Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Iain MacLean.

The Central Governance Manager advised that Councillor Donald Kelly had intimated his resignation from the Policy and Resources Committee before the agenda was issued for this meeting.  She advised that Members would note that his name still appears on the agenda for the meeting and that Councillor Kelly had requested that it be clarified that he was no longer a member of the Committee. The Executive Director of Customer Services advised that this vacancy would be filled in due course.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Policy and Resources Committee held on 17 December 2015

The Minute of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 17 December 2016 were approved as a correct record.

Councillor Maurice Corry joined the meeting at this point.

To consider, and if so minded, make recommendation to Council in respect of -

      i.        Introductory Report and Recommendations for Budget papers on Revenue Budget

     ii.        Planning Our Future Consultation – Findings Report

    iii.        Service Choices – Assessing Equality Impact

    iv.        Revenue Budget Overview

     v.        Report on Fees and Charges

    vi.        Revenue Budget Monitoring 2015-16 as at 31 December 2015

   vii.        Report on Financial Risks Analysis

  viii.        Report on Reserves and Balances

Consideration was given to the full package of papers included in the budget pack in relation to the Revenue Budget for 2016-2017.  The budget pack included - Planning our Future Consultation – Findings Report; Service Choices – Assessing Equality Impact; Revenue Budget Overview; Fees and Charges; Revenue Budget Monitoring as at 31 December 2015; Financial Risks Analysis 2016-17; and Reserves and Balances. An amended page 270 of the Revenue Budget pack was tabled to the meeting.

Decision

The Committee agreed to refer this item, without recommendation, for consideration by the Council at their meeting on 11 February 2016.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 3 February 2016 and Revenue Budget Pack for 2016-20, submitted; amended page 270, tabled)

      i.        Introductory Report and Recommendations for Budget Papers on Capital Plan

     ii.        Capital Plan Summary

    iii.        Corporate Asset Management Strategy

    iv.        Corporate Asset Management Plan

     v.        Service Asset Management Plans:

o   Community Services Asset Management Plan

o   Customer Services Asset Management Plan

o   ICT Group Asset Management Plan

o   Development and Infrastructure Asset Management Plan

Consideration was given to the full package of papers included in the budget pack in relation to the Capital Plan 2016 – 2020.  The budget pack included – Capital Plan Summary; Corporate Asset Management Strategy; Corporate Asset Management Plan; and Service Asset Management Plans.

Decision

The Committee agreed to refer this item, without recommendation, for consideration by the Council at their meeting on 11 February 2016.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Finance and Capital Plan Budget Pack for 2016-20, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

A report setting out the Council’s strategy for borrowing and investment for the forthcoming year along with the Council’s Prudential Indicators which require to be set for a three year period was considered.

Decision

The Committee  agreed to recommend to the Council approval:-

1.    of the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy subject to review by the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee in February; and

2.    of the removal of Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Qatar from the list of approved countries for investment.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 3 February 2016 and Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2016-17, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

The Committee considered a report providing a summary of the financial monitoring reports as at the end of December 2015.  The report provided summaries of the Revenue Budget Monitoring Report as at 31 December 2015; Monitoring of Financial Risks; Reserves and Balances; Capital Plan Monitoring Report as at 31 December 2015; and Treasury Monitoring Report as at 31 December 2015.

Decision

The Committee noted:-

1.    the Revenue Budget Monitoring report as at 31 December 2015;

2.    the current assessment of the Council’s financial risks;

3.    the overall level of reserves and balances and monitoring of the earmarked reserves;

4.    the Capital Plan Monitoring report as at 31 December 2015; and

5.    the Treasury Monitoring report as at 31 December 2015.

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

Recommendation from Community Services Committee held on 10 December 2015 and report by Executive Director – Community Services

At its meeting of 10 December 2015, the Community Services Committee considered a report updating Members on the Council’s position in respect of meeting the teacher numbers commitment in relation to the financial settlement for 2015-16.  As part of its decision the Committee agreed to refer the report to the Policy and Resources Committee to give consideration to the financial implications arising from the position represented in the report which was before this Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    to note the report referred to the Policy and Resources Committee by the Community Services Committee; and

2.    to note the position outlined in the letter from Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning in relation to the financial consequences arising from the 2015 -16 teacher numbers census.

(Reference: Reports by Executive Director – Community Services dated 12 November 2015 and 11 January 2016, submitted)

The Committee considered their Work Plan as at February 2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the Work Plan.

(Reference: Policy and Resources Committee Work Plan as at February 2016, submitted)