City Governance Committee - 04/03/2024

At a MEETING of the CITY GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE held remotely on 4th March, 2024.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 29th February, 2024 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II EURO 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP - PROPOSAL FOR FAN ZONE

This item was placed on the agenda by Councillor Coleman who requested that Committee considers the proposal to instruct officers to investigate the viability of a fan zone at either Slessor Gardens or City Square for Scotland matches during the forthcoming Euro 2024 championship, taking into account securing possible sponsorship, considering an access charge and looking to a professional events management company to manage the initiative.

The Committee resolved as follows:-

(i) to note that the Scotland Mens A Team had qualified directly for the European Championships 2024 in Germany;

(ii) to note and welcome Scotlands qualification for the championships, recognising the importance of football to the national identity of Scotland and wishes Steve Clark and the Mens A Team all the very best as they represent Scotland at the championships;

(iii) further recognises the benefits the championships bring to the national economy;

(iv) instruct officers to explore the viability of hosting a civic fan zone in the city for each of Scotlands games at the European Championships 2024;

(v) agrees that exploration of viability must include investigation of all possible sites within the city for hosting such a fan zone; ascertaining financial viability, including sourcing sponsorship and working with any businesses in the city that may be interested in collaborating with such a venture; and considering all available options for delivery, including contracting the services of an events management company to deliver a fan zone and also possible private sector delivery of this if this proves more viable than in-house delivery;

(vi) to instruct officers to report back to the City Governance Committee with its findings and recommendations and notes that, due to the timescales involved, officers may require to proceed under delegated powers if the proposal is found to be viable, in which case officers will report back to Committee for information only in due course; and

(vii) to note that in the event that the matter may not require to be reported back to Committee members would be appraised and informed of the position accordingly.

III CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING 2023/2024

There was submitted Report No 64-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, appraising of the latest position regarding the Councils Capital Plan 2024/2029.

The Committee agreed to note the latest position regarding the Councils Capital Plan for 2024/2029.

IV REVENUE MONITORING 2023/2024

There was submitted Report No 50-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2023/2024 projected revenue outturn as at 31st December, 2023 and the impact on the Councils overall balances position.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note that as at 31st December, 2023 the General Fund was projecting an overall overspend of 2.689m against the adjusted 2023/2024 Revenue Budget and the impact this had on the projected Councils General Fund Balances;

(ii) to note the budget adjustments totalling 19.968m and detailed in the second column of Appendix A of the report as virements to the previously approved Revenue Budget;

(iii) to note that as at 31st December, 2023 the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was projecting an overspend of 3.001m against the adjusted HRA 2023/2024 Revenue Budget and the impact this had on the element of the projected Renewal and Repair Fund balance earmarked to HRA;

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

(v) to note that the Chief Executive, in consultation with Executive Directors, would continue to take appropriate steps to manage current and recurring revenue expenditure, including reviewing all vacancies within the Council, reduce discretionary expenditure where possible and limit any new recurring commitments. Executive Directors would work with Corporate Finance to develop recovery plans to identity options to reduce the projected in year overspend;

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

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

V TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2024/2025

There was submitted Report No 60-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, introducing the Dundee City Council Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2024/2025, 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 agreed:-

(i) to note 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) to approve the strategy proposed by the Executive Director of Corporate Services as set out in the document "Treasury Management Strategy 2024/2025", which was attached to the report as an Appendix.

VI TREASURY POLICY STATEMENT 2024/2025

There was submitted Report No 61-2024 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 agreed to approve the policies and procedures laid out in the Treasury Policy Statement 2024/2025, noting no changes.

VII COMMUNITY WISHES

There was submitted Report No 23-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, providing an overview to a proposed Community Wishes approach for Dundee City Council. This would be delivered as an expansion to the Community Benefits programme and as part of the Community Wealth Building (CWB).

The Committee agreed to note the information included within the report and that an update on the first year of operation would come back to the Committee after this was completed.

VIII IT STRATEGY 2024/2029

There was submitted Report No 62-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, seeking approval for the adoption of the IT strategy for the period 2024 to 2029.

The Committee agreed to the objectives of the IT strategy.

IX PROVISION OF BANKING SERVICES - CONTRACT MIGRATION

There was submitted Report No 63-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, providing an update on the contract arrangements for the provision of Banking Services which would ensure business continuity and ongoing efficient and effective banking services.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to approve the sourcing route (Scottish Procurement Framework SP-21-037) which would mean continuity of service a seamless migration to a Framework bringing immediate financial benefit to the Council; and

(ii) to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Corporate Services to award a contract to the sole supplier on Scottish Government Framework Agreement for the Provision of Banking Services.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.