Agendas, reports and minutes

Minutes of Meeting of the Resources Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 25 May 2016 at 10.30 am.

Present:
Mr B Fernie, Mr A Mackinnon, Dr D Alston, Miss J Campbell, Mrs H Carmichael, Mr A Christie, Dr I Cockburn, Mrs M Davidson, Ms J Douglas, Mr C Fraser, Mr D Kerr (substitute), Mr R Laird, Mr B Lobban, Mr D Mackay, Mrs I McCallum, Mr J McGillivray, Mr T Prag, Mr F Parr, Mr J Stone

Non Members also Present:
Mr B Clark, Mr D Fallows, Mr G Phillips, Mr H Wood

Officials in attendance:
Ms M Morris, Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development
Mr D Yule, Director of Finance
Mr A Gunn, Head of Revenues and Business Support, Finance Service
Mr E Foster, Head of Corporate Finance, Finance Service
Ms V Nairn, Head of Digital Transformation, Corporate Development Service
Mr S Walsh, Head of People and Transformation, Corporate Development Service
Mr J Batchelor, Head of People and Performance, Corporate Development Service
Mr D Goldie, Head of Housing, Development & Infrastructure Service
Mr A Maguire, Head of Property Partnerships, Development & Infrastructure Service
Mr M Bailey, Project Manager, Corporate Development Service
Mr D Scott, Pathfinder North Partnerships Manager, Corporate Development Service
Mr J Shepherd, ICT Operations Manager, Corporate Development Service
Ms J Scotson, Business Change Manager, Corporate Development Service
Mr M MacDonald, HR Manager, Corporate Development Service
Ms R Cleland, Corporate Communications Manager, Corporate Development Service
Mrs S McKandie, Benefits & Welfare Manager, Finance Service
Mr G Youngson, Acting Property Manager, Development & Infrastructure Service
Miss J MacLennan, Democratic Services Manager, Corporate Development Service
Miss J Green, Administrative Assistant, Corporate Development Service

An asterisk in the margin denotes a recommendation to the Council.  All decisions with no marking in the margin are delegated to the Committee.

Mr B Fernie in the Chair

Business

1. Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mrs D Mackay, Ms M Smith, Mr T Maclennan and Mr B Thompson.
 
2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

The Committee NOTED the following declarations of interest:

Item 5 – Mr D Fallows (non-financial)
Item 11(a) – Mr A Christie and Ms J Douglas (both non-financial)
Item 11(b) – Ms J Douglas and Mr F Parr (both non-financial)
Item 14 – Mr A Christie (non-financial)

At this point, the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, welcomed Mr Edward Forster (Head of Corporate Finance) and Mr Steve Walsh (Head of People and Transformation) to the meeting. 

Thanks were also conveyed to Mr John Batchelor (Head of People and Performance) who was leaving the Council after 37 years of service.

3. Good News Stories 
Naidheachdan Matha

A short presentation on Fairtrade was undertaken at the meeting by Mr Hamish Wood during which it was confirmed that Highland Council had been successful in achieving Fairtrade Zone Status by the Fairtrade Foundation which was reviewed every two years. In this regard, support was sought for the further development of Fairtrade in the Lochaber, Caithness and Sutherland areas over the next two years. Congratulations were also conveyed to all those who had been involved in achieving this award.

The Committee also noted that the Sutherland Participatory Budgeting event had taken place in Lairg on Saturday, 21 May 2016.

4. Appointments to Sub-Committees, Working Groups etc.
Cur an Dreuchd gu Fo-Chomataidhean, Buidhnean-obrach is eile

The Committee AGREED to appoint Mr C Fraser to the ICT Executive Board (Members).

DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
LEASACHADH AGUS BUN-STRUCTAIR

5. National Housing Trust Model
Modail Urras Taigheadais Nàiseanta

Declaration of Interest – Mr D Fallows declared a non-financial interest in this item as a Director of the Highland Housing Alliance but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude him from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No RES/21/16 dated 12 May 2016 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which provided an update on the progress of the Highland Council’s participation in the Scottish Government’s National Housing Trust model.

The report also sought approval to amalgamate three Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) which managed the housing into one LLP to simplify processes and ensure continued delivery of the National Housing Trust model in 2016/17 onwards.

