Agenda Document Pack - Council - 02/10/2025
North Lanarkshire Council · 2 October 2025
Back to Council — 2 October 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Clerk Name: Mark Hamill Clerk Telephone: 07811294702 Clerk Email: committee@northlan.gov.uk 23 September 2025 Members of the Council Chief Executive’s Office Rachel Blair Chief Officer (Legal & Democratic) Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell ML1 1AB www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk Notice is given that a Meeting of the Council is to be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 1AB on Thursday, 02 October 2025 at 16:00 PM which you are requested to attend. The agenda of business is attached. Des Murray Chief Executive Members : D Ashraf, A Ballinger, C Barclay, B Baudo, A Beveridge, M Boyd, H Brannan-McVey, G Brennan, B Burgess, A Bustard, J Cairns, A Campbell, T Carragher, C Costello, M Coyle, S Coyle, D Crichton, G Currie, P Di Mascio, K Docherty, K Duffy, A Duffy-Lawson, H Dunbar, T Fisher, F Fotheringham, W Goldie, H Gray, K Harmon, M Hughes, J Hume, L Jarvie, D Johnston, T Johnston, J Jones, P Kelly, J Keltie, A Khan, K Larson, J Leckie, G Lennon, J Logue, H Loughran, F MacGregor, A Masterton, M McBride, B McCluskey, A McCrory, B McCulloch, M McCulloch, P McDade, F McKay, R McKendrick, J McLaren, C McManus, M McPake, J McPhilemy, A McVey, L Mitchell, L Nolan, P Patton, C Quigley, J Reddin, L Roarty, D Robb, G Robinson, N Shevlin, W Shields, A Smith, A Stubbs, L Stubbs, R Sullivan, A Thomas, J Toner, S Watson, C Williams, N Wilson, G Woods. Page 1 of 10
Page 2
Page 2 of 10
Page 3
Agenda 1 Declarations of Interest In Terms of the Ethical Standards In Public Life Etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 2 Minutes of Meetings of Committees, Sub-Committees and Panels - Cycle 3 Submit volume of minutes of meetings of Committees, Sub- Committees and Panels for Cycle 3 for approval in terms of standing order number 21 (copy to follow) 3 Membership of Committees, Sub-Committees, Panels, Working Group and Outside Bodies Submit proposed amendments to Membership of Committees, Sub-Committees, Panels, Working Groups and Outside Bodies (copy to follow) 4 Appointment of Teacher Representatives to the Education, Children and Families Committee Submit report by the Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) (copy to follow) 5 The North Lanarkshire Local Licensing Forum – Membership Confirmation and Recruitment Submit report by the Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) (copy to follow) 6 Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Beveridge and Councillor Sullivan “North Lanarkshire Council acknowledges and values the dedication of our staff, many of whom have given long and committed service to the residents of North Lanarkshire through the wide range of services delivered by the Council. Council agrees that consideration be given to the formal recognition of long-serving employees, with the appropriate length-of-service milestones to be determined as part of this and reflecting common practice, as appropriate, across the public sector. A report confirming the outcome of this consideration should be brought to a future meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee” Page 3 of 10
Page 4
QUESTIONS 7 Questions Received in Terms of Standing Order 51 Submit one Question Received in Terms of Standing Order 51. 5 - 6 8 Committee Questions Log - Cycle 3 2025 Submit the Questions Log for Cycle 3 of 2025 outlining the questions asked at Committee Meetings during the cycle together with the officer responses. (A3 copy attached to agenda pack) 7 - 10 Page 4 of 10
Page 5
Notice of Question Procedure – Standing Order 51 Council Meeting - Thursday, 2 October 2025 at 4 pm Question Posed by Councillor (1) What are the eligibility criteria for council tenants to qualify for North Lanarkshire Council’s downsizing scheme? Additionally, when will these criteria be made publicly available on the Council’s website to ensure transparency and accessibility for all tenants? Furthermore, can you confirm whether tenants who apply for mutual exchanges as a means of downsizing are routinely advised of the downsizing scheme if they meet the qualifying criteria? Councillor Robinson Item 7 Page 5 of 10
Page 6
Page 6 of 10
Page 7
