Agendas, reports and minutes

Corporate Resources Committee

Date: Wednesday, 6 September 2023

Agenda: Read the Agenda

A meeting of the Corporate Resources Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness/Remotely on Wednesday 6 September 2023 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
 
Stewart Fraser
Head of Legal and Governance
 
Business
 
1. Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus Leisgeulan
 
2. Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/ Aithris Fhollaiseachd
 
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 provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.
 
3. Recess Powers
Cumhachdan Fosaidh
 
The Committee is asked to note that the recess powers granted by the Council at its meeting on 29 June 2023 did not require to be exercised in relation to the business of the Corporate Resources Committee.
 
4. Good News
Naidheachdan Matha
 
5. Corporate Revenue and Capital Monitoring - 2022/23 Near Final Outturn and Quarter 1 2023/24
Aithisg Teachd-a-steach Corporra agus Sgrùdadh Calpa gu 30 Ògmhios 2023
 
a. Corporate Revenue Monitoring to 30 June 2023
 Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Corporra gu Ògmhios 2023
 
There is circulated Report No RES/18/23 by the Head of Corporate Finance.
 
The Committee is invited to:-
 
i. consider and note the near-final 2022/23 out-turn position as set out in this report.
ii. consider the financial position of the General Fund and HRA revenue budgets as at 30 June 2023 and note the estimated year end forecast; and
iii. note the status of budgeted savings in the year.
 
b. Corporate Capital Monitoring to 30 June 2023
Sgrùdadh Calpa Corporra gu Ògmhios 2023
 
There is circulated Report No RES/19/23 by the Head of Corporate Finance.
 
The Committee is invited to note the:
 
i. near final outturn for the 2022-23 financial year;
ii. net spend for Q1 2023/24, the forecast year end outturn and the funding profile; and
iii. updated position of approved major capital projects.
 
6. Revenue and Performance Monitoring – 2022/23 Near Final Outturn and Quarter 1 2023/24
 
a. Depute Chief Executive’s Service
Seirbheis an Iar-Àrd-Oifigeir
 
There is circulated Report No RES/20/23 by the Interim Depute Chief Executive.
 
The Committee is invited to:
 
i. consider the Service’s revenue monitoring position; and
ii. scrutinise the Service’s performance and risk information.
 
b. Performance and Governance Service
Seirbheis a’ Choileanaidh agus an Riaghlachais
 
There is circulated Report No RES/21/23 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer, Performance and Governance.
 
The Committee is invited to:-
 
i. consider the Service revenue monitoring position; and
ii. scrutinise the Service performance and risk information.
 
c. Resources and Finance Service
Seirbheis nan Goireasan agus an Ionmhais
 
There is circulated Report No RES/22/23 by the Interim Chief  Executive.
 
The Committee is invited to: 
 
i. consider the Service’s revenue monitoring position; and
ii. scrutinise the Service’s performance and risk information.
 
7. Service Plan - Performance and Governance Service 
Phlanaichean Seirbheis - Seirbheis a’ Choileanaidh agus an Riaghlachais 
 
There is circulated Report No RES/24/23 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer Performance and Governance.
 
The Committee is invited to comment on and approve the Service Plan for 2023/24.
 
8. Workforce Planning - Performance and Governance 
Plana Sgioba-obrach - Seirbheis a’ Choileanaidh agus an Riaghlachais
 
There is circulated Report No RES/25/23 by the Interim Executive Chief Officer, Performance and Governance.
 
The Committee is invited to approve the Performance & Governance Workforce Action Plan at Appendix 2.
 
9. Treasury Management 
Rianachd Ionmhais 
 
a. Annual Treasury Management Report – 2022/23
Aithisg Stiùiridh Bhliadhnail an Ionmhais – 2022/23
 
There is circulated Report No RES/26/23 by the Head of Corporate Finance.
 
The Committee is invited to consider the Annual Treasury Management report for 2022/23
 
b. Summary of Transactions
Geàrr-chunntas Ghnothaichean
 
There is circulated Report No RES/27/23 by the Head of Corporate Finance.
 
