Policy And Resources Committee - 18/02/2019

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th February, 2019.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th January, 2019 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Dawson, Marra and Bailie Roberts declared non-financial interests in respect of Article II by virtue of being the Council's representatives on Leisure & Culture Dundee.

II REPLACEMENT OF THE ICE SKATE GRINDER, DUNDEE ICE ARENA

There was submitted Agenda Note AN9-2019 advising that the ice skate grinder which was used to sharpen skaters blades at Dundee Ice Arena was of considerable age and in urgent need of replacement.

It was reported, for information, that, in view of the timescales involved, the Executive Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Convener, Lord Provost Borthwick and spokespersons for the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups had accepted an offer from Ice Tech UK for a direct replacement of the existing equipment, on a like for like basis in the sum, excluding delivery, of 12,950 plus VAT.

The Committee noted accordingly.

III ANNUAL CITIZEN SURVEY

There was submitted Report No 35-2019 by the Chief Executive summarising the main findings from the 2018 Citizen Survey and explaining their use.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the results contained in the report and 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;

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

(iv) noted that before asking members to approve a re-tendering exercise for the survey when the current contract ended, the opportunity would be taken to review the methods used to gather feedback from the public.

IV MANAGING WORKFORCE CHANGE

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 68-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Convener, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved that the Committee approve the terms of the report and of the Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme and amended policies for Flexible Retirement and Cash Conservation (subject to extension of the period of cash conservation from six to 12 months) appended thereto.

As an amendment, Bailie Keenan, seconded by Councillor McCready, moved that the Committee:-

Note the content of the report and call upon management to enter into dialogue with the trade unions with the hope of reaching a negotiated agreement and report back to the Council in four months.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Councillors Cordell, Dawson, Flynn, Hunter, Lynn, Murray, Rendall, Ross, Short and Smith, Bailies Roberts and Sawers, Lord Provost Borthwick and Depute Lord Provost Campbell (15); and for the amendment - Councillors Cruickshank, McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Marra, Richardson, Hay, Scott and Duncan, Bailies Keenan, Wright, Scott and Macpherson (13) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

Members of the Major Opposition Group asked that their dissent from the foregoing decision be recorded.

V BREXIT

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

Councillor Duncan, seconded by Councillor Dawson, moved that the Committee note:-

(i) that Dundee, in common with London, Northern Ireland, many cities across the UK and every local authority area in Scotland, voted to remain in the European Union in the 2016 Referendum;

(ii) that the United Kingdom government has struggled to agree its own position on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and our future relationship with the European Union, far less to negotiate a Brexit deal with Europe with any identifiable benefits to Dundee or the country at large;

(iii) the growing evidence across many economic sectors that Brexit will damage UK trade and the UK economy;

(iv) that Brexit is reducing our influence in the world, and leading to the complete loss of say and control over the rules of the European Single Market and Customs Union, the largest market in the world;

(v) the mounting popular concern at the prospect a "no deal" Brexit is resulting in increasing support for a People's Vote on the Brexit terms;

(vi) the huge complexities of unravelling the UK's relationship with the EU and, in particular, the implications of the Northern Ireland border with the Republic of Ireland;

(vii) the estimate by the Bank of England that households are already around 900 a year worse off because of lower growth due to Brexit; and

(viii) the uncertainty caused for the 2.9 million EU citizens living in the UK and the 1.2 million UK nationals who live elsewhere in the EU.

and that the Committee agree the following:-

Policy and Resources Committee is therefore greatly concerned about the threat to the future prosperity of Dundee posed by Brexit, the reality that jobs are already moving from the UK to other parts of the EU and the risk that lower economic performance will result in reduced public sector revenues and support for Council services.

Policy and Resources Committee therefore:-

(a) Supports the call for an extension of Article 50 to allow for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, with an option to remain in the EU.

(b) Instructs the Chief Executive to write to Dundee's MPs, MSPs and MEP's, and to the Brexit Secretaries in the UK and Scottish Governments, informing them of the City Council's view and asking them to support such a People's Vote.

As an amendment, Councillor Scott, seconded by Bailie Scott, moved the direct negative.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Councillors Cordell, Dawson, Flynn, Hunter, Lynn, Murray, Rendall, Ross, Short, Smith, Cruickshank, McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Marra, Richardson and Duncan, Bailies Roberts, Sawers, Keenan, Wright and Macpherson, Lord Provost Borthwick and Depute Lord Provost Campbell (25); and for the amendment - Councillors Hay and Scott and Bailie Scott (3) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

VI DUNDEE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP DRAFT STRATEGIC AND COMMISSIONING PLAN 2019/2022

There was submitted Report No 69-2019 by the Chief Officer, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership giving an opportunity for members to provide feedback regarding the draft Strategic and Commissioning Plan for the Health and Social Care Partnership.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed to consider the draft Strategic and Commissioning Plan 2019/2022 appended to the report and provide feedback in advance of the Plan being finalised; and

(ii) noted the process of engagement that had informed the content of the draft, including with representatives of Dundee City Council.

VII IT STRATEGY

There was submitted Report No 81-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services recommending adoption of the IT Strategy.

The Committee agreed the objectives of the IT Strategy as appended to the report.

VIII REVENUE MONITORING 2018/2019

There was submitted Report No 54-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2018/2019 projected revenue outturn as at 31st December, 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 December, 2018 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted 2018/2019 Revenue Budget. The projection was unchanged from the position reported at 30th November, 2018;

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

(iii) instructed that the Council Management Team 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.

IX CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2018/2019

There was submitted Report No 53-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2019/2024.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.