Minute
North Lanarkshire Council · 29 September 2022
Back to Policy and Strategy Committee — 29 September 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 29 September 2022 at 10 am. A Hybrid Meeting of the POLICY AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE PRESENT Councillor Logue, Convener; Councillor Kelly, Vice-Convener; Councillors Barclay, Boyd, Brennan, Campbell, Carragher, Di Mascio, Hume, Jones, Larson, Leckie, Loughran, Magowan, Masterton, McBride, Nolan, Roarty, Stevenson, A. Stubbs and Watson. ALSO PRESENT In accordance with Standing Order 64(A) Councillors Robb, Bustard, Hughes and D. Johnston substituted for Councillors Ashraf, Duffy, Jarvie and Linden respectively. CHAIR Councillor Logue (Convener) presided. IN ATTENDANCE The Chief Executive; Deputy Chief Executive; Head of Financial Solutions; Head of Education (North); Head of Business and Digital; Head of Children, Justice and Social Work Services/Chief Social Work Officer; Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions; Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions; Head of People and Organisational Development; Head of Performance Planning and Quality Assurance; Head of Audit and Risk; Head of Business and Digital; Head of Strategic Communications; Business Manager, Social Inclusion, and Democratic Services Manager. APOLOGIES Councillors Ashraf, Duffy, Jarvie and Linden. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000 1. Councillor Bustard, by virtue of a close family member being involved in service delivery to the virtual school, declared a connection with agenda item 16 – Building Our Promise Community – but further declared that he considered the interest sufficiently remote that it did not preclude his participation in consideration of this matter. Councillors Hughes, by virtue of being the Office Manager for the relevant Scottish Minister responsible for resettlement and support, declared a connection with agenda item 17 – Ukrainian Displaced Persons – Resettlement and Support Arrangements – but further declared that she considered the interest sufficiently remote that it did not preclude her participation in that item. MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE AUDIT AND SCRUTINY PANEL OF 24 MARCH 2022 2. There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Audit and Scrutiny Panel held on 24 March 2022. Decided: that the Minute of the meeting of the Audit and Scrutiny Panel held on 24 March 2022 be approved.
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 P011: REVENUE RESOURCES BUDGET STRATEGY 3. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions (1) providing an annual review on the Revenue Resources Budget Strategy and highlighting the continued progress in implementing and embedding this Strategy in the Council's financial planning arrangements; (2) informing the Committee of further considerations moving forward with future financial plans, and (3) setting out, given the challenges from the continued recovery from the pandemic and the current economic and financial environment, some of the implications of these factors in respect of key principles of the Strategy. Decided: (1) that the continued progress in implementing and embedding the key principles of the Revenue Resources Budget Strategy into the financial planning arrangements of the Council, and further considerations in moving forward with future financial plans, be acknowledged; (2) that it be recognised that unless there are any significant changes which impact on the validity of the key principles, no further updates on the implementation of the Strategy would be required, and (3) that the additional financial challenges as a result of the continued recovery from Covid-19, and the current challenging economic and financial environment, be recognised. IMPACT OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURES 4. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions (1) highlighting the risks and impacts of inflationary pressures on Council service delivery, revenue budget, investment programmes and income recovery; (2) indicating that, whilst the Council's draft Medium Term Financial Plan includes prudent estimates of the recurring impact of inflation, the volatility of the current economic conditions and uncertainties over the availability of UK or Scottish Government interventions, the Council requires to gain a better understanding of the risks associated with inflation as a matter of urgency, and (3) noting that some local authorities across the UK have already indicated that inflationary