The Committee APPROVED the merging of three Limited Liability Partnerships into one Limited Liability Partnership, subject to detailed considerations of the legal implications by the Head of Corporate Governance.

FINANCIAL MONITORING
SGRÙDADH IONMHASAIL

6. Corporate Revenue Near Final Monitoring Report for 2015/16    
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Faisg air Deireannach a thaobh Teachd-a-steach Corporra airson 2015/16   

There had been circulated Report No RES/22/16 by the Director of Finance which presented the financial position of the Revenue Budgets of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for the period from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.

Prior to discussion, the Chair confirmed that he had asked for an audit to be undertaken in regard to the Feed-in Tariff income streams which had been highlighted in the report.

In addition, it was his intention to meet with the Chair of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee to discuss the remit for an audit of the Biomass project. In this regard, it was noted that the Biomass Seminar which had been previously requested would be held at an early date.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• in regard to Community Services, there was disappointment that, despite assurances previously given to Members, car park income had not achieved its target. In this regard, there was concern that other savings targets (previously agreed) might be in the same position at the end of the financial year; and
• in regard to Care and Learning, it was noted that the near final outturn position was an underspend of £1.247m which represented an increase of £0.709m from the position reported to the last meeting. In this respect, there was concern that vulnerable adults and children might be going without services and it was suggested that a report should be submitted to a future meeting of the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee to clarify what was being done to ensure that this level of variance was not repeated in future.       

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the Revenue Expenditure Monitoring Statement as at 31 March 2016 which showed a near final position of £6.507m General Fund underspend - on the basis that the final position would be reported to the full Council in June.

It was also NOTED that discussion would be undertaken with the Chair of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee in regard to the remit for the audits being undertaken on the Feed-in Tariff income streams and Biomass.   

7. Corporate Capital Near Final Monitoring Report for 2015/16     
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Faisg air Deireannach a thaobh Calpa Corporra airson 2015/16

There had been circulated Report No RES/23/16 by the Director of Finance which provided an overview of expenditure on the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Programmes for the period from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.

During discussion, concern was expressed in regard to the slippage of £0.125m on Carbon CLEVER which had caused an underspend due to delays in identifying suitable projects and gaining Committee approval and in this respect it was suggested that there was a need to focus on the criteria being used for such projects.

Also, in relation the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme, it was suggested that consideration should be given (as part of the proposed audit on Biomass) to the fall in the number of required heating installations to properties as a result of tenant opt-outs. 

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the Capital Expenditure Monitoring Statement as at 31 March 2016 which showed a near final position of £1.335m overspend - on the basis that the final position would be reported to the full Council in June.

8. Major Capital Projects Monitoring Report
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Phròiseactan Mòra Calpa

There had been circulated Report No RES/24/16 dated 16 May 2016 by the Director of Finance which provided a status update on all live capital projects with a total budget in excess of £4m. 

In this regard, it was noted that reporting on all major capital projects to the Resources Committee was intended to complement individual Service Reports to the respective Service Committees.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• the changes made within the project management governance policy as a result of the recommendations from the Audit Scotland follow-up report on Major Capital Investment were welcomed as a positive step forward in terms of Members’ scrutiny;
• issues which still needed to be addressed however included (i) regular review and revisiting of business cases at key stages within major capital projects (ii) end of project reports highlighting both costs and timescales and any reasons for overspend or delay (iii) evaluation of whether final outcomes were what had been wanted or needed and (iv) inclusion of the aforementioned issues within the Council’s Financial Regulations at the next review stage;
• there was a need for Local Members to have full and detailed information on projects within their own areas on a regular basis as such projects progressed;
• in regard to the future review of the Capital Plan, clarification was required on how and when this was to be undertaken and whether adequate resources were still in place to manage this following the voluntary redundancy process in particular;
• there was a need for further information to be provided on the current situation with the provision of new Primary Schools within Inverness  given that the estimated figure for delivery now appeared to have increased within the Capital Programme;
• clarification was sought as to why there had been no mention in the report in relation to the Kingussie Office Rationalisation project which was not yet complete but had not been included in the list of projects in the Appendix; 
• there was a need for robust short and medium term plans to be produced in regard to the provision of Primary Schools in Inverness;
• the improved level of reporting in regard to the Capital Plan was welcomed but there was still a need for increased scrutiny; and
• it would be necessary to review the impact of the ambitious and sustained Capital Plan over recent years so that the new Council in 2017 would have a clear picture of the impact of Council spend across the Highlands.               