Committee Cycle Date Item and Title Question Responsible Officer Answer Status Reported to Council Date Communities Cycle 1 - 2025 03 February 2025 10 - Motherwell Half Marathon Can a breakdown of which budgets are being utilised for the event funding be provided (Councillor Robinson and All of Communities Committee Members) Chief Officer (Community Operations) This event will be managed within the overall Enterprise and Communities service during 2025/26. I will ensure the costs are minimised and costs will be managed through areas such as control of vacancies and reviewing spending in other areas on a one-off basis. We are also seeking to generate income through sponsorship to offset costs. If this becomes a recurring event, we would need to identify and seek approval for a recurring solution. Complete 02-Oct-25 Policy and Strategy Cycle 2 - 2025 05-Jun-25 5 - City Deal Programme - East Airdrie Link Road update Can you confirm the exact location of the Forrest Street roundabout as set out in the plan on page 125 of the agenda pack? (Councillor Watson) Chief Officer (Place) Cllr Watson was emailed on 10 June 2025 and confirmed that he understood the location of the roundabout and that no meeting was required. Complete 02 October 2025 Policy and Strategy Cycle 2 - 2025 05-Jun-25 5 - City Deal Programme - East Airdrie Link Road update Can you provide an update on the historical Eurocentral Active Travel Routes into Coatbridge from the Tannochside/Viewpark area, through the Connecting Communities programme? (Councillor Loughran) Chief Officer (Place) There have been no Active Travel works under the City Deal Eurocentral Active Travel Project at this location. An update from Infrastructure and Transportation will be provided. Complete 02 October 2025 Policy and Strategy Cycle 2 - 2025 05-Jun-25 5 - City Deal Programme - East Airdrie Link Road update Can the option to utilise one of the vacant units within Cumbernauld Town Centre be explored for any future consultations to encourage greater engagement and participation? (Councillor Smith) Chief Officer (Place) An Enquiry was made on this issue but on balance it was considered that Cumbernauld Library should be used. This was also consistent with the approach followed in Airdrie and Chapelhall. Complete 02 October 2025 Policy and Strategy Cycle 2 - 2025 05-Jun-25 7 - Accounts Commission Briefing - Local Government Budgets 2025-26 Can further information on the national commitments, funded by the Scottish Government, and the delivery of those commitments be provided as well as a promotional video be arranged for a future meeting of the Committee? (Councillor Carragher) Chief Officer (Finance and Technology) Response being worked on and will be sent to Members of the Committee in due course. Will be included within the Committee Questions Log for Cycle 4 2025 Incomplete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Panel Cycle 3 - 2025 29 June 2025 3 - Strategic Governance Framework – Annual Review and Refresh Can timeline for the implementation of the revised employee survey approach be confirmed, together with details on when the pilot will be tested in 2025. (Councillor Robinson) Chief Officer (People and Resources) Please find below an indicative timeline for the implementation of the revised employee survey. This may be subject to change. Date - Activity July 2025 - Finalise survey questions and survey design August 2025 - Distribute survey to two pilot areas – People Resources and Finance and Technology September 2025 - Survey closes for pilot, analyse results. Report for CMT on 3rd October with feedback from pilot and plans for implementation across the organisation October 2025 - Following approval at CMT, briefings to Chief Officers for implementation. October to December 2025 - Survey open for completion January 2026 - Additional month for completion if required February/March 2026 - Survey analysis April 2026 - Analysis report to CMT then Committee Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Panel Cycle 3 - 2025 29 June 2025 5 - Unaudited Annual Accounts for the Year Ending 31 March 2025 Can the variance within Enterprise and Communities Annual Accounts be explained? (Councillor Robinson) Chief Officer (Finance and Technology) Response being worked on and will be sent to Members of the Committee in due course. Will be included within the Committee Questions Log for Cycle 4 2025 Incomplete 02 October 2025 Communities Committee Cycle 3 - 2025 18 August 2025 2 - Community Board Local Development Programme Provide clarification on the work being progressed in Lime Crescent, Cumbernauld (Councillor Smith) Area Community Planning Partnership Manager Email sent from A Noble (18 Aug25) - I can confirm that the project status was “seeking approval” rather than “under development”. The difference arose due to an editing error in the document between the report and appendix 1 which is my responsibility, apologies for any confusion this may have