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Note | No. | Item |
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gary Mulvaney and Mary Jean Devon. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of interest declared at this point. Councillor Jim Findlay joined the meeting during
consideration of item 5 (Budget Outlook 2022-23 to 2026-27) and declared a non-financial
interest in item 18 of the agenda (Rothesay Pavilion Update) by virtue of his
appointment to the Rothesay Pavilion Board.
As this was a Council appointment he advised he would be claiming the
benefit of the specific exclusion as per Standards Commission’s Guidance to
allow him to speak and vote on this item of business. Councillor Audrey Forrest, during consideration of
item 6 of the agenda (Budget Savings Options 2022/23), declared a non-financial
interest in this item by virtue of her Council appointment to the Live Argyll
Board. She advised that as this was a
Council appointment she would be claiming the benefit of the specific exclusion
as per the Standards Commission’s Guidance to allow her to speak and vote on
this item of business. |
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Policy and Resources Committee held on 14 October 2021 Additional documents: Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 14 October 2021 were approved as a correct record. |
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FINANCIAL REPORTS MONITORING PACK - 31 OCTOBER 2021 PDF 4 MB Report by Section 95 Officer Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a summary of the financial monitoring reports as at the end of October 2021. There were six detailed reports setting out the position as at 31 October 2021. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1.
Noted
the revenue budget monitoring report as at 31 October 2021. 2.
Noted
the progress with the policy savings options as at 31 October 2021. 3.
Noted
the financial risks for 2021-22. 4.
Noted
the capital plan monitoring report as at 31 October 2021 and approved the
proposed changes to the capital plan outlined in Appendix 4 of that report. 5.
Noted
the treasury monitoring report as at 31 October 2021. 6.
Noted
the reserves and balances report as at 31 October 2021. 7.
Agreed
to recommend to Council that the revenue virements over £0.200m during September
and October 2021 were approved. (Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 5 November 2021, submitted) |
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Councillor Jim Findlay joined the meeting during
consideration of the following item of business. He advised that he would be declaring an
interest in item 18 of the agenda (Rothesay Pavilion Update) by virtue of his Council
appointment to the Rothesay Pavilion Board.
As this was a Council appointment he advised he
would be claiming the benefit of the specific exclusion as per Standards
Commission’s Guidance to allow him to speak and vote on this item of business. |
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BUDGET OUTLOOK 2022-23 to 2026-27 PDF 543 KB Report by Section 95 Officer Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update to the budget outlook 2022-23 to 2026-27 reported to the Policy and Resources Committee on 14 October 2021. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee noted the current estimated budget outlook position for the period 2022-23 to 2026-27. (Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 29 November 2021, submitted) |
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Councillor Audrey Forrest, during consideration of the
following item of business, declared a non-financial interest in this item of
business by virtue of her Council appointment to the Live Argyll Board. She advised that as this was a
Council appointment she would be claiming the benefit of the specific exclusion
as per the Standards Commission’s Guidance to allow her to speak and vote on
this item of business. |
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BUDGET SAVING OPTIONS 2022/23 PDF 327 KB
Report by Section 95 Officer Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing information on savings options identified by officers for consideration for financial year 2022/23 and beyond. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1. Noted the savings options identified by Officers and
agreed by the Budget Working Group to be moved forward to the 2022/23 budget
process. 2. Noted that officers would continue to identify further
savings over the coming months to further bridge the estimated budget gap. 3. Noted that the Head of Customer Support Services would
take forward a statutory consultation process with the Trade Unions for those
savings options that could have a direct impact on jobs. (Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 29
November 2021, submitted) |
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John Cornett and Kyle McAulay of Audit Scotland joined the meeting at this point. |
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL - 2020/21 ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT PDF 261 KB Report by Audit Scotland Additional documents: Minutes: The Argyll and Bute Council – 2020/21 Annual Audit Report was before the Committee for consideration. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee noted the 2020/21 Annual Audit Report as presented by Audit Scotland. (Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 2 December 2021, submitted) |
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UPDATE ON COVID 19 FINANCIAL POSITION PDF 451 KB Report by Section 95 Officer Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the projected impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Council’s Revenue Budget in 2021/22 and 2022/23 and the available Covid funding. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee noted the submitted report and, in particular that - 1. Since the report taken to Policy and Resources
