Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Resources Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 24 August 2016 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

4. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh

The Committee is asked to note that the Recess Powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 29 June 2016 have not been exercised in relation to the business of the Resources Committee.

FINANCIAL MONITORING
SGRÙDADH IONMHASAIL

5. Corporate Revenue Monitoring to 30 June 2016    
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Teachd-a-steach Corporra gu 30 Ògmhios 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/40/16 dated 12 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which presents the financial position of the revenue budgets of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2016 and the estimated position for the 2016/17 financial year. It also presents an update on the status of savings removed from the budget in the year.

The Committee is invited to consider the financial position of the General Fund and HRA revenue budgets at 30 June 2016 and to note the estimated year end forecast and the status of budgeted savings in the year.

6. Corporate Capital Monitoring to 30 June 2016
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh a’ Chalpa Chorporra gu 30 Ògmhios 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/41/16 dated 15 August 2016 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 30 June 2016 and the estimated position for the 2016/17 financial year. The report also provides an overview of the status of all major capital projects with a value over £4m.

The Committee is invited to consider the financial position of the General Fund and HRA Capital Programmes and the status of the Council’s Major Capital Projects as at 30 June 2016.

7. Finance Service Final Outturn and Revenue Monitoring to 30 June 2016
Toradh Deireannach Seirbheis an Ionmhais  2015/16 agus Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Teachd-a-steach gu 30 Ògmhios 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/42/16 dated 12 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which comments on the final outturn for the Revenue Budget for the year to 31 March 2016 and the Revenue Monitoring position for the period to 30 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to note the Finance Budget outturn position for 2015/16 and agree the monitoring report to the end of June 2016.

8. Corporate Development Service Final Outturn 2015/16 and Revenue Monitoring to 30 June 2016
Toradh Deireannach Seirbheis an Leasachaidh Chorporra 2015/16 agus Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach gu 30 Ògmhios 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/43/16 dated 16 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which comments on the final out-turn position for the Corporate Development Service revenue budget for 2015/16 and provides information on the revenue monitoring position for the Service for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider the final outturn for the Corporate Development Service revenue budget for 2015/16 and the revenue monitoring report for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016.

9. Corporate Development Service Final Outturn 2015/16 and Capital Budget Monitoring to 30 June 2016 
Toradh Deireannach Seirbheis an Leasachaidh Chorporra 2015/16 agus Sgrùdadh Buidseat Calpa gu 30 Ògmhios 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/44/16 dated 16 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which sets out the final out-turn position for the Corporate Development Service’s capital budget for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 and the position for the Corporate Development Service’s 2016/17 capital budget for the period to 30 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider the final out-turn position for the Corporate Development Service’s capital budget for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 and the capital monitoring position for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June  2016.

10. Chief Executive’s Office and Members Final Outturn 2015/16 and Revenue Expenditure Monitoring to 30 June 2016
Toradh Deireannach Oifis an Àrd-Oifigeir agus nam Ball 2015/16 agus Sgrùdadh Caiteachas Teachd-a-steach gu 30 Ògmhios 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/45/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Chief Executive which comments on the final out-turn position for the Chief Executive’s Office revenue budget for 2015/16 and provides information on the revenue monitoring position for the Chief Executive’s Office for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider the final outturn for the Chief Executive’s Office revenue budget for 2015/16 and the revenue monitoring report for the period 1 April 2013 to 30 June 2016.

11. Chief Executive’s Office Capital Budget Final Outturn 2015/16 and Budget Monitoring to 30 June 2016
Toradh Deireannach Oifis an Àrd-Oifigeir agus nam Ball 2015/16 agus Sgrùdadh Calpa gu 30 Ògmhios 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/46/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Chief Executive which sets out the final out-turn position for the Chief Executive’s Office capital budget for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 and the position for the Chief Executive’s Office 2016-17 capital budget for the period to 30 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider the final out-turn position for the Chief Executive’s Office capital budget for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 and the  capital monitoring position for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 June  2016.

FINANCE SERVICE
SEIRBHEIS AN IONMHAIS

12. Procurement – Shared Services Proposal with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils
Solarachadh – Moladh airson Seirbheisean Co-roinnte le Comhairlean Baile Obar Dheathain agus Siorrachd Obar Dheathain

There is circulated Report No RES/47/16 dated 16 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which allows Members to consider the proposal for a shared Commercial and Procurement Service and to agree to this in principle, pending the agreement of the other two Councils.

