Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Resources Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 8 February 2017 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.

FINANCIAL MONITORING
SGRÙDADH IONMHASAIL

3. Corporate Revenue Monitoring to 31 December 2016                   
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Corporra gu 30 Dùbhlachd 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/01/17 dated 30 January 2017 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 2016 to 31 December 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:-

i. consider and agree the financial position of the General Fund and HRA revenue budgets as at 31 December 2016 and approve the estimated year end position; 
ii. approve the use of the General Fund non-earmarked balance to fund the costs as described in paragraphs 7.3 and 7.4 of the report; and
iii. note the status of budgeted savings in the year.

4. Corporate Capital Monitoring to 31 December 2016                     
Sgrùdadh Calpa Chorporra gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/02/17 dated 30 January 2017 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 2016 to 31 December 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 and agree the financial position of the General Fund and HRA Capital Programmes as at 31 December 2016.

5. Finance Service Revenue Monitoring to 31 December 201          
Sgrùdaidh Teachd-a-steach Seirbheis an Ionmhais gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2016    

There is circulated Report No RES/03/17 dated 27 January 2017 by the Director of Finance which comments on the Revenue Monitoring position for the period to 31 December 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the monitoring report to the 31 December 2016.

6. Corporate Development Service Revenue Monitoring to 31 December 2016    
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Seirbheis an Leasachaidh Chorporra gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/04/17 dated 29 January 2017 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides information on the revenue monitoring position for the Corporate Development Service revenue budget for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the revenue monitoring report for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2016.

7. Corporate Development Service Capital Budget Monitoring to 31 December 2016    
Sgrùdadh Buidseit Calpa Seirbheis an Leasachaidh Chorporra gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2016

There is circulated Report No RES/05/17 dated 26 January 2017 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which sets out the monitoring position for the Corporate Development Service’s 2016/17 capital budget for the period to 31 December 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the monitoring position for the Corporate Development Service’s capital budget for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2016.

8. Chief Executive’s Service and Members Revenue Expenditure Monitoring 2016/17     
Sgrùdadh Caiteachas Teachd-a-steach Oifis an Àrd-Oifigeir agus nam Ball 2016/17

There is circulated Report No RES/06/17 dated 29 January 2017 by the Chief Executive which provides information on the revenue monitoring position for the Chief Executive’s Office and Members’ budget for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the revenue monitoring report for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2016.

9. Chief Executive’s Office Capital Budget Monitoring to 31 December 2016     
Sgrùdadh Buidseat Calpa Oifis an Àrd-Oifigeir agus nam Ball gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2016    

There is circulated Report No RES/07/17 dated 29 January 2017 by the Chief Executive which sets out the monitoring position for the Chief Executive’s 2016/17 capital budget for the period from 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2016.

The Committee is invited to consider and agree the capital monitoring position for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 December 2016.

FINANCE SERVICE
SEIRBHEIS AN IONMHAIS

10. Treasury Management    
Rianachd Ionmhais

(a) Summary of Transactions
Geàrr-chunntas Ghnothaichean

There is circulated Report No RES/08/17 dated 27 January 2017 by the Director of Finance providing details on the treasury management transactions undertaken within the period which is submitted to Committee for Members’ scrutiny and in compliance with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management.

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

(b) Strategy Statement and Investment Statement 2017/18 
Aithris Ro-innleachd agus Aithris Tasgaidh 2017/18 

There is circulated Report No RES/09/17 dated 30 January 2017 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 2017/18 is submitted to Committee for scrutiny. This Statement will then be submitted to the Council for approval in March 2017. 

The Committee is invited to:- 

i. scrutinise the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Statement for 2017/18 and the Prudential Indicators as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report; and
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 Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Statement for 2017/18 will subsequently be submitted to the Council for approval in March 2017.

11. Welfare Reform Report
Fios às Ùr mu Ath-leasachadh Shochairean

There is circulated Joint Report No RES/10/17 dated 27 January 2017 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 including the constructive actions being taken forward following the success of the Council’s event to examine poverty in Highland.  It also makes available financial monitoring information, covering the Council’s considerable involvement in this area of work.