caused. Complete 02 October 2025 Communities Committee Cycle 3 - 2025 18 August 2025 7 - Member Officer Working Group on the Third Sector Recommendations– Progress Update Clarify whether a list of available sites/locations for potential Community Asset Transfers could be published on the Council website. (Councillor Smith) Area Community Planning Partnership Manager The council has a duty under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 Part 5 Section 94 to publish a register of assets including to our best knowledge and belief, a full list of assets that are directly owned and leased by us. Some exclusions apply and the register and associated information and guidance can be accessed here Council asset register | North Lanarkshire Council. It is not possible to publish a list of assets that would be considered ‘available’ for CAT as, pre the legislation, all the assets listed could be subject to interest from groups looking to take on an asset and the council has an obligation to advise and support eligible organisations through the process. However, the Community Partnership Team works very closely with colleagues from Estates and other services and meetings take place on a very regular basis to discuss both potential assets and the needs of community organisations. The team also receives regular updates regarding the surplus process to ensure that any known or potential interest is explored at the earliest possible stage. As per council policy, where an asset is deemed to be surplus to the council's requirements, a standstill period of 12 weeks is automatically in place before disposal to allow the community partnership team to determine whether there is community interest in the asset. Complete 02 October 2025 Communities Committee Cycle 3 - 2025 18 August 2025 9 - Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) Annual report for 2024-25 Can you provide contents details for VANL. (Councillor McBride) Chef Officer (Strategy and Engagement) David Wood Chief Executive Officer Registered Office 90 Brandon Parade East Motherwell ML1 1LY T: 01236 748011 M: 07599 513244 E: david.wood@VANL.co.uk General contact details : Contact Us - Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire 01236 748011 Info@VANL.co.uk Complete 02 October 2025 Communities Committee Cycle 3 - 2025 18 August 2025 10 - Community Grants – Annual Report 2024-25 Clarify whether a number of applicants for grants from Community Groups decreased since COVID and how many Community Groups have subsequently disbanded. (Councillor Goldie) Area Community Planning Partnership Manager The number of applications from 2019/20 – 2024/25 are as follows 19/20 = 390 20/21 = 166 21/22 = 195 22/23 = 250 23/24 = 255 24/25 = 230 The number of Community Grants applications did reduce immediately during and following Covid but has been rising year on year since recovery and beyond. We do not have a definitive reason for the reduction during covid, but this is likely due to groups ceasing operations either permanently or temporarily ceasing or refocusing operation to accommodate restrictions or community need at that time. Complete 02 October 2025 Communities Committee Cycle 3 - 2025 18 August 2025 16 - Active and Creative Communities and Community Facility Usage and Footfall – Q1 25-26 and Q1 24-25 Can existing caretakers be used to open community facilities in the absence of the location’s caretakers (Councillor Smith) Active & Creative Communities Manager The Caretaking team are scheduled each week to cover all lets. While some facilities do have a regular Caretaker, we have a number of relief Caretakers who are scheduled to various facilities and cover any leave etc. Complete 02 October 2025 COMMITTEE QUESTIONS LOG CYCLE 3 2025 Item 8 Page 7 of 10
Page 8
Communities Committee Cycle 3 - 2025 18 August 2025 16 - Active and Creative Communities and Community Facility Usage and Footfall – Q1 25-26 and Q1 24-25 Can another location be identified within the Council assets in the absence of St Mungo’s church for worship. (Councillor Goldie) Active & Creative Communities Manager The Community Facilities team have been able to accommodate a number of bookings related to St Mungo’s church. We have a limited number of weekend facilities so have not been able to accommodate all of these. Complete 02 October 2025 Environment & Climate Change Cycle 3 - 2025 20 August 2025 3 - Sustainable Futures - Burial Space Strategy and Cemeteries Creation Projects In respect of the Planning Permission for the Bedlay Cemetery extension, should the Section 75 agreement not proceed, is a Compulsory Purchase still an option, if not can you advise