The Committee is invited to agree to:-

i. support the creation of a Shared Commercial and Procurement Service;
ii. agree to fund investment of £0.49m per annum;
iii. agree to transfer staff, subject to negotiation, to Aberdeen City Council; and
iv. agree and note that a savings target of £1.36m will be built into future budget projections (net of cost of investment).

13. Treasury Management
Rianachd Ionmhais

(a) Summary of Transactions
Geàrr-chunntas Ghnothaichean

There is circulated Report No RES/48/16 dated 12 August 2016 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 note the Treasury Management Summary of Transactions reports.

(b) Annual Treasury Management Report 2015/16
Aithisg Stiùiridh Bhliadhnail an Ionmhais 2015/16

There is circulated Report No RES/49/16 dated 12 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which presents the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2015/16 and highlights the Council’s treasury management activities undertaken, provides a commentary on the year, and compares activity to the expected activities contained in the annual Treasury Strategy Statement and Investment Statement which was approved by the Council on 12 March 2015.

The Committee is invited to consider the report and agree the Annual Treasury Report 2015/16 is submitted to the Council for approval. 

14. Finance Service Quarterly Performance Report 
Aithisg Dèanadais Ràitheil Seirbheis an Ionmhais

There is circulated Report No RES/50/16 dated 11 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which provides a summary of key and statutory performance indicators for the Finance Service as at 30 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider these statutory and key performance indicators.

15. Welfare Reform Update
Fios às Ùr mu Ath-leasachadh Shochairean

There is circulated Joint Report No RES/51/16 dated 11 August 2016 by the Director of Finance and the Director of Community Services which provides comprehensive information on the current status of Universal Credit and other welfare initiatives.  It also makes available financial monitoring information, covering the Council’s considerable involvement in this area of work.

The Committee is invited to consider the:-

i. significant increase in the spend of school clothing grants from £199k in 2014/15 to £297k in 2015/16;
ii. the successful uptake of electronic payment, via PayPoint, and the availability of an online form in respect of school clothing grants;
iii. findings of the research undertaken about the impact of low and falling incomes on households’ abilities to manage their household bills;
iv. Universal Credit (UC) Full Service rollout in Inverness Job Centre on 29 June 2016;
v. ongoing impact that Universal Credit is having on rent arrears and the positive reduction in the average rent arrear per UC household;
vi. majority of devolved social security powers will transfer on 5 September 2016; discretionary housing payments will transfer on 1 April 2017;
vii. Council’s submission to the Scottish Governments Consultation on social security legislation will be approved by the Welfare Reform Working Group and a copy of the response included in the November Resources Committee paper;
viii. gross weekly and hourly pays in Highland are below the Scottish and Great Britain averages;
ix. innovative Apply Once online application form for council entitlements.

The Committee is also invited to agree to increase the school clothing grant from £81 to £90 per application from 2016/17 which will increase the total spend by £30k to £331k and will mean that the Welfare Budget is predicted to come in on budget

16. Advice and Information Services: End of Year Monitoring
Seirbheisean Comhairle agus Fiosrachaidh: Sgrùdadh Deireadh Bliadhna 

There is circulated Report No RES/52/16 dated 11 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which provides Members with the end of year monitoring of council-funded advice and information services in Highland for 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to note the:-

i. level of support provided to customers across Highland in 2015/16 and the pressures associated with delivering the intensive resource required to resolve complex cases;
ii. positive outcomes being achieved when supporting Highland residents to mitigate the effects of poverty;
iii. effective and often life-changing outcomes for residents as a result of the projects funded via the Welfare Fund; 
iv. the continuation of external funding by the Scottish Legal Aid Board beyond the original project end date.

and to agree to support the:-

i. expression of Interest that has been submitted to the UK Money Advice Service’s “What Works Fund?”; and
ii. opportunities that are being sought to secure additional external funding and for partnership working to enable enhanced services to be targeted in a manner that aligns with aligns with the preventative, anti-poverty and localism agenda.  

17. Finance Service Plan 2016/17
Plana Seirbheis an Ionmhais 2016/17

There is circulated Report No RES/53/16 dated 16 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which introduces the Finance Service Plan, updated for 2016/17 which identifies the enabling actions and key performance results which will deliver ‘Highland First’, the Programme of the Highland Council published 13th August 2015.   It also outlines the statutory and core functions of the Service including the Single Outcome Agreement.

The Committee is invited to approve the Finance Service Plan updated for 2016-17.

18. Internal Audit Report – Statutory Performance Indicators 2014/15    
In-Sgrùdadh air Comharran Coileanaidh Reachdail 2014/15

There is circulated Report No RES/54/16 dated 10 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which provides an updates Resources Committee on the outcome of the Internal Audit Report on Verification of Statutory Performance Indicators 2014-15 which was reported to Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 16 June 2016.

