Policy And Resources Committee - 14/11/2016

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th November, 2016.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 31st October, 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) PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE - 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2016

(b) PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE - 2ND NOVEMBER, 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 and II).

III PUBLIC BODIES CLIMATE CHANGE DUTIES - ANNUAL REPORT 2015/2016

There was submitted Report No 344-2016 by the Chief Executive informing the Committee of the work undertaken over the last year in support of the Council's duties under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

The Committee noted the contents of the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties - Annual Report 2015/2016 appended to the report.

IV DUNDEE FAIRNESS ACTION PLAN

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th June, 2016, there was submitted Report No 353-2016 by the Chief Executive presenting the revised Fairness Action Plan for Dundee and identifying responses to the recommendations of the Dundee Fairness Commission.

The Committee:-

(i) endorsed the revised Fairness Action Plan;

(ii) noted the allocation of Scottish Government funding to the Cost of the School Day project and the creation of a body in Dundee based on the Poverty Truth Commission model; and

(iii) instructed the Chief Executive to present six monthly updates to this Committee and the Dundee Partnership.

V REVENUE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 349-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2016/2017 projected revenue outturn as at 30th September, 2016 monitored against the adjusted 2016/2017 revenue budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2016/2017 projected revenue outturn as at 30th September, 2016 had an overspend of 600,000 against the adjusted 2016/2017 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 30th September, 2016 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2016/2017 Revenue Budget;

(iii) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2016/2017 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 2016/2017 projected revenue outturn.

VI THE CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER ANNUAL REPORT 2015/2016

There was submitted Report No 361-2016 by the Chief Social Work Officer relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the Chief Social Work Officer's Annual Report for 2015/2016; and

(ii) approved the submission of the report to the Scottish Government.

VII PURCHASE OF AQUAPHASE EQUIPMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN93-2016 intimating that as part of the Health and Social Care Integration process, a joint equipment loan service was being developed between Dundee City Council, Angus Council and NHS Tayside. In this instance, specialised washing equipment was being purchased which was of a similar type of that currently in place and was needed to increase the capacity beyond current arrangements. The Aquaphase specialist washing machine cleaned and decontaminated community equipment.

The Committee approved the purchase and installation of the equipment and at a cost of 60,245, it being noted that the equipment would be owned by Dundee City Council and stored at the joint equipment service store at Claverhouse.

VIII DUNDEE PARTNERSHIP STRUCTURE AND PREPARATION OF LOCAL OUTCOME IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2017-2026

There was submitted Report No 360-2016 by the Chief Executive outlining the revised structure of the Dundee Partnership and the forthcoming Local Outcome Improvement Plan.

The Committee:-

(i) endorsed the revised strategic themes of the Dundee Partnership;

(ii) noted the new remit for the strategic Executive Boards;

(iii) agreed that one member of the Administration Group and one member of the Major Opposition Group be appointed to serve on the Executive Boards (4) for Work and Enterprise, Children and Families, Health, Care and Wellbeing and Community Safety and Justice;

(iv) noted the ongoing role of local community planning partnerships and plans to develop these further; and

(v) noted the timetable for the preparation of the Dundee Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) 2017-2026.

IX TREASURY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 2016/2017 (MID-YEAR REVIEW)

After considering Report No 317-2016 reviewing the Treasury Management activities for the period 1st April, 2016 to 30th September, 2016, the Committee noted the information contained in the report.

X SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON SOCIAL SECURITY

There was submitted Report No 366-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services containing the Council's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on Social Security.

The Committee approved the content of the submission as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report and agreed that it be submitted to the Scottish Government.

Ken GUILD, Convener.

At a JOINT MEETING of the PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE AND THE PENSION BOARD held at Dundee on 5th September, 2016.

APPENDIX I

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 284-2016 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:-

Risk 12 - Failure to comply with LGPS and other regulations.

This risk had reduced due to ever increasing staff knowledge and experience of the new career average scheme.

III FIDUCIARY DUTY

There was submitted Report No 285-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services informing of the expert legal opinion provided by Pinsent Mason (legal advisors to The Scheme Advisory Board).

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the content of the report.

IV POTENTIAL IMPACT OF BREXIT ON LGPS PENSION FUNDS

There was submitted Report No 286-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing comment of the potential impact of the European Union Referendum Result from key service providers to the Fund.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the content of the report.

V FUNDING STRATEGY STATEMENT

A verbal update on the timing of revised CIPFA guidance and subsequent employer consultation.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted that CIPFA guidance would be received shortly and that a report on this would be submitted to the next meeting.

VI TAYSIDE TRANSPORT FUND

A verbal update was given regarding the current position of the Transport Fund, with regards to a proposal for amendments to contribution procedures for one of the final contributors.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted that following consultation with the Fund Actuary and Fund Independent Investment Consultant a further update would be given at a future meeting.

VII PENSION ADMINISTRATION PERFORMANCE

There was submitted Report No 287-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing information on the recent quarter's operational performance in relation to Pension Administration.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the content of the report.

VIII PENSION BOARD MEMBERSHIP

A verbal update was given introducing new GMB representative Helen Meldrum and Stephen Massey and an application for employer representation from Carnoustie Golf Links following the resignation from Live Action Perth was made. It was reported that Gordon Murray would represent Carnoustie Golf Links.

IX SUB-COMMITTEE AND PENSION BOARD TRAINING

A verbal update was given to the Sub-Committee and Board on the recent training programme and future events.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted accordingly.

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.

X TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS

(a) PERFORMANCE SUMMARIES

There was submitted Report No 288-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relating to Performance Summaries for the quarter 1, 3, 5 and 10 year time periods to 31st June, 2016 reviewing the investment performance of the Main Funds five Fund Managers for the quarter 30th June, 2016. It also considered the performance of the Transport Fund which invested with four of these managers.

The report compared investment performance of the Funds with the Funds specific benchmarks which consist 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 Main Fund and Tayside Transport Fund and their Fund Managers.

(b) SUMMARIES OF INVESTMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS

There was submitted Report No 270-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services summarising investments and transactions during the period 1st April to 30th June, 2016 reviewing the investment activities of the Main Funds seven Fund Managers for the quarter to 30th June, 2016. 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 the Fund Managers.

(c) QUARTERLY FUNDING REPORT

There was submitted Report No 290-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services which considered the current funding level of the Funds as assessed by the Fund Actuary.

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

XI AMENDMENT TO EXISTING BOND MANDATE

There was submitted Report No 291-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services detailing proposed amendments to the existing fixed income investment mandates within the Main Fund.

The Sub-Committee and Board approved the changes detailed in respect of the current mandates following consultation with Investment Managers and Consultant.

XII PRESENTATION

Neil Turner, Graeme Rutter and Geoff Day of Schroders gave a short presentation to members.

The presentation focussed on the current market and how this had been affected by Brexit. It was noted that the property market outside London was likely to be more resilient, and that recent investment activity reflected this.

After they had completed their presentation and answered questions from members of the Sub‑Committee and Board, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

Willie SAWERS, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 2nd November, 2016.

APPENDIX II

Present:-

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th September, 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 Neighbourhood Services 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 agree that the grounds of the appeal had not been substantiated and that the appeal be not upheld.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.