what other options are available should the extension not be complete by 2026? (Councillor Lennon) Chief Officer (Community Operations) I have consulted with planning and Legal colleagues to provide a response. The most recent update from Planning colleagues is that they are discussing the land transfer with the developers who have indicated that they would have no issue with a no cost transfer of the land (at no cost as it is part of the Section 75 agreement) prior to their own development construction. However, the council would have to be satisfied that the developer had provided the results of appropriate initial site investigations indicating the ground was suitable to meet SEPA requirements, and the developer is required to complete agreed ground preparation works in advance of handover. At present a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is not a cost effective solution for the council while we still have a live option to transfer the land at no cost, with completed site investigations and initial ground preparation. If this fails the council can only progress a CPO application with evidence that we had exhausted all other options, this can be a process taking months or years. The council’s statutory duty is to provide burial space, but not to provide it within a specific distance of a community, so the application may not be successful as other burial grounds exist to fulfil this duty. Should land transfer and CPO both fail to progress, the status quo would remain, where communities in the Northern Corridor utilise lair space in other active cemeteries such as Eastfield and New Monkland. Complete 02 October 2025 Environment & Climate Change Cycle 3 - 2025 20 August 2025 5 - Winter Services Policy and Procedures 2025/26 Can the provision of a community salt pile within the Harthill area be assessed? (Councillor M McCulloch) Asset Services Manager After review I believe that no community bin has been provided in Harthill due to the number of other salt bins situated nearby within the village. Provision of community bins will be incorporated into the winter service review planned for next summer. While I appreciate that these bins add resilience, the uncontrolled provision will simply delay our response in refilling other bins within the area during adverse weather conditions. Hence we need to manage the provision in a controlled way to retain a sustainable winter service. Complete 02 October 2025 Environment & Climate Change Cycle 3 - 2025 20 August 2025 5 - Winter Services Policy and Procedures 2025/26 Can consideration be given to the gritting routes in the Shotts area in particularly around the Bells Food Group area and the Stuart’s bus route? (Councillor M McCulloch Asset Services Manager After further review I can advise that the current winter treatment of Torbothie Road complies with the Council’s Winter Service Policy and there is no scope within the policy to extend the existing primary gritting route on Torbothie Road. In order to be able to provide a robust and sustainable winter service, it is important that we strictly follow the set criteria. Complete 02 October 2025 Environment & Climate Change Cycle 3 - 2025 20 August 2025 5 - Winter Services Policy and Procedures 2025/26 Can clarification be provided on (a) the community salt pile at the Antonine Sports Hub, which has now closed and (b) the location of the salt pile at Broadwood Stadium as the public had been redirected to Warpark Recycling Centre? (Councillor Smith) Asset Services Manager Antonine Sports Hub – I can advise that there was never a salt pile present at this location, the community salt bins are located in the Croy Station Car Park as shown on the map below green squares. Broadwood Stadium –community salt bins are located in the car park near the BMX track, as shown on the map below green squares. I would also note that salt bins are still provided at Wardpark Recycling centre. [Maps Circulated via Email] Complete 02 October 2025 Environment & Climate Change Cycle 3 - 2025 20 August 2025 5 - Winter Services Policy and Procedures 2025/26 Will the community salt pile at the recycling centre at Wardpark be maintained? (Councillor Goldie) Asset Services Manager I can confirm that it will remain available for public use and will be replenished as needed throughout the winter season. Complete 02 October 2025 Environment & Climate Change Cycle 3 - 2025 20 August 2025 5 - Winter Services Policy and Procedures 2025/26 Can guidance be provided to the schools on how to obtain salt refills to the salt bins within the Educational Establishments? (Councillor McBride) Chief Officer (Community