Policy And Resources Committee - 25/01/2021

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held remotely on 25th January, 2021.

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th January, 2021 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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

II HOUSING (HRA) REVENUE BUDGET 2021/2024 AND REVIEW OF RENTS AND OTHER HOUSING CHARGES FOR 2021/2022

There was submitted Report No 42-2021 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services advising members of the outcome of the rent consultation exercise in order for them to approve the Housing (HRA) Revenue Budget and rent and other housing charges for financial year 2021/2022.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the outcome of the rent consultation exercise detailed in section 8 and Appendix 4 to the report and that the proposed rent increase below (iv) was in line with the majority view expressed by tenants through this exercise;

(ii) approved the Housing (HRA) Revenue Budget for 2021/2022 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(iii) noted the Provisional Revenue Budgets for 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(iv) approved rents be increased by 1.50% equal to an average increase of 1.17 per week and subject to a maximum increase of 1.50 with effect from 5th April, 2021;

(v) approved that all other housing charges be set as outlined in Appendix 2 to the report with effect from 5th April, 2021; and

(vi) agreed that the level of rents held on the Housing (HRA) be similarly applied to miscellaneous houses ie the properties which were leased to the Richmond Fellowship, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership and City Development, subject to categorisation where appropriate.

III COVID-19 DISCRETIONARY GRANT

There was submitted Report No 12-2021 by the Executive Director of City Development seeking approval for the establishment of a discretionary business grant scheme targeting those businesses experiencing significant financial challenges that had received limited financial support since October.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the criteria and guidance provided by Scottish Government for operation of the scheme;

(ii) noted the work undertaken to co-ordinate plans with local authorities in the wider Tay Cities area and in particular Angus and Perth and Kinross Councils;

(iii) approved proposals for establishment and operation of a discretionary Dundee City Council Business Support Scheme targeting the initial list of priority sectors and business types outlined; and

(iv) delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Economic Development to review and, where necessary, amendment eligibility criteria.

IV FINANCIAL OUTLOOK AND REVENUE BUDGET 2021/2022

There was submitted Report No 51-2021 advising members of the financial outlook at a national level following the recent UK Spending Review announcements. The report also outlined the current position on the Council's Revenue Budget for 2021/2022, in terms of required savings.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the financial outlook at a national level;

(ii) noted the range of projected savings that might be required for 2021/2022 in order to deliver a balanced budget;

(iii) approved the update to the Long-Term Financial Strategy, as set out in paragraph 9.2 of the Report;

(iv) noted that a further report would be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee on 22nd February, 2021, detailing the Council's actual grant settlement for 2021/2022 and the associated implications. This report would include the proposed procedure for setting the Council's Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2021/2022; and

(v) noted that it was anticipated that the Policy and Resources Committee would meet on 4th March, 2021 to set the Councils 2021/2022 Revenue Budget and Council Tax.

V RISK MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT

There was submitted Report No 47-2021 by the Chief Executive presenting to Committee a comparative review of the Councils Corporate Risk Register (CRR), associated service level risk registers (SRRs), and Covid-19 Recovery Risk Register (C19 RRR); and an update on implementation of the Risk Management Improvement Plan.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the content of the report;

(ii) approved the revised CRR risk assessments proposed;

(iii) confirmed the addition of further risks to the CRR; and

(iv) remitted the report to the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

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 Schedule 7A of the Act.

VI COMMERCIAL LEASE

There was submitted Report No 13-2021 by the Executive Director of City Development seeking approval for the transfer of a commercial lease.

The Committee approved the transfer on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.