pressures have required difficult decisions about their revenue budgets, capital programmes or service delivery and that this Council will be required to identify and manage the inflationary pressures to ensure that existing services remain affordable. Thereon, the Head of Financial Solutions provided an oral update to the report in terms of the value of the Pound and, also, on the Energy Price Cap for non-domestic premises, the situation for both had changed considerably since the report had been written. During consideration, the Convener intimated that recommendation 3 within the report to be amended to seek a report back to the Committee following determination of the matter by the Strategic Delivery Group. Decided: (1) that the wide-ranging impact of inflationary pressures on the Council's revenue budgets be acknowledged; (2) that the provisions already made in the Council's 2022-23 Revenue Budget and current reserves to manage in-year inflationary pressures be recognised; (3) that the ongoing work within Financial Solutions and other Services to gain a better understanding of the impact of inflation on service delivery and the Council's finances, and to ensure that there are effective processes in place to track any recurring impact to support ongoing decision making, be recognised, and
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 (4) that it be acknowledged that the Council's Strategic Capital Delivery Group continues to consider the implications of inflationary pressures on Capital Programmes within the context of updated Community Investment Fund projections and, following consideration, that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee. During consideration of the following item, and due to technical issues relating to the Hybrid meeting system, the meeting stood adjourned until Tuesday, 4 October 2022 at 2 pm. The meeting reconvened on Tuesday, 4 October 2022 at 2 pm. There being present:- Councillor Logue, Convener; Councillor Kelly, Vice-Convener; Councillors Barclay, Boyd, Brennan, Campbell, Carragher, Di Mascio, Hume, Jones, Larson, Leckie, Loughran, Magowan, Masterton, McBride, Nolan, Roarty, A. Stubbs and Watson. ALSO PRESENT In accordance with Standing Order 64(A) Councillors Robb, M. McCulloch, Hughes and D. Johnston substituted for Councillors Ashraf, Stevenson, Jarvie and Linden respectively. APOLOGIES Councillors Ashraf, Jarvie, Linden, and Stevenson. COST OF LIVING RESPONSE 5. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) commenting that the cost-of-living crisis in the UK is creating unprecedented pressures on people already in poverty and that thousands of people in North Lanarkshire will be forced into fuel poverty and will require to make tough decisions about when and what they eat, what they can do in life and when they can afford to heat their home; (2) indicating that those supports coming from both the UK and Scottish Governments are evolving, but irrespective of this, the coming winter months will be extremely challenging for a significant number of households, and (3) outlining which current initiatives and assistance are currently in place within North Lanarkshire and what further assistance could be delivered. Councillor Logue moved, as a Motion, that the terms of the report be approved with the addition of an additional recommendation to read “that the Leader of the Council to write to the UK and Scottish Governments to highlight pressures which have been experienced by this Council and highlight the cost of living crisis facing residents throughout North Lanarkshire.” Thereon, Councillor Larson, seconded by Councillor Carragher, moved, as an Amendment, that the terms of the report be approved with an additional recommendation to read “Council will write to the Westminister Government outlining concerns about inflationary pressures and the resulting financial uncertainty brought about by the recent fiscal event. Council will also outline the further deepening impact this will have in relation to the cost of living crisis and ask that they take action to support devolved nations in supporting local authorities.” Following agreement between the mover of the Motion and the mover of the Amendment, a composite Motion was agreed namely that the recommendations contained within the report be approved with an additional recommendation to be contained therein to read “Council will write to the Scottish and UK Governments outlining concerns about the cost of living crisis, inflationary pressures and the resulting financial uncertainty brought about by the recent fiscal event.
