City Governance Committee - 22/01/2024

At a MEETING of the CITY GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE held remotely on 22nd January, 2024.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th January, 2024 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II MINUTE OF PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE AND PENSION BOARD

The minute of meeting of the Pension Sub-Committee and Pension Board, held on 18th September, 2023, was submitted for information and record purposes, a copy of which is attached to this minute as Appendix I.

III SCRUTINY OF POLICE SCOTLAND AND SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

This item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillors Crichton and Duncan. Councillor Crichton proposed an alteration to the arrangements for scrutiny of Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to ensure all 29 elected members could participate rather than just those elected members who were members of the Scrutiny Committee.

Thereafter, Councillor Crichton, seconded by Councillor Duncan, moved that:-

The Committee notes that, since the abolition of the previous Community Safety and Public Protection Committee which held its final meeting in June 2023, scrutiny by Dundee City Councillors of Police and Fire Services was remitted to the Councils Scrutiny Committee.

Committee accepts that this has resulted in the Councils public scrutiny of these services being remitted to just eight of the Councils 29 Councillors and further notes that no elected representatives from some wards are represented on the Scrutiny Committee.

To improve the level of scrutiny, Committee therefore proposes to remove scrutiny of Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from the Scrutiny Committee and establish an Emergency Services Scrutiny Board, which would meet with the same regularity as current Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service scrutiny arrangements, would meet daytime and in public and whose membership would include all 29 Dundee City Councillors.

The Chief Executive and Head of Democratic and Legal Services are therefore instructed to make necessary arrangements for this change to commence no later than 1st April, 2024.

As an amendment, Councillor Alexander, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved the direct negative.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailies Keenan, Wright and Macpherson and Councillors Finnegan, McHugh, McIrvine, Scullin, Coleman, Crichton and Duncan (10); and for the amendment - the Convener, Lord Provost Campbell, Depute Lord Provost Cordell, Bailies Dawson, Roberts, Sawers and Scott and Councillors Anderson, El-Nakla, Flynn, Hunter, Rome, Short, Smith and Tolland (15) -whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

IV NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES SERVICE PLAN 2022/2027 - MID-YEAR PROGRESS REPORT FOR 2023/2024

There was submitted Report No 19-2024 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services, providing a mid-year update showing progress so far during 2023/2024 for the Neighbourhood Services Plan which was agreed by the Council in June, 2023.

The Committee agreed to note the progress being made and remitted the report to the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

V COUNCIL TAX CHARGES FOR SECOND HOMES

There was submitted Report No 22-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, providing information on the discretion available to Local Authorities to vary the amount of Council Tax levied on second homes from 1st April, 2024.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to implement the 100% Council Tax surcharge on second home properties from 1st April, 2024;

(ii) to note that the surcharge could not be applied to unoccupied properties which were undergoing repairs or renovations for a minimum period of six months as detailed in Section 4.7 to the report; and

(iii) to remit the Executive Director of Corporate Services to use the discretionary powers as noted in Section 4.8 to the report.

VI HOUSING (HRA) REVENUE BUDGET 2024/2027 AND REVIEW OF RENTS AND OTHER HOUSING CHARGESFOR 2024/2025

There was submitted Report No 20-2024 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services, advising of the outcome of the rent consultation exercise in order for the Committee to approve the Housing (HRA) Revenue Budget, rent and other housing charges for financial year 2024/2025.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the outcome of the rent consultation exercise detailed in Section 7 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) to approve the Housing (HRA) Revenue Budget for 2024/2025 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(iii) to note the Provisional Revenue Budgets for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(iv) to approve rents being increased by 3.50% equal to an average increase of 2.90 per week and subject to a maximum increase of 3.50 with effect from 1st April, 2024. In comparison and as noted at 4.6, Dundee City Council had in the past aimed to keep option 1 within (or as close as possible to) the current rate of inflation plus 1%;

(v) to approve that all other housing charges were set as outlined in Appendix 2 to the report with effect from 1st April, 2024; and

(vi) 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.

