Policy And Resources Committee - 13/02/2017

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th February, 2017.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 23rd January, 2017 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Black declared a non-financial interest in Article IV by virtue of being an employee of Dundee Voluntary Action.

Councillors Guild, Bowes, Hunter, McDonald, Cruickshank, McCready and Macpherson declared a non-financial interest in Article XII by virtue of being members of the Regional Performance Centre Project Board and Councillor Hunter left the Chamber during consideration of this item.

II MINUTES

(a) PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE - 15TH DECEMBER, 2016 AND 24TH JANUARY, 2017

(b) PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE - 26TH JANUARY, 2017

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

III CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 31-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising elected members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2017-2022.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

IV RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

There was submitted Report No 47-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed in the report.

V DIGITAL STRATEGY

After considering Report No 50-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above, the Council approved the Council's Digital Strategy appended to the report and the associated Action Plan.

VI UPDATE ON WELFARE REFORM AND UNIVERSAL CREDIT

The Committee agreed to hear a deputation from the Citizens' Advice Bureau relative to the above and after they had presented their case and answered questions from members of the Committee, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

There was submitted Report No 53-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an update to members on the rollout of various elements of the UK Government's Welfare Reforms and their impact on Dundee City Council services.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the content of the report and the impact on individuals and families within Dundee;

(ii) noted the update on the work streams which had been identified to assist in preparing for the Welfare Reform changes;

(iii) noted the work and progress the Council and partners within the city were taking to mitigate aspects of the UK Government Welfare Reforms;

(iv) noted the implications in terms of increased debt, potential increases in homelessness and demand for advice services from various organisations and the voluntary sector;

(v) noted that Universal Credit full service was expected to be implemented within Dundee in November, 2017; and

(vi) noted the impact of the UK Government Welfare Reforms would result in an estimated annual loss of 94m by 2021 within Dundee.

VII AUDIT SCOTLAND - AUDIT OF HOUSING BENEFIT RISK ASSESSMENT REPORT

There was submitted Report No 40-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services advising members about the Audit Scotland Housing Benefit Risk Assessment Report and the Action Plan produced by Dundee City Council's Customer Service and Benefit Delivery Team as a response.

The Committee noted accordingly.

VIII HATE INCIDENT/CRIME REPORTING GUIDANCE

There was submitted Report No 37-2017 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking Committee approval for the adoption of revised guidance on the reporting of hate incidents or crimes.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the adoption of the Hate Incident/Crime Reporting Guidance described in Appendix 1 of the report;

(ii) agreed that Dundee City Council's website hosts a link to Police Scotland's online Hate Incident reporting site;

(iii) agreed that the Head of Community Safety and Protection be Dundee City Council's "Single Point of Contact" with responsibility for forwarding reports of hate incidents to the Hate Incident Multi-Agency Partnership (HIMAP);

(iv) noted that amendments to the City Council's Personal Harassment Policy to take account of this guidance would be taken forward in conjunction with the trade unions; and

(v) noted that all Harassment Support Officers would be fully trained in the Equality Act 2010, and have an understanding of Dundee City Council's Hate Incidents/Crimes reporting policy.

IX DUNDEE THERAPY GARDEN

There was submitted Report No 20-2017 by the Chief Executive seeking approval to grant a lease to Dundee Therapy Garden and to make a financial contribution to the charitable project which would provide gardening therapy to veterans of the military and emergency services.

The Committee, subject to the trustees demonstrating that a viable and sustainable business plan was in place for the project:-

(i) remitted to the Executive Director of City Development to enter into a lease with Dundee Therapy Garden for the site of the former bowling green in Dudhope Park for a nominal sum; and

(ii) approved a one-off grant of up to 30,000 to Dundee Therapy Garden.

X AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR SUPPLY OF CARD MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR SCOTLAND

There was submitted Report No 33-2017 by the Chief Executive seeking approval for the award of a contract for the supply of Card Management Services for the National Entitlement Card Scheme managed by Dundee City Council NEC Programme Office on behalf of all 32 Scottish Councils.

The Committee agreed the outcome of the Tender Evaluation to procure Card Management Services for the National Entitlement Card scheme from the highest overall scoring bidder, ESP Systex Holdings Ltd (trading as The ESP Group) for a period of two years initially with optional extensions of 3 x 1 year, it being noted that external funding would cover the costs of awarding this tender amounting to an estimated 4,749,788 over a five year period.

XI TAY CITIES DEAL

On a reference to Article XXI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 27th June, 2016, there was submitted Report No 45-2017 by the Executive Director of City Development advising the Committee of the progress made in the formation of the Tay Cities Deal and seeking approval of the proposed bid document and its submission to the UK and Scottish Governments.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the progress made on the Cities Deal since the previous update in June, 2016;

(ii) agreed to the submission of the proposed regional strategy;

(iii) agreed to the submission of the proposed bid for a Tay Cities Deal; and

(iv) agreed to remit officers to enter a period of formal negotiations with UK and Scottish Governments with the aim of securing substantial investment for the Tay Cities region.

XII REGIONAL PERFORMANCE CENTRE FOR SPORT - PROGRESS REPORT

The Committee agreed to hear a deputation from Care for Caird relative to the above and after they had stated their case they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

On a reference to Article XI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th August, 2015, there was submitted Report No 43-2017 by the Executive Director of City Development advising on the progress towards the development of the Regional Performance Centre for Sport at Caird Park and seeking authority to procure the works through a SCAPE framework.

The Committee approved accordingly.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item of business be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

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

XIII BIG LOTTERY FUND SCOTLAND

There was submitted Report No 68-2017 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed therein.

Ken GUILD, Convener.

At MEETINGS of the PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th December, 2016 and 24th January, 2017.

APPENDIX I

Present:-

On 15th December, 2016:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

On 24th January, 2017:-

Bailie Willie SAWERS

COUNCILLORS

Willie SAWERS, in the Chair.

Unless market thus * all items stand delegated.

The Sub-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 that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICE

At the meeting on 15th December, 2016, there were submitted details of the applications received and the Sub-Committee agreed the candidates to be invited for interview on 24th January, 2017.

At the meeting held on 24th January, 2017, the Sub-Committee interviewed the candidates. Following an exchange of views and after hearing the officers, the Sub-Committee unanimously agreed to offer the post to Paul Clancy who intimated his acceptance.

Willie SAWERS, Convener.

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 26th January, 2017.

APPENDIX II

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 2nd November, 2016 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Sub-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 that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II APPEAL AGAINST DISMISSAL

It was reported that an appeal against dismissal from an employee of the Children and Families Services Department had been submitted.

The Sub-Committee heard the Councils representative and witnesses and, thereafter, the Appellant and her representative.

After questions had been put and answers given by both parties to each other and the witnesses and by members of the Sub-Committee, the parties withdrew.

Thereafter, following careful consideration of all the information, the Sub-Committee agreed that the grounds of the appeal had not been substantiated and that the appeal be not upheld.

Councillor Asif intimated his dissent from the foregoing decision.

Christina ROBERTS, Convener.