Agendas, reports and minutes

13. Employee Early Release Scheme (EERS)
Sgeama Saoradh Tràth o Obair

Declaration of Interest – Mrs K Stephen declared a financial interest in this item on the basis that her husband was an employee of the Highland Council and left the room during discussion.

There had been circulated Report No HC/54/16 dated 7 December 2016 by the Depute Chief Executive & Director of Corporate Development which presented proposals for an Employee Early Release Scheme to enable the Council to make reductions in its workforce in a way that was affordable and in line with the reductions in funding available for the 2017/18 revenue budget. 

It was also confirmed that discussions had now been held with the Trade Unions who were in agreement with the proposals within the report.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• this was an example of another extremely difficult decision which had to be made in order to address the current and severe financial difficulties facing the Council and the loss of more staff was a matter of much regret. As such, it was imperative that there should be a focus on the wellbeing of the remaining staff within the Council at the conclusion of this process;
• consideration should be given to some form of incentive training for staff who might be prepared to move into alternative posts across the Council which were often vacant for considerable periods of time;
• there was a need for clarification on the implications for the Pension Scheme in view of the proposal for access to pensions at the age of 55;
• there was concern that this Scheme was being implemented before the conclusion of the work of the Redesign Board and it should perhaps be delayed at least until the February meeting of the Council;
• there was particular concern that the one-off compensation payment of 26 weeks salary could lead to large number of young people in particular leaving the employment of the Council and perhaps relocating from the area;
• it had to be recognised that a highly trained workforce was crucial to the functionality of the Council and this was perhaps another reason to delay this Scheme until the end of the redesign work;
• reassurance was necessary that there could be no future claims of discrimination or disadvantage from employees leaving under this Scheme as opposed to the previous Voluntary Redundancy Scheme which was still being implemented in some cases;
• it was unfortunate that the previous Voluntary Redundancy exercise had cost in the region of £12m whereas the current proposals would represent a much lesser figure in terms of the use of taxpayers money; and
• the proposal for Members to be involved in the final decision making process this time was welcomed.

Thereafter, Mrs M Davidson, seconded by Mr A Rhind, MOVED the recommendations as detailed in the report.

As an AMENDMENT, Dr I Cockburn, seconded by Mr B Lobban, moved that a decision on this Scheme should be postponed until the full Council meeting in February. This would enable the Council’s Redesign Board to proceed with its work to enable the Council to match its employment requirements to the Council’s new Design Project in a planned and methodical manner. 

On a vote being taken, the MOTION received 29 votes and the AMENDMENT received 27 votes, with no abstentions, and the MOTION was therefore CARRIED, the votes having been cast as follows:-

For the Motion: 
Mrs J Barclay, Miss J Campbell, Mrs H Carmichael, Mrs G Coghill, Mrs M Davidson, Ms J Douglas, Mr D Fallows, Mr B Fernie, Mr M Finlayson, Mr H Fraser, Mr L Fraser, Mr J Gordon, Mr M Green, Mr R Greene, Mr A Henderson, Mrs D Mackay, Mr A Mackinnon, Mrs I McCallum, Mr D Millar, Mr H Morrison, Mrs L Munro, Mr F Parr, Mrs M Paterson, Mr M Reiss Mr A Rhind, Mrs F Robertson, Mr G Ross, Mr R Saxon and Dr A Sinclair.

For the Amendment:
Dr D Alston, Mr A Baxter, Mr I Brown, Mr A Christie, Dr I Cockburn, Dr J Davis, Mr G Farlow, Mr S Fuller, Mr K Gowans, Mr A Graham, Mr D Kerr, Mr R Laird, Mr B Lobban, Mrs L MacDonald, Mr D Mackay, Mr G Mackenzie, Ms A MacLean, Mr T MacLennan, Mr K MacLeod, Mr G Phillips, Mr T Prag, Mr I Renwick, Mr G Rimell, Mrs T Robertson, Mrs J Slater, Ms M Smith and Mr J Stone.

Decision

The Council APPROVED the launch of the Employee Early Release Scheme as set out in Section 2 of the report, the change to the current discretionary policy to consider applications from employees leaving the organisation to access their pension at 55 (subject to eligibility criteria) on a case to case basis and the final decisions on the applications to be accepted and confirmation of the funding of the Scheme to be reported to the Council in February 2017.

The Council also NOTED the proposed funding of the Scheme as detailed at Paragraph 2.4 of the report and the early negotiation with the trade unions on the voluntary and compulsory redundancy compensation under the Redundancy & Redeployment Policy.

14. Inverness City and Highland Region Deal (Governance Arrangements)
Cùmhnant Baile/Roinne (Ullachaidhean Riaghlaidh) 

Declarations of Interest – 

Ms J Douglas, Mr K Gowans, Mr M Green 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 interests did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

Mr K Gowans also declared a financial interest in this item on the basis that his wife was an employee 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 his interest did not preclude him from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No HC/55/16 dated 29 November 2016 by the Director of Development & Infrastructure which provided an update on the City-Region Deal governance arrangements and in particular the request by the UK Government and the Scottish Government that all funding be routed through the Highland Council.

During discussion, it was suggested that further information should be provided in relation to the management of risks and financial commitments, future reporting processes and the proposal to manage the administrative overhead with assistance from the Finance Service (particularly in light of the potential reductions in staff across the Council in the coming months).

Further, there was a need for the Minutes of Meetings of the Scrutiny Board to be made public and also for projects outwith Inverness to be highlighted.

It was also requested that consideration should be given as to whether it would be possible for the final and formal signing of the City and Highland Region Deal to be undertaken outwith Inverness (although it was noted that this would be dependent on the availability of the Ministers concerned).     

