Policy And Resources Committee - 21/02/2022

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held remotely on 21st February, 2022.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Dawson, Smith and Cruickshank declared non-financial interests in respect of Article II(a) by virtue of membership of the Community Asset Transfer Sub-Committee.

II MINUTES

(a) COMMUNITY ASSET TRANSFER SUB-COMMITTEE - 19TH JANUARY, 2022

The above minute, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted for information and record purposes (Appendix I).

III DEATH GRANT APPEALS

Reference was made to the Scheme of Delegation of Powers to the Head of Democratic and Legal Services in terms of which the Head of Democratic and Legal Services, together with the Executive Director of Corporate Services and the Senior Manager, Financial Services, had delegated powers in terms of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations, for the time being in force, to determine to whom Death Grants should be paid.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN5-2022 advising that, in order to deal with any appeals lodged against the payment of Death Grants, it was recommended that powers be delegated to the Legal Manager to perform the role currently performed by the Head of Democratic and Legal Services in making first instance decisions on Death Grants and that the Head of Democratic and Legal Services be given delegated powers to decide any appeals arising therefrom.

The Committee agreed accordingly.

IV RECOGNITION OF NHS SERVICE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN6-2022 advising that there was no national agreement for NHS or Local Authorities to recognise each other's continuous service. However, in light of integrated health and social care arrangements, several NHS Boards and Local Authorities had chosen locally to recognise services for employment purposes (excluding redundancy) in order to attract candidates for posts and remove potential barriers to recruitment. NHS Tayside recognised Local Authority service for employment purposes.

It was therefore recommended that Dundee City Council recognised continuous NHS Service for employment purposes (excluding redundancy) ie entitlement to sick pay, maternity pay and leave, annual leave.

The Committee agreed accordingly.

V COMMUNITY WELLBEING CENTRE UPDATE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN7-2022 advising that a report had been submitted to Dundee Integration Joint Board in April, 2021 outlining the plans to develop a Community Wellbeing Centre as part of broader developments in the provision of mental health crisis and urgent care in Tayside. At that time, it was envisaged that it would take up to 12 months for the development to realise, with project completion for the end March, 2022.

A potentially suitable building to host the Centre had been identified in April/May, 2021, and a specification submitted to Hillcrest in June, 2021. In August, 2021, Hillcrest provided initial plans which were revisited as the space on offer was potentially tight in relation to the specification. Hillcrest undertook further work on plans and submitted revised proposals to the Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership in October, 2021. These plans were agreed and discussions moved to agree the capital costs that would be incurred in order to progress plans.

Following discussions in Autumn, anticipated capital costs increased from the initial assumption and work had been ongoing to identify ongoing rent costs and revenue requirements around staffing.

It was reported that Hillcrest had now secured agreement from their Board to proceed with the capital works, on the basis of costs being met by both Hillcrest and the Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership. Work was also underway to determine the value of the contract for a voluntary sector provider to run the Centre. Financial planning for the Centre would consider projected revenue costs and potential available funding which was likely to come from new Scottish Government funding for Mental Health and/or social care.

Hillcrest would progress the work on the building, including the detailed design and tender stage prior to construction. Given the current building delays, related to the provision of building materials and manpower at the time, Hillcrest had advised that the work would not be completed within the original deadline of March, 2022. They had provided assurance that once budget approvals were in place, this would be progressed as quickly as possible and they would advise of anticipated timescales for completion once this was clearer.

A stakeholder group had been in operation since November, 2021 and would be fully involved in co‑producing the service specification for the Centre. DVVA would lead on the stakeholder group processes, and would engage with community groups and Health and Wellbeing networks through a conversation cafe model from the end January to early February. A series of questions about how the Centre should look, feel and what should happen there, had been developed by DVVA and would be used to gather as many views as possible. The Stakeholder Group would review all contributions and it was anticipated that the invitation for organisations to tender would be distributed in early March. A Prior Information Notice was due to be sent out imminently to potential organisations who would be interested. The delay in invitation to tender would mean that an organisation would not be awarded the contract before May/June, however, the benefits of a fully engaged stakeholder group driving the development of the Centre were significant.

Progress continued to be made with the additional support that was linked to the Centre development. The Ambulance vehicle was fully operational, and Penumbra had appointed a manager for the Distressed Brief Interventions (DBI) Service and had a detailed implementation plan with associated timeline.

In summary, progress continued to be made, however, the anticipated timescale for the Centre to be operational had now been revised to August, 2022.

The Committee noted accordingly.

