Policy And Resources Committee - 26/04/2021

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held remotely on 26th April, 2021.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th March, 2021 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Bailie Macpherson declared a non-financial interest in respect of Article III by virtue of his membership of the Dundee Nablus Twinning Association.

II MINUTES

(a) PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE AND PENSION BOARD - 7TH DECEMBER, 2020

(b) PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE - 15TH DECEMBER, 2020 AND 15TH JANUARY, 2021

The minutes of meetings of the above Sub-Committees, copies of which are appended hereto, were submitted for information and record purposes (Appendices I, II and III).

III RECOGNITION OF THE STATE OF PALESTINE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN14-2021 intimating that this had been placed on the agenda at the request of Bailie Macpherson.

The Committee acceded to requests for deputations to address the Committee relative to this item of business. After the deputations had stated their cases they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

Thereafter, Bailie Macpherson, seconded by Bailie Keenan, moved the undernoted:-

Committee notes the request from Dundee Trades Union Council and the Dundee-Nablus Twinning Association that Dundee City Council should recognise the State of Palestine.

Given the long-standing support Dundee City Council and the former City of Dundee District Council has had for our twinning relationship with Nablus, we recognise and value the views and rights of the people of Nablus; these rights - in particular the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination - must be respected.

Committee therefore supports the call for the City Council to recognise the State of Palestine.

Committee instructs the Chief Executive to communicate the decision of the City Council to recognise the State of Palestine to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Prime Minister and the First Minister.

As an amendment, Bailie Scott, seconded by Councillor Scott, moved to note the motion but take no further action.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailies Roberts, Sawers, Keenan, Wright and Macpherson, and Councillors Cordell, Dawson, Flynn, Hunter, Lynn, Rendall, Rome, Ross, Short, Smith, McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Richardson, Duncan and Murray (23); and for the amendment - Bailie Scott and Councillors Hay and Scott (3) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

IV MAINSTREAMING EQUALITIES REPORT 2021/2025

The Committee acceded to a request for a deputation to address the Committee relative to this item of business. After the deputation had stated their case and answered questions from members, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

There was submitted Report No 122-2021 by the Chief Executive presenting the Mainstreaming Equalities Report 2021/2025 for approval.

The Committee:-

(i) approved Dundee City Councils Mainstreaming Equality and Equality Outcomes Progress Report 2021/2025 appended to the report;

(ii) approved the Children and Families Services (Education Authority) Mainstreaming Equality and Equality Outcomes Progress Report 2021/2025 appended to the report;

(iii) noted the Employee Equality Monitoring information and data gathered for our employees; and

(iv) remitted the Head of Chief Executives Services to produce a full action plan and associated measures to track progress by end of October, 2021.

V BEST VALUE ASSURANCE REPORT (BVAR) ACTION PLAN - PROGRESS REPORT

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of Dundee City Council of 16th November, 2020, there was submitted Report No 128-2021 by the Chief Executive reporting progress on the implementation of the improvement actions agreed to address the findings and recommendations from the Best Value Assurance Report published in September, 2020.

The Committee:-

(i) noted progress on each action as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report; and

(ii) noted revised timescales for some actions as set out in paragraph 5.3 of the report.

VI REINTRODUCTION OF PARKING CHARGES

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of the City Development Committee of 25th January, 2021, there was submitted Report No 137-2021 by the Executive Director of City Development seeking approval for the reintroduction of parking charges in Dundee.

The Convener, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved that the Council reintroduce parking charges at all on-street and off-street locations from 10th May, 2021, with the exception of seven West End car parks which will have the reintroduction of charges deferred until 27th September, 2021.

As an amendment, Bailie Macpherson, seconded by Councillor McCready, moved that the Committee accept the recommendation to reintroduce parking charges at all on-street and off-street locations from 10th May, 2021, with the exception of seven West End car parks, which will have the reintroduction of charges deferred until the commencement of a West End residents parking scheme.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailies Roberts and Sawers, and 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 McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Richardson, Hay, Scott and Duncan (11) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

As a further amendment, Bailie Scott, seconded by Councillor Scott, moved to add the following additional recommendations:-

Free parking to continue in the district shopping centres car parks (Queen Street, Brook Street, Fort Street, Roseangle, Pennycook Lane, Millers Wynd, Mid Wynd, Bellfield Street (North), Union Place (North) and Ryehill Lane) up to 31st December, 2021.

