Policy And Resources Committee - 18/11/2019

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

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II PUBLIC BODIES CLIMATE CHANGE DUTIES - ANNUAL REPORT 2018/2019

There was submitted Report No 362-2019 by the Executive Director of City Development informing of the work undertaken over the period April 2018 to March 2019 in support of the Councils duties under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and submitting the 2018/2019 Public Bodies Climate Change Duties report for approval.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note that the Councils carbon emissions had decreased by 13% between the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 reporting period;

(ii) to note that emissions from energy use in Council buildings had decreased by 17% between the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 reporting period;

(iii) to note that the Councils overall carbon footprint had reduced by 40% from the 2007/2008 baseline year; and

(iv) to agree the content of the 2018/2019 Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report.

III DUNDEE RESPONSE TO THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND PREPARATION OF A CITY-WIDE CLIMATEACTION PLAN

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th June, 2019, there was submitted Report No 351-2019 by the Executive Director of City Development seeking approval for the Dundee Climate Action Plan to discharge the Councils remit to explore the establishment of a citizens assembly on climate change.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to approve the Dundee Climate Action Plan which was attached to the report as Appendix 1;

(ii) that a high-level Dundee Climate Change Partnership be established to oversee the citys progress in meeting its emissions reduction target; and

(iii) to request that the Chair of the Dundee Partnership convene a Dundee Climate Change Conference in November, 2020 to coincide with Scotland hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

IV CITY AND COUNCIL PLANS MID-YEAR PROGRESS REPORT

On a reference to Articles VI and VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th June, 2019, there was submitted Report No 366-2019 by the Chief Executive providing a joint mid-year progress update on the performance and plans in both the City Plan 2017/2026 and the Council Plan 2017/2022.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the progress being made as outlined in the report; and

(ii) to remit the report to the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

V THE FUTURE DELIVERY OF CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

On a reference to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 31st October, 2016, there was submitted Report No 308-2019 by the Chief Executive providing an update on progress regarding the future delivery of Construction Services.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the progress made in developing a formal partnership between Dundee City Council and Tayside Contracts for the delivery of Construction Services, which would allow Construction Services to be awarded or bid for work to a wider market including neighbouring or other authorities;

(ii) to note that proposals were being developed for the rationalisation of Dundee City Council depot facilities at Clepington Road and Marchbanks;

(iii) to note the ongoing development and implementation of improved IT systems which would assist with the management of repairs and facilitate partnership working;

(iv) to note that the long-term aim remained to seek a transfer of Construction Services employees from Dundee City Council to Tayside Contracts as the best way to secure a sustainable long-term future for the service; and

(v) to note the proposal to review pay and conditions at Construction Services and the proposal to look for opportunities in future to align resources with Tayside Contracts where this would help to grow the partnership and secure additional work.

VI THE CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER ANNUAL REPORT 2018/2019

There was submitted Report No 383-2019 by the Chief Social Work Officer bringing forward for information and approval the Chief Social Work Officers Annual Report for 2018/2019.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to approve the Chief Social Work Officers Annual Report for 2018/2019 which was attached to the report as Appendix 1; and

(ii) to approve the submission of the Chief Social Work Officers Annual Report for 2018/2019 to the Scottish Government.

VII REVENUE MONITORING 2019/2020

There was submitted Report No 370-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2019/2020 projected revenue outturn as at 30th September, 2019 monitored against the adjusted 2019/2020 Revenue Budget.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note that the overall General Fund 2019/2020 projected revenue outturn as at 30th September, 2019 was projecting an overspend of 1,696,000 against the adjusted 2019/2020 Revenue Budget;

(ii) to note that the Housing Revenue Account as at 30th September, 2019 was projecting an underspend of 842,000 against the adjusted Housing Revenue Account 2019/2020 Revenue Budget;

(iii) to note that the Council Management Team would take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2019/2020 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

(iv) to instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services in conjunction with the Council Management Team to continue to monitor the Councils 2019/2020 projected revenue outturn and to implement a recovery plan to reduce the projected overspend.

VIII CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2019/2020

There was submitted Report No 358-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services on the latest position regarding the Councils Updated Capital Plan 2019/2024.

The Committee agreed to note the latest position regarding the Councils Updated Capital Plan 2019/2024 as outlined in the report.

IX OPENING OF SCHOOL GROUNDS FOR COMMUNITY USE

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 31st October, 2016, there was submitted Joint Report No 399-2019 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service, Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services and the Executive Director of City Development outlining the progress made to date on the opening of the school playgrounds for community use and seeking approval to further extend the approach to include more schools in the City, as part of a strategic review of community and school play spaces.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note and approve the contents of the report; and

(ii) to instruct the Executive Directors of Children and Families Service, Neighbourhood Services and City Development to provide a progress report within the next reporting cycle of the Dundee Play Framework in May, 2020.

X APPOINTMENTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN79-2019 on appointments as follows:-

(a) INDEPENDENT CONVENOR - ADULT SUPPORT AND PROTECTION COMMITTEE

The Committee agreed to note that, following the conclusion of Mrs Elaine Torrances previous term of office as Independent Convenor of the Adult Support and Protection Committee in October, 2019, that her term of office be extended until 29th February, 2020.

(b) NEW INDEPENDENT CHAIR - DUNDEE CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE

The Committee agreed to note that, following the completion of Mrs Norma Ritchies term of office as Independent Chair of the Dundee Child Protection Committee in October 2019, that Mrs Elaine Torrance take up the position for the period until 29th February, 2020.

XI DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL 2018/2019 - ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

(a) AUDIT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

(i) Dundee City Council

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 385-2019).

(ii) Dundee City Council Charitable Trusts

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 386-2019).

(iii) Lord Provost of Dundee Charity Fund

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 387-2019).

(iv) The Dundee Trust

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 388-2019).

(b) EXTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 389-2019).

(c) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL 2019/2020 - ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT (RESPONSE TO THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT)

There was submitted Report No 390-2019 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services in response to the report prepared by the Councils External Auditors Report on the audit of Dundee City Council for the year to 31st March, 2019.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the contents of the External Auditors Report, including the completed Action Plan at Appendix 1 of the report and, in particular, that Audit Scotland had issued an unqualified audit opinion on each of the 2018/2019 Annual Accounts noted above; and

(ii) to note the report as the Councils formal response to the External Auditors Report.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.