Policy And Resources Committee - 08/09/2014

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 8th September, 2014.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost Bob DUNCAN

 

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

 

BAILIES

 

Willie SAWERS

Helen WRIGHT

Ian BORTHWICK

 

Derek J SCOTT

 

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Ken GUILD

Ken LYNN

Lesley BRENNAN

John ALEXANDER

Vari McDONALD

Georgia CRUICKSHANK

Jimmy BLACK

Craig MELVILLE

Tom FERGUSON

Bill CAMPBELL

Gregor MURRAY

Brian GORDON

Kevin CORDELL

Kevin KEENAN

Richard McCREADY

Will DAWSON

Mohammed ASIF

Norma McGOVERN

Stewart HUNTER

Laurie BIDWELL

Fraser MACPHERSON

 

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th August, 2014 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

Councillors Campbell, McDonald, McCready and Macpherson declared a non-financial interest in Article VI by virtue of being members of the West End Local Community Planning Partnership.

 

Councillors Guild, Cordell, Bidwell and Bailie Scott declared a non-financial interest in Article VI by virtue of being members of the Ferry Local Community Planning Partnership.

 

II MINUTES

 

(a) PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE OF 20TH JUNE, 11TH AUGUST AND 25TH AUGUST, 2014

 

(b) PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE OF 18TH AUGUST, 2014

 

The minutes of meetings of the above Sub-Committees, copies of which are appended hereto (Appendices I and II), were submitted for information and record purposes.

 

III REVENUE MONITORING

 

There was submitted Report No 334-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2014/2015 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st July, 2014.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2014/2015 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st July, 2014 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted 2014/2015 Revenue Budget;

 

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st July, 2014 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2014/2015 Revenue Budget;

 

(iii) instructed the Director of Corporate Services to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2014/2015 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

 

(iv) instructed the Director of Corporate Services, in conjunction with all Chief Officers, to continue to monitor the Councils 2014/2015 Projected Revenue Outturn.

 

IV CAPITAL MONITORING

 

There was submitted Report No 319-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services advising members of the latest position regarding the Councils Capital Expenditure Programme for 2014/2015.

 

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

V ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY 2013/2014

 

There was submitted Report No 321-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services reviewing the Treasury Management activities for the period 1st April, 2013 to 31st March, 2014.

 

The Committee noted the information detailed therein and agreed the limits shown in Appendix 1 of the report.

 

VI DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND 2014/2015

 

There was submitted Report No 338-2014 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

 

The Committee noted the Community Regeneration Fund allocations for 2014/2015 and approved the funding proposals contained in Section 5.2 of the report appended hereto (Appendix III).

 

VII COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT

 

There was submitted Report No 311-2014 by the Director, Leisure and Communities bringing the Committees attention to the key achievements of the Community Learning and Development (CLD) Service for the period 2013/2014 and recognising the important role that Community Learning and Development had to play in the future delivery of public services.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the key achievements of the CLD Service for the period 2013/2014;

 

(ii) recognised the important role CLD had to play in early intervention and prevention and the contribution CLD had to make in providing the quality of life for the citizens of Dundee;

 

(iii) acknowledged the ability of the Councils CLD Service to:-

 

- improve the life chances for people of all ages through learning, personal development and active citizenship.

 

- build stronger more resilient, supportive, influential and inclusive communities.

 

(iv) instructed the Head of Communities to produce a new CLD Strategy for Dundee for the period 2015-2018 in consultation with partner agencies and target individuals and groups and in line with Scottish Government Regulations;

VIII STRATEGIC LITERACIES ACTION PLAN 2011-2014

 

There was submitted Report No 324-2014 by the Director, Leisure and Communities summarising the key achievements of the Strategic Literacies Action Plan 2011-2014 and delivery partnership arrangements for October, 2014 to April, 2015.

 

The Committee agreed that Dundee and Angus College maintain their role as a delivery partner with literacies services focused on those wishing to progress to college for the period 1st October, 2014 to 31st March, 2015 at a cost of 17,500.

 

IX ADULT LEARNING FUND (GRANTS TO ADULT EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS)

 

After considering Report No 325-2014 by the Director, Leisure and Communities relative to the above, the Committee approved a grant of 3,000 to the Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association and 3,000 to the Stobswell Adult Learning Association to assist in the administration and running costs of the programme of evening learning opportunities for the adult community in and around Broughty Ferry and Stobswell.

 

X DUNDEE FAIRNESS ACTION PLAN UPDATE AND THE CHILD POVERTY STRATEGY FOR SCOTLAND

 

There was submitted Report No 240-2014 by the Chief Executive outlining the revised Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland, highlighting progress on the actions which respond to this in the Dundee Fairness Action Plan and recommending further activity to add to the Action Plan.

 

Councillor Guild, seconded by Councillor Black, moved that the Committee:-

 

(a) notes with concern the huge impact of the UK Governments welfare reform programme on increasing levels of poverty (see paragraph 4.2 of the report), and the considerable areas of agreement between the two major unionist parties on issues such as a cash ceiling on Government spending on housing and disability benefits, the use of benefit sanctions and the introduction of Universal Credit;

 

(b) commends the principles set out in the White Paper Scotlands Future which would guide the formation of a new welfare system in an independent Scotland, as follows

 

- Scotland's benefits and tax credits system and employment support services should protect our people from poverty and help them fulfil their potential, in work and in life.