Free parking in the multi-storey car parks over the three weekends prior to Christmas.

The 145,000 shortfall in expected revenue to be funded from the Insurance Fund.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailies Roberts and Sawers, and 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 McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Richardson, Hay, Scott and Duncan (11) - whereupon the motion was declared carried and became the finding of the meeting.

VII BREXIT UPDATE

There was submitted Report No 112-2021 by the Chief Executive updating members on the impact of the new relationship between the UK and the EU since 1st January, 2021, providing information on related domestic political developments, and describing work being carried out by the Council to deal with the consequences of the post-Brexit arrangements.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the information provided on the impact of the new relationship between the UK and the EU and on other related domestic political developments;

(ii) noted the work which continued to be carried out by the Council to deal with the consequences of the post-Brexit arrangements; and

(iii) remitted the Chief Executive to write to the UK Government setting out Dundees case to be included in the Community Renewal Fund pilots as a precursor to receiving funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

VIII IMPROVING SERVICES THROUGH LISTENING TO CUSTOMERS AND SERVICE USERS

There was submitted Report No 60-2021 by the Chief Executive highlighting improvements which had been made to Council services as a result of listening to the views of customers and service users over the previous year.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the report, and agreed that similar reports should continue to be submitted annually;

(ii) agreed that highlights from the report, as set out in Appendix 1, be published on the we listened, we acted page of the Councils website; and

(iii) encouraged services to maintain their efforts to listen to and respond to feedback, and to identify any further customers who should be consulted with a view to ensuring that services continued to be improved in response to the views of users.

IX REVISED ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING (AML) POLICY AND RISK REGISTER

There was submitted Report No 123-2021 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services advising of an update to the current Anti-Money Laundering Council Policy.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the Revised Anti-Money Laundering Policy detailed in Appendix A to the report; and

(ii) noted the content of the Anti-Money Laundering Risk Register in Appendix B to the report.

X COMMON GOOD FUND

There was submitted Report No 117-2021 by the Executive Director of Corporate Service providing details of the Council's Common Good Fund Revenue Budget for 2021/2022 and making recommendations for the disbursement of funds for the financial year.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the Common Good Fund 2021/2022 Revenue Budget as detailed in Appendix A of the report;

(ii) agreed that the 110,000 available for 2021/2022 be allocated as follows: 20,000 to the Festive Fund; 1,500 to the Blood Transfusion Service; 1,500 to the Festival of Remembrance Service; and 87,000 for projects that supported COVID recovery within communities for the common good of the City; and

(iii) agreed that the 87,000 be allocated during the year following an assessment through the Dundee Partnership process approved by the Executive Director of Corporate Services.

XI CONSOLIDATION OF THE SCOTTISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT LIVING WAGE - LEISURE & CULTURE DUNDEE

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th March, 2021, there was submitted Report No 132-2021 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services seeking approval to provide additional funding to Leisure & Culture Dundee to meet the additional costs arising from the implementation of a revised pay and grading structure associated with the consolidation of the Scottish Local Government Living Wage.

The Committee agreed to provide additional funding of 230,0000 to Leisure & Culture Dundee in 2021/2022 to meet the costs of implementing the Scottish Local Government Living Wage.

