Policy And Resources Committee - 12/12/2016

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 12th December, 2016.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Depute Lord Provost Roberts declared a non-financial interest in Article VI by virtue of being the Council's representative on the Dundee International Women's Centre.

Lord Provost Duncan, Councillors Guild and McCready declared a non-financial interest in Article X by virtue of being the Council's representatives on the Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre.

II STRATEGIC COLLABORATION AND ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP WORKING

There was submitted Report No 410-2016 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Services providing members of the Committee with information on proposed developments for strategic collaborative, enhanced partnership working and streamlined delivery of services between Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross Councils in the area of Children and Families Services.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the current collaboration across the three Council areas;

(ii) noted the key political and legislative drivers for change;

(iii) noted the proposals for strategic partnership working; and

(iv) instructed the Executive Director to present a report at the June, 2017 Committee which included an Action Plan for enhanced strategic and collaborative working across the three Council areas from 2017 to 2020.

III CHANNEL SHIFT PROGRAMME

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th February, 2016, there was submitted Report No 412-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services updating the Committee on the Channel Shift Programme currently underway with the primary aim of delivering an enhanced digital channel for citizens to access Council services.

The Committee agreed that the collaboration opportunity identified in the report be progressed through the direct award of contract to a single provider, Firmstep, to deliver a Customer Services Platform (CSP) in Dundee City Council which would provide citizens with a clear platform to transact with the Council digitally. This same provider would be used to deliver the same product in Angus and Perth and Kinross Councils as well, allowing for future opportunities to collaborate, saving time and resources in the implementation and development of this platform.

IV CHANGING FOR THE FUTURE PROGRAMME - PHASE 4 PROGRESS REPORT

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th October, 2015, there was submitted Report No 411-2016 by the Chief Executive providing an update on the progress of Phase 4 of the Changing For The Future Programme.

The Committee noted:-

(i) that savings totalling 22,793M (93% of the total detailed in paragraph 3.1) had been fully achieved so far;

(ii) that individual projects within the programme continue to be progressed and were monitored by the Council's Management Team on a regular basis; and

(iii) that Appendix 1 provided an overview of each project in relation to its progress and achievement of its associated savings.

V CASE MANAGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

There was submitted Report No 408-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services proposing the purchase and supply of a Case Management and Management Information System to replace the existing in-house Information Technology Systems for Communities Learning and Development.

The Committee agreed to purchase the supply and services of Cognisoft as the best value choice for the Case Management and Management Information System, hosted and managed by the supplier at a total purchase and implementation cost of 39,800, together with annual external costs for licensing, maintenance and support of 12,653 from year one onwards for a five year period.

VI CHARITY RELIEF - RELIEF OF RATES

There was submitted Report No 394-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed in the report, it being noted that the application in respect of the Dundee Resources and Reuse Centre had been withdrawn.

VII CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 383-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising elected members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2017-2022.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

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 paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

VIII RELIEF OF NON-DOMESTIC RATES ON THE GROUNDS OF HARDSHIP - HARDSHIP RELIEF

There was submitted Report No 370-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendation detailed therein.

IX BALDOVIE WASTE TO ENERGY PLANT

There was submitted Report No 415-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendation detailed therein.

X DUNDEE REP AND SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE LTD

There was submitted Report No 409-2016 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendation detailed therein.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item of business be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

XI CENTRAL WATERFRONT GROWTH ACCELERATOR FUNDING

There was submitted Report No 416-2016 by the Executive Director of City Development relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendation detailed therein.

Ken GUILD, Convener.