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 Wednesday, 30 November 2016, 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 15 September 2016              
    Geàrr-chunntas Coinneamh 15 Sultain 2016

There are circulated, for confirmation, Minutes of Meeting of 15 September 2016.

4. Internal Audit Report – Debtors and Income Systems          
    Aithisg In-sgrudaidh – Luchd-fiach agus Siostaman Teachd-a-steach

There is circulated Report No VAL/24/16 by the Corporate Audit Manager, The Highland Council, providing details of an audit on the Assessor’s Debtors and Income Systems.

Members are invited to consider the content of the attached report and the audit opinion provided, and to raise any relevant points with the Corporate Audit Manager.

5. Revenue Budget Monitoring Statement 2016/17          
    Aithris Sgrùdaidh Buidseit Teachd-a-Steach 2016/17

There is circulated Report No VAL/25/16 by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer setting out the revenue monitoring position for the period to 31 October 2016 and the projected year end position.

The Board is invited to comment and otherwise note the contents of the report.

6. External Audit Introduction     
    Toirt A-steach Sgrudadh on Taobh A-muigh

There is circulated Report No. VAL/26/16 by the External Auditor, Grant Thornton which provides an introduction to the Board’s new External Auditors for the five year period commencing 2016/17.

The Board is invited to note the report.

7. Departmental Report          
    Aithisg Roinneil

There is circulated Report No VAL/27/16 by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer which outlines the main business of the office of the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer since the last meeting of the Board.

The Board is invited to comment and otherwise note the recent activities of the Department as set out in the report.

8. Draft Annual Report 
    Dreachd Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated Report No. VAL/28/16 comprising the draft Annual Report for 2015/16 prepared by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer.

The Board is asked to approve publication of the report.

9. Harassment at Work Policy     
    Poileasaidh Claoidh aig an Obair

There is circulated Report No. VAL/29/16 by the Assessor and Electoral Registration Officer which provides an update to the Harassment at Work Policy.

The Board is asked to approve the updated Harassment at Work Policy.

10. Dates of Meetings 2017
     Cinn-latha Choinneamhan 2017

The Board is invited to agree the following meeting dates for 2017 taking account of the forthcoming Local Government Election:-

Thursday, 2 February 
Tuesday, 27 June 
Friday, 22 September 
Friday, 24 November

Meetings will be held at Council Headquarters, Inverness, at 10.30 a.m. unless otherwise advised.

11. Exclusion of the Public
     Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

The Board is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act, the relevant paragraph(s) being shown.

12. Complaint Investigation and Outcome           
     Toradh Gearain

There is circulated to Members only Report No VAL/30/16 by the Clerk to the Board 
Relating to the receipt and handling of a complaint against the Assessors’ office and details how the matter was investigated and the outcome and recommendations arising.

The Board is invited to note the complaint, which was not upheld by the Clerk, and to ensure that the recommendations have been implemented by the Assessor.