XII FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE COUNCILS RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY AND FINANCIAL RECOVERY PLAN -UPDATE

There was submitted Report No 120-2021 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an update on the financial implications of the Councils response to the COVID-19 emergency and the associated financial recovery plan.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the longer-term financial implications of the response to the COVID-19 emergency, with an initial exercise by officers in late 2020 identifying on-going COVID-19 related costs of around 24m over the period 2021 to 2024;

(ii) noted the updated projected surplus on the Councils overall 2020/2021 Revenue Budget, after meeting the costs of responding to the COVID-19 emergency;

(iii) noted the updated financial recovery plan, as set out in paragraph 6 of the report, containing measures aimed at mitigating the increased costs in financial year 2020/2021 to protect the Councils financial sustainability going forward;

(iv) noted that the final outturn position for 2020/2021 would be reported to the Scrutiny Committee on 23rd June, 2021;

(v) noted the current position on Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, as set out in paragraph 5.2 of the report;

(vi) noted the current position on Leisure & Culture Dundee, as set out in paragraph 5.3 of the report;

(vii) noted that a report on projected COVID-19 costs and funding over the period 2021 to 2024 would be submitted to a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee; and

(viii) noted that the 2020/2021 COVID-19 funding included support for financial insecurity and flexible funding to meet emerging needs and that this would be subject to a report in May, 2021 in the context of the Councils recovery plans.

XIII ADDITIONAL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT FUNDING

There was submitted Report No 133-2021 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services seeking approval of proposals to allocate the Councils 1.1m share of the additional 40m of funding for Local Government announced on 18th March, 2021.

The Committee agreed to allocate the funding of 1.108m to the proposals set out in Appendix A of the report.

XIV REVENUE MONITORING 2020/2021

There was submitted Report No 113-2021 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2020/2021 projected revenue outturn as at 28th February, 2021 monitored against the adjusted 2020/2021 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund as at 28th February, 2021 was projecting an underspend of 9,568,000 against the adjusted 2020/2021 Revenue Budget, excluding COVID-19 related expenditure and loss of income. The current projected surplus position for the Council was 13,250,000. As detailed in the updated COVID‑19 recovery plan report (Article XII above), this included the underspend of 9,568,000;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 28th February, 2021 was projecting an underspend of 4,598,000 against the adjusted HRA 2020/2021 Revenue Budget. This underspend was also included in the COVID-19 recovery plan report mentioned above and was partly offset by COVID-19 related costs of 3.407m;

(iii) agreed that the Council Management Team would take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2020/2021 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget;

(iv) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services in conjunction with the Council Management Team to continue to monitor the Councils 2020/2021 projected revenue outturn to assist with the cost pressures resulting from COVID-19; and

(v) noted that the concurrent COVID-19 update report highlighted potential additional costs arising from the pandemic of 24m over the next three years.

XV CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2020/2021

There was submitted Report No 114-2021 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2021/2026.

The Committee noted the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2021/2026.

XVI TAYSIDE PENSION FUND ACTUARIAL VALUATION AT 31ST MARCH, 2020

There was submitted Report No 129-2021 updating the Committee on the Actuarial Valuation of Tayside Pension Fund at 31st March, 2020.

The Committee noted the information contained within 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 remotely on 7th December, 2020.

APPENDIX I

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 21st September, 2020 was submitted and approved.

III APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON OF PENSION BOARD

There was submitted Agenda Note AN41-2020 advising that in accordance with the Public Service Pensions Act 2013, the Sub-Committee and Board are asked to seek nominations for the post of Chair of the Pension Board for the period of 12 months.

It was agreed that George Ramsay continue in this role for a further period of 12 months.

IV TAYSIDE PENSION FUND RISK REGISTER

There was submitted Report No 327-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services updating the Risk Register for the Tayside Pension Fund.

The Sub-Committee and Board approved the Quarterly Risk Register for Tayside Pension Fund which was updated on 13th November, 2020, and noted that there were no changes to the risk profile since the previous report.

V PENSION ADMINISTRATION PERFORMANCE

There was submitted Report No 328-2020 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.

VI TAYSIDE PENSION FUND INTERNAL ANNUAL AUDIT REPORTS 2020/2021

There was submitted Report No 339-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services submitting to the Sub-Committee and Board the Audit Reports prepared by the Funds Internal Auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) following the reviews undertaken in line with the approved 2020/2021 Internal Audit plan (Article X of the Minute of Meeting of the Pension Sub-Committee of the Policy and Resources Committee and Pension Board of 21st September, 2020, Report No 151-2020 refers).

