Agendas, reports and minutes

 

A meeting of the Resources Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 25 February 2015 at 10.30 am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Michelle Morris
Depute Chief Executive/
Director of Corporate Development

1.  Apologies for Absence
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.  Good News Stories
Deagh Naidheachdan

• Scott Taylor, Finance: UK National Association of Civic Offices Award
• Marion MacLeod, Finance: Institute of Rating, Revenues and Valuation (IRRV) qualification
• Earth Hour Local Authority Champion Award 2014
• Highland Helping Those in Need – Finance: COSLA Bronze Award
• Quality Awards 2014
  - Shortlisted – Category 1 Working Together for the Economy: Cameron Square Event Space (Dot Ferguson, Chief Executive’s Office); and
  - Winner – Category 4 Working Together for Better Housing & Infrastructure: Carbon Clever Initiative (Stephen Carr, Chief Executive’s Office). 

4.  Finance Service Revenue Monitoring to 31 December 2014
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Seirbheis an Ionmhais gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There is circulated Report No RES/01/15 dated 10 February 2015 by the Director of Finance which provides Members with information on the Finance Service Revenue Monitoring position for the period to 31 December 2014.

The Committee is invited to consider and approve the Finance Service Revenue Monitoring Report for the period to 31 December 2014.

5.  Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report to 31 December 2014
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Corporra gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There is circulated Report No RES/02/15 dated 6 February 2015 by the Director of Finance which presents the financial position of the revenue budgets of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as at 31 December 2014 and the projected year end position.

The Committee is invited to approve the financial position of the General Fund and HRA revenue budgets as at 31 December 2014 and to note the predicted year end net underspend of £1.677m

6.  Corporate Capital Monitoring Report to 31 December 2014
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh a’ Chalpa Chorporra gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There is circulated Report No RES/03/15 dated 5 February 2015 by the Director of Finance which provides an overview of expenditure on the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programmes for the period from 1 April to 31 December 2014 and the projected year end position for the 2014/15 financial year.

The Committee is invited to approve the financial position of the General Fund and HRA Capital Programmes as at 31 December 2014.

7.  Treasury Management
Rianachd Ionmhais

(a) Summary of Transactions
Geàrr-chunntas de Ghnothaichean

There is circulated Report No RES/04/15 dated 27 January 2015 by the Director of Finance which provides details on the Treasury Management transactions undertaken within the period which is submitted to the Committee in compliance with CIPFA's Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the Council's approved Financial Regulations. 

The Committee is invited to consider the Treasury Management Summary of Transactions report to 31 December 2014.

(b) Mid-year Review Report 2014/15
Aithisg Ath-sgrùdadh Meadhan-bliadhna 2014/15

There is circulated Report No RES/05/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Director of Finance which provides the Treasury Management Mid-year Review Report 2014/15 for Members’ scrutiny. In compliance with Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management in Local Authorities, the report will also be submitted to the Council on 12 March 2015 for approval.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. to scrutinise this Treasury Management Mid-year Review Report 2014/15; and
ii. note that, in compliance with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management in Local Authorities, this report will also be submitted to Council for approval on 12 March 2015.

(c) Strategy Statement and Investment Statement 2015/16
Aithris Ro-innleachd agus Aithris Tasgaidh 2015/16

There is circulated Report No RES/06/15 dated 27 January 2015 by the Director of Finance which explains that the Council has adopted the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management in Local Authorities.  A requirement of the Code is for an annual Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Statement to be approved by Council for the forthcoming financial year.

In compliance with the Code, the attached Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Statement for 2015/16 is submitted to Committee for scrutiny. This Statement will then be submitted to the Council for approval on 12 March 2015.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. scrutinise for their interests the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Statement for 2015/16 and the Prudential Indicators as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report;
ii. note that, in compliance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management in Local Authorities, the attached Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Statement for 2015/16 will subsequently be submitted to the Council for approval in March 2015; and
iii. approve a change to the Highland Council’s list of counterparties to include non-UK Banks with high credit worthiness and based within countries with an AAA+ or AA+ rating.

8.  Welfare Reform Report
Fios as Ùr mu Ath-leasachadh Shochairean

(a) Update
Fios as Ùr

There is circulated Joint Report No RES/07/15 dated 6 February 2015 by the Director of Finance and the Director of Community Services which provides information on the current status of Universal Credit and other Welfare initiatives. It also provides financial monitoring information for 2014/15, covering the Council’s considerable involvement in this area of work.

The Committee is invited to note and consider:-

i. the Universal Credit go-live sites from mid-February 2015 for single claimants and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) intention to roll out Universal Credit for families by February 2015;
ii. the ongoing planning, engagement and scheduled training with various stakeholders for the expansion of Universal Credit in Highland;
iii. that the Head of Revenues and Business Support is negotiating a new District Partnership Agreement to support closer working with the DWP;
iv. that a formal response has been submitted by officers in respect of DWP’s consultation re Universal Credit data sharing between DWP and local support providers; and
v. the management information and budgetary position provided in the appendices to the report.

(b) Welfare Reform Fund Proposals
Tairgsean dhan Mhaoin Shochairean

There is circulated Joint Report No RES/08/15 dated 16 February 2015 by the Director of Finance and the Head of Policy and Reform which recommends an allocation of £153,645 from the Council’s Welfare Fund, which currently totals £1.003m to provide preventative advice services. 

Further proposals will continue to develop for the remainder of the Fund, guided by the Council’s Welfare Reform Working Group.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. approve funding for two proposals from the Council’s Welfare Fund, namely:

a. the roll out of the midwifery project for expectant mothers from Ross-shire to all of Highland to be delivered through the CAB network for a year initially and with an allowance of up to £90,000; and
b. to identify and support those under-claiming benefit by the recruitment of two time limited posts for 12 months for the in-house income maximisation team at the cost of £63,645.

ii. note that further proposals for the remaining £849,435 in the fund will be developed and brought back to Committee for consideration as outlined in paragraph 3.1 of the report, and with the scope for EU programme funding explored; and
iii. note that new work is underway to understand the potential impact of welfare reforms on Council staff, particularly those receiving lower pay.

9.  Applications to the Capital Discretionary Fund
Maoin Calpa fo Ùghdarras

(a) Tain Common Good – Alexandra Bridge Refurbishment
Drochaid-coise Alexandra, Ionad-coimhearsnachd Bhaile Dhubhthaich

There is circulated Joint Report No RES/09/15 dated 4 February 2015 by the Director of Finance and the Head of Policy and Reform which provides an update on the positon in relation to the Alexandra Bridge, Tain. The report outlines the budget implications resulting from the higher than expected tenders submitted for refurbishment work and the work done to identify an improved funding package to allow the proposed bridge refurbishment work to proceed.

The Committee is invited to approve additional contributions of £10,000 from the Capital Discretionary Fund and £76,670 from the Tain Common Good Fund to enable the bridge refurbishment to be undertaken.

(b) Merkinch Community Centre
Mhargadh na h-Innse

There is circulated Joint Report No RES/10/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Director of Finance and the Head of Policy and Reform which seeks £15,000 capital support from the capital discretionary budget to replace the single glazed windows for the playroom and the Skinner room in the building and to purchase a bicycle rack and new signage.

The Committee is invited to approve the award of £15,000 from the Capital Discretionary Fund for the year 2014/15 as match funding to the contribution from the Inverness Common Good Fund towards the total project cost of £30,000.

10.  Carbon CLEVER Community Grant Fund
Sgeama Thabhartasan Coimhearsnachd Càrboin Ciallaich

There is circulated Report No RES/11/15 dated 17 February 2015 by the Head of Policy and Reform which asks Members to consider and agree the proposed arrangements for localising the Carbon CLEVER Community Grant fund in 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to agree:-

i. the Carbon CLEVER Community grant fund assessment criteria (Appendix 1);
ii. whether to have a single or variable closing date for applications (Appendix 2);
iii. the delegation of decision making to Area Committees for all applications, with the Scheme amended at the next opportunity;
iv. the funding allocations to Area Committees based on local electoral and area governance arrangements (Appendix 3);
v. the proposals for dealing with any potential underspend (paragraph 3.3); and
vi. that the process is reviewed and improvements incorporated for 2016/17.

11.  Internal Audit Reports
Aithisg In-sgrùdaidh

(a) Review of the Oracle Financials System
Ath-sgrùdadh de Shiostam Ionmhais Oracle

There is circulated Report No RES/12/15 dated 2 February 2015 by the Director of Finance which provides the outcomes of the Internal Audit’s work on the Oracle Financial Management Information System.

The Committee is invited to note the findings of the Internal Audit Report on Oracle Financials presented to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 20 November 2014, and the actions being taken to implement its findings.

(b) Matters Arising from the Statement of Internal Control 2013/14
Gnothaichean Ag Èirigh bho Aithris In-Smachd 2013/14

There is circulated Report No RES/13/15 dated 3 February 2015 by the Director of Finance which provides the outcomes of the Internal Audit’s work on the Matters Arising from the Statement of Internal Control.

The Committee is invited to note the findings of the Internal Audit Report on the Matters Arising from the Statement of Internal Control presented to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 20 November 2014, and the actions taken to implement its findings.

12.  Procurement Policy and Strategy 2015 to 2020
Ro-innleachd Solair 2015 gu 2020

There is circulated Report No RES/14/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Director of Finance which presents the Council’s high level intentions and aspirations in respect of outcomes delivered through Procurement work across the Council for the next five years and recommends a long term strategy based on the Council’s values and sets out at a strategic level how Procurement will deliver those values.

The Committee is invited to approve the Council’s Procurement Policy and Strategy 2015 to 2020.

13.  Audit Scotland Review of Procurement in Scottish Local Authorities
Sgrùdadh Alba Aithisg mu Sholar Ùghdarrais Ionadail

There is circulated Report No RES/15/15 dated 10 February 2015 by the Director of Finance which presents the Council’s proposed responses to the above report and recommends that Members agree to the actions listed at Annex A to the report in dealing with the report’s findings.

The Committee is invited to approve the proposed response to the Audit Scotland Review of Procurement in Local Authorities.

14.  Consideration of Debts to be Written-Off
Beachdachadh air Fiachan airson an Dubhadh Às

At the Resources Committee meeting in August 2014, Members asked that a report be brought to the next meeting upon consideration of debts presented to be written off and, in particular, if such consideration should be undertaken in public.

In this regard, there is circulated Joint Report No RES/16/15 dated 11 February 2015 by the Director of Finance and Head of Corporate Governance which advises of the Council’s current practice and invites Members to continue to determine such matters in private.

The Committee is invited to agree to consider reports containing information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person in private.

15.  Corporate Development Service Revenue Expenditure Monitoring to 31 December 2014
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Seirbheis an Leasachaidh Chorporra gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There is circulated Report No RES/17/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides information on the revenue monitoring position for the Corporate Development Service for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 December 2014.

The Committee is invited to consider the revenue monitoring report for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 December 2014.

16.  Corporate Development Service Capital Budget Expenditure Monitoring to 31 December 2014
Sgrùdadh Calpa Seirbheis an Leasachaidh Chorporra gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There is circulated Report No RES/18/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which sets out the position for the Corporate Development Service 2014/15 capital budget for the period to 31 December 2014.

The Committee is invited to consider the capital monitoring report for the period to 31 December 2014.

17.  Corporate Improvement Programme 
Prògram Leasachaidh Chorporra

(a) Corporate Improvement Programme - Progress Report
Prògram Leasachaidh Chorporra – Aithisg Adhartais

There is circulated Report No RES/19/15 dated 11 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which explains that the Corporate Improvement Programme (CIP) is progressing with a target to achieve £5.98m in efficiency savings for the period 2013/14 and 2014/15. In addition, the process for delivering the agreed transformation and savings programme, as agreed by Council in December 2014, is underway.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note progress with the delivery of the Corporate Improvement Programme; and
ii. agree the action being taken to ensure savings are delivered.

(b) Income Generation– Commercial Manager Appointment
Cruthachadh Teachd-a-steach – Cur an Dreuchd Manaidsear Malairteach

There is circulated Report No RES/20/15 dated 11 February 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provides an update on the Income Generation Project and the proposal to appoint a Commercial Manager to drive forward the initiative to increase the Highland Council’s ability to generate income.

The Committee is invited to note progress made to date and the creation of a new Commercial Manager role.

18.  Digital First
Digital First

(a) Digital First Programme
Prògram Digital First

There is circulated Report No RES/21/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which sets out the Digital First programme, which will deliver £1.3m savings over the next 4 years as agreed in the budget on 18 December 2014.  The outcome of the Digital First programme is that all customers will have access to Highland Council’s services on-line, with at least 40% of transactions carried out online by April 2017.  This will be delivered through redesigning processes, increasing the availability of online services and encouraging more customers to access council services digitally.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. agree the Digital First principles;
ii. agree to nominate up to six Member Digital Champions;
iii. agree £138,000 from the Strategic Change & Development Fund to fund the cost of two temporary officers to work within the project team;
iv. note the outcomes, activity and benefits to be delivered by the Digital First Programme.

(b) Website Review Report
Làrach-lìn – Measadh Sia Mìosan

There is circulated Report No RES/22/15 dated 10 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides an update on the current status of the website and an analysis of recent survey results from the Communities and Citizens Panels, following the launch of the new Highland Council Website in July 2014.

The Committee is invited to note the report and agree the necessary actions to be taken to improve the website further and to respond to feedback.

19.  Gender Equalities in Employment
Co-ionannachdan Gnè ann an Cosnadh 2015

There is circulated Report No RES/23/15 dated 6 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides an update on the Highland Council’s gender equal pay gap and Women in Management activities, and seeks approval to publish information in order to meet the duties of the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note improvements in the statistics relating to the gender pay gap and approve these for publishing on 30 April 2015;
ii. note actions being taken under the Women in Management Programme; and
iii. agree a joint working group with the trade unions to carry out a review of gender equality action plans and sustain improvement.

20.  Information Management Strategy and Policy Framework Annual Review    
Ro-innleachd Rianachd Fiosrachaidh agus Ath-sgrùdadh air Frèam Poileasaidh Rianachd Fiosrachaidh

There is circulated Report No RES/24/15 dated 10 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides Members with information on the annual review of the Information Management Strategy for 2013-2017 and a range of policies that make up the Information Management Policy Framework. It also provides an update on progress made in implementing the Information Management Strategy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the update on the strategic initiatives;
ii. approve the updated Information Management Strategy 2013-2017; and
iii. approve the updated Policies.

21.  Annual Review of ICT Acceptable Use Policy
Ath-sgrùdadh air Poileasaidh Cleachdadh TFC ris a Bheilear Deònach Gabhail

There is circulated Report No RES/25/15 dated 10 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which informs Members of the proposed changes arising from the annual review of the Council’s ICT Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and requests Members to consider and approve the revised ICT Acceptable Use Policy.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. note the proposed changes to the ICT Acceptable Use Policy following the annual review; and
ii. approve the ICT Acceptable Use Policy.

22.  Chief Executive’s Office and Members Revenue Monitoring to 31 December 2014
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Oifis an Àrd-Oifigeir agus nam Ball gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There is circulated Report No RES/26/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Chief Executive which provides information on the revenue monitoring position for the Chief Executive’s Office for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 December 2014.

The Committee is invited to consider the revenue monitoring report for the period 1 April 2014 to December 2014.

23.  Chief Executive’s Office Capital Budget Expenditure Monitoring to 31 December 2014
Sgrùdadh Calpa Oifis an Àrd-Oifigeir gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There is circulated Report No RES/27/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Chief Executive which sets out the position for the Chief Executive’s Office 2014/15 capital budget for the period to 31 December 2014.

The Committee is invited to consider the capital monitoring report for the period to 31 December 2014.

COMMUNITY SERVICES
SEIRBHEISEAN COIMHEARSNACHD

24.  Health and Safety Executive: Improvement Notices
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
Roinn-ghnìomha na Slàinte is Sàbhailteachd: Brathan Leasachaidh
Riaghailtean Smachd air Crith aig an Obair 2005

There is circulated Report No RES/28/15 dated 11 February 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provides an update on the Improvement Notices served on The Highland Council on 30 January 2015 with respect to three contraventions of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

The Committee is invited to note the contents of the report.

25.  Minutes of Meetings
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan

There following Minutes of the Meetings are circulated for confirmation:-

i. Appeals Committee held on 4 and 8 December 2014 and 12 February 2015;
ii. Early Retirement Sub-Committee held on 25 November and 10 December 2014;
iii. The Highland Council Staff Partnership Forum – Elected Members/Staff Side Group held on 6 February 2015;
iv. Central Safety Committee held on 6 February 2015; and
v. Non-Domestic Rates Appeals Committee held on 13 February 2015.

26.  Exclusion of The Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

The Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

27.  ICT Executive Board: Minutes of Meeting
Bòrd-gnìomha TFC: Geàrr-chunntas Coinneimh

There is circulated to Members only for approval, Minutes of Meeting of the ICT Executive Board (Members) held on 10 February 2015.

28.  Land and Property
Talamh agus Taigheadas

There is circulated to Members only Report No RES/29/15 dated 3 February 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which seeks approval for a number of land and property transactions as outlined in the report.

The Committee is invited to agree the recommendations as set out in the report.