Policy And Resources Committee - 12/02/2018

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 12th February, 2018.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd January, 2018 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Committee agreed, at 9.00 pm, to suspend Standing Order No 26 in order to allow the meeting to proceed past 9.30 pm.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Flynn, Rendall, McIrvine and Richardson declared a non-financial interest in Article VI by virtue of being the Council's representatives on Dundee Contemporary Arts.

Councillors Lynn and McCready declared a non-financial interest in Article VI by virtue of being the Council's representatives on Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre Ltd.

Councillors Dawson, Hunter and McCready declared a non-financial interest in Article VI by virtue of being the Council's representatives on Leisure & Culture Dundee.

Councillor Murray declared a non-financial interest in Article XIII by virtue of being the Council's representative on Dundee Science Centre.

II MINUTE - PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE - 15TH JANUARY, 2018

The minute of meeting of the Personnel Appeals Sub-Committee of 15th January, 2018, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted for information and record purposes (Appendix I).

III INTEGRATION JOINT BOARD - ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2016/2017

There was submitted Report No 11-2018 by the Chief Officer, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership submitting the Health and Social Care Partnership Annual Performance Report 2016/2017.

The Committee noted the Annual Performance Report appended to the report.

IV REVIEW OF HOME CARE SERVICES

The Committee acceded to requests for deputations to address the Committee relative to this item. After the deputations had stated their cases and answered questions from members of the Committee, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

There was submitted Report No 50-2018 by the Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Integration recommending a mixed contract solution for Social Care Workers which would provide additional social care support and maximise the use of resources within the service.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the previous, ongoing and planned engagement with the workforce and their trade union representatives as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii) noted the Option Appraisal carried out as appended in Appendix 1 of the report;

(iii) noted the decision by the Integration Joint Board to recommend Option 4; and

(iv) instructed the Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Integration, and the Head of Human Resources and Business Support, to continue formal consultation with the affected workforce, their trade union representatives and service users and to report back to Committee before the Summer Recess.

V ANNUAL CITIZEN SURVEY 2017

There was submitted Report No 26-2018 by the Chief Executive summarising the main findings from the 2017 Citizen Survey and explaining their use.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the results contained in the report and noted that any issues raised would continue to be addressed as part of the Council's commitment to performance management and continuous improvement using the Public Sector Improvement Framework model;

(ii) noted that the key results for each Local Community Planning Partnership area would be sent to the Chairs and Communities Officers for each LCPP so they could discuss any particular issues for their localities and follow up with actions as necessary; and

(iii) authorised officers to publish the full survey report on the Council's website and made copies available on request as part of the Council's commitment to Public Performance Reporting.

VI CULTURAL SECTOR FOLLOW THE PUBLIC POUND PERFORMANCE REVIEW 2016/2017

There was submitted Report No 22-2018 by the Chief Executive asking the Committee to note the performance in relation to cultural sector organisations who had received payments of 60,000 or more from the Chief Executive Services Revenue Budget in accordance with the Following the Public Pound Guidelines.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the performance highlights in respect to Dundee Contemporary Arts outlined in paragraph 4.5 of the report;

(ii) noted the performance highlights in respect to Dundee Repertory Theatre Ltd outlined in paragraph 4.6 of the report;

(iii) noted the performance highlights in respect to Leisure & Culture Dundee outlined in paragraph 4.7 of the report; and

(iv) noted that the agreements with the organisations in receipt of third party payments from Chief Executive's Services would be updated to take account of the new City Plan and Council Plan and the new model contract and reporting arrangements for third sector organisations.

VII BREXIT UPDATE AND IMPLICATIONS

There was submitted Report No 28-2018 by the Chief Executive giving members an update on the Brexit process, including negotiations, possible impacts and issues for local government.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the briefing attached to the report;

(ii) remitted the Head of Chief Executive's Services to convene the Brexit Advisory Team to monitor progress, develop strategy and continue to report to members; and

(iii) agreed that the Brexit Advisory Team suggest lobbying strategies to best protect Dundee, these strategies to be discussed and taken forward by the further establishment of a Political Cross-Party Working Group that would involve MPs, MSPs, Councillors and representatives of the universities.

VIII INTRODUCTION OF VOLUNTARY OUTDOOR SMOKE-FREE PLAYGROUNDS IN THE CITY, COUNTRY, HERITAGE ANDNEIGHBOURHOOD PARKS

There was submitted Joint Report No 39-2018 by the Chief Executive and Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for implementation of a voluntary code to make play areas in Dundee parks smoke-free.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the content of the report, including the health benefits of extending outdoor smoke-free areas;

(ii) agreed for officers to progress the introduction of voluntary compliance smoke-free areas, focusing primarily towards fenced or partially fenced children's play areas in the City, Country, Heritage and Neighbourhood parks as listed in the Appendix to the report;

(iii) agreed for officers to review the current Smoking at Work Policy; and

(iv) authorised expenditure on signage.

IX REVISED ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING (AML) POLICY

There was submitted Report No 40-2018 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the revised Anti-Money Laundering Policy appended to the report;

(ii) agreed that all Council staff received refresher training; and

(iii) agreed the Money Laundering Reporting Officer be provided with a list of staff who were likely to require specialist training in relation to anti-money laundering.

X REVENUE MONITORING 2017/2018

There was submitted Report No 29-2018 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2017/2018 projected revenue outturn as at 31st December, 2017 monitored against the adjusted 2017/2018 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2017/2018 projected revenue outturn as at 31st December, 2017 was a projected overspend of 723,000 against the adjusted 2017/2018 Revenue Budget. The latest projected outturn was an unfavourable variance of 723,000 compared with the position reported at 30th November, 2017;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st December, 2017 was projecting a 300,000 projected overspend against the adjusted HRA 2017/2018 Revenue Budget. The latest projected outturn was an unfavourable variance of 300,000 compared with the position reported at 30th November, 2017;

(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 Council's 2017/2018 projected revenue outturn.

XI CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2017/2018

There was submitted Report No 37-2018 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising elected members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2018-2023.

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 3, 6, 7 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

XII COMPLAINTS REVIEW COMMITTEE OUTCOME OF MEETING

After considering Report No 12-2018 by the Head of Democratic and Legal Services relative to the above, the Committee approved the recommendations contained therein.

XIII DUNDEE SCIENCE CENTRE LTD

After considering Report No 42-2018 relative to the above, the Committee approved the recommendations detailed therein.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th January, 2018.

APPENDIX I

Present:-

Bailie Christina ROBERTS

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 3rd October, 2017 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 representatives 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 not been substantiated and that the appeal be not upheld.

Councillor McIrvine intimated his dissent from the foregoing decision.

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.