Committee on 14 October 2021, there had been a decrease to the overall
estimated 2021-22 Covid revenue cost pressure of £0.051m and a decrease to the
overall estimated 2022-23 Covid cost pressure of £0.048m. 2. There was currently £7.067m of available Covid
funding. 3. There remained Scottish Government Covid Funding of
£1.667m and £5.400m from the Loans Fund Principal Repayment Holiday (if
required) which would be ringfenced for Covid
purposes as outlined in paragraph 3.9 of the submitted report. (Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 29 November 2021, submitted) |
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KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FQ2 2021/22 PDF 296 KB Report by Executive Directors with responsibility for Financial Services, Commercial Services, Legal and Regulatory Support and Customer Support Services Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the FQ2 2021/22 Key Performance Indicators for Financial Services, Commercial Services, Legal and Regulatory Support and Customer Support Services in a simplified format commensurate with the Covid-19 situation. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee noted the FQ2 2021/22 Key Performance Indicator Reports as
presented. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 9 November 2021, submitted) |
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QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE PDF 206 KB Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report proposing the addition of a public holiday on 3 June 2022 to allow staff to participate in celebrations to mark Her Majesty The Queens’ 70 years on the throne. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee agreed to authorise an additional public holiday on 3 June 2022 to allow staff to participate in celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 23 November 2021, submitted) |
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RESTART, RECOVER AND RENEW: DELIVERING OUR RECOVERY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN PDF 332 KB Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on delivering the Argyll and Bute Covid Recovery Strategy and requesting funding from the Recovery and Renewal Fund to support specific priorities of the Recovery Working Group. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1.
Noted the progress made in delivering the Covid
Recovery Strategy. 2.
Approved the sum of £110,000 from the Recovery and
Renewal Fund to aid the delivery of critical areas of the Recovery Strategy and
Action Plan. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 17 November 2021, submitted) |
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Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report which sought approval of the final revised Procurement Strategy 2022/25 and Sustainable Procurement Policy 2022/25. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1.
Noted the key changes, as detailed at Section 4.3, to the
Procurement Strategy 2022/25 and Section 4.5 to the Sustainable Procurement
Policy 2022/25 and the outcome of the consultation. 2.
Agreed to recommend to the Council agreement of the
revised final Procurement Strategy 2022/25 and Sustainable Procurement Policy
2022/25 to be published on the Council’s website in April 2022. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 1 December 2021, submitted) |
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UNACCOMPANIED ASYLUM SEEKING CHILDREN - NATIONAL TRANSFER SCHEME PDF 301 KB Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Resettlement Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the change from a voluntary to mandatory National Transfer Scheme for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, outlining the implications and risks and providing an overview on the proposed model of care and support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children transferred to the authority through the National Transfer Scheme. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1. Noted that on 23 November 2021 the UK Government served
notice on Councils across the UK of their intention to issue a direction
requiring local authorities to participate in the National Transfer Scheme for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). 2. Noted the plans to provide appropriate care for UASCs
transferred to the authority in a partnership between the HSCP and the Council.
3.
Note the
risks outlined in paragraphs 3.14 to 3.21 of the submitted report. 4.
Accepted
that the costs of UASCs are funded by the NTS funding package from the Home
Office. However depending on the level
of need, funding may not cover all of the support costs, and any such under
funding will introduce a cost pressure. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with
responsibility for Resettlement dated 30 November 2021, submitted) |
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CLIMATE CHANGE BOARD UPDATE PAPERS Reports by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services Additional documents: |
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Climate Change - Decarbonisation Plan Update 2022 PDF 199 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Council’s Decarbonisation Plan for 2022-25. The new decarbonisation plan was a refresh of the previous year’s plan and set out a 3 year framework to continue the climate journey and route map to net zero. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1.