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 Council will also outline the further deepening impact this will have in relation to the cost of living crisis and ask that they take action to support devolved nationals in supporting local authorities.” Decided: (1) that the critical nature of the immediate crisis facing many individuals, families and communities across North Lanarkshire be recognised; (2) that the actions already being delivered to assist with the current cost of living crisis be acknowledged; (3) that the principles that will govern any response from the Council to the crisis, as outlined within the report, be accepted; (4) that £450,000 of one-off grant funding for the period 1 November 2022 to 31 March 2023 be provided to the third sector to deliver an enhanced cost of living support across all Community Board areas; (5) that the proposal from the IJB for the creation of a "Cost-of-Living Helpline", for a period of 24 months, be supported; (6) that increased work locations be made available to all Council staff; (7) that an enhanced communications campaign be undertaken to provide signposting and assistance to all residents relevant to the cost-of-living crisis; (8) that a further report be presented to Committee during the second cycle of 2023 providing an update on the current position of the crisis and the effectiveness, or otherwise, of the initiatives introduced by the Council to mitigate the impact, and (9) that the Council will write to the Scottish and UK Governments outlining concerns about the cost of living crisis, inflationary pressures and the resulting financial uncertainty brought about by the recent fiscal event and, Council will also outline the further deepening impact this will have in relation to the cost of living crisis and ask that they take action to support devolved nations in supporting local authorities. PROGRAMME OF WORK (P005.1(2) & (3)) TACKLING POVERTY AND MAXIMISING THE LOCAL AUTHORITY ECONOMIC RECOVERY FUND 6. There was submitted a report by the Head of Children' Families and Justice Services/Chief Social Work Officer (1) providing an update on the implementation of the Tackling Poverty Strategy and the improved outcomes which have been achieved; (2) providing an Annual Child Poverty Action Report, covering the previous year’s activities and outlining future plans in line with statutory requirements and The Plan for North Lanarkshire, and (3) informing of the proposed approaches of the use of the Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) funding from the Scottish Government for 2022-23 for the purposes of tackling financial insecurity and Fuel Hardship Payment. Decided: (1) that the updated "Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire – Tackling Poverty Strategy – Action Plan", as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; (2) that the Local Child Poverty Action Report for 2021-22, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be approved for publication and issued to the Scottish Government;
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 (3) that it be noted that the report has been referred to the NHS Lanarkshire Population Health Committee for subsequent approval; (4) that it be noted that the report has also been referred to the North Lanarkshire Partnership Strategic Leadership Board for consideration, and (5) that the proposed approaches to the use of the Local Authority Covid Recovery Funding for tackling financial insecurity and fuel hardship be approved. P012.1(1) - COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND - ANNUAL UPDATE 7. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions (1) reminding the Committee that in September 2018 it had considered a report called "We Aspire – A Shared Ambition for North Lanarkshire" which had outlined proposals for the establishment of the Community Investment Fund (CIF); (2) explaining that the ambition of the CIF was to target the creation of additional resources of £500m over a 10 year period to support new capital expenditure in communities and would be funded through ring-fencing elements of future Council Tax income associated with the growth in housing and top-slicing an element of future Council Tax increases; (3) referring to a previous update presented to the Committee in December 2021 which highlighted a revised estimate of the potential funding available of £534.604m over the 10 year period; (4) explaining that this report provided an earlier than planned update to reflect Council Tax growth over the previous year and the impact of recent rises in base interest rates which would have an impact on the level of CIF borrowing that can be achieved and that, as a result of these factors, a prudent estimated of CIF resources over the 10 year period is now £492.364m, a reduction of £42.241m from the previous assessment, and (5) intimating that the combined impact of inflation and updated CIF projections will require the Council's Strategic Capital Delivery Group to manage the consequences on delivery of the Council's Capital Programmes. Decided: (1) that the updated assumptions highlighted in the report, and the reduction in available CIF resources of £42.214m over the 10 year period, be acknowledged; (2) that the impact on resources available within the current five year capital planning period, amounting to a reduction of £22.076m, be acknowledged, and (3) that it be acknowledged that the Council's Strategic Capital Delivery Group continues to assess the impact of the reduction of funding available, particularly in light of the impact of inflationary pressures on the Capital Programme. POW 11: FIVE YEAR MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2023-24 TO 2027-28 8. There was submitted a report