Policy And Resources Committee - 28/10/2019

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 28th October, 2019.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th September, 2019 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Depute Lord Provost Campbell, Bailie Roberts and Councillors Rome, McIrvine, Richardson and Scott declared non-financial interests in respect of Article IV by virtue of being Council representatives on Tayside Contracts Joint Committee.

Councillors Alexander, Short and McCready declared non-financial interests in respect of Article V by virtue of being Council representatives on the Tay Cities Region Joint Committee.

Councillor Marra declared a non-financial interest in respect of Article V by virtue of his employment with Dundee University, one of the beneficiaries of the Tay Cities Deal.

II MINUTES

(a) PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE PENSION BOARD - 24TH JUNE, 2019

(b) PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE - 13TH AND 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2019

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 GETTING TO ZERO HIV TRANSMISSIONS: HIV FAST TRACK CITIES INITIATIVE

There was submitted Report No 346-2019 by the Chief Officer, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership advising members of the HIV Fast Track Cities Global Initiative and recommending that Dundee signed up to become a Fast Track City.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the UNAIDS Global HIV targets and Tayside's commitment to getting to Zero HIV transmissions by 2030;

(ii) agreed that Dundee should become an HIV Fast Track City; and

(iii) remitted the Chief Officer of Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, through the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Managed Care Network (MCN), to establish a group involving Council and NHS services and relevant partner organisations to put in place a local implementation plan by 31st January, 2020.

IV TAYSIDE MEALS CENTRE

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th January, 2019, there was submitted Joint Report No 369-2019 by the Executive Directors of Corporate Services and Children and Families Service relative to the above.

In view of the timescales involved, it was noted that the Executive Director of Corporate Services and the Executive Director of Children and Families Service, in consultation with the Convener of this Committee, Labour Group spokesperson, Conservative Group spokesperson, Liberal Democrat Group spokesperson, the Independent member and the Lord Provost had:-

(i) noted the decision by Perth and Kinross Council not to proceed as part of the Tayside Meals Centre;

(ii) considered the content of the report and the implications for Dundee City Council's continued involvement in the Tayside Meals Centre; and

(iii) agreed that Dundee City Council proceed with the implementation of a cook-freeze centralised meals production facility at Tay Cuisine (the Tayside Meals Centre), for the delivery of the primary, elements of secondary school, community meals and early learning and childcare (ELC) meals service.

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.

V TAY CITIES DEAL

There was submitted Report No 349-2019 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 JOINT MEETING of the PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE AND THE PENSION BOARD held at Dundee on 24th June, 2019.

APPENDIX l

Present:-

PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

PENSION BOARD

Bailie Willie SAWERS, in the Chair.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minute of meeting of 25th March, 2019 was submitted and approved.

III TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS RISK REGISTER

There was submitted Report No 235-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services updating the Risk Register for Tayside Pension Fund.

The Sub-Committee and Board approved the updated Quarterly Risk Register for Tayside Pension Fund and noted that there had been no changes to risk profile since the previous report.

IV PROCUREMENT OF COVENANT REVIEW SERVICE

The Financial Services and Investment Manager advised members of the Sub-Committee and Board that an exercise for an Employer Covenant Review had been undertaken. Information and training sessions would also be arranged for members.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted accordingly.

V ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE POLICY

There was submitted Report No 236-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, whereby reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 4th June, 2018, reviewing the Funds current policy on Socially Responsible Investing.

The Sub-Committee and Board approved the Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Policy for the Tayside Pensions Funds, noting that there were no amendments to the policy previously approved.

It was further agreed that a briefing session be arranged for the Sub-Committee and Board on this.

VI PENSION ADMINISTRATION PERFORMANCE - QUARTERLY UPDATE

There was submitted Report No 237-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing information on the recent quarters operational performance in relation to Pension Administration.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the content of the report.

VII INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT REVIEW OF PENSIONSWEB UTILISATION

This item was withdrawn.

VIII TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS REVIEW OF INTERNAL CONTROLS 2018/2019

There was submitted Report No 239-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, the Review of Internal Controls 2018/2019 prepared by the Councils External Auditor, Audit Scotland.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted Audit Scotlands report and approved the management response.

