Scrutiny Committee - 25/09/2024
At a MEETING of the SCRUTINY COMMITTEE held remotely on 25th September, 2024.
Present:-
|
Depute Lord Provost Kevin CORDELL |
BAILIES
|
Kevin KEENAN |
Helen WRIGHT |
Fraser MACPHERSON |
COUNCILLORS
|
Stewart HUNTER (substitute for Christina ROBERTS) |
Heather ANDERSON (substitute for Nadia EL-NAKLA) |
Bailie Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.
The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th June, 2024 was held as read.
Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.
I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
II APPOINTMENT OF SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE LOCAL COMMANDER FOR TAYSIDE -
Bailie Keenan welcomed Area Commander Bryan Todd and Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell to the meeting and wishes them well in their respective roles.
There was submitted an Agenda Note advising the Committee of the appointment by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service of Area Commander Bryan Todd to the statutory role of Local Senior Officer for Tayside.
The Committee was further advised of the permanent appointment by Police Scotland of Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell to the role of Divisional Commander of Tayside.
The Committees approval was sought.
The Committee agreed to note that in view of the timescales involved this Agenda Note was approved by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Convener of the Scrutiny Committee, Depute Convener of the Scrutiny Committee, Scottish National Party Group Spokesperson and Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Member.
III FIRE AND RESCUE QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT
There was submitted Report No 267-2024 by Area Commander Todd providing information regarding the performance of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service against the priorities, outcomes and performance indicators detailed within the Local Fire and Rescue Plan for Dundee 2020/2023, to facilitate local scrutiny.
The Committee agreed to note and scrutinise the content of the report.
IV DUNDEE POLICING AREA QUARTERLY POLICE REPORT
There was submitted Report No 268-2024 by Chief Superintendent Russell, providing information regarding the performance of Police Scotland against performance indicators that would facilitate local scrutiny
The Committee agreed to note and scrutinise the operational report.
There was submitted Report No 258-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Service, presenting Audit Scotlands Report on the outcomes of their Best Value Thematic Review of Workforce Innovation.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the Audit Scotland Report appended to the report; and
(ii) to note that the actions in the improvement plan would be included in the Corporate Services Service Plan.
VI DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL 2023/2024 - ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
(a) EXTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 264-2024)
(b) RESPONSE TO THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT TO MEMBERS OF DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CONTROLLER OF AUDIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2024
There was submitted Report No 265-2024, by the Executive Director of Corporate Services in response to the external audit of Dundee City Council for the year to 31st March, 2024.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the contents of the draft External Auditor's Report including the completed action plan as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report and, in particular, that Audit Scotland had indicated they would issue an unqualified audit opinion on each of the 2023/2024 Annual Accounts noted above;
(ii) to endorse the report as the Councils formal response to the External Auditor's Report;
(iii) to instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to arrange for each of the Audited Annual Accounts noted in the report to be signed and then returned to the External Auditor; and
(iv) to instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services thereafter to arrange for the Annual Accounts noted in the report, including copies of all audit certificates and accounts of the Councils subsidiary bodies to be published on the Councils website.
(c) DRAFT AUDIT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
(i) Audited Dundee City Council Annual Accounts 2023/2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 259-2024).
(ii) Audited Dundee City Charitable Trusts Annual Accounts 2023/2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 260-2024).
(iii) Audited Lord Provost of Dundee Charity Fund Annual Accounts 2023/2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 261-2024).
(iv) Audited The Dundee Trust Annual Accounts for the period ended 24th April 2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 262-2024).
(v) Audited Fleming Trust Fleming Trust Annual Accounts 2023/2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 263-2024).
VII INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN UPDATE AND PROGRESS REPORT
There was submitted Report No 253-2024 by the Chief Internal Auditor, providing an update on the progress towards delivering the 2024/2025 Internal Audit Plan; the audits from previous years plans that were not complete in June 2024; and information about the number of open internal audit recommendations. The report also provided information about proposed self-assessment activity.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the progress with the Internal Audit Plan;
(ii) to note progress with the implementation of agreed internal audit recommendations; and
(iii) to note the current position regarding the Internal Audit Charter.
VIII INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS
There was submitted Report No 254-2024 by the Chief Internal Auditor, submitting a summary of the Internal Audit Reports finalised since the last Scrutiny Committee.
The Committee agreed to note the information contained within the report.
IX OTHER REPORTS RELEVANT TO THE REMIT OF THE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
There was submitted Report No 255-2024 by the Chief Internal Auditor, advising of reports submitted to Tayside Contracts, Tayside Valuation Joint Board, Tay Road Bridge Joint Board, and Tay Cities Regional Deal Joint Committee that were relevant to the work of the Scrutiny Committee.
The Committee agreed to review and note the reports listed at Appendix 1 to the report.
X NATIONAL FRAUD INITIATIVE
There was submitted Report No 256-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, informing of the completion of the work for the mandatory 2022/2023 National Fraud Initiative (NFI) exercise including the supplementary mandatory 2022/2023 Electoral Roll/Council Taxi Single Person Discount Data matching exercise and an update on the forthcoming mandatory NFI 2024/2025 exercise.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the completion of the work on investigating the 2022/2023 NFI exercise as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;
(ii) to note the content of the Audit Scotland Report 2024 on the NFI 2022/2023 exercise as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report; and
(iii) to note the completion of NFI Self Appraisal Checklist Part A for those charged with governance at Appendix 3 to the report.
XI CORPORATE FRAUD TEAM ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE, INCLUDING WHISTLEBLOWING 2023/2024
There was submitted Report No 257-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, informing of the Corporate Fraud Teams (CFTs) activity and performance for the 12-month period to 31st March, 2024, including whistleblowing activity.
The Committee agreed to note the information in the report.
XII COUNCIL PLAN 2022/2027 - PROGRESS REPORT FOR 2023/2024
Reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of the City Governance Committee of 24th June, 2024, wherein it was agreed to submit the above report to this meeting of the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.
There was submitted Report No 166-2023 by the Chief Executive providing the second annual progress report on the Council Plan 2022/2027.
The Committee agreed to note the progress made since the launch of the Council Plan 2022/2027.
XIII LOCAL GOVERNMENT BENCHMARKING FRAMEWORK PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 2022/2023
Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the City Governance Committee of 10th June, 2024, wherein it was agreed to submit the above report to this meeting of the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.
There was submitted Report No 93-2024 by the Chief Executive, advising of the performance of Dundee City Council, for the financial year 2022/2023, as defined by the performance indicators compiled by the Improvement Service for the Local Government Benchmark Framework (LGBF). It also aligned to the priorities as set out in the Council Plan 2022/2027 and described the Councils performance in relation to our comparator authorities (i.e. LGBF Family Group).
The Committee agreed to note the progress made since the launch of the Council Plan 2022/2027.
Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the City Governance Committee of 10th June, 2024, wherein the Local Government Benchmarking Framework Report was approved.
There was submitted Report No 216-2024 by the Chief Executive, summarising the relevant actions that aimed to improve the performance indicators referred to in the Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF) Report approved by the City Governance Committee on 10th June, 2024 that were below the benchmark and related to the reducing child poverty and inequalities in incomes, education, and health theme.
The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.
XV RISK MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT
Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of the City Governance Committee of 10th June, 2024, wherein it was agreed to submit the above report to this meeting of the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.
There was submitted Report No 154-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services presenting the Annual Report of Risk Management and the review of Risks in the Councils Corporate Risk Register.
The Committee agreed to note the content of the report.
Kevin KEENAN, Convener.
There was submitted Report No 258-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Service, presenting Audit Scotlands Report on the outcomes of their Best Value Thematic Review of Workforce Innovation.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the Audit Scotland Report appended to the report; and
(ii) to note that the actions in the improvement plan would be included in the Corporate Services Service Plan.
VI DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL 2023/2024 - ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
(a) EXTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 264-2024)
(b) RESPONSE TO THE EXTERNAL AUDITORS ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT TO MEMBERS OF DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CONTROLLER OF AUDIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2024
There was submitted Report No 265-2024, by the Executive Director of Corporate Services in response to the external audit of Dundee City Council for the year to 31st March, 2024.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the contents of the draft External Auditor's Report including the completed action plan as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report and, in particular, that Audit Scotland had indicated they would issue an unqualified audit opinion on each of the 2023/2024 Annual Accounts noted above;
(ii) to endorse the report as the Councils formal response to the External Auditor's Report;
(iii) to instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services to arrange for each of the Audited Annual Accounts noted in the report to be signed and then returned to the External Auditor; and
(iv) to instruct the Executive Director of Corporate Services thereafter to arrange for the Annual Accounts noted in the report, including copies of all audit certificates and accounts of the Councils subsidiary bodies to be published on the Councils website.