Operations) Requests for grit bin refills should be recorded online at Find your nearest grit bin and community grit stock | North Lanarkshire Council or by email to roadsmail@northlan.gov.uk. Complete 02 October 2025 Housing Cycle 3 - 2025 27 August 2025 6 - New Supply Programme - Open Market Purchase Scheme Can a breakdown be provided on the number of properties that were occupied and those which were vacant? (Councillor Patton) Chief Officer (Place) To date the council has purchased 21 ‘last in block’ properties where owner remains in property as a council tenant, and 62 properties have been purchased from private landlords where tenant remains as a council tenant. Complete 02 October 2025 Housing Cycle 3 - 2025 27 August 2025 7 - Incentive to Downsize Scheme Can the number of properties that meet the eligibility criteria for the downsizing scheme be provided to elected members on a ward basis? (Councillor Brennan) Chief Officer (Housing) Response being worked on and will be sent to Members of the Committee in due course. Will be included within the Committee Questions Log for Cycle 4 2025 Incomplete 02 October 2025 Housing Cycle 3 - 2025 27 August 2025 7 - Incentive to Downsize Scheme Can the amount of funding provided from the Scottish Government to mitigate the bedroom tax be provided? (Councillor Lennon) Chief Officer (Housing) The Council receives approximately 5.9 million pounds annually in DHP funding to mitigate against the impact of the Bedroom Tax. Complete 02 October 2025 Housing Cycle 3 - 2025 27 August 2025 13 - HRA Medium Term Financial Plan 2026/27 to 2030/31 Can you advise what the debt servicing percentage would be as a percentage of revenue expenditure? (Councillor Robinson) Chief Officer (Finance and Technology) The table provided via email illustrates the cost of debt as a percentage of total revenue over the 5 year medium term. The percentage is increasing over the period as it recognises the HRA’s ambitious capital investment including: • New Supply target increase of 6,000 homes by 2035 • Energy Efficiency Targets by 2035 • Tower Reprovisioning • Connectivity An important point to make is that the there is no expenditure incurred in relation to the above until it is fully funded through the rent setting process. As part of the rent setting process members have the opportunity to scale back on capital investment should they deem the rent increase requirements to support this level of investment unacceptable. In addition, the table highlights the level of debt each year per property (unit). This increases as the level of borrowing increases to support the capital investment. Complete 02 October 2025 Housing Cycle 3 - 2025 27 August 2025 14 - HRA Capital Monitoring Report 1 April to 20 June 2025 Can the amount of debt per unit be provided and if it is increasing or decreasing? (Councillor Sullivan) Chief Officer (Finance and Technology) The table provided via email illustrates the cost of debt as a percentage of total revenue over the 5 year medium term. The percentage is increasing over the period as it recognises the HRA’s ambitious capital investment including: • New Supply target increase of 6,000 homes by 2035 • Energy Efficiency Targets by 2035 • Tower Reprovisioning • Connectivity An important point to make is that the there is no expenditure incurred in relation to the above until it is fully funded through the rent setting process. As part of the rent setting process members have the opportunity to scale back on capital investment should they deem the rent increase requirements to support this level of investment unacceptable. In addition, the table highlights the level of debt each year per property (unit). This increases as the level of borrowing increases to support the capital investment. Complete 02 October 2025 Page 8 of 10
Page 9
Housing Cycle 3 - 2025 27 August 2025 17 - Revenue Monitoring Report - Enterprise and Communities Can further information be provided on cost pressures surrounding the temporary closure of the Time Capsule and John Smith Swimming Pool? (Councillor Robinson) Chief Officer (Finance and Technology) The period 3 monitoring report to Committee highlighted Active and Creative Communities were projected to break even overall, whilst recognising that the position in relation to loss of income and reduced staffing costs were under review for both John Smith Pool and the Time Capsule due to their closures. Using the most up to date information available, as at period 5, the Active and Creative Communities function is projected to underspend by £0.957m. Within this projection there is £0.672m underspend forecast for employee costs which