Agreed and adopted the Decarbonisation Plan 2022 –
2025. 2.
Noted the progress of specific actions from the
Decarbonisation Action Plan. 3.
Agreed the Decarbonisation Action plan be regularly
reported to Policy & Resources Committee. 4. Noted the 27% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the Council this year. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services dated 6 November 2021, submitted) |
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Council Usage of Single Use Plastic - Methods of Procurement Support PDF 303 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing recommendations on the methods of procurement support that could be put in place to support service-led decisions on reducing the use of Single Use Plastic (SUP) products and ensure services consider the recyclability of products were appropriate across the Council. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1.
Noted that the various Services that currently
purchase SUP products consider whether these products are essential or if there
is a potential alternative that would meet the Service requirements, prior to
orders being placed via PECOS or contacting the Procurement, Commercial and
Contract Management Team (PCCMT) for a procurement process to be carried out. 2.
Noted that the Sustainable Procurement Policy would
be updated to reflect the Climate Change Board desire to limit SUP where
possible – proposed wording had been included in the current draft version for
2022/23, and would be updated as follows in the final version: “To provide procurement support to any
strategic decisions taken by the Council in relation to the usage of Single Use
Plastic products and their recyclability”. 3.
Noted that the Commodity Sourcing Strategy
templates used for Regulated Procurements would be updated to include a
question regarding SUP. (Reference:
Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services
dated 6 November 2021, submitted) |
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The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to adjourn the meeting for a ten minute comfort break at this point. Councillor Aileen Morton left the meeting at this point. |
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Members were advised that if they wished to discuss the
content of the Appendix at item 15(c) of the agenda, the Committee would be
required to resolve in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland)
Act 1973 to exclude the press and public during consideration of the
following item of business on the
grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as
defined in Paragraphs 8 and 9 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the
Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. |
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TARBERT AND LOCHGILPHEAD REGENERATION FUND - ARDRISHAIG NORTH PUBLIC REALM
Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a recommendation from the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee of 1 December 2021 in relation to Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund – Ardrishaig North Public Realm Full Business Case. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee agreed the recommendation from the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee that - 1. The draft Full Business Case
for Ardrishaig North Public Realm is approved and
that Council funding of up to £330,000 is confirmed for the Ardrishaig
North Public Realm Project from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund. 2. Approval of the final Full
Business Case for Ardrishaig North Public Realm is
delegated to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and
Infrastructure Services, subject to it being demonstrated that this is within
the approved budget prior to implementation. 3. Delegated authority be
afforded to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and
Infrastructure Services for the delivery of the project. (Reference: Recommendation from Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the
Islands Area Committee held on 1 December 2021; and report by Executive
Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 11
November 2021, submitted) |
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Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services Additional documents: Minutes: A report outlining the costs and savings associated with early retirements/redundancies that had taken place between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021 was before the Committee for noting. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1. Noted
the numbers and costs of severance packages during the period 1 July 2020 – 30
June 2021 and the resulting savings. 2. Noted that the report ensured that the Council was compliant with the Audit Scotland recommendation in its report ‘Bye Now, Pay Later’. (Reference: Report by
Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 25
October 2021, submitted) |
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POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE WORKPLAN PDF 302 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Policy and Resources Committee Workplan was
before the Committee for noting. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee noted the
content of the workplan as at December 2021. (Reference: Policy and Resources Committee Workplan
dated December 2021, submitted) |
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The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the
Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for the
following item of business on the
grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined
in Paragraphs 8 and 9 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local
Government (Scotland) Act 1973. |
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E1 |
ROTHESAY PAVILION UPDATE
Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the project’s approved budget, anticipated final cost of the works to completion, and the associated programme of activities; and made a recommendation as to the future of the project. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee agreed the terms of a Motion proposed by Councillor Robin Currie, seconded by Councillor Yvonne McNeilly. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services dated 24 November 2021, submitted; and Motion by Councillor Robin Currie, seconded by Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, tabled) |