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the status of the Council’s major capital projects as contained in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Committee also NOTED the governance structure now in place around the Capital Plan in accordance with the Council’s Project Management Governance Policy and the factors which might necessitate a review of the Capital Plan within the coming year.

*It was further AGREED that the issues highlighted in relation to the Council’s Financial Regulations should be forwarded to the Leader of the Council and included as part of the next review.

FINANCE SERVICE
SEIRBHEIS AN IONMHAIS

9. Voluntary Redundancy Scheme – Financial Implications
Sgeama Call-dreuchd Saor-thoileach

There had been circulated Report No RES/25/16 dated 17 May 2016 by the Director of Finance which provided an update on the results of the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme, highlighting near final numbers of staff accepting voluntary redundancy, the revenue budget implications and the financing of redundancy payments.

In this regard, the Director of Finance expressed his thanks to all Services and staff for engaging in this unprecedented process and especially to the Human Resources, Payroll and Pensions staff for the considerable level of work which had been undertaken over recent months.   

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• in relation to the financial implications on revenue balances, it had been stated in the report that the latest indications, subject to finalisation, suggested that the cost of the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme in 2015/16 would be ‘slightly higher’ than had been previously estimated. However, the revised figure of £13.4m represented an increase of £1m and this was not considered to be slight; and
• there was a need for a confidential report to be submitted to the next full Council meeting to provide details of the posts which had been deleted in order to allow scrutiny by Members of the workforce impact of the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme.      

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED:-

i. the staffing implications as identified in Section 2 of the report;
ii. the ongoing revenue savings of £10.86m arising from successful applications for voluntary redundancy, with initial savings of £9.57m in 2016/17;
iii. that, once Service specific savings had been accounted for, the general savings target from the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme of £5.9m would have been exceeded on a full year basis;  
iv. the required use of balances of £13.4m to fund the lump sum cost of voluntary redundancies but that, on average, this achieved a payback of 1.25 years; and
v. the risk around the remaining level of reserves and that this would be reviewed once the accounts were finalised for 2015/16.

It was also AGREED that a confidential report should be submitted to the full Council in June providing details of the posts which had been deleted in order to allow scrutiny by Members of the workforce impact of the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme.  

10. Treasury Management Summary of Transactions
Geàrr-chunntas Ghnothaichean Rianachd Ionmhais 

There had been circulated Report No RES/26/16 dated 20 April 2016 by the Director of Finance which provided details of the Treasury Management transactions undertaken within the period which was submitted to the Committee in compliance with CIPFA's Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the Council's approved Financial Regulations.

The Committee NOTED the Treasury Management Summary of Transactions reports as presented.

11. Welfare Reform
Ath-leasachadh Shochairean

(a) Welfare Reform Update
Cunntas às Ùr mu Ath-leasachadh Shochairean

Declaration of Interest – Mr A Christie, as General Manager of Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau and Ms J Douglas, as a volunteer and member of the Steering Group for Badenoch and Strathspey Foodbank, declared non-financial interests in this item, but having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Joint Report No RES/27/16 dated 11 May 2016 by the Directors of Finance and Community Services which provided information on the current status of Universal Credit and other Welfare initiatives.  

The report also presented financial monitoring information which covered the Council’s considerable involvement in this area of work.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:- 

• it was important that mental health issues were taken into account and passed to the relevant authorities by the Council’s single point of contact;
• there was a need to thank the relevant staff for the production of what was a complex but very clear report;
• it had to be recognised that the issues outlined in the report, notably the potential drop in capped income rates, would have a very detrimental impact on single parents in work in particular and this in turn could impact on rent arrears thereby putting further pressure on the Council’s housing stock;
• under a framework agreement with UHI, personal anecdotes were being compiled and would be reported later in 2016. These would be compared with the impact across Scotland where universal credit had been introduced earlier and the outcomes would facilitate representations to be made to the UK Government;
• rurality and other local issues had to be taken into consideration in relation to benefit caps;
• it was welcomed that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ‘Early Warning’ trial in Scotland within the Job Seekers Allowance sanctions would give jobseekers an extra 14 days to provide further evidence of reasons for non-compliance when a sanction was likely to be imposed. In this regard, lobbying was required to ensure that the Highland area was included;
• it was disappointing that the process for Mandatory Reconsiderations and appeals would remain the same;
• changes to child and working tax credits would alter the nature of how people lived and worked. If their circumstances changed, they would move from the tax credit system to universal credit and would then be sanctioned if deemed to be underemployed. In Scotland, there was an opportunity to change this system and the Council should participate in that decision-making process;
• some companies struggled to pay wages on time and this could be detrimental to working tax claimants;
• welfare reform appeared to now focus on saving money rather than creating a better system;
• the phased transition of the administration of powers from the UK Government to the Scottish Government over the next few years should be fast-tracked;
• it was of major concern that the use of foodbanks continued to increase;
• changes to pension credit could be particularly harsh for older people who did not have access to online facilities and were not used to reporting changes in circumstances;
• welfare reform was now being classed as ‘fiscal dumping’ in that it was passing the burden for services from one statutory authority to another or to the voluntary sector;
• Mr Stephen Crabb, MP should be invited to attend a future meeting to speak to the current situation;
• seasonal work was a particular issue for people on low incomes in the Highlands;
• it would be helpful to compile information on the percentages of people on the living or minimum wage and to take this into consideration in the Council re-design;
• zero hour contracts made life extremely difficult for people on tax credits and benefits; and
• the level of income disparity across the UK remained a major concern.

Thereafter, the Committee:-

i. NOTED the ongoing impact that Universal Credit was having on rent arrears;
ii. AGREED to continue to support the Trust Partner pilot with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and noted the increasing number of Alternative Payment Arrangements which had been implemented to support council tenants; 
iii. AGREED to support the work being undertaken by the Council and the DWP to assist the implementation of the Universal Credit Full Service, initially in Inverness Job Centre;
iv. NOTED the ongoing concerns regarding the affordability of temporary accommodation for those in receipt of Universal Credit;
v. NOTED the changes to the National and Minimum Living Wage and that the Council had implemented the Scottish Living Wage for all employees which provided a higher rate than the National rates; and
vi. NOTED the management information and near final budget monitoring position for the Welfare Budget as presented.

(b) Digital Highland Project
Pròiseact Gàidhealtachd Dhidseatach

Declarations of Interest – Ms J Douglas and Mr F Parr declared non-financial interests in this item as Directors of High Life Highland, but having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interest did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No RES/28/16 dated 13 May 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provided an update on the Digital Highland Project which was a project run by Citizens Online aimed at developing a sustainable approach to the delivery of digital skills training and support for residents in the Highlands.

During discussion, and in welcoming the project, it was suggested that, with the project funding due to end in November, there was a need for further information on the future position.

It was also suggested that the impact of loneliness and social isolation should be taken into consideration in future through this project.  

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the progress of the project as detailed in the report.

12. Capital Discretionary Fund
Maoin Calpa fo Ùghdarras

(a) Criteria for Considering Applications 
Slatan-tomhais airson Beachdachadh air Iarrtasan

There had been circulated Report No RES/29/16 dated 12 May 2016 by the Director of Finance which sought approval to establish a set of criteria by which all applications for financial support from the Capital Discretionary Fund could be considered by the Council.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• there were examples of some of the valued projects which had been awarded funding in the past but which would not have been eligible under the proposed new criteria. As such, it was felt that a greater degree of ‘discretion’ should be retained than what was currently being proposed and therefore a deferral was sought to allow this to be considered;
• applicants should be encouraged to seek match funding rather than to apply for 100% funding;
• consideration should be given to extending the proposed funding cap to Ward Discretionary Fund and Common Good Fund applications;
• clearer definitions of third and voluntary sectors was needed; and
• whilst it was accepted that rejected applications should not be re-submitted by organisations for a period of 12 months, consideration should be given to permitting such organisations to submit applications for different or amended projects during that time.

Thereafter, the Committee AGREED TO DEFER this report meantime to allow further consideration of the issues which had been raised at the meeting on the basis that a further report would be submitted to the next meeting.

(b) Application from Kyle of Sutherland Hub Ltd
Iarrtas bho Kyle of Sutherland Hub Ltd

There had been circulated Report No RES/30/16 dated 13 May 2016 by the Director of Finance which outlined an application for funding of £50,000 from the Capital Discretional Fund for Kyle of Sutherland Hub Ltd.

The Committee AGREED the application for funding of £50,000 for this project.

13. Relocation of Grantown Library
Gluasad Leabharlann Bhaile nan Granndach

There had been circulated Report No RES/31/16 dated 13 May 2016 by the Director of Finance which sought agreement to amend the Capital Plan to include expenditure to relocate the Grantown Library to the Courthouse. 

In this regard, it was confirmed that the cost of borrowing would be more than offset by savings on rental payments.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• this represented the accumulation of a significant level of joint working between Local Members, High Life Highland and Highland Council staff;
• the relocation of the Library to the Courthouse, which would fully utilise an iconic building and increase access to services for local people, was logical and cost neutral;
• tribute was paid to the volunteers of the YMCA Board/Community Centre for their hard work in facilitating the retention of the Library over the years; and
• there was an eagerness to start and finish the project as soon as possible and in this regard clarification on the project timescales was required.

Thereafter, the Committee AGREED to adjust the Capital Plan to include expenditure of £0.165m to allow this project to proceed and to vire the sum of £0.018m from the Care and Learning budget to the Loans Fund budget to fund the cost of borrowing as outlined in the report.   

14. Finance Service – Quarterly Performance Report 2015/16
Seirbheis an Ionmhais – Aithisg Dèanadais Ràitheil 2015/16

Declaration of Interest – Mr A Christie declared a non-financial interest in this item as General Manager of Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau, but having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude him from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No RES/32/16 dated 12 May 2016 by the Director of Finance which provided a summary of key and statutory performance indicators for the Finance Service as at 31 March 2016.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• there was a need to thank staff for an excellent report and specifically to those involved in the Council Tax in-year collection rate, number of Council Tax payments made by Direct Debits, the Benefits Administration process and the Customer Income Maximisation Team;
• there was concern in relation to the impact of the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme in terms of achieving the targets for Statutory Performance Indicators;
• an explanation was sought for the reduction in the performance of the number of invoices paid within 30 calendar days and 10 days; and
• the Money Advice service should be monitored carefully now that it had been transferred to the Citizens Advice Bureau to ensure that continued support was provided to local people.

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the statutory and key performance indicators as detailed in the report.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
SEIRBHEIS AN LEASACHAIDH CHORPORRA

15. Transformational Savings Programme
Prògram Shàbhalaidhean Cruth-atharrach 

There had been circulated Report No RES/33/16 dated 3 May 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which confirmed that the Transformation Savings Programme (TSP) was progressing with a target to achieve £18.43m in efficiency savings for the period 2015/16 - 2018/19 as agreed by the Council in December 2014.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• there was a need for more information in regard to the likelihood of achieving the two budget savings (which had been agreed by the Council  in February) relating to Sickness Absence and Schools Energy Incentives;
• the savings in relation to Energy should be reported to the Education, Children and Adult Services Committee on the basis that a reduction or change in electricity consumption in Schools could impact children;
• in reporting the overall financial position, combining the Transformational Savings Programme Savings, Corporate Savings and Service Savings for future meetings was welcomed;
• the year-end financial position for the Transformation Savings Programme should be included in the Corporate Revenue Monitoring Report, along with information on meeting the savings targets and/or alternative savings to be identified; 
• a summary of which ‘Service’ savings had been originally classed as ‘Corporate’ savings should be provided for Service Committees to allow effective scrutiny;
• more detailed consideration was now required in advance of starting projects in order to assess whether they were realistically achievable, particularly in light of future staffing levels within the organisation; and
• there was concern in relation to the lack of progress on the Waste Disposal project.

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the progress with the delivery of the Transformational Savings Programme and the actions being taken to ensure that savings were delivered.