IX TAYSIDE PENSION FUND ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND GOVERNANCE COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS

There was submitted Report No 240-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services presenting the Annual Governance Statement and Governance Compliance Statement for approval and inclusion into the unaudited Annual Accounts for the year ended 31st March, 2019, and setting out the governance arrangements of Tayside Pension Fund and the extent to which it complied with regulations.

The Sub-Committee and Board agreed to:-

(i) approve the Annual Governance and Governance Compliance Statements which were included as an Appendix to this report; and

(ii) instruct the inclusion of the statements in the Annual Accounts for the year to 31st March, 2019.

X TAYSIDE PENSION FUND ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2018/2019

There was submitted Report No 241-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services to providing some additional commentary on the unaudited Annual Accounts 2018/2019 which were being submitted to the Sub-Committee and Board along with the report.

It is recommended that the Sub-Committee and Board agreed to:-

(i) note the content of this covering report;

(ii) note the unaudited Annual Accounts which have been submitted along with this report;

(iii) instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to arrange for the unaudited Accounts to be signed as necessary; and

(iv) instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to submit the Annual Accounts to the Funds external auditor.

The Sub-Committee and Board 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 4, 6 and 11 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

XI TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS

(a) PERFORMANCE SUMMARIES

There was submitted Report No 242-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relating to Performance Summaries for the quarter, 1, 3 and year time periods to 31st March, 2019 and reviewing the investment performance of the Funds Investment Managers for the quarter to 31st March, 2019.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the information contained therein with regard to the performance of the Tayside Main Fund and their Fund Managers.

(b) SUMMARIES OF INVESTMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS 1ST JANUARY, 2019 TO 31ST MARCH, 2019

There was submitted Report No 243-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the investment activities of the Main Fund for the quarter to 31st March, 2019.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the information contained therein with regard to the activities of the Tayside Pension Fund and its Fund Managers.

(c) QUARTERLY FUNDING REPORT

There was submitted Report No 244-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services which considered a report reviewing the current funding level of the Fund as assessed by the Fund Actuary.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the report by the Fund Actuary.

XII SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT SIX MONTHLY REPORT

There was submitted Report No 245-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, whereby reference was made to Article V of the minute of this meeting of 4th June, 2018, reviewing the progress by the Fund Managers regarding positive engagement in line with the Policy on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance approved by the Sub-Committee and Board.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the information contained within the report with regards to the activities of the Fund Managers during the six month period ended 30th September, 2018.

XIII PRESENTATION

Nick Davidson and Nick Gardiner of Alliance Bernstein gave a short presentation to the Sub-Committee and Board.

After Mr Davidson and Mr Gardiner had given their presentation and answered questions from members, the Chair thanked the presenters on behalf of members.

XIV REVIEW OF EXISTING EQUITY MANDATE ALLIANCE BERNSTEIN

There was submitted Report No 250-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing a background on the history and performance of the Alliance Bernstein mandate and detailing proposed actions.

The Sub-Committee noted the content of the report and instructed the Financial Services and Investment Manager to progress the third option as detailed within the report.

Willie SAWERS, Chair.

At MEETINGS of the PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th September, 2019 and 26th September, 2019.

APPENDIX II

Present:-

On 13th September, 2019:-

BAILIE

COUNCILLORS

Also in Attendance:-

On 26th September, 2019:-

BAILIE

COUNCILLORS

Also in Attendance:-

Councillor John ALEXANDER, in the Chair.

Unless marked * 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 APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR, LEISURE AND CULTURE

At the meeting held on 13th September, 2019, there were submitted details of the applications received and the Sub-Committee agreed the candidates to be invited for interview on 26th September, 2019.

At the meeting held on 26th September, 2019, the Sub-Committee interviewed the candidates. Following an exchange of views, and after hearing the officers, the Sub-Committee unanimously agreed to offer the post of Acting Director, Leisure and Culture and Managing Director, Leisure & Culture Dundee to Ms Judy Dobbie who intimated her acceptance.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.