Minute
North Lanarkshire Council · 30 November 2022
Back to Finance and Resources Committee — 30 November 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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FINANCE AND RESOURCES - 30 NOVEMBER 2022 78 30 November 2022 at 10 am. A Meeting of the FINANCE AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE PRESENT Councillor Fisher, Convener; Councillor B. McCulloch, Vice-Convener; Councillors Beveridge, Bustard, Cairns, Campbell, Costello, S. Coyle, Crichton, Currie, Dunbar, Fotheringham, Goldie, Hume, D. Johnston, T. Johnston, Jones, Kelly, Keltie, Logue, Loughran, MacGregor, McCluskey, McKay, McKendrick, McLaren, McNally, McPake, Roarty, Robb, Robinson, Stevenson, A. Stubbs, L. Stubbs, Sullivan and Watson. ALSO PRESENT In accordance with Standing Order 64(A) Councillors Barclay, Carragher, McVey and Smith attended as substitutes for Councillors Mitchell, Linden, Duffy and Di Mascio respectively. CHAIR Councillor Fisher (Convener) presided. IN ATTENDANCE The Head of Financial Solutions; Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions; Head of Business and Digital; Head of People and Organisational Development; Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions; Business Finance Managers (Resource Solutions); Strategic Asset Manager, and Democratic Services Manager. APOLOGIES Councillors Di Mascio, Duffy, Linden and Mitchell. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000 1. Councillor D. Johnston declared a connection, because his employer had made an objection to the proposal, and declared an interest in agenda item 15 – Pavilion, Sports Pitch and Ancillary Ground at Deerdykes Place, Cumbernauld – and left the meeting during consideration of that item. Councillor Watson declared a connection, by virtue of being a member of the Board of North Lanarkshire Properties, and declared an interest in agenda item 12 – North Lanarkshire Properties LLP – Performance Indicators: 13 January 2022-27 July 2022 and Financial Performance as at 22 July 2022 – and further declared that he considered the interest sufficiently remote that it did not preclude his participation in consideration of that item. MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES DATED 26 OCTOBER 2022 2. There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee for Local Government Employees held on 26 October 2022. Decided: that the Minute of the meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee for Local Government Employees held on 26 October 2022 be approved.
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FINANCE AND RESOURCES - 30 NOVEMBER 2022 79 P048.1 - ACTIVE PARTICIPATION POLICY FOR NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL 3. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (South) (1) reporting that the impact from the Covid pandemic had seen an increase in volunteering activity to 74% in Scotland and, whilst those numbers had since diminished as people revert back to normal working lives, there remains increased participation in Scotland of approximately 59%; (2) advising that volunteers have traditionally undertaken a range of roles within the Council and, as the organisation moves towards a model of engagement with its communities, there is a growing interest in volunteering from many people to work alongside the Council for the benefit of the whole community, and (3) seeking approval for a policy to reinforce the Council's commitment to its volunteer workforce, formalising the support that it will offer to ensure that the relationship with volunteers yields positive benefits for all. Decided: (1) that the proposed Active Participation Policy, attached as an Appendix to the report, be approved, and (2) that, otherwise, the contents of the report be endorsed. ANNUAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REPORT FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2021/22 4. There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions (1) providing details of Freedom of Information and Environmental Information requests received by the Council during 2021/22 and providing further comparative and ancillary information, and (2) attaching, as Appendices to the report, further data and information. Decided: that the contents of the report be noted. 2022 REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REGULATIONS AND SCHEME OF FINANCIAL DELEGATION 5. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions (1) providing the outcome of the Annual Review of the Financial Regulations and the Scheme of Financial Delegation; (2) reporting that full consideration continues to be given to the collective responsibility for the long-term financial sustainability of the Council and how its financial governance arrangements, including the Financial Regulations and Scheme of Financial Delegation, can further support this, and (3) attaching, as Appendices to the report, details of minor amendments made to the documents together with full amended versions of each document. Decided: that the revisions made to the Council's Financial Regulations and Scheme of Financial Delegation be acknowledged. REVENUES AND BENEFITS UPDATE 6. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions providing an update on the performance within the Revenue Benefits function of Financial Solutions as at 30 September 2022. Decided: that the contents of the report be acknowledged. C