The Committee is invited to note the findings of the Internal Audit report presented to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 16 June 2016 and the actions being taken to implement its findings.

19. Capital Discretionary Fund 
Maoin Calpa fo Ùghdarras

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

There is circulated Report No RES/55/16 dated 16 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which seeks approval to establish a set of criteria by which all applications for financial support from the Capital Discretionary Fund can be considered by the Council.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the key principles as outlined in Section 2 of the report.

(b) Applications for Financial Support
Iarrtasan airson Cuideachadh Ionmhasail 

There is circulated Report No RES/56/16 dated 16 August 2016 by the Director of Finance which asks members to consider a number of applications for financial support from the Capital Discretionary Fund.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. consider the three funding applications;
ii. agree that if the Committee is minded to support the application for Mallaig Swimming Pool that the funding is restricted to £250,000; and
iii. agree that any financial contribution is conditional on full project funding packages being in place for each application.

(c) Elsie Normington Foundation – The Haven Centre – Application to Capital Discretionary Budget, 2016/17 and review of Option to Purchase Land    
Caidreachas Elsie Normington

There is circulated Joint Report No RES/57/16 dated 12 August 2016 by the Director of Finance and the Director of Care and Learning which provides an update on the Elsie Normington Foundation (ENF) (a Charitable organisation created to provide support for children and young adults with learning disabilities in the Highlands by providing a purpose built centre, along with respite facilities for their parents) and sets out the current position of the project, the support provided by the Council to date and invites Members to agree to the Council providing a Letter of Comfort in respect of the potential provision of a grant from the Capital Discretionary Fund toward the building construction costs.

The Committee is invited to agree, subject to funds being available and to officers being satisfied, within 2 years of the date of the letter, that the Business Plan referred to within the report, had been sufficiently updated to show that the Project to build the Centre would be fully funded in the event that the application was successful:-

i. that the committee renews the Councils consent to an option agreement being concluded between the Council and the Elsie Normington Foundation (ENF), no later than 23 October 2016, to permit the ENF to be able to raise finance to develop the site referred to above, for a specialised play and respite centre for disabled children, subject to the condition that the agreement once concluded, be valid for a maximum period of two years, otherwise on additional terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Development and Infrastructure and the Head of Corporate Governance; and
ii. to delegate power to the Director of Finance to issue a ‘Letter of Comfort’ to the Trustees of the Elsie Normington Foundation, detailing the support given by the Council to date and confirming that the Council would give consideration to an application for a maximum award of £0.250m from the Capital Discretionary Fund.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
SEIRBHEIS AN LEASACHAIDH CHORPORRA

20. Corporate Development Service Plan 2016/17
Plana Gnothachais Seirbheis an Leasachaidh Chorporra 2016/17

There is circulated Report No RES/58/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which outlines how the Service will lead and support commitments which will deliver ‘Highland First’, the Programme of the Highland Council, and service priorities which support the Council in the delivery of change and transformation and progressing Localism.  Members are asked to consider and approve the Plan.

The Committee is invited to consider and approve the proposed Service Plan for 2016/17.

21. Trading Standards 2016/17 Plan
Plana Obrachaidh Inbhean Malairt 2016/17

There is circulated Report No RES/59/16 dated 10 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which sets out the factors that have been taken into account in setting the priorities for Trading Standards in the year ahead and places the Trading Standards Plan for 2016/17 before Members for noting.

The Committee is asked to note the changes to the Trading Standards team and the contents of the Plan for 2016-17.

22. Transformational Savings Programme
Prògram Shàbhalaidhean Cruth-atharrach 

(a) Programme Status
Inbhe Prògraim

There is circulated Report No RES/60/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides an update on the current status of the TSP with an overview of business improvement work which is changing how we operate as a Council, along with a summary of the TSP financial position.

The Committee is asked to note:-

i. progress with delivery of the Programme and the actions being taken to ensure that savings are delivered;
ii. that the Waste Disposal project (total saving of £2.8m) is not deliverable by the end of 2018/19 and is recommended for removal from the Programme;
iii. that the following Shared Services projects (total savings value of £180k) are not deliverable and are recommended for removal from the Programme – Learning & Development, Health & Safety, Finance Computer Audit, Trading Standards, Legal & Democratic Services and Building Standards. 