Decision

The Council NOTED that the production of the City-Region Deal document for signing was progressing.

The Council also AGREED IN PRINCIPLE to the request that the Council would be the accountable organisation for the City-Region Deal and that the final governance arrangements should be presented to the Planning, Development & Infrastructure Committee on 25 January 2017 for approval. 

15. Review of UK Parliamentary Constituencies: Initial Proposals
Ath-sgrùdadh air Sgìrean-Pàrlamaid na RA: Molaidhean Tùsail

There had been circulated Report No HC/56/16 dated 5 December 2016 by the Chief Executive which advised of the publication of the Boundary Commission for Scotland’s Initial Proposals relating to the 2018 Review of UK Parliament Constituencies which were subject to a 12 week public consultation ending on 11 January 2017.  

During discussion, the Leader of the Council suggested that, as part of the next review of UK Parliamentary Constituencies, consideration should be given to a number of issues of particular relevance to the Highlands, including protected status similar to that of Island Constituencies of Orkney and Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an Iar and the Isle of Wight.  

Decision

The Council NOTED the proposed boundaries and the proposed names of the constituencies.

The Council also AGREED the following statement from the Leader – 

In response to the Boundary Commission for Scotland’s review of UK Parliamentary Constituencies, the Council is firmly of the view that future boundaries should reflect local community ties, Council and Ward boundaries.

While noting that the legislation setting out the electoral quota will result in a reduction in the number of MPs serving the Highlands, the Council believes that there is a strong case for the Highlands to be given a protected status similar to the Island constituencies of Orkney and Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an Iar and the Isle of Wight.

On this basis, it is suggested that the two Highland Constituencies consist of – 

Highland Wards 1-9 for the North Constituency and suggest the name of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross

Highland Wards 10-21 for the South Constituency and suggest the name of Inverness, Skye and Lochaber.

This would mean that the South Highland Constituency would have an electorate above the upper 5% variation and the Moray and Argyll and Bute Constituencies would be below the lower 5%. This however would take account of the unique geographic nature of the Highlands, would maintain the integrity of the Highland boundaries and allow for these Parliamentary Constituencies to better reflect local community ties and current Ward boundaries.    

16. Local Government Elections to Highland Council – Thursday, 4 May 2017
Taghaidhean Riaghaltas na h-Alba do Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd

There had been circulated Report No HC/57/16 dated 5 December 2016 by the Returning Officer which advised of the impact that Election Administration for the forthcoming Highland Council Elections on Thursday, 4 May 2017 would have on the work of the Council and explained the statutory framework that governed the conduct at this Election.   

During discussion, and in response to queries on the appropriateness of using School buildings, it was confirmed that the ‘in service’ day previously planned for June would now be moved to May and used for Election purposes thereby avoiding any unnecessary disruption to education. It was also advised that detailed consideration would be given to any access problems which might prevent the use of certain School buildings.

Further, and in response to the Youth Convener, it was agreed that discussion would be undertaken in regard to volunteering opportunities being made available for young people in Election administration wherever possible.

Decision

The Council AGREED the resources required to run the Local Government Election 2017 for Highland Council as detailed and to budget for the Election in 2022 for a sum to be advised by the Director of Finance.  

17. Review of the Performance Framework for the Council Programme
Ath-sgrùdadh air Frèam an Dèanadais Chorporra

Declarations of Interest – 

Ms J Douglas, Mr K Gowans, Mr M Green 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 interests did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

Mr K Gowans also declared a financial interest in this item on the basis that his wife was an employee 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 his interest did not preclude him from taking part in the discussion.

There had been circulated Report No HC/58/16 dated 5 December 2016 by the Chief Executive which proposed amendments to commitments and the high level actions and indicators for measuring progress with delivering the Council’s Programme ‘Highland First’ 2015-17.

Decision

The Council AGREED that the commitments identified in Paragraph 2.5 of the report should be marked as ‘achieved’ in 2015/16.

The Council also AGREED the amendments as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report.

It was NOTED that the performance framework would be used to update Service Plans, that changes would be monitored through Quarterly Performance Reviews until Service Plans were refreshed in 2017 and that progress with delivering the Programme would be reported in year through Strategic Committees and annually to the Council. 

18. Local Government Pension Scheme – Request for Admitted Body Status
Sgeama Peinnsein Riaghaltais Ionadail – Iarrtas airson Inbhe Buidhne Aontaichte

It was confirmed that the Council had recently awarded the contract for ICT provision to WIPRO Holding Ltd following a competitive tendering exercise and, as part of this service provision, WIPRO would work in partnership with A&O IT Group Limited. As part of the “Fair Deal for Pensions” legislation, it was a requirement for providers of an outsourced service to protect the pension entitlement of existing employees transferring under the arrangement to either (a) provide a comparable pension scheme or (b) apply for admission to the existing scheme.

As such, applications to join the Highland Council Pension Fund had now been received from WIPRO and A&O IT Group Limited. In this respect, it was confirmed that applications for Admitted Body Status would normally be considered by the Pensions Committee/Board but (due to the timescales involved) a decision was now requested from the full Council in advance of the next Pensions Committee/Board meeting which was scheduled for February 2017. It was also confirmed that any application would be subject to the necessary financial safeguards to the Fund being in place. 

Decision

The Council AGREED the applications to join the Pension Fund as detailed. 

19. Deeds Executed
Sgrìobhainnean Lagha a Bhuilicheadh

It was NOTED that a list of deeds and other documents executed on behalf of the Council since the meeting held on 27 October 2016 was available in the Members’ Library and on the Council’s Website.

The meeting ended at 6.45pm.