Policy And Resources Committee - 13/11/2017

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th November, 2017.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th October, 2017 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II APPOINTMENTS

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 7th December, 2015, there was submitted Agenda Note AN93-2017 regarding the undernoted appointments:-

(a) INDEPENDENT CONVENER - ADULT SUPPORT AND PROTECTION COMMITTEE

It was reported that the current Independent Convener of the Adult Support and Protection Committee, Mr Colin McCashey, and the Chief Executive had, by mutual consent, as noted in the original contract in October, 2013, agreed to a continuation of Mr McCashey in the role of independent Convener for a further period until March, 2018,

(b) INDEPENDENT CHAIR - CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE

It was reported that the current Independent Chair of the Child Protection Committee, Mrs Norma Ritchie, and the Chief Executive had, by mutual consent, as noted in the original contract in November, 2015, agreed to a continuation of Mrs Ritchie in the role of Independent Chair for a further period until October, 2019.

The Committee noted accordingly.

III USE OF REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000 AND REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS ACT 2000

There was submitted Report No 393-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate services advising the Committee of the use made by the Council of the powers under the above Acts during 2016/2017.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the use which the Council had made of powers contained in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 and in related powers contained in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and

(ii) approved the Councils continued proportionate use of the powers, where necessary, in the areas of crime prevention and detection or preventing disorder, in the interests of public safety, or for the purpose of protecting public health. In particular, the Council would continue to use the powers to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour.

IV PUBLIC BODIES CLIMATE CHANGE DUTIES ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017

There was submitted Report No 371-2017 by the Executive Director of City Development informing the Committee of the work undertaken over the period April, 2016 to March, 2017 in support of the Councils duties under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

The Committee noted the contents of the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties - Annual Report 2016/2017 appended to the report.

V OUR PEOPLE STRATEGY ANNUAL REPORT - STRATEGY IN ACTION 2016

There was submitted Report No 386-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with the Our People Strategy Annual Report Strategy in Action 2016.

The Committee noted the progress of Our People Strategy outlined in the Annual Report appended to the report.

VI UPDATE ON UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND WELFARE REFORM

There was submitted Report No 387-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an update on the roll-out of Universal Credit Full Service and the preparations being made to best prepare support services and residents in light of the changes it brought. The report highlighted other elements of the UK Governments Welfare Reforms and their impact on Dundee.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the content of the report and considered the impact on individuals and families within Dundee;

(ii) noted that Universal Credit Full Service would be implemented within Dundee starting 8th November, 2017;

(iii) noted the Scottish Government measures to alleviate some impacts of the UK Governments Welfare Reforms;

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

(v) noted the update on the workstreams which had been identified to assist in preparing for the Welfare Reform changes and Universal Credit Full Service in particular;

(vi) noted the work and progress the Council and partners within the City were taking to continue to mitigate aspects of the UK Government Welfare Reforms; and

(vii) noted the impact of the UK Government Welfare Reforms which would result in an estimated annual loss of 94m by 2021 within Dundee.

VII RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

There was submitted Report No 384-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed in the report.

VIII REVENUE MONITORING 2017/2018

There was submitted Report No 370-2017 providing an analysis of the 2017/2018 projected revenue outturn as at 30th September, 2017, monitored against the adjusted 2017/2018 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the overall General Fund 2017/2018 projected revenue outturn as at 30th September, 2017 was an overspend of 1,732,000 against the adjusted 2017/2018 Revenue Budget compared with an overspend of 2.0m at August, 2017;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 30th September, 2017 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2017/2018 Revenue Budget;

(iii) agreed that the Council Management Team would take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2017/2018 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

(iv) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services, in conjunction with the Council Management Team, to continue to monitor the Councils 2017/2018 projected revenue outturn.

IX CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2017/2018

There was submitted Report No 366-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising elected members of the latest position regarding the Councils Capital Plan 2018-2023.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

X TREASURY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 2017/2018 (MID-YEAR REVIEW)

There was submitted Report No 367-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the Treasury Management Activity for the period 1st April, 2017 to 30th September, 2017.

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 item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

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

There was submitted Report No 385-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed therein.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.