Policy And Resources Committee - 10/02/2003

At a MEETING of the FINANCE COMMITTE held at Dundee on 10th February 2003.

 

Present:-

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

Willie W SAWERS

C D P FARQUHAR

George de GERNIER

Joe FITZPATRICK

Fraser MACPHERSON

Helen WRIGHT

Allan PETRIE

Jim BARRIE

Betty WARD

George REGAN

Julia M STURROCK

Jill SHIMI

Bruce D MACKIE

Neil GLEN

Neil I C POWRIE

Roderick A J WALLACE

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Ian BORTHWICK

Kenneth J N GUILD

Fiona M GRANT

Robin PRESSWOOD

Derek J SCOTT

David BOWES

Richard BEATTIE

John CORRIGAN

Mervyn J ROLFE

 

Dave BEATTIE

 

 

Councillor George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th January, 2003 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I CAPITAL MONITORING

 

There was submitted Report No 88-2003 by the Director of Finance appraising members on the latest position regarding the Council's expenditure programme for 2002/2003. The Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

II REVENUE MONITORING

 

There was submitted Report No 116-2003 by the Director of Finance providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2002/03 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st December 2002 monitored against the adjusted 2002/03 Revenue Budget.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2002/03 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st December 2002 showed an underspend of 67,000 against the adjusted 2002/03 Revenue Budget,

 

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account Projected Outturn was in line with the 2002/03 Revenue Budget,

 

(iii) agreed that the Director of Finance would take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2002/03 Revenue Expenditure was in line with the approved Revenue Budget, and

 

(iv) instructed the Director of Finance in conjunction with all Chief Officers of the Council to continue to monitor the Council's 2002/03 Projected Revenue Outturn.

 

III RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

 

There was submitted Report No 123-2003 by the Director of Finance seeking authorisation to grant charity relief on the undernoted non-domestic properties:-

 

 

Applicant

Subjects

 

 

Abertay Housing Association Ltd

G/2. 20 Grampian Gardens, Dundee

Womens Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre

6 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee

Instep Communities

1/0, 20 Grampian Gardens, Dundee

 

The Committee approved accordingly.

 

IV CIPFA IN SCOTLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE

 

There was submitted agenda note AN65-2003 intimating that the above Conference would be held in Glasgow on 24th and 25th April 2003.

 

The Committee authorised the attendance of one member of the Administration, one member of the Major Opposition Group and one member of the Minority Group at an estimated cost of 425 per delegate.

 

V REVENUES DIVISION - HOUSING AND COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT - VERIFICATION FRAMEWORK ANDSTAFFING RESTRUCTURE

 

There was submitted Report No 137-2003 by the Director of Finance and Director of Personnel and Management Services seeking authorisation from the Committee to a modular implementation of the Housing and Council Tax Benefit Verification Framework (VF) and to approve the establishment of 21 new posts and the regrading of a number of other posts.

 

The Committee,

 

(i) agreed to the implementation of modules 1 and 2 of the VF from 1st October 2003, or as soon as practicable thereafter; further consideration be given in 2004/05 to the implementation of the third and final module,

 

(ii) noted and approved the financial implications of this initiative;

 

(iii) agreed to a review of the layout of accommodation in which staff involved in this initiative would be based,

 

(iv) instructed the Director of Finance to bring forward a further report after the VF had been introduced in order to update the Finance Committee on the implementation, and

 

(v) agreed to a publicity campaign to heighten public awareness with regard to the requirememts of the VF prior to its introduction.

 

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public and press be excluded from the meeting in order that the undernoted item of business be considered in private on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6, 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

 

VI RESTRUCTURE OF TAYSIDE TRANSPORT SUPERANNUATION FUND

 

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Superannuation Investment Sub-Committee of 23rd October 2002, and after consider agenda note AN66-2003, the Committee approved the appointment detailed therein and the fee involved.

 

 

 

 

GEORGE REGAN, Convener.