 

- over the course of our lives, we should contribute to the welfare system when we can. In return, we should be able to access that system when we need to.

 

- the benefits system should be fair, transparent and sympathetic to the challenges faced by people receiving them, respecting personal dignity, equality and human rights.

 

- the benefits, tax credits and employment support systems should work in harmony to ensure that people who lose their job do not face extreme financial uncertainty.

 

- for those who cannot undertake paid work, benefits should not relegate them to a life of financial uncertainty and poverty. Benefits must support a standard of living that ensures dignity and enables participation in society.

 

- the administration of benefits and tax credits should be swift, streamlined and responsive to individual circumstances.

 

(c) strongly supports the clear commitment to abolish the Bedroom Tax as stated in Scotland's Future at Chapter 4;

 

(d) notes the progress made on the Fairness Action Plan;

 

(e) approves the additional items outlined in paragraph 6.3 of the report; and

 

(f) approves the formation of a Fairness Commission for Dundee and instructs the Chief Executive to bring forward recommendations on a remit and membership to a future meeting of this Committee.

 

As an amendment, Councillor Macpherson, seconded by Councillor Keenan, moved that the Committee:-

 

(i) notes the progress made on the Fairness Action Plan;

 

(ii) approves the additional items outlined in paragraph 6.3 of the report; and

 

(iii) approves the formation of a Fairness Commission for Dundee and instructs the Chief Executive to bring forward recommendations on a remit and membership to a future meeting of this Committee.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Melville, Murray, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts and Bailie Sawers (14); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern, Macpherson and Bailies Wright, Scott and Borthwick (13) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

XI HOSPITAL FUND AND JOHNSTON BEQUEST

 

Reference was made to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th January, 2013, wherein it was agreed to allocate 25,000 from the Hospital Fund and Johnston Bequest to pilot a targeted welfare benefit advice service for older people in the city.

 

After considering Agenda Note AN208-2014, the Committee agreed to extend the period of the pilot through to 31st March, 2015 at a cost of 12,500 which would be met from available funds in the Hospital Fund and Johnston Bequest, it being noted that a review of the outcomes would be carried out near the end of the extended pilot and a recommendation would be brought to the Committee on whether it should be continued on a long-term basis after that review.

 

XII COUNTER FRAUD - AS AT 30TH JUNE, 2014

 

There was submitted Report No 344-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services updating the Committee on the Revenue Division's Corporate Counter Fraud activity as at 30th June, 2014.

 

The Committee approved the report.

 

The Convener agreed that Articles XIII and XV be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

 

XIII V & A DUNDEE - APPOINTMENT OF PREFERRED CONTRACTOR

 

The Committee agreed to hear deputations from Mr Mike Arnott, Dundee Trades Union Council and Mr Raymond Mennie, Dundee People's Assembly regarding blacklisting and after they had stated their case they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN210-2014 intimating that tenders had been received for the construction of the V & A Dundee and, following a full assessment of these submissions, it was recommended that BAM Construction Ltd be appointed as the preferred main contractor.

 

Prior to finalising a fixed price tender for these works, it was proposed that the Council engage in discussions with the preferred contractor to refine their proposals. This process would require that the Council enter into a Pre-Construction Services Agreement with the preferred contractor and reimburse their agreed and verified costs and expenses for the period of such discussions.

 

A tender report would be brought to Committee in due course seeking agreement to the proposed construction cost for the project.

 

Councillor Guild, seconded by Lord Provost Duncan, moved approval of the above.

 

As an amendment, Councillor McCready, seconded by Councillor Gordon, moved:-

 

The Committee notes the national and international importance of the Dundee Waterfront project and the central part played in that project by the V & A Dundee. The Committee restates the Councils support for the V & A Dundee project.

 

The Committee notes the unanimous decisions to take action against blacklisting at meetings of the Policy and Resources Committee on 19th August, 2013, 21st April, 2014 and as recently as 25th August, 2014.

 

On 21st April, 2014, the Policy and Resources Committee unanimously agreed to fully implement Scottish Government Procurement Note SPPN 4/2013. The key point of SPPN 4/2013 states any company which engages in or has engaged in blacklisting of employees or potential employees should be considered to have committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of business and should be excluded from bidding for a public contract unless it can demonstrate that it has taken appropriate remedial action. (Paragraph 2).

 

The Committee notes that BAM Construction is a self-declared blacklister and that it has not yet taken appropriate remedial action especially by not compensating those who were blacklisted. Therefore, the Committee does not agree to appoint BAM Construction Ltd as the preferred main contractor for V & A Dundee.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Melville, Murray, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts, Bailies Sawers and Scott (15); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern, Macpherson, Bailies Wright and Borthwick (12) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

The Committee 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 they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

XIV RELIEF OF NON-DOMESTIC RATES ON THE GROUNDS OF HARDSHIP - (HARDSHIP RELIEF)

 

There was submitted Report No 337-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

 

The Committee approved the recommendation detailed therein.

 

XV V & A MUSEUM AND DESIGN, DUNDEE

 

After considering Agenda Note AN211-2014 relative to the above, the Committee approved the recommendation detailed therein.

 

 

 

 

Ken GUILD, Convener.

 

APPENDIX I