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FINANCE AND RESOURCES - 30 NOVEMBER 2022 80 REVENUE MONITORING REPORT: CAPITAL SUMMARY - 1 APRIL 2022 TO 18 SEPTEMBER 2022 7. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions (1) providing an update on the overall position for the General Fund Account, Housing Revenue Account and Adult Health and Social Care for the financial year to 31 March 2023; (2) consolidating the budget monitoring position of all Services, and (3) highlighting and explaining major variances as per the Council's approved Financial Regulations. Decided: (1) that the financial position of the 2022/23 Revenue Budget be acknowledged, and (2) that, otherwise, the contents of the report be endorsed. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING REPORT: CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S AND OTHER CORPORATE SERVICES' - 1 APRIL TO 16 SEPTEMBER 2022 (PERIOD 6) 8. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions (1) providing a summary of the Chief Executive and other corporate services' financial performance for the period 1 April to 16 September 2022 (Period 6), and (2) illustrating the provisional outturn as at 31 March 2023 with major outturn variances highlighted and explained as per the Council's approved Financial Regulations. Decided: that the financial position of the 2022/23 Chief Executive and other corporate services' revenue budget be acknowledged. CHIEF EXECUTIVE SERVICE - CAPITAL MONITORING REPORT - 1 APRIL TO 16 SEPTEMBER 2022 (PERIOD 6) 9. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions highlighting the financial performance and provisional outturn of the 2022/23 Chief Executive Capital Programme for the period ended 16 September 2022 (Period 6). Decided: that the financial position of the 2022/23 Chief Executive Capital Programme be acknowledged. TREASURY MANAGEMENT MONITORING REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 10. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions (1) fulfilling the key requirements of the Council's reporting procedures for Treasury Management in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, and (2) reporting on the quarterly treasury management activity for the period 1 July to 30 September 2022 together with compliance with the mandatory treasury and prudential indicators. The Convener read out a statement on behalf of the Section 95 Officer informing the members of the Committee that links would be provided to permit them to undertake online training in respect of treasury management. Decided: that the treasury management activity for the quarter ended 30 September 2022, including the positive performance against the key treasury and prudential indicators, be noted.
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FINANCE AND RESOURCES - 30 NOVEMBER 2022 81 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2022/23 MONITORING REPORT 11. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions (1) providing an update on the 2022/23 Resources and Expenditure for the Council’s Strategic Capital Investment Programme, and (2) illustrating the 2022/23 projected outturn position and the resultant variances. Decided: that the financial position of the Council’s Strategic Capital Investment Programme, as at 16 September 2022, be acknowledged. Prior to consideration of the following item of business, Councillor Watson declared a connection by virtue of being a member of North Lanarkshire Properties Board and further declared that he considered the interest sufficiently remote that it did not preclude his participation in that item. NORTH LANARKSHIRE PROPERTIES LLP – PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: 13 JANUARY TO 27 JULY 2022 AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AS AT 22 JULY 2022 12. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions (1) providing details of North Lanarkshire Properties LLP’s (NLP LLP) performance for the period 13 January to 27 July 2022; (2) providing an update on significant events and service delivery highlights during the reporting period, and (3) outlining the financial performance for the period from 1 April to 22 July 2022. Decided: (1) that NLP LLP’s operational performance against its 2021/22 targets for the period 13 January to 27 July 2022 be acknowledged; (2) that NLP LLP’s financial performance during the period from 1 April to 22 July 2022 be acknowledged, and (3) that the service delivery highlights as detailed within the report be acknowledged. PROPOSED SUB-STATION AT CLIFFVALE ROAD, CHRYSTON 13. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions seeking approval for a lease to SP Distribution PLC for an electrical sub-station and associated servitude for cables, pedestrian and vehicular rights of access on land at Cliffvale Road, Chryston. Decided: (1) that a new lease be granted to SP Distribution PLC, or their nominees, for a sub-station and an associated servitude for cables, pedestrian and vehicular rights of access on land at Cliffvale Road, Chryston on the terms as detailed within the report, and (2) that all other terms and conditions be adjusted by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions. PROPOSED SUB-STATION AT NETHERTON ROAD, WISHAW 14. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions seeking approval for a lease to SP Distribution PLC for an electrical sub-station and associated servitude for cables, pedestrian and vehicular rights of access on land at Netherton Road, Wishaw.