16. Corporate Development – Annual Statutory Performance Indicators and Improvement Actions
Leasachadh Corporra – Comharran Coileanaidh Reachdail Bliadhnail agus Gnìomhan Leasachaidh 

There had been circulated Report No. RES/34/16 dated 18 April 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provided an analysis of the Corporate Development Service Statutory Performance indicators and improvement actions for the year 2014/15.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• in relation to the sickness absence indicators, the Council had compared well in comparison with other Local Authorities and this was welcomed. However, this did raise questions as to the achievability of the previously agreed budget savings in this regard;
• it was too early in the financial year to confirm whether savings targets would be met but reports to future meetings would allow for further scrutiny;
• the training for Managers in ‘Mentally Healthy Workplaces’ was welcomed;
• it would be important to continue to provide appropriate training and support to all staff, particularly in the current circumstances whereby there would be increased pressure as a result of redundancies; and 
• the recommendations on ‘Managing Sickness Absence’ from the Member Scrutiny Working Group and specifically the progress being made to implement them should be reported to the next meeting.

Thereafter, the Committee NOTED the performance in relation to sickness absence and equalities indicators as detailed in the report.

The meeting adjourned for lunch at 1.05pm and resumed at 1.50pm.

17. ICT Services Performance Report October 2015 to March 2016
Aithisg Coileanaidh Sheirbheisean ICT Dàmhair 2015 gu Màrt 2016

There had been circulated Report No RES/35/16 dated 22 April 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provided an update on the key achievements of the ICT Services Team and the delivery of services by the Council’s ICT providers, principally Fujitsu Services and Vodafone, for the period from October 2015 to March 2016.

The Committee NOTED the positive outcomes being delivered from the contracts with Fujitsu, Vodafone and Capita and that robust contract management and governance arrangements continued to be applied and pursued by the Council to these contracts.  

18. ICT Projects Update    
Cunntas as Ùr mu Phròiseactan ICT

There had been circulated Report No RES/36/16 dated 22 April 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provided an update on the status of current ICT projects as required by the Council’s Project Management Governance Policy.

The Committee NOTED the terms of the report as circulated.

MINUTES OF MEETINGS
GEÀRR-CHUNNTAS CHOINNEAMHAN

19. Minutes of Meetings    
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan

The Committee:-

i. APPROVED the Minutes of the Meetings Employment Release Sub Committees held on 2 March, 8 March, 24 March and 14 April 2016;
ii. APPROVED the Minutes of the Meetings Appeals Committees held on 7 March and 14 April 2016;
iii. APPROVED the Minutes of the Meetings of the Head of Service Recruitment Panels held on 9 March, 14 March (subject to amendment to the minute to confirm that Dr D Alston had been present), 25 April and 29 April 2016; and
iv. APPROVED the Minutes of the Meeting of the Central Safety Committee held on 22 April 2016.

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

The Committee RESOLVED that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public should be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
SEIRBHEIS AN LEASACHAIDH CHORPORRA

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

There had been circulated to Members only Minutes of Meeting of the ICT Executive Board (Members) held on 9 May 2016 which were APPROVED.

22. Pathfinder North – Transition to Scottish Wide Area Network
Pathfinder a Tuath – Gluasad gu Lìonra Sgìreil Thar-Alba

There had been circulated to Members only Report No RES/37/16 dated 2 May 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provided an update on the current status of Pathfinder North (PfN) which was the six local authorities shared services partnership comprising of Argyll & Bute Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Sear, Highland Council, Moray Council, Orkney Islands Council and Angus Council, and its membership within the Scottish Wide Area Network Partnership (SWAN). 

The Committee NOTED the terms of the report as presented.

23. ICT Reprovision Programme Progress Report    
Aithisg Adhartais mu Ath-sholar Prògram ICT 

There had been circulated to Members only Report No RES/38/16 dated 9 May 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provided Members with an update on progress in regard to the ICT Reprovision Programme.  

The Committee NOTED the terms of the report as presented.

DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
LEASACHADH AGUS BUN-STRUCTAR

24. Land and Property Report
Aithisg Fearainn agus Cuid-seilbh

There had been circulated to Members only Report No RES/39/16 dated 10 May 2016 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure in respect of a number of land and property transactions.

The Committee AGREED the recommendations as detailed in the report.

The meeting ended at 2.05 pm.