includes the impact of the Time Capsule closure period and the temporary closure of John Smith Pool. This will offset the burden of £0.380m in relation to the closure of the concert hall this year. Management action is still however being considered for a permanent solution. Pay as you go Leisure income is forecast to be £0.456 over recovered. As noted, the position includes Time Capsule and John Smith pool and the position for these specific venues are as follows: Time Capsule Staffing underspend - £0.170 Income over recover due to price increase - £0.150 Net Over/(Under)spend £0.320 John Smith Pool Staffing underspend - £0.292 Other Expenditure - £0.035 Loss of Income - £0.051 Net Over/(Under)spend £0.276 In addition, the period 3 monitoring report noted an overspend within the Fleet Service due to delays and external hires. The delays were in relation to the filling of mechanics posts and the new Bellshill Depot Workshop being signed off by building control. Again, using the most up to date information available, as at period 5, the mechanics posts have largely been filled (with one becoming vacant due to a recent retirement) and all mechanics have now moved to the new Bellshill Depot Workshop. This will reduce the outsourcing costs, however there will remain an element of cost i.e. for large coaches. In relation to external hires, this will continue to report as an overspend however as vehicles are procured through the Vehicle Replacement Programme the external hire spend will reduce. It should be noted that the number of hires has significantly reduced from last financial year with no refuse collection vehicles on hire which are typically the most expensive hires. Work remains ongoing to refine projections in this area with future monitoring reports updated as appropriate. As members will be aware, that whilst there will be variances across divisions, the financial position is managed across the Service as a whole and as at period 5 the Service continues to report a breakeven position. Complete 02 October 2025 Housing Cycle 3 - 2025 27 August 2025 18 - Enterprise and Communities General Debtors Write-Off 2025 Can information be provided to Members on the level of school meal debt of £149,117.84 (Councillor Burgess) Chief Officer (Community Operations) Status Balance Current P6 debt (Aug 2025 – Present)* -£13,282.53 Current P7 debt (August 2024 – Present) -£49,128.41 Total Current debt -£62,410.94 Previous P7 debt write off required (Pupils who left June 2025) ** -£41,734.21*** • Please note, this is the current P6 pupils who were formally awarded universal free meal entitlement (P1-P5). ** Please note, this was school meal debt for P7’s who have now transitioned to high school. *** This balance (-£41,734.21) will be required to be written off at the end of this financial year (March 2026) Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Cycle 3 - 2025 28 August 2025 3 - Internal Audit: Progress Report Can the percentage of non-compliant percentage figures be provided in respect of non-contractual? (Cllr Robinson) Chief Officer (Audit and Risk) For 2023/24, the spend levels were: • Contracted - £607,397,655 (95.60%) • Non-Contracted - £27,954,912 (4.40%) The Corporate Procurement Team are currently undertaking the review of the 2024/25 figures, so the equivalent spend levels are not currently available. There is no breakdown available to show the percentage of non-contract spend which is allowable/compliant and that which is non-compliant, mainly due to the quality of information available on exemptions and other allowable spend. This issue was recognised in the audit report and the recommendations were designed to improve the overall process of the identification, analysis and classification of non-contract spend. Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Cycle 3 - 2025 28 August 2025 3 - Internal Audit: Progress Report Can the risks of Cyber Security and Information Governance Risk be provided to the Panel once approved. (Cllr Hume) Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) Can update that draft disaggregated risks have been prepared and are with Data Governance Board members for consultation. The finalised risks will be presented for approval at the next meeting of the Data Governance Board on 5 November. The risks will be provided to the panel once approved. Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Cycle 3 - 2025 28 August 2025 3 - Internal Audit: Progress Report Can an Information Security Awareness Risk training session be provided to all elected members? (Cllr Watson) Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) A development programme is currently being devised on Information Security Awareness with the intention of this being available as of February 2026. In the interim, Members can access Information Security Awareness e-learning module on LearnNL . Course: Information security awareness. Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Cycle 3 - 2025 28 August 2025 4 - Internal Audit: Follow-ups of Implementation of audit recommendations Can any update, completed action or reason for delay be included within the Management update narrative in “Register of Outstanding Internal Audit Recommendations” (Cllr Hume) All Chief Officers This will be included in the quarterly follow-up report to the November meeting of the Panel. Services have been advised of requirement to include the reason for delay in their comments. Additionally, where recommendations have multiple parts, the appendix will clearly distinguish between actions complete and ongoing. Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Cycle 3 - 2025 28 August 2025 5 - Risk Management Update Can benchmarking details be provided of NL Risk Management Register against other Local Authorities? (Cllr Robinson) Chief Officer (Audit and Risk) The Corporate Risk Team undertake informal benchmarking against a sample of other Scottish Local Authority Risk Registers (at least) annually as part of Horizon Scanning Activity. The last exercise of this nature was completed early in 2025. Differences across authorities (for example the tools used and how information is interpreted and applied in the risk management process) create challenges in making comparisons. That being the case we use the exercise alongside publications such as the World Economic Forum's Global Risk Report to ensure adequate coverage of new and emerging risks insofar as they relate to the objectives of North Lanarkshire Council. We also engage with other risk register benchmarking initiatives and working groups that are promoted through the Association of Local Authority Risk Managers (ALARM) and the Scottish Local Authorities Chief Internal Auditors Group (SLACIAG). SLACIAG are currently conducting an exercise to benchmark corporate risks from Scottish local authorities. Once this exercise is complete, we will bring the outputs to a future meeting of the Panel as part of the Risk management update. Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Cycle 3 - 2025 28 August 2025 5 - Risk Management Update Can an amendment to the format of the Corporate Risk Register be considered to include information on the mitigating actions? (Cllr Hume) Chief Officer (Audit and Risk) We will amend the format of the quarterly risk management update presented to the Panel to provide more information on mitigating actions and inherent and residual risk. Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Cycle 3 - 2025 28 August 2025 6 - National Fraud Initiative – Update Can a review of the “Tell Us Once” be undertaken to include the return of Blue Badges? (Cllr D Johnson) Chief Officers (Finance and Technology) and Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) In conjunction with the Chief Officer (Finance and Technology), and relevant stakeholders, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, a feasibility assessment regarding the inclusion of Blue Badges within the “Tell Us Once” service will be undertaken. This review will consider the operational, technical, and legislative implications of enabling Blue Badge notifications through the service, ensuring that any proposed changes align with both local and national requirements. Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Cycle 3 - 2025 28 August 2025 7 - Self-Evaluation of the Audit and Scrutiny Panel – Outcome Report Can details of the Audit and Scrutiny Panel Membership to date be provided? (Cllr M McCulloch) Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) The spreadsheet attached to the email circulated to Panel Members details of the panel’s membership from May 2022 to date. The dates shown reflect the meeting dates of the panel and the membership at each point in time. Members highlighted in green indicate changes to the panel’s membership. Complete 02 October 2025 Audit and Scrutiny Cycle 3 - 2025 28 August 2025 7 - Self-Evaluation of the Audit and Scrutiny Panel – Outcome Report Can clarification be provided on NL self-evaluation responses in comparison to other Local Authorities? (Cllr Hume) Chief Officer (Audit and Risk) We will undertake an exercise to compare responses with other Councils and bring to a future meeting of the Panel. Complete 02 October 2025 Page 9 of 10
Page 10