(c) DRAFT AUDIT STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
(i) Audited Dundee City Council Annual Accounts 2023/2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 259-2024).
(ii) Audited Dundee City Charitable Trusts Annual Accounts 2023/2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 260-2024).
(iii) Audited Lord Provost of Dundee Charity Fund Annual Accounts 2023/2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 261-2024).
(iv) Audited The Dundee Trust Annual Accounts for the period ended 24th April 2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 262-2024).
(v) Audited Fleming Trust Fleming Trust Annual Accounts 2023/2024
The above report was submitted, noted and approved (Report No 263-2024).
VII INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN UPDATE AND PROGRESS REPORT
There was submitted Report No 253-2024 by the Chief Internal Auditor, providing an update on the progress towards delivering the 2024/2025 Internal Audit Plan; the audits from previous years plans that were not complete in June 2024; and information about the number of open internal audit recommendations. The report also provided information about proposed self-assessment activity.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the progress with the Internal Audit Plan;
(ii) to note progress with the implementation of agreed internal audit recommendations; and
(iii) to note the current position regarding the Internal Audit Charter.
VIII INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS
There was submitted Report No 254-2024 by the Chief Internal Auditor, submitting a summary of the Internal Audit Reports finalised since the last Scrutiny Committee.
The Committee agreed to note the information contained within the report.
IX OTHER REPORTS RELEVANT TO THE REMIT OF THE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
There was submitted Report No 255-2024 by the Chief Internal Auditor, advising of reports submitted to Tayside Contracts, Tayside Valuation Joint Board, Tay Road Bridge Joint Board, and Tay Cities Regional Deal Joint Committee that were relevant to the work of the Scrutiny Committee.
The Committee agreed to review and note the reports listed at Appendix 1 to the report.
X NATIONAL FRAUD INITIATIVE
There was submitted Report No 256-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, informing of the completion of the work for the mandatory 2022/2023 National Fraud Initiative (NFI) exercise including the supplementary mandatory 2022/2023 Electoral Roll/Council Taxi Single Person Discount Data matching exercise and an update on the forthcoming mandatory NFI 2024/2025 exercise.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the completion of the work on investigating the 2022/2023 NFI exercise as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;
(ii) to note the content of the Audit Scotland Report 2024 on the NFI 2022/2023 exercise as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report; and
(iii) to note the completion of NFI Self Appraisal Checklist Part A for those charged with governance at Appendix 3 to the report.
XI CORPORATE FRAUD TEAM ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE, INCLUDING WHISTLEBLOWING 2023/2024
There was submitted Report No 257-2024 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, informing of the Corporate Fraud Teams (CFTs) activity and performance for the 12-month period to 31st March, 2024, including whistleblowing activity.
The Committee agreed to note the information in the report.
XII COUNCIL PLAN 2022/2027 - PROGRESS REPORT FOR 2023/2024
Reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of the City Governance Committee of 24th June, 2024, wherein it was agreed to submit the above report to this meeting of the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.
There was submitted Report No 166-2023 by the Chief Executive providing the second annual progress report on the Council Plan 2022/2027.
The Committee agreed to note the progress made since the launch of the Council Plan 2022/2027.
XIII LOCAL GOVERNMENT BENCHMARKING FRAMEWORK PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 2022/2023
Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the City Governance Committee of 10th June, 2024, wherein it was agreed to submit the above report to this meeting of the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.
There was submitted Report No 93-2024 by the Chief Executive, advising of the performance of Dundee City Council, for the financial year 2022/2023, as defined by the performance indicators compiled by the Improvement Service for the Local Government Benchmark Framework (LGBF). It also aligned to the priorities as set out in the Council Plan 2022/2027 and described the Councils performance in relation to our comparator authorities (i.e. LGBF Family Group).
The Committee agreed to note the progress made since the launch of the Council Plan 2022/2027.