Policy And Resources Committee - 24/09/2018

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th September, 2018.

 

Present:-

 

Depute Lord Provost Bill CAMPBELL

 

BAILIES

 

Willie SAWERS

Kevin KEENAN

Derek J SCOTT

Christina ROBERTS

Helen WRIGHT

Fraser MACPHERSON

 

COUNCILLORS

 

John ALEXANDER

Anne RENDALL

Charlie MALONE

Kevin CORDELL

Alan ROSS

Michael MARRA

Will DAWSON

Lynne SHORT

George McIRVINE

Mark FLYNN

Roisin SMITH

Richard McCREADY

Stewart HUNTER

Georgia CRUICKSHANK

Margaret RICHARDSON

Ken LYNN

Brian GORDON

Philip SCOTT

Gregor MURRAY

 

Craig DUNCAN

 

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th August, 2018 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 - 20TH AND 29TH AUGUST, 2018

 

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 CHARGES FOR TEMPORARY TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS 2018/2019

 

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd February, 2018, when charges for Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders for Planned Works were set at 1,000 per day, and for Emergency Works at 2,000 per day, there was submitted Agenda Note AN62-2018 reporting that, following discussions with the Office of the Scottish Roadworks Commissioner, and in view of the timescales involved, the Executive Director of City Development, in consultation with the Convener of City Development, Spokespersons for the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups and the Lord Provost, agreed the undernoted revised charges:-

 

(i) Temporary Traffic Orders

 

- short duration up to 5 working days - 300

- long duration over 5 working days - 700

 

(ii) Emergency Temporary Traffic Orders

 

- no charge

 

The Committee noted the foregoing.

 

IV CHARTER AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY

 

It was reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor McCready.

 

The Committee resolved to:-

 

(i) train the Councils Corporate Procurement Team to understand modern slavery through the CIPS course on Ethical Procurement and Supply;

 

(ii) require the Councils contractors to comply fully with the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 and the Modern Slavery Act 2015 wherever they apply, with contract termination as a potential sanction for non-compliance;

 

(iii) challenge any abnormally low-cost tenders to ensure they do not rely upon the potential contractor practising modern slavery;

 

(iv) highlight to suppliers that contracted workers are free to join a trade union and are not to be treated unfairly for belonging to one;

 

(v) publicise the Councils whistleblowing system for staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery;

 

(vi) require tendered contractors to adopt a whistleblowing policy which enables staff to blow the whistle on any suspected example of modern slavery;

 

(vii) review contractual spending regularly to identify any potential issues with modern slavery;

 

(viii) highlight for the Councils suppliers any risks identified concerning modern slavery and refer them to the relevant agencies to be addressed;

 

(ix) refer for investigation via the National Crime Agencys national referral mechanism any of the Councils contractors identified as a cause for concern regarding modern slavery;

 

(x) report publicly on the implementation of this policy annually; and

 

(xi) remitted the Chief Executive to write to any local authorities in Scotland who were not yet signatories to the Charter to advise them of Dundee City Councils Resolution and to encourage them to sign the Charter.

 

V DUNDEES CITY PLAN ANNUAL REPORT 2017/2018

 

There was submitted Report No 269-2018 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

 

The Committee endorsed the Dundee Partnership City Plan Annual Report.

 

VI ACTION ON FUNERAL POVERTY IN DUNDEE - UPDATE

 

There was submitted Report No 283-2018 by the Chief Executive updating the Committee on the progress in Dundee to reduce the impact of funeral poverty.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the range of work underway to respond to the causes and impacts of funeral poverty outlined in paragraph 5 of the report;

 

(ii) noted that, as outlined in paragraph 5.2 of the report, the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services would bring forward a separate report for approval to Committee on the proposals for procurement of a locally available Respectful Funeral Package;

 

(iii) noted the Scottish Government and COSLA commitment to the removal of local authority fees for burial and cremation for children under 18 years old and the funding to support this as outlined in paragraph 5.4 of the report; and

 

(iv) noted the response by officers to the Scottish Government consultation on Funeral Expense Assistance Regulations appended to the report.

 

VII DUNDEE CITY COUNCILS BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE PLAN 2018-2024

 

There was submitted Report No 256-2018 by the Chief Executive providing the Committee with Dundee City Councils first British Sign Language (BSL) Local Plan 2018-2024.

 

The Committee approved the BSL Plan appended to the Report.

 

VIII NATIONAL ENTITLEMENT CARD PROGRAMME OFFICE

 

There was submitted Report No 228-2018 by the Chief Executive advising the Committee that Dundee City Council was being asked to continue to provide the lead role in administering the National Entitlement Card for Scotland.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) agreed to continue to employ staff to fulfil the functions of the National Entitlement Card Programme Office; and

 

(ii) agreed the issuing of tenders for the supply of smartcards, a card management system and fulfilment services as required.