VII MOBILE VOICE AND DATA CONTRACT

There was submitted Report No 11-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, seeking approval for the appointment of Vodafone Ltd to provide Mobile Voice and Data Services for a further two years.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to award the contract for the Councils mobile, voice, and data services for an initial 2 year period with the option to extend for a further 2 years to Vodafone Ltd;

(ii) to remit the Head of Customer Services and IT to appoint Vodafone Ltd as the supplier for mobile voice and data services; and

(iii) to note the financial savings associated with this contract.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.

At a JOINT MEETING of the PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE of the CITY GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AND THE PENSION BOARD held remotely on 18th September, 2023.

APPENDIX I

Present:-

PENSION SUB-COMMITTEE

Bailie Kevin KEENAN

COUNCILLORS

PENSION BOARD

Councillor Steven ROME, 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 Bailie Sawers and Councillor Crichton.

III MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minute of meeting of 26th June, 2023 was submitted and approved.

IV RECORDING OF MEETINGS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN32-2023 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services advising that the technological package currently used to facilitate remote meetings of the Pension Sub-Committee and Pension Board included an application which would allow for the recording of meetings.

It would therefore be possible, with the Sub-Committee and Boards agreement, to record the public session of Sub-Committee and Board meetings and then publish the recordings on the Dundee City Council website for public viewing, commencing with the meeting to take place on 11th December, 2023.

The Sub-Committee and Board approved the recording of meetings as detailed.

V TAYSIDE PENSION FUNDS RISK REGISTER

There was submitted Report No 260-2023 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services seeking approval for the Quarterly Risk Register for Tayside Pension Fund which was updated on 9th June, 2023, noting the additional information in relation to risk appetite and the following changes to risk profile since the previous report:-

Risk 1: Failure to process pension payments and lump sums on time.

This risk had reduced as a result of increased staffing levels and improved processes introduced to improve effectiveness.

Risk 11: Failure to comply with changes to LGPS regulations and other new regulations Legislation.

This risk had reduced as a result of planned implementation of new regulations and independent assessment of readiness undertaken.

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

VI PENSION ADMINISTRATION PERFORMANCE - QUARTERLY UPDATE TO 30TH JUNE, 2023

There was submitted Report No 261-2023 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.

VII

 

There was submitted Report No 262-2023 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the Treasury Management activities for the period 1st April, 2022 to 31st March, 2023.

 

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) TAYSIDE PENSION FUND PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

There was submitted Report No 263-2023 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the investment performance of the Funds Investment Managers for the quarter to 30th June, 2023. 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 1ST APRIL TO 30TH JUNE, 2023

There was submitted Report No 240-2023 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services reviewing the investment activities of Tayside Pension Funds five Fund Managers for the quarter to 1st April, 2023 to 30th June, 2023 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 performance of the Tayside Main Fund and their Fund Managers.

(c) SECURITIES LENDING 6 MONTHS ACTIVITY TO 30TH JUNE, 2023

There was submitted Report No 264-2023 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services presenting an update on Securities Lending activity for the period ended 30th June, 2023.

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

IX ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANDATE PROCUREMENT EXERCISE

A verbal update was given to members by the Senior Manager, Corporate Finance, regarding the Alternative Investment Mandate Procurement Exercise.

The Sub-Committee and Board noted the update given.

IXa BOND MANDATE

There was submitted Report No 272-2023 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services informing the Sub-Committee and Board of the findings and recommendations of the Funds Investment Advisors, Isio, following a review of a Fund Managers bond mandate, and analysis of their proposals to ensure that the mandate remained able to achieve Fund requirements.

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

X PRESENTATION

Gareth Roberts and Amy Anderson of Baillie Gifford gave a short presentation to the Sub-Committee and Board.

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

Steven ROME, Chair.