The Committee is invited to note the recommendations outlined in the report and to agree to support the:-

i. proactive work being undertaken by the Welfare Support Team to engage with those impacted by the benefit cap and to identify appropriate mitigating measures on an individual basis;
ii. decisions by the Service Delivery Team within the Revenues & Business Support Section to award £24,400 Discretionary Housing Payments to mitigate the impact of the benefit cap and note that full mitigation may not be available from this Fund during 2017/18;
iii. review work being undertaken within Community Services with a view to identifying changes to policies and procedures to mitigate the impacts of Universal Credit;
iv. proposals set out in paragraph 3.5.11 of the report to strengthen the regulations for Scottish Flexibilities with regard to the frequency and payment of Universal Credit;
v. work being taken forward to effectively communicate changes to bereavement payments; and
vi. ongoing work to progress the lobbying actions and working with partners to improve the lives of Highland residents arising from the successful examining poverty event held in December 2016. 

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

There is circulated Report No RES/11/17 dated 26 January 2017 by the Director of Finance which provides a summary of key and statutory performance indicators for the Finance Service as at 31 December 2016.

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

13. Capital Discretionary Fund – Applications for Financial Support  
Maoin Calpa fo Ùghdarras – Iarrtasan airson Taic Ionmhasail

There is circulated Report No RES/12/17 dated 30 January 2017 by the Director of Finance which asks Members to consider a number of applications for financial support from the Capital Discretionary Fund.  The report highlights that there is insufficient funds to agree to all applications, draws reference to the financial pressures on the overall Capital Plan, and recommends (with one exception) that no final decision is taken to award funding at this stage.

The Committee is invited to:-

i. consider the six funding applications, but in particular in the context of the financial implications set out in Section 2 of the report, and the potential to refuse or defer applications at this stage; 
ii. agree to support the application for the Muir of Ord Hall on the basis that the full funding package is in place to allow the project to proceed;
iii. defer agreement on the other projects until there is confirmation that other funding is in place;
iv. if minded to support the application from Linnhe Leisure, that a full assessment of the ongoing viability of the Company is undertaken; and
v. if minded to support the application from The Ledge that this is conditional on establishing the status and viability of the new Company.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
SEIRBHEIS AN LEASACHAIDH CHORPORRA

14.  Transformational Savings Programme (TSP) Status Report    
Aithisg Inbhe a’ Phrògraim Shàbhalaidhean Cruth-atharrach

There is circulated Report No RES/13/17 dated 25 January 2017 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 the Council operates, along with a summary of the TSP financial position.

The Committee is invited to note the progress with the delivery of the TSP and the actions being taken to ensure savings are delivered.

15. ICT Transition and Network Programmes    
Eadar-ghluasad ICT agus Prògraim Lìonraidh

There is circulated Report No RES/14/17 dated 31 January 2017 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provides an update on the status and governance arrangements of the major ICT modernisation programmes now underway. These programmes cover the transition from the Fujitsu contract to the Wipro contract, subsequent transformation activities to be carried out by Wipro, transition to the SWAN network and an overall ICT network refresh.

The Committee is invited to note the:- 

i. report and the risks being managed;
ii. pressure created by the delay of the SWAN migration of £645,000 and that action will be taken to recover costs from Capita; and
iii. funding required to meet the cost of transition to the new ICT contract.

16. ICT Projects Update     
Cunntas as Ùr mu Phròiseactan ICT

There is circulated Report No RES/15/17 dated 20 January 2017 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which 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.

DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
LEASACHADH AGUS BUN-STRUCTAR

17. Highland LEADER Programme – Cashflow Finance     
LEADER na Gàidhealtachd – Sgeama Sruth Airgid

There is circulated Report No RES/16/17 dated 30 January 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which requests support from The Highland Council to deliver the Highland LEADER Programme through the provision of funds to be used for project cashflow.

The Committee is invited to agree:- 

i. to make £250,000 available in cashflow finance to support delivery of projects through the programme; and
ii. the criteria outlined in the report.

MINUTES OF MEETINGS
GEÀRR-CHUNNTAS CHOINNEAMHAN

18. Minutes of Meetings
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan

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

i. Welfare Reform Working Group held on 21 November 2016 and 18 January 2017;
ii. Employment Release Sub-Committee held on 23 November and 20 December 2016;
iii. Appeals Committee held on 24 November 2016;
iv. Staff Partnership Forum – Elected Members/Staff Side Group held on 20 January 2017; and
v. Central Safety Committee held on 20 January 2017.

19. 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

20. ICT Executive Board: Minutes of Meeting    
Buidheann-obrach TFC Bhall: Geàrr-chunntas Coinneimh

There is circulated to Members only for approval, Minutes of Meeting of the ICT Executive Board (Members) held on 9 January 2017.

DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
LEASACHADH AGUS BUN-STRUCTAR

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

There is circulated to Members only Report No RES/17/17 dated 19 February 2017 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure in respect of number of land and property transactions.

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