 

IX ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT CHAMPION MAYORS INITIATIVE (OECD)

 

There was submitted Report No 290-2018 by the Chief Executive providing information on the OECD Champion Mayors Initiative and recommending that the Council sign up to the Initiative.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the aims of the OECD Champion Mayors Initiative; and

 

(ii) agreed that Dundee City Council should sign up to the Initiative and send a letter of commitment.

 

X CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

 

There was submitted Report No 312-2018 by the Chief Social Work Officer seeking approval of a new Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO) Governance Framework.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the statutory duties and functions of the Chief Social Work Officer and requirements to have a Governance Framework to assist them in carrying out their role;

 

(ii) approved the Governance Framework appended to the report, which outlined the arrangements in place to provide assurance on each requirement relating to the CSWO role; and

 

(iii) noted the continued requirement for the CSWO to provide annual reports which were considered by both the Council and the Integration Joint Board (IJB).

 

XI UPDATE TO TENDER PROCEDURES WITHIN THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE COUNCIL

 

There was submitted Report No 311-2018 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an update to Tender Procedures within the Standing Orders of the Council in line with the Procurement Legislation. The report also detailed the appropriate procurement methods available for use, along with the introduction of full e-tendering which became a mandatory requirement of the most recent Procurement Legislation.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) approved the changes to the Tender Procedures within the Standing Orders of the Council and remitted to the Head of Democratic and Legal Services to make appropriate amendments to Standing Orders;

 

(ii) approved the use of all appropriate procurement methods by the Council; and

 

(iii) approved the use of full e-tendering by the Council.

 

XII REVENUE MONITORING 2018/2019

 

There was submitted Report No 260-2018 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with an analysis of the 2018/2019 projected revenue outturn as at 31st July, 2018 monitored against the adjusted 2018/2019 Revenue Budget.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2018/2019 projected revenue outturn as at 31st July, 2018 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted 2018/2019 Revenue Budget. The projection was unchanged from the position reported at 30th June, 2018;

 

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st July, 2018 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2018/2019 Revenue Budget. The projection was unchanged from the position reported at 30th June, 2018;

 

(iii) agreed that the Council Management Team would take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2018/2019 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 2018/2019 projected revenue outturn.

 

XIII CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2018/2019

 

There was submitted Report No 266-2018 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.

 

XIV ACCOMMODATION FOR ADULTS WITH ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENT - BENVIE ROAD PROJECT

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN63-2018 advising that, as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Programme (SHIP), a number of developments had been identified to provide appropriate housing in Dundee for Adults with either Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities or Mental Health Disabilities. One of these developments was at Benvie Road which was a new build for people needing support with their Mental Health, where the housing required additional specifications beyond a regular Housing Association standard.

 

The total cost of the additional specifications on the Housing Association asset was 218,825. The Executive Director of Corporate Services had advised that this could be funded from the Provision of Accommodation for Adults with Learning Disabilities budget in the Health, Care & Wellbeing section of the Capital Plan 2018-2023.

 

The Committee agreed to contribute 218,825 for the capital cost of providing additional specifications to houses at the Housing Association Project at Benvie Road and noted the works were due to be completed in October, 2019.

 

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 paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

XV PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF SITE 17, DUNDEE CENTRAL WATERFRONT

 

There was submitted Report No 300-2018 relative to the above.

 

The Committee approved the recommendations contained within the report.

 

 

 

 

John ALEXANDER, Convener.

 

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th August, 2018.

 

APPENDIX I

 

Present:-

 

Bailie Christina ROBERTS

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Stewart HUNTER

Michael MARRA

 

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Sub-Committee of 31st January, 2018 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

 

No declarations of interest were made.

 

II APPEAL AGAINST DISMISSAL

 

It was reported that an appeal against dismissal from an employee of the Health and Social Care Partnership had been submitted.

 

The Sub-Committee heard the Councils representatives 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.

 

Councillor Marra intimated his dissent from the foregoing decision.

 

 

 

 

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.

 

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 29th August, 2018.

 

APPENDIX II

 

Present:-

 

Bailie Christina ROBERTS

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Stewart HUNTER

Georgia CRUICKSHANK

 

Councillor Stewart HUNTER, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Sub-Committee of 21st August, 2018 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

 

No declarations of interest were made.

 

II APPEAL AGAINST DISMISSAL

 

It was reported that an appeal against dismissal from an employee of the Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership 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 been substantiated and the appeal be upheld.

 

 

 

 

Stewart HUNTER, Convener.