Policy And Resources Committee - 30/09/2019

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 30th September, 2019.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th August, 2019 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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

II MINUTES - PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEES - 16TH, 20TH AND 23RD AUGUST, 2019

The minutes of meetings of the Personnel Appeals Sub-Committees of 16th, 20th and 23rd August, 2019, copies of which are appended hereto, were submitted for information and record purposes (Appendices I, II and III).

III MENZIESHILL COMMUNITY CENTRE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN72-2019.

The Convener, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved that the Committee do not suspend Standing Order 39(1).

As an amendment, Councillor Marra, seconded by Bailie Keenan, moved that the Committee suspend Standing Order 39(1).

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Depute Lord Provost Campbell, Bailies Roberts and Sawers, Councillors Cordell, Dawson, Flynn, Hunter, Lynn, Rendall, Rome, Ross, Short, Smith and Murray (15); and for the amendment - Bailies Keenan, Wright, Scott and Macpherson and Councillors Cruickshank, McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Marra, Richardson, Scott and Hay (12) - whereupon the motion was declared carried and Standing Order 39(1) was not suspended.

IV MOBILE WORKING, SCHEDULING AND REPAIRS SYSTEM

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th June, 2017, wherein it was agreed to purchase a mobile working, scheduling and repairs package to manage housing repairs within Construction Services to maximise performance and minimise cost through dynamic scheduling of tradesmen, there was submitted Agenda Note AN68-2019 reporting that development of this package had confirmed that it was also suitable to manage the full business of Construction Services including Capital Contracts. This would enable more efficient standardised working practices, close integration with core financial systems and service-wide reporting capabilities.

Additional costs for the expanded use of the package would not exceed 40,000 with the full project to be completed by March, 2021. The Executive Director of Corporate Services had confirmed that this could be funded from the Council's Capital Budget for Smart Cities Digital Investment within the Service Section of the Updated Capital Plan 2019/2024 and that no additional annual revenue costs would be incurred by the expanded use of the package.

The Committee agreed to the expanded use of the package as above.

V BREXIT UPDATE

There was submitted Report No 329-2019 by the Chief Executive providing an update on the Brexit process and on the work being done to prepare for the implications of the UK leaving the EU, including the possibility of a 'no deal' Brexit.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the latest developments in the Brexit process; and

(ii) noted the preparations being made.

VI OUR PEOPLE AND WORKFORCE STRATEGY

There was submitted Report No 345-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, seeking approval for an updated Our People and Workforce Strategy.

The Committee approved the implementation of the Our People and Workforce Strategy, as appended to the report, as a key part of the Council's commitment to the workforce which would underpin the immediate priorities for 2019/2022 noted below:-

(i) linking 'our people' commitments to other key strategies of the Council - Finance, Digital and Communications;

(ii) ensuring our employment package meets our commitments to be a fair, equitable and employer of choice within the city and meets the requirements to consolidate the Scottish Local Government Living Wage within the pay and grading structure by April, 2021;

(iii) embedding workforce and succession planning within services linked to the budget;

(iv) seeking and supporting continuing to increase the numbers of young people aged under 25 and supporting the aged over 55 in our workforce;

(v) the 'People Charter' be relaunched to confirm our commitments to our workforce and our expectations of our workforce with respect to rights and responsibilities; and

(vi) the four key themes of Equality, Diversity and Fairness; Enhancing our Leadership; Managing our People and Developing our People as outlined in the strategy remain our focus.

VII LOANS FUND POLICY REVIEW

There was submitted Report No 279-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services introducing a revised policy on Loans Fund debt charge repayment profiling following a review of the current repayment profiling methodology.

The objective of the revised policy was to support a prudent, sustainable and deliverable longer-term revenue budget strategy whilst ensuring that provision remained prudent and appropriate to the benefits that were provided to the community from the associated expenditure.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the amended Loans Fund repayment policy from 2019/2020 onwards incorporating the changes detailed in the report;

(ii) agreed to amend the Loans Fund advances repayment mechanism and resultant debt charges profile for current and future loans repayments using the following criteria:-

(a) 45 years being considered the most appropriate length of repayment for General Fund expenditure advances, which was consistent with a prudent expectation of estimated benefit received over the life of assets financed;

(b) 30 years being considered the most appropriate length of repayment for HRA expenditure advances which was consistent with a prudent expectation of estimated benefit received over the life of assets financed;

(c) a 4.5% annuity rate methodology be applied to principal repayments;

(d) the prior year repayment methodologies should be revised and reset based on (a) and (b) above to ensure consistency and prudence going forward; and

(iii) that the revenue savings generated for the Housing Revenue Account by the Loans Fund policy review should be used to remove the shower charge (Article IV of the minute of meeting of the Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Committee of 25th June, 2017, Report No 366-2007 refers) and that officers be remitted to bring forward a report to Committee at the earliest possible date in that regard.

VIII ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 2018/2019

There was submitted Report No 331-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the Treasury Management activities for the period 1st April, 2018 to 31st March, 2019.

The Committee noted the information contained therein and approved the limits set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

IX REVENUE MONITORING 2019/2020

There was submitted Report No 302-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with an analysis of the 2019/2020 projected revenue outturn as at 31st July, 2019 monitored against the adjusted 2019/2020 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2019/2020 projected revenue outturn as at 31st July, 2019 was projecting an overspend of 2,809,000 against the adjusted 2019/2020 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st July, 2019 was projecting an underspend of 143,000 against the adjusted HRA 2019/2020 Revenue Budget;

(iii) agreed that the Council Management Team take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2019/2020 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 2019/2020 projected revenue outturn and to implement a recovery plan to reduce the projected overspend.

X CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2019/2020

There was submitted Report No 303-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising the Committee of the latest position regarding the Council's updated Capital Plan 2019/2024.

The Committee noted the latest position regarding the Council's updated Capital Plan 2019/2024.

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 DUNDEE AIRPORT UPDATE

There was submitted Report No 265-2019 by the Executive Director of City Development relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed in the report.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th August, 2019.

APPENDIX I

Present:-

Bailie Christina ROBERTS

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Christina ROBERTS, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 29th 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

There were no declarations of interest.

II APPEAL AGAINST DISMISSAL

It was reported that an appeal against dismissal from an employee of Corporate Services Department 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 the appeal be not upheld.

Councillor McIrvine intimated his dissent from the foregoing decision.

Christina ROBERTS, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th August, 2019.

APPENDIX II

Present:-

Bailie Christina ROBERTS

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Christina ROBERTS, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th August, 2019 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 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 the appeal be not upheld.

Christina ROBERTS, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd August, 2019.

APPENDIX III

Present:-

Bailie Christina ROBERTS

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Christina ROBERTS, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th August, 2019 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 Children and Families Services Department 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 the appeal be not upheld.

Christina ROBERTS, Convener.