by the Head of Financial Solutions (1) providing an update on the five year financial forecast and outlining the challenges faced by the Council in maintaining medium term financial stability, whilst achieving the strategic priorities of the Council; (2) advising that taking the 2022-23 budget as the new baseline, the plan updates financial planning assumptions in relation to future revenue grant and other funding sources, along with increased cost pressures arising from employee costs, inflation and policy decisions; (3) summarising the Council's forecast financial position, with the envisaged scenario indicating a budget gap of £108.947m over the five year planning period and £74.817m for the three year budget period 2023-24 to 2025-26, and (4) reflecting other planning scenarios. Decided: (1) that the updated Medium Term Financial Plan 2023-24 to 2027-28 be acknowledged;
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 (2) that it be acknowledged that this Plan will be subject to ongoing review with changes reported through future Financial Outlook reports, and (3) that it be recognised that engagement of Elected Members is required to ensure options to address the budget gap in each financial year are identified, to enable the Council to set a balanced budget and that a series of budget briefing sessions will be arranged as required between October 2022 and January 2023 to progress this work. POW:003.2 DIGITAL NL – YEAR 4 ROADMAP 9. There was submitted a report by the Head of Business and Digital (1) reminding the Committee that the outcome of reviews of the Digital NL Programme had been approved by it in October 2020 and June 2021 and consideration had also been given by the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee to various updates to the Programme; (2) recalling that, at its meeting in February 2022, the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee considered the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on the year 3 programme and cessation of the System Integrator contract in April 2022 and the reduced development pool available within Business and Digital to address the residual year 3 and indicative year 4 programmes and a full review of the year 4 programme was approved, and (3) providing oversight of the review process and the planned year 4 roadmap which included the anticipated Benefits Realisation Programme. During consideration, a request was made that an update report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee providing an update on the Roadmap and future plans for the next financial year, and beyond, to include details of savings which could be achieved. The Committee agreed that this request would be included within the recommendations contained within the report. Decided: (1) that the year 3 position be noted; (2) that the year 4 planned programme and associated benefits realisation be noted; (3) that the marginal overall variation in programme investment costs which can be contained within Business and Digital's overall capital allocation be noted, and (4) that an update report be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee providing an update on the Roadmap and future plans for the next financial year, and beyond, to include details of the savings which could be achieved. POW:072.2 - DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGIC ROADMAP 10. There was submitted a report by the Head of Business and Digital Solutions (1) reminding the Committee that during 2019 the Council had commissioned its Digital Business Partner to assess the capacity of its existing information management data governance processes to deliver against the data-driven decision-making model envisaged by The Plan for North Lanarkshire; (2) reporting that the key deliverable from this engagement is the Data and Information Management Strategic Roadmap; (3) highlighting that aspects of the approved Roadmap are already underway through the Digital NL Programme but that, to successfully deliver against the outcomes contained within The Plan for North Lanarkshire, the Council requires an "advancing" data maturity score, and (4) providing an update on the actions being progressed, through the Roadmap, to support the Council to achieve this score and to ensure that it positions itself to effectively use data to support its decision-making and service delivery arrangements.
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 Decided: (1) that the completion of the work to date, and the continuing activities, be noted, and (2) that the revisions considered necessary, and now underway, for the Council to improve its data maturity score through the Strategic Data Roadmap be acknowledged. PROGRAMME OF WORK P088 - DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE: FRAMEWORK PROGRESS IN TRANSITIONING TO NEW SUPPLIER AND SOLUTION 11. There was submitted a report by the Head of Business and Digital (1) informing the Committee that the Programme of Work 2022-23, and indicative reporting timeline, approved by it on 17 March 2022 requires consideration of a progress update regarding the Digital Connectivity Services Framework which had been approved by the former Transformation and Digitisation Committee on 14 December 2021, and (2) providing focus on activities underway to support the Council's place-based approach, and the transition to the new supplier Commsworld Ltd and associated digital infrastructure solution. Decided: that the progress to date of Programme of Work item P088 be noted. PROCUREMENT STRATEGY - TOWN AND COMMUNITY HUB PROGRAMME 12. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions (1) reminding the Committee that in February 2019 it had approved an interim Procurement Strategy for Phase 3 of the Schools and Centres 21 Investment Programme which was now called the Town and Community Hub Delivery Programme and which had recommended that Hub South West Scotland Partnership be utilised for the procurement of six projects noted within the report which had approval at that time; (2) indicating that, during a recent audit, a recommendation had been made to update the Procurement Strategy to reflect recent developments with the Enterprise Contract, and (3) seeking approval of an updated Procurement Strategy for the remaining projects within Phase 3 of the Town and Community Hub Delivery Programme which recommends that a robust options appraisal be undertaken for two remaining projects which have not yet been procured via Hub South West to determine the most appropriate route to market. Decided: (1) that the updated Procurement Strategy for the Town and Community Hub Delivery Programme to provide a route for the Council to secure the remaining projects in the programme be approved, and (2) that it be acknowledged that all projects procured using this updated Procurement Strategy would be subject to a report to Committee seeking approval to enter into each agreement for construction. LEARNING ESTATE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME (LEIP) - PHASE 3: PROJECT BID TO SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT 13. There was submitted a report by the Head of Procurement and Asset Solutions (1) informing the Committee that the Council has the opportunity to bid for Scottish Government funding linked to the Learning Estate Strategy by the Learning Estate Improvement Programme (LEIP); (2) explaining that, as with previous rounds of funding, the Scottish Government requires councils to demonstrate that they have both financial and political approval for a project as part of the bid process; (3) recalling that a previous decision of the former Education and Families Committee in February 2021 was to prioritise Wishaw Town Hub within any future bids to the LEIP Programme and it had always been predicted
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 that external funding would be received along with the ability of the Council to secure match funding; (4) detailing that the financial position has changed over the last few years and that the Council does not currently have funding allocation for this project at this time; (5) intimating that, accordingly, two options are available to the Council, namely, Option 1 – Bid for Wishaw Town Hub as per the Committee decision, recognising the burden on capital and revenue budget planning, additionally bid for Chryston High extension and Gartcosh Community Hub – potentially maximising external funding to the Council, and Option 2 – Bid for Chryston High Extension and Gartcosh Community Hub only; (6) recommending that Option 2 be taken forward as it does not place any further pressure on the anticipated revenue savings required, whilst easing pressure on the Capital Programme. Councillor Logue, seconded by Councillor Kelly, moved the recommendations contained within the report and to include an additional recommendation to read “that the Leader of the Council write to the Scottish Government to express concerns about the impact of potential reduction in Capital Funding, the historical reduction of match funding in LEIP and the reliance on recurring revenue funding.” Councillor Carragher, seconded by Councillor Larson, moved, as an Amendment, the recommendations contained within the report. Thereon, in terms of Standing Order 39, the vote was taken by calling the roll. On the roll being called, 12 Members voted for the Amendment, as follows:- Councillors Barclay, Brennan, Carragher, Di Mascio, Hughes, Hume, Johnston, Larson, Magowan, Masterton, Robb, and A. Stubbs. 13 Members voted in favour of the Motion, as follows:- Councillors Boyd, Campbell, Duffy, Jones, Kelly, Leckie, Logue, Loughran, McBride, M. McCulloch, Nolan, Roarty and Watson. 12 Members having voted for the Amendment, 13 Members having voted for the Motion, the Motion was accordingly declared carried. Decided: (1) that Option 2 be progressed – namely that Chryston High Extension and the New Build Gartcosh Community Hub, are submitted to the Scottish Government as the Council's bid for LEIP Phase 3; (2) that both political and financial approval be provided in terms of the assurance required by LEIP criteria to support the associated bid, and (3) that the Leader of the Council writes to the Scottish Government to express concerns about the impact of potential reduction of Capital Funding, historical reduction of match funding in LEIP and the reliance on recurring revenue funding. RECOVER NL - PITCH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME 14. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions (1) reminding the Committee that as part of the Recover NL Programme, £2.2m had been allocated for a number of pitch improvements across North Lanarkshire and that it had been anticipated that funding would be utilised to upgrade four existing grass pitches to synthetic surfaces, along with upgrading existing synthetic pitches where this was required; (2) further recalling that it had been recognised that a feasibility study to further understand costs associated with upgrading grass pitches was required; (3) presenting the resulting feasibility report for upgrade work on each pitch and assessing the associated risk and challenges of delivering each of these pitches around infrastructure such as parking, changing accommodation and floodlighting; (4) highlighting that, from the feasibility study
