planning Partnership.

XI REPLACEMENT OF BALDRAGON ACADEMY

On a reference to Article XII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th September, 2015, there was submitted Report No 129-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services advising the Committee of the final position achieved at financial close of the contract to replace Baldragon Academy.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

XII ESTABLISHMENT OF PROJECT BOARD FOR LONGHAUGH PRIMARY SCHOOL/ ST LUKES AND MATTHEWS AND ST VINCENTS RC PRIMARY SCHOOLS ANDLONGHAUGH NURSERY SCHOOL

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 22nd June, 2015, there was submitted Report No 167-2016 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service regarding the establishment of a Project Board to ensure the delivery of the replacements for Longhaugh Primary School, St Luke's and St Matthew's Primary School, St Vincent's Primary School and Longhaugh Nursery on a North East campus site.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the establishment of a Project Board comprising elected members (Convener of Children and Families Service and Ward Councillors), a Roman Catholic Church representative, Executive Director of Children and Families Service or nominated member of staff, City Architect, Head Teachers, one Parent Council member from each of the schools, two pupils from each school, one Teacher Union Representative, Capital Projects Team and Head of Transportation; and

(ii) agreed that the Project Board be chaired by the Head of Service (Primary and Early Years).

XIII DUNDEE TO STANSTED PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATION

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th June, 2014, there was submitted Report No 149-2016 by the Executive Director of City Development proposing that the Council continued to support air services between Dundee and London Stansted through a six month extension to the Public Service Obligation.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the contribution of 49,000 from Dundee City Council to extend the PSO contract for six months; and

(ii) noted that a re-tender exercise would be undertaken to seek to secure air services between Dundee and London from January, 2017 onwards.

Ken GUILD, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 21st February and 1st March, 2016.

APPENDIX I

Present:-

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st February, 2016 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Sub-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 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II APPEAL AGAINST DISMISSAL

It was reported that an appeal against dismissal from an employee of the Social Work Department had been submitted.

The Sub-Committee heard the Councils representative and witnesses and, thereafter, the Appellant and his representative.

After questions had been put and answers given by both parties to each other and the witnesses and by members of the Sub-Committee, the parties withdrew.

Thereafter, following careful consideration of all the information, the Sub-Committee agreed that the grounds of the appeal had been substantiated in part and that the appeal be upheld to the extent that the appellant be reinstated and that a final written warning be imposed from 1st March, 2016.

Councillor Hunter intimated his dissent from the foregoing decision.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 28th February and 8th March, 2016.

APPENDIX II

Present:-

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

COUNCILLORS

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 1st March, 2016 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Sub-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 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II APPEAL AGAINST DISMISSAL

It was reported that an appeal against dismissal from an employee of the Social Work Department had been submitted.

The Sub-Committee heard the Council's representative and witnesses and, thereafter, the Appellant and her representative.

After questions had been put and answers given by both parties to each other and the witnesses and by members of the Sub-Committee, the parties withdrew.

Thereafter, following careful consideration of all the information, the Sub-Committee agreed that the grounds of the appeal had not been substantiated and that the appeal be not upheld.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 30th March, 2016.

APPENDIX III

Present:-

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

COUNCILLORS

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Sub-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 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II APPEAL AGAINST DISMISSAL

It was reported that an appeal against dismissal from an employee of the Environment Department had been submitted.

The Sub-Committee heard the Councils representative and witnesses and, thereafter, the Appellant and her representative.

After questions had been put and answers given by both parties to each other and the witnesses and by members of the Sub-Committee, the parties withdrew.

Thereafter, following careful consideration of all the information, the Sub-Committee agreed that the grounds of the appeal had not been substantiated and that the appeal be not upheld.

Christina ROBERTS, Convener.

At a JOINT MEETING of the PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE AND THE PENSION BOARD held at Dundee on 7th March, 2016.

APPENDIX IV

Present:-

PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE

Bailie Willie SAWERS

COUNCILLORS

PENSION BOARD

Bailie Willie SAWERS, Convener, in the Chair.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS RISK REGISTER

There was submitted Report No 98-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services updating the Risk Register for the Tayside Pension Funds.