VI JOINT INSPECTION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AT RISK OF HARM IN DUNDEE CITY

 

There was submitted Report No 53-2022 by the Independent Chair, Dundee Child Protection Committee informing elected members of the findings of the Joint Inspection of Services for Children at Risk of Harm in Dundee City, published by the Care Inspectorate on 11th January, 2022, and to outline improvement plans arising from these findings.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the content of the inspection report published by the Care Inspectorate (Appendix 1 of the report);

 

(ii) noted the summary of inspection findings, including areas of strength and areas for improvement provided at sections 4.3 and 4.5 of the report; and

 

(iii) noted the multi-agency approach to improvement planning that had been progressed since notification of inspection findings, and the improvement plan, approved by the Dundee Chief Officers' Group, and to be submitted to the Care Inspectorate (as per section 4.6 and Appendix 2 of the report).

 

VII MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING PLANNING IN LIGHT OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CITIZENS OF DUNDEE

 

There was submitted Report No 59-2022 by the Chief Officer, Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership providing the Committee with an overview of current strategic mental health and wellbeing planning as a result of learning gained about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on citizens of Dundee.

 

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

VIII RISK MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT

 

There was submitted Report No 62-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services presenting to Committee the annual review of Risk Management, an update on implementation of the Risk Management Improvement Plan, and work undertaken on horizon scanning for future risks.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the content of the report; and

 

(ii) remitted to the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

 

IX CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2021/2022

 

There was submitted Report No 42-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2022/2027.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2022/2027; and

 

(ii) approved that the balance of the additional expenditure outlined in paragraph 5.2.4 of the report be added to the 2022/2023 Road Reconstruction/Recycling Budget.

 

X REVENUE MONITORING 2021/2022

 

There was submitted Report No 37-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing members with an analysis of the 2021/2022 projected revenue outturn as at 31st December, 2021 monitored against the adjusted 2021/2022 Revenue Budget.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted that the overall General Fund, as at 31st December, 2021, was projecting an underspend of 7,499,000 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 December, 2021, was projecting an underspend of 296,000 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 is 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;

 

(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; and

 

(vii) noted the significant future financial commitments, as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report, that were currently ear-marked against the projected General Fund underspend for 2021/2022.

 

XI FLEMING TRUST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN11-2022 advising that, subject to approval of Report No 40‑2022 by the City Council as Fleming Trustees (Article II of the minute of meeting of the City Council as Fleming Trustees of 21st February, 2022), it was recommended that the Council agree to lend the requested 1m to the Fleming Trust, for the purpose of the proposed acquisitions. This loan to be provided from revenue balances at the prevailing Loans Fund pool interest rate and on such other terms and conditions as the Executive Director of Corporate Services should determine.

 

The City Council as Fleming Trustees having approved Report No 40-2022, the Committee agreed the loan as detailed above.

 

 

 

 

John ALEXANDER, Convener.

 

At a MEETING of the COMMUNITY ASSET TRANSFER SUB-COMMITTEE held remotely on 19th January, 2022.

 

APPENDIX I

 

Present:-

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Will DAWSON

Roisin SMITH

Georgia CRUICKSHANK

 

Councillor Will DAWSON, Convener, in the Chair.

 

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 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.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

II COMMUNITY ASSET TRANSFER

 

There was submitted Report No 359-2021 by the Community Asset Transfer Group relative to an asset transfer request made under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) by Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI) in respect of the Mitchell Street Centre, Mitchell Street, Dundee.

 

Having given consideration to the asset transfer request submitted by the Yusuf Youth Initiative, and a report submitted by the Community Asset Transfer Group, recommending refusal, and having then heard from representatives of the Yusuf Youth Initiative and the Community Asset Transfer Group, the Sub-Committee accepted the recommendations of the Community Asset Transfer Group and refused the request on the grounds that Yusuf Youth Initiative had not demonstrated the viability, sustainability and sufficiency of resources of their proposals.

 

The detailed reasons for this decision were as follows:-

 

- Lack of evidence of the robustness of the Business Plan submitted by Yusuf Youth Initiative in relation to the proposed transfer.

 

- Lack of evidence of current and long-term funding having been secured by Yusuf Youth Initiative to support the proposed transfer.

 

- Lack of evidence of sufficient funding having been identified by Yusuf Youth Initiative for the renovation and ongoing maintenance required by a building of this age, type, condition and size.

 

- Lack of evidence of Best Value, having regard to the value of the building and the anticipated social return on investment from the proposed transfer.

 

Mitigating actions proposed verbally by representatives of Yusuf Youth Initiative during the meeting (that a Property Survey should now be carried out by Yusuf Youth Initiative and if this disclosed works which Yusuf Youth Initiative could not fund the transfer should not proceed; that, if after the proposed transfer Yusuf Youth Initiative found they were unable to fund the operating and maintenance costs of the building, the building would be returned to Dundee City Council or transferred to a charity with similar aims to Yusuf Youth Initiative; that if the anticipated social return on investment was not achieved Yusuf Youth Initiative would agree with Dundee City Council on a mechanism for valuing the shortfall and pay that sum in cash to Dundee City Council) were not in accordance with the statutory scheme for community asset transfer and, in any event, not sufficient to address the above concerns.

 

 

 

 

Will DAWSON, Convener.