Policy And Resources Committee - 07/03/2022

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held remotely on 7th March, 2022.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th February, 2022 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

Councillor ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II CUSTOMER SERVICES AND IT: FRONT LINE SERVICE UPDATE 2021/2022

There was submitted Report No 26-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an update on activity undertaken by front line Customer Services and IT teams in 2021. The report highlighted developments undertaken during the pandemic by the service and how these had mitigated some of the worst impacts of the pandemic for those with the least financial resources.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the content of the report and considered the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on individuals and families within Dundee and how the front line services of Customer Services and IT had provided a continuous service to mitigate the worst of these impacts throughout the pandemic;

(ii) noted the implications of the removal of the 20 UC uplift and the decrease of the UC taper from 63p to 55p for those in work; and

(iii) noted the likely implications in terms of increased debt and demand for advice services from citizens and the increased level of crisis issues arising from cost-of-living increases.

III TREASURY POLICY STATEMENT 2022/2023

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th March, 2021, there was submitted Report No 49-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the Councils Treasury Policy Statement which was intended to govern all borrowing and lending transactions carried out by the Council.

The Committee approved the policies and procedures laid out in the Treasury Policy Statement 2022/2023 appended to the report.

IV TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2022/2023

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th March, 2021, there was submitted Report No 50-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services introducing the Dundee City Council Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2022/2023, the preparation of which was a requirement of the Council's Treasury Policy Statement and the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that in terms of the Treasury Policy Statement, the Executive Director of Corporate Services was obliged to present the annual Treasury Management Strategy at the start of each financial year; and

(ii) approved the strategy proposed by the Executive Director of Corporate Services for 2022/2023 as set out in the "Treasury Management Strategy 2022/2023" appended to the report.

V CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2021/2022

There was submitted Report No 79-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2022/2027.

The Committee noted the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2022/2027.

VI REVENUE MONITORING 2021/2022

There was submitted Report No 69-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing members with an analysis of the 2021/2022 projected revenue outturn as at 31st January, 2022 monitored against the adjusted 2021/2022 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund as at 31st January, 2022 was projecting an underspend of 8,151,000 against the adjusted 2021/2022 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted the position on Covid-related expenditure and Covid funding, as set out in Appendix E and paragraph 3.1 of the report;

(iii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st January, 2022 was projecting an underspend of 215,000 against the adjusted HRA 2021/2022 Revenue Budget;

(iv) agreed that the Council Management Team would take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2021/2022 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget;

(v) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services, in conjunction with the Council Management Team, to continue to monitor the Councils 2021/2022 projected revenue outturn to assist with the cost pressures resulting from Covid-19; and

(vi) noted the current position on Leisure & Culture Dundee, as set out in paragraph 7.3 of the report, and noted the Councils ongoing financial support to offset the impact of Covid-19 on Leisure & Culture Dundee through to at least 31st March, 2023.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.