The Sub-Committee and Board approved the updated Quarterly Risk Register for the Tayside Pension Fund and Tayside Transport Pension Fund and noted the following change to risk profiles and control measures:-

Risk 12 - Decreased risk due to installation of new software relating to the new CARE scheme. Current skills gap within the Pension Admin Team in terms of system proficiency was currently being addressed and as their knowledge and experience increases, the risk reduces.

III TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS BUSINESS PLAN 2016/2017

There was submitted Report No 100-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services introducing the eleventh annual Business Plan for the Tayside Pension Funds.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the information within the report and approved the 2016/2017 Business Plan which applied to the administration and management of the Tayside Pension Fund and the Tayside Transport Pension Fund.

IV TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

There was submitted Report No 101-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the Treasury Management Strategy for Tayside Pension Fund.

The Sub-Committee and Board approved the Treasury Management Strategy including a list of permitted counterparties.

V ADMISSION AGREEMENT - CULTURE PERTH AND KINROSS

There was submitted Report No 94-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services seeking agreement of the Sub-Committee and Board to the admission of Culture Perth and Kinross to the Local Government Pension Scheme as an Admission Body.

The Sub-Committee and Board agreed that from the date it comes into being, Culture Perth and Kinross be admitted to the Local Government Pension Scheme as an Admission Body and to make and enter into an appropriate admission agreement. The Sub-Committee and Board also noted that Perth and Kinross Council would act as guarantor for the new organisation.

VI PENSION BOARD AND SUB-COMMITTEE TRAINING

A verbal update was given as to current progress and alternative solutions were discussed.

The Sub-Committee and Board 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 paragraphs 4, 6 and 11 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

VII TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS

(a) PERFORMANCE SUMMARIES

There was submitted Report No 95-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relating to Performance Summaries for the quarter to 31st December. It also considered the performance of the Transport Fund which invests with three of these managers.

The report compared investment performance of the Funds with the Funds' specific benchmarks which consisted of various stock and security market indices.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the information contained therein with regard to the performance of the Tayside Superannuation Fund and Tayside Transport Superannuation Fund and their Fund Managers.

(b) SUMMARIES OF INVESTMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS

There was submitted Report No 75-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services summarising investments and transactions during the period 1st September to 31st December, 2015 reviewing the investment activities of the Main Funds seven Fund Managers for the quarter to 31st December, 2015. The Transport Fund shared three of these managers and their transactions were included.

The report summarised the transactions of each Fund Manager and showed the market values of the Main and Transport Fund.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the information contained therein with regard to the activities of the Tayside Pension Fund and Tayside Transport Pension Fund and their Fund Managers.

VIII QUARTERLY FUNDING REPORT

There was submitted Report No 97-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services which considered a report reviewing the current funding level of the Funds as assessed by the Fund Actuary.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the report by the Fund Actuary.

IX ANNUAL REVIEW OF INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE - MAIN FUND

There was submitted Report No 103-2016 to the Executive Director of Corporate Services.

This report considered a paper by the Fund Consultants entitled Annual Review of Investment Performance 2015 February, 2016 and its opinion and recommendations.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the report and, in particular, the recommendations on individual investment managers. The report also referred to the Investment Strategy Review.

X INVESTMENT STRATEGY REVIEW

There was submitted Report No 102-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services.

The report considered the Fund Consultant paper Review of Investment Strategy February, 2016 and its opinion and recommendations.

The Sub-Committee and Board agreed to note the content of the report by the Fund Consultant and its recommendations.

XI PRESENTATION

Steve Kirk and David Barber from Fidelity gave a short presentation.

A summary of the performance of the Portfolio for Question 4 was given noting the key performance drivers and comparison of this to benchmark figures. It was noted that the Portfolio was continuing to out-perform its benchmark, with the performance objective being to consistently achieve this over a rolling three year period.

The Chair thanked the speakers for their presentation.

Willie SAWERS, Convener.

APPENDIX V