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 work that had been carried out, it has been determined that the £2.2m budget would not cover the costs of the proposals presented and previously agreed within the budget and that, ultimately, a decision is required to allow for the funding to be spent appropriately and timeously; (5) outlining four options for consideration by the Committee together with financial costings for each. Decided: that Option 4, as outlined in the report be approved namely (a) to convert four grass pitches to synthetic surfaces at Cleland, Mossend, Harthill and Moodiesburn, subject to each project being deliverable and sustainable funding being identified within the current capital plan allocations, and (b) to defer the replacement of carpets to a future year of the current five year programme, recognising a prioritisation of spend in this area if funding becomes available. FAMILY LEAVE FOR ELECTED MEMBERS 15. There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions (1) informing the Committee that in September 2019, COSLA Leaders had agreed to the circulation to councils, for voluntary adoption, its Family Leave Guidance; (2) advising that a final version of the guidance was subsequently circulated in April 2020, and (3) recommending that the Family Leave Guidance as issued by COSLA be adopted by the Council whilst recognising that adoption of that guidance by the Council does not confer any legal and/or contractual rights on either the Council or Elected Members. Councillor A. Stubbs, seconded by Councillor Brennan, moved, as an Amendment, that Recommendation 1 be amended to read “that the family leave guidance, as issued by COSLA, be adopted by the Council with the following alteration: second bullet point, delete maximum of two weeks paternity leave and replace with the maximum of four weeks paternity leave. This is in line with the policy adopted for Council staff” and include an additional recommendation to read “Elected Members on parental leave will be entitled to nominate one Member to act as their proxy for any vote within Council meetings to avoid pressure on parents to attend meetings during parental/family leave.” Thereon, the Convener reminded the Committee that only full Council could amend Standing Orders. Decided: (1) that the Family Leave Guidance, as issued by COSLA, be adopted by the Council, with the provision for a maximum of two weeks paternity leave to be replaced with a maximum of four weeks paternity leave; (2) that it be acknowledged that adoption of the guidance by the Council does not confer any legal and/or contractual rights on either the Council or Elected Members, and (3) that a report be submitted to the Council meeting in December 2022 setting out options on whether Elected Members on parental leave could be entitled to nominate one other Elected Member to act as their proxy for any vote within Council meetings to avoid pressure on parents to attend meetings during parental/family leave. Councillor Bustard, prior to consideration of the following item of business, had declared a connection by virtue of a close family member being involved in Service Delivery to the virtual school. Councillor Bustard was not present at the reconvened meeting. BUILDING OUR PROMISE COMMUNITY 16. There was submitted a report by the Head of Children, Families and Justice Services/Chief Social Work Officer recommending that, as the next step in the Promise journey, partners reaffirm their commitment to a Promise Pledge and the hosting of a conference to explore key issues and
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 opportunities including new approaches and joint work with local communities to foster a sense of shared ownership and accountability towards improving lives and outcomes for children, young people and their families. Decided: (1) that the progress to date in North Lanarkshire by the Children Services Partnership in implementing “the Promise”, including the establishment of a core Promise Team be noted; (2) that the recent commitment by the North Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership Strategic Leadership Board to examine where partners can support delivery of the Promise in North Lanarkshire be endorsed, and (3) that a joint Conference be organised as a vehicle to reaffirm all partners’ commitment to the Promise through a Promise Pledge, to inform both the future direction and development of services and a building of a Promise Community with a report on the outcomes of the Conference to be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee. Councillor Hughes, prior to consideration of the following item of business, had declared a connection by virtue of being the office manager for the relevant Scottish Minister responsible for resettlement and support, and had further declared that she considered the interest was so sufficiently remote that it did not preclude her participation in consideration of the matter. UKRAINIAN DISPLACED PERSONS – RESETTLEMENT AND SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS 17. There was submitted a report by the Head of Children, Families and Justice Services/Chief Social Work Officer (1) providing an update on the resettlement and the support of Ukrainian Displaced Persons (UDPs) in North Lanarkshire through both the UK-wide Homes for Ukrainian Scheme and Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme, both of which were set up in response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine; (2) reminding the Committee of the Council’s leading reputation in the support and resettlement of refugees since 2007; (3) explaining that whilst the scale of arrivals and supporting framework for UDPs is substantially different from previous such schemes, arrangements have been put in place to support Ukrainian arrivals in North Lanarkshire which have been built on the experience and strong