Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Highland and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board will be held in the Convener’s Hospitality Room, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, on Thursday, 13 November 2014, at 10.30 a.m.

Your attendance at the meeting is invited and I append a note of the business to be transacted.

Yours faithfully

M Morris

Clerk to the Board

Business

1. Apologies
Leisgeulan 

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Minutes of Meeting of 11 September 2014
Geàrr-chunntas Coinneamh 11 Sultain 2014

There are circulated, for confirmation, Minutes of Meeting of 11 September 2014.

4. Presentation – Individual Electoral Registration
Taisbeanadh – Clàradh Taghaidh Dhaoine Fa Leth 

The Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer will make a presentation to Members on the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration and its impact.

5. Annual Report on the 2013/14 Audit
Aithisg Bhliadhnail mu Sgrùdadh 2013/14

At its meeting held on 11 September 2014, the Board noted the draft Annual Report on the 2013/14 Audit.

There is now circulated for noting Report No. VAL21/14 comprising the External Auditor’s finalised Annual Report on the 2013/14 Audit.

6. Draft Annual Report 2013/14
Dreachd Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated in separate Booklet A Report No. VAL22/14 comprising the draft Annual Report for 2013/14 prepared by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer and incorporating the Performance Report, together with, as an Appendix, the Audited Statement of Accounts for 2013/14.

The Board is asked to approve publication of the Report.

7. Revenue Budget Monitoring Statement 2014/15
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Buidseit Teachd-a-Steach 2014/15

There is circulated Report No VAL23/14 dated 4 November 2014 comprising a statement and commentary by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer on the figures for Revenue Expenditure and Income for the period to 30 September 2014.

The Board is asked to note the contents of the report.

8. Departmental Report
Aithisg Roinneil

There is circulated Report No VAL24/14 dated 5 November 2014 by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer outlining the main business of his department since the last meeting of the Board.

The Board is asked to note the recent activities of the department as set out in the report.

9. Equalities Mainstreaming and Equalities Outcomes Report
Aithisg Àbhaisteachadh Cho-ionannachdan agus Builean Cho-ionannachdan

At its meeting held on 4 April 2013, the Board noted progress on fulfilling its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty and agreed to adopt the set of Equalities Outcomes then proposed. The Board was advised at that time of a requirement to review equalities practices, policies and outcomes from time to time and it was suggested that this might be done at the end of 2014.

There is circulated Report No VAL25/14 dated October 2014 by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer setting out a draft updated Equalities Mainstreaming and Equalities Outcomes Report.

The Board is asked to note the further progress made and to adopt the updated set of Equalities Outcomes, taking into account observations made by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (Scotland).

10. Departmental Policy Reviews
Ath-sgrùdaidhean Poileasaidh Roinneil

At its meeting held on 21 November 2013, the Board noted a verbal update by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer setting out a proposed work programme of future Board business, during which he advised that a number of departmental policies, in particular personnel policies, would be brought to the Board over the following year for review.

10i. Lone Working Policy
Poileasaidh Obrachadh Aonaranach

There is circulated for approval Report No VAL26/14 dated 4 November 2014 comprising reviewed Lone Working Policy.

10ii. Adverse Weather Guidance
Stiùireadh ri Linn Droch Shìd

There is circulated for approval Report No VAL27/14 dated 4 November 2014 2014 comprising reviewed Adverse Weather Guidance.

11.   Dates of Meetings 2015
Cinn-latha Choinneamhan 2015

The Board is invited to agree the following meeting dates for 2015:-

Wednesday, 28 January 2015
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Thursday, 17 September 2015
Thursday, 26 November 2015 

Meetings will be held at Council Headquarters, Inverness, at 10.30 a.m., unless otherwise advised. Should the Board decide that it would be appropriate to hold one of its meetings next year in Stornoway, it is suggested that the most appropriate date would be 21 May.