The Committee is invited to consider and note the Treasury Management Summary of Transactions reports for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2023.
 
10. Financial assessment of Notices of Motion – ‘No Mow May’
Measadh Ionmhasail air Brathan Gluasaid
 
There is circulated Report No RES/28/23 by the Head of Corporate Finance.
 
The Committee is invited to:
 
i. consider the financial assessment of the Notice of Motion relating to No Mow May.
ii. note that the estimated additional costs associated with the motion are assessed as £348,240 consisting of the hire of specialists Mowers and the cost of dealing with Waste Arisings.  There are likely additional but unquantified additional costs relating to roadside verge maintenance contacts also.
iii. note that further to these additional costs, there would be the implications of existing staff salary costs during May, and the standing charge cost of machinery, which would represent costs that were being incurred regardless of the cessation of mowing activity.  Steps would be required to consider options to minimise such costs or identify other productive activity to be undertaken.
iv. note the financial risks and implications as set out in the report, and that a clear and agreed funding solution would need identified for the Notice of Motion to progress.
v. note that the Notice of Motion and the financial assessment will be considered by Council on 14 September 2023. PP.159-164
 
11. People and Finance Systems Programme
Prògram Daoine agus Siostam Ionmhais
 
There is circulated Report No RES/29/23 by the Interim Chief Executive. 
 
The Committee is invited to note the update provided regarding the People and Finance Systems Programme.
 
12. Annual Procurement Report
Aithisg Sholair Bhliadhnail
 
There is circulated Report No RES/30/23 by the Head of Corporate Finance.
 
The Committee is invited to approve the content and publication of the Highland Council Annual Procurement Report 2022-2023 (Appendix A of the report).
 
13. Joint Procurement Strategy
Ro-innleachd Solair nan Seirbheisean Co-roinnte
 
There is circulated Report No RES/31/23 by the Head of Corporate Finance.
The Committee is invited to: 
 
i. approve the Joint Procurement Strategy 2023–2026 (Appendix A of the report); and
ii. note that the Joint Procurement Strategy 2023-2026 will be published once also approved by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Council.
 
14. Scottish Government Consultation: Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill
Co-chomhairleachadh Riaghaltas na h-Alba: Am Bile airson Briseadh-creideis is Dìcheallachd (Alba)
 
There is circulated Report No RES/32/23 dated 18 August 2023 by the Executive Chief Officer Communities and Place.
 
The Committee is invited to:-
 
i. consider the policy matters raised in this consultation; and 
ii. agree by homologation the response detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.
 
15. Equalities Reporting
Aithris Co-ionannachd
 
There is circulated Report No RES/33/23 2023 by the Interim Chief Executive.
 
The Committee is invited to:
 
i. note the analysis of protected characteristics and steps being taken to improve the collation of equalities data;
ii. note the improvement and changes in the Gender Pay Gap; and
iii. approve the Equal Pay Statement.
 
16. Sexual Harassment Policy 
Poileasaidh Sàrachadh Gnèitheasach
 
There is circulated Report No RES/34/23 2023 by the Interim Chief Executive.
 
The Committee is invited to:
 
i. approve the standalone Sexual Harassment Policy at Appendix 1.
ii. note that the existing Bullying and Harassment and Grievance policies will be modified to reflect the separate Sexual Harassment Policy. 
iii. note the training planned for Nominated Bullying & Harassment Senior Officers and HR Officers, and the availability of this training for all staff.
 
Minutes of Meetings
Geàrr-Chunntas Choinneamhan
 
17. Minutes of Meetings
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan
 
The following Minutes of Meetings are circulated for:
 
i. approval - Central Safety Committee – 16 June 2023 
ii. approval - Staff Partnership Forum – 17 August 2023;
iii. noting Employment Release Sub Committee – 26 June 2023; 
iv. noting Non Domestic Rates Appeals Committee – 30 June 2023.