Policy And Resources Committee - 21/11/2022

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

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 31st October, 2022 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Shears declared an interest in the item of business at Article XIII of this minute by virtue of his employment with a company who may have had an interest in undertaking the work involved and took no part in the proceedings and withdrew from the meeting prior to its consideration.

II MINUTE

(a) PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE AND PENSION BOARD - 17TH OCTOBER, 2022

The minute of meeting of the Pension Sub-Committee and Pension Board of 17th October, 2022, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted for information and record purposes (Appendix I).

III THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE - DEFINITION OF ANTI-SEMITISM

This item was placed on the Agenda at the request of Depute Lord Provost Cordell who asked the Committee to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism.

Thereafter, the Committee resolved the following:-

Faith organisations have a commitment to serve their communities, and there are many examples in Dundee of faith organisations taking social action, running local initiatives and providing services which make a positive impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Dundee has a very positive record of working within our communities and educational services to tackle religious intolerance. We must continue to raise awareness and work with stakeholders to ensure that Dundee's diverse communities are supported.

Council recognises the importance of faith groups across Dundee and recognises the vital role that they play within our communities and for the benefit of our communities.

Council reiterates our commitment through the Faith Covenant (Report: 59-2020), adopted at Policy and Resources Committee on 24th February, 2020 to:-

— Work with faith communities, through a joint working group of officers and faith representatives and report back on key recommendations.

— Continue to build relationships and trust with faith groups.

— Adopt strategies for the engagement and support of faith communities.

— Share training and learning opportunities.

— Work to tackle religious intolerance, in all of its forms.

Council notes the international working definition of anti-Semitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which states:-

Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews.

Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed towards Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Council further notes that this definition has been adopted by numerous local authorities across the UK; The Scottish, Welsh and UK Governments; and, as of October, 2022, 38 other countries.

Council agrees to adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism including all of the accompanying examples of contemporary anti-Semitism provided by the IHRA.

IV UK ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP - DEFINITION OF ISLAMAPHOBIA

This Item was placed on the Agenda at the request of Councillor El-Nakla who asked the Committee to adopt the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims definition of Islamophobia.

Thereafter, the Committee resolved the following:-

Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness - together with the explanatory guidelines put forward by the Coalition Against Islamophobia.

Faith organisations have a commitment to serve their communities, and there are many examples in Dundee of faith organisations taking social action, running local initiatives and providing services which make a positive impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Dundee has a very positive record of working within our communities and educational services to tackle religious intolerance. We must continue to raise awareness and work with stakeholders to ensure that Dundee's diverse communities are supported.

Islamophobia is a growing issue, both locally and nationally, as a public inquiry by the Scottish Parliaments Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Tackling Islamophobia found that approximately 80% of Muslims in Scotland have experienced Islamophobia directly.

Council recognises the importance of faith groups across Dundee and recognises the vital role that they play within our communities and for the benefit of our communities.

Council reiterates our commitment through the Faith Covenant (Report: 59-2020), adopted at Policy and Resources Committee on 24th February, 2020 to:-

— Work with faith communities, through a joint working group of officers and faith representatives and report back on key recommendations.

— Continue to build relationships and trust with faith groups.

— Adopt strategies for the engagement and support of faith communities.

— Share training and learning opportunities.

— Work to tackle religious intolerance, in all of its forms.

Council further agrees that:-

— Adopting a definition of Islamophobia is essential to tackling Islamophobia in a targeted and effective manner.

— Without a definition of Islamophobia, one cannot identify how Islamophobia manifests itself and functions and therefore, cannot devise meaningful strategies to address it.

— The APPG definition should be accompanied by the Coalition Against Islamophobias explanatory guidelines to provide a more holistic understanding of Islamophobia.

V DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL 2021/2022 - ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

(a) EXTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 302-2022).

(b) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL 2021/2022 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT - RESPONSE TO THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT

There was submitted Report No 303-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services in response to the report prepared by the Council's External Auditor's Report on the audit of Dundee City Council for the year to 31st March, 2022.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the content of the External Auditor's Report, including the completed Action Plan as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report and, in particular, that Audit Scotland had issued an unqualified audit opinion on each of the 2021/2022 Annual Accounts noted in the report; and

(ii) to note this report was the Councils formal response to the External Auditor's Report.

(c) AUDITED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

(i) Dundee City Council

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 304-2022).

(ii) Dundee City Council Charitable Trusts

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 305-2022).

(iii) Lord Provost of Dundee Charity Fund

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 306-2022).

(iv) The Dundee Trust

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 307-2022).

VI CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2022/2023

There was submitted Report No 295-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2022/2027.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) to authorise the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to appoint Dundee Contract Services to undertake the works relating to adaptations and equipment for people with Disabilities. The total cost of these works would amount to 850,000 each financial year and this would be funded from the Building Strong Communities (Housing Revenue Account - Miscellaneous) line.

VII REVENUE MONITORING 2022/2023

There was submitted Report No 294-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2022/2023 projected revenue outturn as at 30th September, 2022 and the impact on the Councils overall balances position.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note that the overall General Fund as at 30th September, 2022 was projecting an underspend of 0.057m against the adjusted 2022/2023 Revenue Budget and the impact this has had on the projected Councils General Fund Balances;

(ii) to note the budget adjustments totalling 19.702m and detailed in second column of Appendix A (and summarised in Appendix E) of the report as virements to the previous approved Revenue Budget;

(iii) to note the position on Covid-related expenditure and Covid funding, that was included within the overall projection but was set out separately for information in Appendix B and paragraph 6.1 of the report;

(iv) to note that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as at 30th September, 2022 was projecting an overspend of 0.736m against the adjusted HRA 2022/2023 Revenue Budget and the impact this had on the element of the projected Renewal and Repair Fund balance earmarked to HRA;

(v) to note the position on ring-fenced grants expenditure outlined in Appendix C of the report;

(vi) that the Council Leadership Team would take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2022/2023 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget and noted that in accordance with the agreed Medium-Term Financial Strategy (Report No 257-2022 to Policy and Resources Committee on 26th September, 2022, refers), officers were taking steps to manage current and recurring revenue expenditure, including reviewing vacancies and any new recurring commitments;

(vii) to note the key strategic, operational and financial risks being faced by the Council as outlined in Appendix D of the report; and

(viii) to note the current position on Leisure and Culture Dundee, as set out in paragraph 7.3 of the report.

VIII CAPITAL PLAN 2023/2028

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th January, 2022, there was submitted Report No 309-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services on the proposed changes to the 2022/2027 Capital Plan, to prioritise projects within the available resources and to recommend the allocations for 2027/2028.

Thereafter, Bailie Sawers, seconded by Councillor Short, moved that Committee:-

(i) notes the impact of the current financial environment on the Capital Plan 2022/2027;

(ii) agrees the revised Capital Plan for 2023/2028, as detailed in Appendix A of the report;

(iii) notes the risks outlined in Section 7 of the report and that a further report on the Capital Plan would be presented to the Committee should there be any material change in circumstances;

(iv) rejects the damaging austerity economics of UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunts budget, but recognises this is a continuation of the austerity economics introduced by the 2010 Conservative/Lib-Dem UK Government;

(v) notes reports from leading economists that the Truss/Kwarteng budget cost the UK economy around 30 Billion and has wreaked havoc on interest rates and inflation including the mortgage market and also increasing costs for major construction projects such as those in the Councils capital plan; and

(vi) also notes comments from individuals and institutions such as the Governor of the Bank of England and the Office for Budget Responsibility that Brexit has had a severely negative impact on the UK economy leading to further constraints on the Scottish Governments budget. Dundee City Council acknowledges that only Independence for Scotland gives any prospect of Scotland rejoining the European Union.

As an amendment, Bailie Macpherson, seconded by Councillor Duncan, moved that Committee:-

(i) notes the impact of the current financial environment on the Capital Plan 2022/2027; and

(ii) agrees the revised Capital Plan for 2023-28 as detailed in Appendix A, subject to the following amendments:-

Reinstate the following reductions from the Capital Plan 2022-2027 approved by this Committee on 24th January, 2022:-

Parks and Open Spaces - 1.3m

Sports facilities - 0.8m

LACD Projects - 2.0m

Transport and infrastructure - 2.3m

Unadopted footways - 0.5m

Social care - 1.6m

Community Regeneration/Participatory Budgeting - 0.6m

In addition, move Dundee Ice Arena Plant and Upgrade to later years post 2028 (removing 9.1m from the Capital Plan for 2023-2028).

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Campbell, Depute Lord Provost Cordell, Bailies Dawson, Roberts and Sawers and Councillors, Anderson, El-Nakla, Flynn, Hunter, Lynn, Rome, Short, Smith and Tolland (15); and for the amendment - Bailies Keenan, Wright, Macpherson and Scott and Councillors Cruickshank, Finnegan, Malone, McHugh, McIrvine, Shears, Coleman, Crichton and Duncan (13) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

IX COUNCIL PLAN 2022/2027

The Committee agreed that this item be deferred.

X DUNDEE FAIRNESS ACTION PLAN AND LOCAL CHILD POVERTY ACTION REPORT - ANNUAL REPORT2021/2022

There was submitted Report No 263-2022 by the Chief Executive presenting the combined Fairness and Local Child Poverty Action Report showing progress during 2021/2022. It also highlighted key action to be taken in 2022/2023.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to approve the Dundee Fairness Action Plan and Local Child Poverty Annual Report for 2021/2022 which was attached as Appendix 1 of the report; and

(ii) to approve the actions as set out for the next phase of the Action Plan from 2022/2023 onwards.

XI BEST VALUE ASSURANCE REPORT (BVAR) AUDIT REVIEW ACTION PLAN PROGRESS REPORT

The Committee agreed that this item be deferred.

XII CORPORATE IT DATA STORAGE

There was submitted Report No 310-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services on the proposed purchase of a new data storage hardware to replace ageing equipment that was approaching end of life and the support would expire in 2023.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to the purchase of new data storage; and

(ii) to remit the Head of Customer Services and IT to purchase a data storage platform, to be compliantly procured through NHS Digital Workplace Solutions framework.

XIII WI-FI IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND EARLY YEARS ESTABLISHMENTS

There was submitted Report No 311-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services on the proposed upgrade of Wi-Fi facilities in Primary School and Early Years Establishments and purchase of new Cisco Wi-Fi hardware and licences for schools. Summer 2024 was targeted for completion of this wide-ranging project.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to the upgrade of Wi-Fi facilities in Primary School and Early Years Establishments within Dundee City Council which would see 700 wireless access points installed into 46 establishments to provide comprehensive wireless internet coverage to mobile devices within these establishments; and

(ii) to remit the Head of Customer Services and IT to purchase Wi-Fi hardware, licences and installation services through compliant procurement routes.

XIV OUR PEOPLE STRATEGY 2022/2027

The Committee agreed that this item be deferred.

XV PUBLIC BODIES CLIMATE CHANGE DUTIES - ANNUAL REPORT 2021/2022

There was submitted Report No 272-2022 by the Executive Director of City Development, informing of the work undertaken over the period April, 2021 to March, 2022 in support of the Council's duties under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and reporting on efforts to reduce the Councils organisational emissions and the investment delivered which had resulted in a 50% reduction in total emissions since 2007/2008.

The Committee agreed to note the progress made by the Council in responding to the climate emergency and progress in reducing organisational emissions outlined in the 2021/2022 Public Bodies Climate Change Duties (PBCCD) Report at Appendix 1 of the report.

XVI DELIVERING DUNDEES CLIMATE COMMITMENTS - ONE YEAR ON FROM COP 26

The Committee agreed that this item be deferred.

XVII ACCOMMODATION FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENTS -LANGLANDS STREET PROJECT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN49-2022 advising that as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) a number of developments had been identified to provide appropriate housing in Dundee for Adults with either Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities or Mental Health Disabilities. One of these developments was a new build of 8 flats in Langlands Street, for people needing support with their Learning Disability, where the housing required additional specifications beyond a regular Housing Association standard. The total cost of the additional specifications on the Housing Association asset was 124,000. The Executive Director of Corporate Services advised that the total cost of 124,000 could be funded from the Social Care budget in the Health, Care and Wellbeing section of the Capital Plan 2023/2028 (Provision of Accommodation for Adults with Learning Disabilities budget).

The works were due to be completed in January, 2023.

The Committee agreed to contribute 124,000, for the capital cost of providing additional specifications to houses at the Housing Association Project at Langlands Street.

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 17th October, 2022.

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 APOLOGIES

The Sub-Committee and Board noted apologies had been received from Councillor McHugh, Councillor Rome, Councillor Lynn and George Ramsay.

III MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minute of meeting of 27th June, 2022 was submitted and approved.

IV TAYSIDE PENSION FUND'S RISK REGISTER

There was submitted Report No 235-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing a revised Risk Register for Tayside Pension Fund following the implementation of recommendations made following an Internal Audit review.

The Sub-Committee and Board approved the Quarterly Risk Register for Tayside Pension Fund, noting the revisions made.

V PENSION ADMINISTRATION PERFORMANCE - QUARTERLY UPDATE TO 30TH JUNE, 2022

There was submitted Report No 236-2022 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 2021/2022 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

There was submitted Report No 237-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reporting on the outcome of the external audit of Tayside Pension Fund for the year to 31st March, 2022. A copy of the External Auditor's Annual Audit Report (Report No 239-2022) and the Draft Audited Annual Report and Accounts 2021/2022 for the Tayside Pension Fund (Report No 238-2022) were also to be considered.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the content of the External Auditor's Annual Audit Report, the External Audit of Tayside Pension Fund and the Outcome of the External Audit of Tayside Pension Fund noting, in particular, that Audit Scotland anticipated issuing an unqualified audit opinion.

VII ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 2021/2022

There was submitted Report No 240-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the Treasury Management activities for the period 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2022.

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

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.

VIII TAYSIDE PENSION FUND

(a) PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

There was submitted Report No 241-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the investment performance of the Funds investment managers for the quarter to 30th June, 2022. The report compared investment performance of the Fund 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 222-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the investment activities of Tayside Pension Funds five Fund Managers for the quarter to 1st April, 2022 to 30th June, 2022 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) QUARTERLY FUNDING REPORT

There was submitted Report No 242-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the current funding level of the Fund as assessed by the Fund Actuary.

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

(d) SECURITIES LENDING SIX MONTH ACTIVITY TO 30TH JUNE, 2022

There was submitted Report No 243-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services presenting an update on Securities Lending activity for the period ended 30th June, 2022.

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

IX PRESENTATION

Tom Wright and Jon Henry from Baillie Gifford gave a short presentation to the Sub-Committee and Board.

After Mr Wright and Mr Henry 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.