partnership work which has been developed through the Council’s involvement in previous schemes, and (4) outlining work undertaken to date to support those arriving and resettling, at this point on an assumed temporary basis, in North Lanarkshire to the Homes for Ukraine and Super Sponsor Schemes as well as those housed temporarily within Welcome Hub accommodation in the area and setting out and seeking approval for future arrangements to support Ukrainian resettlement. Decided: (1) that the position with the introduction of Ukrainian Schemes be noted; (2) that the approach outlined within the report to future resettlement support for UDPs be endorsed, and (3) that the oversight of this work be remitted to the Member Officer Resettlement and Relocation Group, which had been established to oversee the implementation of other resettlement schemes in North Lanarkshire, reflected in the current programme of work PO84.1(8). NATIONAL CARE SERVICE BILL – CALL FOR VIEWS AND FUTURE PLANNING 18. There was submitted a report by the Head of Children, Families and Justice Services/Chief Social Work Officer (1) recalling that following the independent review of Adult Social Care led by Derek Feeley, the Scottish Government undertook a consultation on the proposal to establish a National
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 Care Service (NCS) in Autumn 2021; (2) attaching the Council’s Response to a Call for Views which had been made following the publication of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill in June 2022; (3) explaining that the NCS Bill will be considered at Stage 1 of the process by four parliamentary Committees, reflecting the fact that this represents potentially the biggest public sector reform in decades with substantial impacts for local authorities and the future delivery of support to individuals and families; (4) highlighting that the response had been agreed by the Corporate Management Team due to the narrow submission deadline of 2 September which precluded consideration by Committee, with the response drawing on the Council’s response to the NCS Consultation which had been agreed by this Committee in October 2021 whilst also raising additional concerns arising from the framing of the legislation and proposed Bill process, and (5) proposing that in view of the significant and wide- ranging impact on the Council of NCS proposals as framed within the Bill and, in line with the approach taken during the Consultation period, that a Member Officer Group be established to both guide the Council’s future engagement with the Bill process and support planning and management of the potential impact for the Council. Decided: (1) that the Council’s response to the Call for Views, as attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be noted and homologated, and (2) that the establishment of a Member Officer Group to guide future engagement with the Bill process and future planning with respect to NCS be approved. HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT PROVISION 2022-23 19. There was submitted a report by the Head of Education (North) (1) recalling that on 16 August 2022, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) had advised that it had failed in its contractual obligation to arrange transport for over 1600 children and young people due to attend schools in North Lanarkshire the following day and that this failure affected over 40 individual contract routes and came despite previous communication from SPT that over 99% of all contracts were in place; (2) advising that in response to this situation, Education and Families set up a Transport Emergency Group under the Corporate Resilience Framework to design and implement a design of complex and far-reaching actions designed to mitigate a series of significant consequences and impacts; (3) reporting that as 25 August 2022, all children and young people affected had now had a transport offering put in place and that work continued to improve temporary arrangements on an ongoing basis, and (4) advising that SPT has committed to both an internal review and a joint review with the Council with such a review requiring to consider specific mitigations that could be deployed to counteract market volatility. Councillor Larson, seconded by Councillor Carragher, moved, as an Amendment, an additional recommendation to read:- “That Council requires the completed review to be tabled for Full Council and no options or recommendations are implemented without a decision made by elected members.” The Convener confirmed that he was content to accept the terms of the Amendment. Decided: (1) that the contents of the report be endorsed; (2) that the internal review and joint review by and with SPT respectively, noting that Elected Members will receive reports on the outcomes of these reviews, be endorsed, and (3) that the outcome of the completed review be submitted for consideration by the Council at its meeting in December 2022 and, that no options or recommendations be implemented without a decision being made by elected members.
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POLICY AND STRATEGY - 29 SEPTEMBER 2022 147 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 paragraph 14 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act. REVIEW OF SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME AND COUNTER TERRORISM ARRANGEMENTS 20. There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions providing information in relation to the strategies to tackle the issues and threats to local communities from terrorism and serious and organised crime. Decided: (1) that the actions outlined in the report be endorsed, and (2) that, otherwise, the contents of the report be endorsed.