(b) Digital First Programme
Prògram Digital First

There is circulated Report No RES/61/16 dated 24 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides an update on the progress of the Digital First Programme and benefits realised to date.  The aim of the Digital First programme is for 40% of transactions with customers to be carried out online by April 2017. This includes payments, reports and applications carried out through the online forms available on the Highland Council website.

The Committee is asked to note progress made and benefits delivered to date by the Digital First project.

23. ICT Projects Update
Cunntas as Ùr mu Phròiseactan ICT

There is circulated Report No RES/62/16 dated 5 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development provides Members with an update of the status of current ICT projects as required by the Council’s Project Management Governance Policy.

The Committee is invited to note the report, the Projects in Paragraph 3 that are Red and Amber status, that Curriculum Guest Access is now being progressed through the Network Programme and can be removed from this report, the content of the table in Appendix 1 and the re-baselined Members’ ICT Service project has been updated from Red to Green status in Paragraph 4.

24. Unified Communications Project 
Pròiseact Chonaltraidhean Aonaichte

There is circulated Report No RES/63/16 dated 3 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides an update on the Unified Communications (UC) Project progress since the last report in November 2015.

The report also provides an update on the video conferencing element of the project, with particular reference to the delivery of new video conferencing solutions to Area Offices.  

The Committee is invited to note the update on the project, the change of approach for the Unified Communications work stream as reported in Section 2.2, the video conferencing work stream as reported in Section 2.3 and the current budget position as reported in Section 3 of the report.  

25. Attendance Management
Rianachd Làthaireachd

There is circulated Report No RES/64/16 dated 24 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which sets out actions being taken to improve attendance at work, support employees and reduce the cost of absence.

The Committee is invited to note actions being taken to improve attendance at work, support employees and reduce the cost of absence and progress on delivering the action plan arising from the Member Scrutiny Working Group.

26. Corporate Development Quarterly Statutory Performance Indicator, Quarterly and Annual Performance Report
Comharran Coileanaidh Reachdail Ràitheil an Leasachaidh Chorporra
Aithisg Bhliadhnail Slàinte, Sàbhailteachd agus Sunnd Obrach

There is circulated Report No RES/65/16 dated 8 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development provides quarterly Statutory Performance Indicators for quarter 4 of 2015/16 and annual Statutory Performance Indicators for 2015/16.

The Committee is invited to note the progress in relation to the Statutory Performance Indicators.

27. Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Annual Report and Review of Corporate Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Ùraich Poileasaidh Corporra Slàinte, Sàbhailteachd is Sunnd Obrach

There is circulated Report No RES/66/16 dated 12 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which presents the Council’s Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing performance, achievements and progress in 2015/16 and presents the plan for 2016/2017, including new proposals for health and safety performance indicators.

The revised Corporate Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy is also presented for approval. 

The Committee is invited to approve the Annual Report, Performance Indicators and the revised Policy as circulated.  

MINUTES OF MEETINGS
GEÀRR-CHUNNTAS CHOINNEAMHAN

28. Minutes of Meetings
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan

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

i. Appeals Committee held on 23 May and 24 June 2016;
ii. Head of Service Recruitment Panel held on 27 May and 31 May 2016;
iii. Central Safety Committee held on 12 August 2016; 
iv. Employment Release Sub-Committee held on 14 June, 24 June and 9 August 2016;
v. Staff Partnership Forum – Elected Members/Staff Side Group held on 1 June 2016; and
vi. Non Domestic Rates Appeals Committee held on 30 June 2016.

29. 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.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
SEIRBHEIS AN LEASACHAIDH CHORPORRA

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

There will follow to Members only for approval, Minutes of Meeting of the ICT Executive Board (Members) held on 17 August, 2016.

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

There is circulated to Members only Report No RES/67/16 dated 15 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides an update on the current status of Pathfinder North (PfN) which is the six local authorities shared services partnership comprising of Argyll & Bute Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highland Council, Moray Council, Orkney Islands Council and Angus Council, and its membership within the Scottish Wide Area Network Partnership (SWAN). Members were last updated via a report to the Resources Committee on 25 May 2016. 

The Committee is invited to consider both the progress with regard to the transition and the risks/management action being taken as detailed in the report.

32. ICT Reprovision Contract Award
Duais Cunnraidh Ath-sholar ICT

There is circulated to Members only Report No RES/68/16 dated 24 August 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides Members with a Progress Report for the ICT Reprovision Programme, and seeks approval from Members to enter into a contract with the successful Tenderer for the provision of Core ICT Services.  

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

DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
LEASACHADH AGUS BUN-STRUCTAR

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

There is circulated to Members only Report No RES/69/16 dated 13 July 2016 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure in respect of a land and property transaction.

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