Education, Children and Families Cycle 3 - 2025 09 September 2025 2- Early Learning and Childcare Can you confirm if there is any collaboration with Health Boards in the promotion of Gaelic Medium Education within North Lanarkshire? (Councillor Larson) Chief Officer (Education – South Spoken with colleagues in the Early Years team who advise that there is no work with health visitors which specifically relates to the promotion of Gaelic Medium Education. However, when issuing materials to parents/carers regarding early years places, Gaelic Medium Education features as one of the choices. More information can be found using the link below: Gaelic Medium in North Lanarkshire | North Lanarkshire Council Complete 02 October 2025 Education, Children and Families Cycle 3 - 2025 09 September 2025 5 - Brighter Futures – Curricular Pathways Update Can a breakdown of the number of young people who have gained employment through the Brighter Futures be provided? (Councillor Lennon) Education and Families Manager North Lanarkshire Leaver Destinations Overview • The number and percentage of young people who left school in session 2023/24 and entered a positive post school destination was 4007/ 94.2%. • 68.6% progressed on to Higher/Further Education. An increase on previous year and above the national average. • 26 6% entered employment or training also an increase on previous year Complete 02 October 2025 Education, Children and Families Cycle 3 - 2025 09 September 2025 7 - Transforming Places – Town and Community Hub Programme – Six Monthly Update on Progress Can information on partnership working in respect of footfall to the Hubs be provided? Depute Chief Executive The report submitted to Policy and Strategy on 5 June (link circulated) provides an update on the level of partnership work now being delivered across the current hub facilities. Further to this a subsequent report will be submitted to the Policy and Strategy Committee in December which will provide a further update which will also include details on footfall. Complete 02 October 2025 Finance and Resources Cycle 3 - 2025 10 September 2025 6 - North Lanarkshire Council Registration Service – 2023 Performance Review and Operating Model Can you clarify the typical waiting time for an in-person appointment? (Councillor Nolan) Chief Officer (Legal and Democratic) Further to clarification being sought regarding the typical waiting time for in-person appointments, I can confirm that on 10 September, the next available in-person appointment slots were as follows: • Motherwell: 12 September and, if that date is not suitable, the next available date would be 17 September. • Cumbernauld: 15 September and 22 September. • Airdrie: 12 September and 19 September. Appointments are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Moving forward, appointment days will be fixed as follows: • Cumbernauld – Mondays • Airdrie – Tuesdays To confirm, had contact been made on Tuesday 09 September to book an appointment in Motherwell, we would have offered 12 September as the next available appointment, and if that date was not suitable, 17 September would have been offered as the next available option. Complete 02 October 2025 Finance and Resources Cycle 3 - 2025 10 September 2025 9 - Annual Procurement Report 2024-25 Can you provide a breakdown of the number of social enterprises businesses within NLP. (Councillor Khan) Chief Officer (Assets and Procurement) To clarify the Annual Procurement Report 2024/25, Appendix 1, Table with items 4h), 4i) and 4j) – the value of £848M is based on a percentage of the 89 Regulated Contracts awarded for the total value of £2.702 Billion. The value £848M is derived from the successful tenderer proposals, where the tenderers indicated the proportion of the Contract (if any) that may be sub-contracted. The Corporate Procurement Team do not hold details of those sub-contracting proposals – therefore cannot provide a breakdown of potential subcontracting into groupings of SME, Social Enterprise or Supported Businesses. What may be helpful to the Councillor’s enquiry, is if we can reference to Annual Procurement Report 2024/25, Appendix 1, Section 8 Spend and Savings Summary – the Table with items 8a), 8b) and 8c), relates to the actual spend made during the financial year. In this instance, the Corporate Procurement Team have a data set that identifies that the Council spent money with 171 businesses that have been verified to be Charities, and that spend amounted to £75.7M just under 11% of total annual spend (£706M). There is no other spend data available to us that provides a deeper segmentation of business types. Complete 02 October 2025 Page 10 of 10