Scrutiny Committee - 27/04/2022

At a MEETING of the SCRUTINY COMMITTEE held remotely on 27th April, 2022.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor McCready declared a non-financial interest in respect of Article III by virtue of being the Convener of TACTRAN.

Bailies Macpherson and Roberts declared non-financial interests in respect of Article VI by virtue of each having a relative attending schools referred to in the report.

II MANAGEMENT AND RENEWAL OF THIN WALLED CARBON STEEL PIPEWORK

On a reference to Article XIA of the minute of meeting of the City Development Committee of 7th March, 2022, there was submitted Report No 78-2022 by the Executive Director of City Development outlining a management and renewal strategy relating to thin walled carbon steel pipework installations and seeking approval for the accelerated replacement of remaining heating pipework and radiators within Dundee House. The report detailed reactive measures taken to date, and the requirement for immediate action to renew the heating system to mitigate future risks. The report also detailed the Head of Design and Propertys assessment of the current condition of Dundee House and future monitoring arrangements.

The Committee, for their interest, noted that the City Development Committee had:-

(i) noted the issues relating to the use and premature failure of thin walled carbon steel installations within NHS facilities and the wider construction industry and the specific installation within Dundee House, including the works undertaken to date in carrying out reactive repairs;

(ii) agreed to the replacement of the remaining Dundee House heating pipework and radiators in a way that minimised service disruption;

(iii) in light of the urgency of the situation, delegated authority to the Executive Director of City Development and the Executive Director of Corporate Services to make suitable arrangements for the necessary remedial works to be carried out at the earliest possible time; and

(iv) noted a further report would be submitted to the City Development Committee for members to consider following the review of installations across the property portfolio.

The Committee further noted that the matter would be further considered by the Scrutiny Committee, if required.

III INTERNAL AUDIT REPORTS

There was submitted Report No 108-2022 by the Acting Senior Manager, Internal Audit providing a summary of the Internal Audit Reports finalised since the last meeting of this Committee.

The Committee noted the information contained within the report.

IV RISK MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT

On a reference to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 21st February, 2022, 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, for their interest, noted the content of the report.

V EXTERNAL INSPECTION REPORT FOR THE JUNCTION

There was submitted Report No 110-2022 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service providing a summary of a recent external inspection carried out by the Care Inspectorate on the young peoples home at The Junction. The inspection focused on supporting children and young peoples wellbeing and how well the care and support of young people was planned.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the summary of the inspection report on The Junction Young Peoples House appended to the report, which received grades of Very Good and Good; and

(ii) remitted the Executive Director of the Children and Families Service to ensure that the areas for improvement were acted upon.

VI EDUCATION SCOTLAND (HMI) RETURN VISITS

 

There was submitted Report No 124-2022 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Service report on the findings of the Education Scotland, Her Majestys Inspectors of Education (HMI) return visits to Rowantree, Sidlaw View, Camperdown and Clepington Primary Schools, Craigie High School and Rockwell Learning Centre.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the contents of the report; and

 

(ii) instructed the Chief Education Officer to monitor progress towards meeting the areas for improvement outlined in the report.

 

VII 2022/2023 INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN

 

There was submitted Report No 109-2022 by the Acting Senior Manager, Internal Audit submitting the Internal Audit Plan for the 2022/2023 financial year, the outcome from the recent review of the 2021/2022 Internal Audit Plan and an update on the progress towards delivering the 2021/2022 Internal Audit Plan.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) reviewed and approved the 2022/2023 Internal Audit Plan as detailed at Appendix A of the report;

 

(iii) reviewed and approved the proposed amendments to the 2021/2022 Internal Audit Plan; and

 

(iii) noted the update on progress towards delivering the 2021/2022 Internal Audit Plan at Appendix B of the report.

 

VIII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL - AUDIT SCOTLAND ANNUAL AUDIT PLAN 2021/2022

 

There was submitted Report No 123-2022 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services submitting the Audit Scotland Annual Audit Report Plan 2021/2022 describing how Audit Scotland would deliver the audit of Dundee City Council for the year ending 31st March, 2022.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the information included in the Audit Scotland Annual Audit Report 2021/2022 appended to the report; and

 

(ii) noted that the outcome of the 2021/2022 audit would be reported to the Scrutiny Committee on 26th October, 2022.

 

 

 

 

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.