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the content of the report on the individual audit exercises undertaken for the current financial year, and approved the management responses.

VIl TREASURY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 2020/2021 (MID-YEAR REVIEW)

There was submitted Report No 329-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing Tayside Pension Funds Treasury Management activities for the period 1st April, 2020 to 30th September, 2020.

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

VIIl PROPOSED TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS FOR 2021

There was submitted Report No 330-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services proposing a suggested programme of meetings of the Pension Sub-Committee and Pension Board in 2021.

The Sub-Committee and Board examined the dates set out in the timetable and agreed the proposed programme of meetings as detailed.

lX ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE POLICY

There was submitted Report No 331-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the Fund's current policy on Socially Responsible Investing (Article V of the Minute of Meeting of the Pension Sub-Committee of the Policy and Resources Committee of 24th June 2019, Report No 236-2019 refers).

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

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.

X TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS

(a) PERFORMANCE SUMMARIES

There was submitted Report No 332-2020 reviewing the investment performance of the Funds Investment Managers for the quarter to 30th September, 2020. The report compared investment performance of the Funds with the Funds specific benchmarks which consisted of various stock and security market indices.

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

There was submitted Report No 333-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the investment activities of Tayside Pension Funds five Fund Managers for the quarter to 30th September, 2020 and summarising the transactions of each Fund Manager and showing the market values of the Pension Fund.

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) OVERVIEW OF OUTCOMES OF ACTUARIAL VALUATION AT 31ST MARCH, 2020

There was submitted Report No 334-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services updating the Sub-Committee and Board on the preliminary results of the actuarial valuation of Tayside Pension Fund at 31st March, 2020.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the information contained within the report.

Xl SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT - SIX MONTHLY REPORT

There was submitted Report No 335-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services 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 (Article V of the Minute of Meeting of the Pension Sub-Committee of the Policy and Resources Committee of 24th June, 2019, Report No 236-2019 refers).

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, 2020.

XIl ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICE

There was submitted Report No 336-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing information on the annual assessment of investment advisory service performance as required by the Competition and Markets Authority.

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

XIIl FURTHER ANALYSIS ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE SCOTTISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME

There was submitted Report No 337-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing information on the draft procurement specification for the Scheme Advisory Boards (SAB) appointment of an independent consultant to undertake a detailed business case analysis and present an evidence-based comparison of the costs, benefits and risks of the four potential scheme structures that were the subject of the 2018 consultation on structure of the SLGPS and informing the Sub-Committee and Board that the SAB intend to approach all Scottish Funds for financial support to facilitate this.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the content of the report, and considered the intentions of the SAB in respect of financial assistance in this endeavour.

XIV SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION RESPONSE - ADDRESSING DISCRIMINATION IN LGPS

There was submitted Report No 338-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services. The report advised the Sub-Committee and Board of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) consultation on the rectification of age discrimination within the Scottish Local Government Pension Scheme.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the content of the joint response prepared by the National Specialist Pensions Groups (Scottish Pensions Liaison Group and the Investment and Governance Group).

XV PRESENTATION

David Barber, Ian Fishwick and Jeremy Podger from Fidelity International gave a short presentation to the Sub-Committee and Board.

After Mr Barber, Mr Fishwick and Mr Podger had given their presentation and answered questions from members, the Chair thanked the presenters on behalf of members of the Sub-Committee and Board.

Willie SAWERS, Chair.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th December, 2020.

APPENDIX II

Present:-

Bailie Christina ROBERTS

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Christina ROBERTS, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th October, 2020 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 the Children and Families Service had been submitted.

The Sub-Committee heard the Councils representative and witnesses and, thereafter, the Appellant.

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 remotely on 15th January, 2021.

APPENDIX III

Present:-

BAILIES

Councillor Anne RENDALL

Bailie Christina ROBERTS, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th December, 2020 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 the Children and Families Service had been submitted.

The Sub-Committee heard the Councils representative and witnesses and, thereafter, the Appellant.

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.