Agenda and minutes

Prior to the start of the meeting the Chair welcomed Superintendent Gail McClymont,

Police Scotland to the meeting of the Performance, Review and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, to adjourn the meeting at 10.45am and to reconvene at 10.55am.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Jennifer Nicoll and Grant Manders.

The Chair advised that after discussion with the Head of Improvement and HR, Item 7 on the Agenda – Performance Review and the Role of the PRS Committee would be withdrawn; due to the need for further information and would be considered at a future Performance, Review and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

There were no Declarations of Interest intimated.

The Minutes of Performance, Review and Scrutiny Committee as held on 25 February 2016 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Special meeting of Performance, Review and Scrutiny Committee as held on 18 March 2016 were approved as a correct record subject to the amendment to add Councillor Robert E Macintyre to the Apologies for Absence.

Report by Head of Strategic Finance.

The Committee considered a report which set out the council’s treasury management position for the period 1 February 2016 to 31 March 2016 and included information on:

·         Overall Borrowing Position;

·         Borrowing Activity;

·         Investment Activity;

·         Economic Background;

·         Interest Rate Forecast; and

·         Prudential Indicators.

Decision

The Committee;

1)    noted the report; and

2)    agreed that the presentation from the Treasury Management Training session would be circulated to all Elected Members.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Finance, dated 26 May 2016, submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the council’s performance on Maximising Attendance during the period April 2015 – March 2016.

Discussion took place in respect of the council’s provision of Mental Health First Aiders and ensuring managers have the tools and resources to secure safe places for staff as and when required.

The Committee further discussed the method of presenting the absence figures and how these can be provided in a meaningful manner that members of the public can relate to.

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the report.

(Referenced: Report by Head of Improvement and HR, dated 26 May 2016, submitted).

Report by Chief Executive.

The Performance, Review and Scrutiny Committee considered a report presenting the council and departmental performance reports with associated scorecards for performance in FQ4 January 2016 – March 2016.

Each Departmental scorecard was discussed in depth, with particular attentions being paid to;

1)    Syrian Voluntary Resettlement Programme funding having been extended by the Scottish Government  from 1 year to 5 years;

2)    Argyll and Bute’s Autism Strategy having been re-launched and the various support programmes that are in place to get all young people into employment;

3)    assessment is underway for various departments across the council for Customer Service Excellence Awards with a view to rolling out the programme to other areas;

4)    how the council looks at identifying and measuring success and how data is collated and reported to Committees.

Decision

The Committee reviewed the reports and scorecards as presented.

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 26 May 2016, submitted).

Report by Head of Improvement and HR.

This item has been withdrawn as noted at the beginning of the meeting.

Report by Chief Internal Auditor.

The Committee considered a report providing comments and recommendations arising from the Committee’s scrutiny of the Financial Management, Governance and Reporting arrangements  in respect of the council’s Employability Service contract.

Decision

The Committee approved the report and the recommendations contained therein for submission to the next meeting of Council for consideration.

(Reference: Chief Internal Auditor, dated 26 May 2016, submitted).

Report by Chair of Scottish Police Authority.

The Committee considered a report submitted by Andrew Flanagan, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority, representing his personal views and recommendations with input from the external Reference Group.

Decision

The Committee noted the key recommendations contained within the report.

(Referenced: Report and email by Chair of SPA, dated 23 March 2016, submitted).

Report by Divisional Commander for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division, Police Scotland.

The Committee considered a report submitted by Local Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Grant Manders on the fourth quarterly report for Argyll and Bute for 2015 / 2016 performance year.

The report detailed statistics on; road safety and road crime; violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour; public protection; major crime and counter terrorism and acquisitive crime.

Discussion took place on Group 2 sexual crimes seeing an increase due to victims reporting on historical crimes, the possible use of police dogs in the local area and how detection rates are reported.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Referenced: Report by Local Police Commander, dated March 2016, submitted).

Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue.

The Committee considered a report by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) which provided detail on the performance of the SFRS in the Argyll and Bute area for FQ1 – FQ4 2015 / 2016.

Discussion took place in relation of causes of false alarms and the difference between smoke and heat detectors.

Decision

The Committee;

1)    noted the contents of the report; and

2)    asked that data being included in the next report presented to the Committee to include how Capital Spend is being used to maintain and repair fire stations.

(Reference:  Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, dated May 2016 submitted).

Performance, Review and Scrutiny Committee Workplan 2016 – 2017.

The Committee considered the outline workplan to facilitate planning of reports to the Performance, Review and Scrutiny Committee. 

Decision

The Committee noted the outline work plan and agreed the addition of the Performance Review and the Role of the PRS Committee.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 26 May, submitted)