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FINANCE AND RESOURCES - 30 NOVEMBER 2022 82 Decided: (1) that a new lease be granted to SP Distribution PLC, or their nominees, for a sub-station and associated servitude for cables, pedestrian and vehicular rights of access on land at Netherton Road, Wishaw on the terms as detailed within the report, and (2) that all other terms and conditions be adjusted by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions. At 10.25 am the meeting was adjourned due to a fire alarm. The meeting resumed at 11 am. Prior to consideration of the following item of business, Councillor D. Johnston declared a connection because his employer had objected to the proposals and further declared an interest in the item and left the meeting during its consideration. PAVILION, SPORTS PITCH AND ANCILLARY GROUND AT DEERDYKES PLACE, CUMBERNAULD 15. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions (1) seeking consent to declare the pavilion, sports pitch and ancillary land at Deerdykes Place, Cumbernauld surplus to Council requirements; (2) advising that the ground occupied by the pavilion and sports pitch have been designated as a “proposed business site” within the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan, which had been adopted on 6 July 2022; (3) detailing that the ground could, therefore, be used for expansion of the existing adjacent industrial estate into the area, subject to relevant statutory consents being obtained, and (4) advising that local elected members had been consulted on the proposal with one objection being received, which, therefore, necessitated the matter being brought for consideration by the Committee. Decided: (1) that the contents of the report be noted; (2) that it be noted that an objection had been received from a local elected member and that a response had been submitted as detailed in the report, and (3) that the proposal to declare the pavilion, sports pitch and ancillary land as surplus to Council requirements be agreed and that the matter be referred to the Council’s Estates Team to determine the future use of the site. CONTRACT AWARD FOR BUILDING ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BEMS) SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 2023-2026 16. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions seeking approval for the award of a contract for Building Energy Management System (BEMS) Servicing and Maintenance 2023-2026 to Chartwell Limited for an initial period of 24 months anticipated to commence on 23 January 2023 with a maximum contract value of £825,000 exclusive of VAT. Decided: that the award of contract to Chartwell Limited at the maximum value of £825,000, exclusive of VAT, be approved. CONTRACT AWARD PROPOSALS FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF CATERING EQUIPMENT 17. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions (1) seeking approval for Facility Support Services to award call-off contracts from the Scotland Excel Framework for repair
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FINANCE AND RESOURCES - 30 NOVEMBER 2022 83 and maintenance of catering equipment; (2) explaining that the new framework had been established for the period 7 May 2022 until 30 April 2025, with an option to extend by 12 months until 30 April 2026; (3) indicating that the framework is split into three lots namely Lot 1 – commercial gas, Lot 2 – electrical, and Lot 3 – refrigeration, and (4) indicating that the anticipated total spend of £1,092,650 is indicative only and that the actual spend will depend on the performance of the existing equipment. Decided: that the Facility Support Service be authorised to call-off future requirements for Repair and Maintenance of Catering Equipment from the Scotland Excel Framework. CONTRACTS WITH VARIATIONS 18. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions notifying the Committee, in accordance with the Council's Financial Regulations, of contracts which had been completed between 1 April and 21 October 2022 where the expenditure had exceeded the contract award value by greater than 5% or £25,000. Decided: that the content of the report, and the accompanying Appendix, be acknowledged. CONTRACTS AWARDED BELOW COMMITTEE APPROVAL THRESHOLD 19. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions notifying the Committee of contracts awarded between 1 July and 30 September 2022 which had a value below the financial threshold requiring Committee approval. Decided: that the contracts awarded with a value below Committee approval threshold between 1 July and 30 September 2022, as per the process contained within the Council's General Contract Standing Orders, be noted. It was agreed in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act. PROPOSED PURCHASE OF HOUSES AT TORRANCE PARK, HOLYTOWN 20. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions seeking consent to acquire six terraced houses at Torrance Park, Holytown to support the Council's New Housing Supply Programme. Decided: (1) that the purchase of six terraced houses at Torrance Park, Holytown on the terms as detailed in the report subject to grant funding approval from the Scottish Government be approved, and (2) that all other terms and conditions be adjusted by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions.