Minute of meeting of 12 June 2024
Perth and Kinross Council · 18 September 2024
Back to Finance and Resources Committee — 18 September 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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DRAFT FINANCE AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE Minute of hybrid meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee held in the Council Chamber, 2 Hight Street, Perth on Wednesday 12 June 2024 at 1.30pm. Present: Councillors S Donaldson and G Laing, Bailie C Ahern and Bailie A Bailey, Provost X McDade, and Councillors P Barrett, A Chan, D Cuthbert, E Drysdale, J Duff, I James (substituting for Councillor C Shiers), D Illingworth, S McCole (substituting for Depute Provost A Parrott), T McEwan, J Rebbeck and C Stewart. In Attendance: T Glen, Chief Executive; C Mailer, Director (Strategy, People and Resources); A Williams, Director (Economy, Place and Learning); S Devlin, E Ritchie, K Steven, S Merone, N Taylor, P Taggart, B Martin-Scott, F MacKay (Economy, Place and Learning); L Simpson, S Walker, G Boland, S Crawford, C Guild, P Johnstone, C Robertson, R Graham, K Molley, A Brown and S Dockerill (Strategy, People and Resources). Apologies: Depute Provost A Parrott and Councillor and C Shiers. Councillor S Donaldson, Convener, Presiding. THE CONVENER LED ON ITEMS 1-6, 8-9 AND 11 AND THE VICE-CONVENER LED ON ITEMS 7, 10 and 12. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES The Convener welcomed all those present to the meeting and apologies were noted as above. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations made in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minute of meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee of 24 April 2024 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. OUTSTANDING BUSINESS STATEMENT Resolved: The status of action in the Outstanding Business Statement (24/179) be noted and completed actions removed accordingly. 5. PEOPLE AND CULTURE STRATEGY 2024-2028 There was submitted a report by the Corporate Human Resources Manager (24/180) seeking approval of the People and Culture Strategy 202402928 and the associated action plan. Resolved:
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DRAFT (i) The People and Culture Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1 to Report 24/180, be approved. (ii) It be agreed that updates on progress of actions in the action plan and any new or emerging issues arising during the life cycle of the strategy be reported annually to the Finance and Resources Committee. 6. PROCUREMENT UPDATE There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance (24/181) providing an update on the Council’s procurement activity, setting out an Annual Procurement Report for financial year 2023/24 and the planned procurement activity for future years. Resolved: (i) The Procurement Annual Report 2023/24 be approved for publication. (ii) The record of tenders accepted during 2023/24 under the Council’s scheme of delegation be noted. (iii) Monies provided to third parties under the Code of Guidance for Following the Public Pound during 2023/24 be noted. (iv) The planned procurement activity, as far as known for future years, be noted. 7. PITLOCHRY ASSET REVIEW There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Property Services (24/182) seeking approval to consolidate and optimise Council assets and to develop the community asset offer in Pitlochry in line with the Council’s Corporate Asset Management Framework, to ensure that our asset base is efficient, effective and fit for purpose now and in the future within that locality. Motion (Councillor G Laing and Provost X McDade) (i) The extensive community engagement undertaken to date within to help shape the recommendations be noted. (ii) The review findings, as set out in Section 5 of Report 24/182, be noted. (iii) The recommendations, as set out in Section 7 of Report 24/182, be approved: consolidate community facilities in a redeveloped secondary school/’community campus’ model, as per Option 2C, with a gym/4 court games hall. remodel and upgrade internal secondary school environment to make enhanced facilities more functional within existing footprint. improve accessibility during and after normal school operating hours for public library, council services and leisure services at weekends. consolidate locality depot arrangements at Aldour depot, declaring Cloichard depot surplus. encourage and support Community Asset Transfer of Cloichard Depot and Pitlochry Town Hall. redevelop Tyree House, the area office/library site as social housing, redevelop Atholl Leisure Centre site/building for affordable housing contributing to reducing the unmet demand in Pitlochry area. establish a long-term full repair and insurance lease of the Pavilion to Highland Perthshire Community Partners. maintain public toilets (status quo).
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DRAFT (iv) The funding option, as set out in Section 5 of Report 24/182, be approved. Amendment (Councillors P Barrett and T McEwan consolidate community facilities in a redeveloped secondary school/’community campus’ model, as per Option 2B, with a gym/2 court games hall. In terms of Standing Order 21.5 a roll call vote was taken. 13 members voted for the Motion as follows: Bailie A Bailie, Councillors D Cuthbert, S Donaldson, E Drysdale, J Duff, D Illingworth, I James, G Laing, S McCole, Provost X McDade, T McEwan, J Rebbeck and C Stewart. 3 members voted for the Amendment as follows: Bailie C Ahern, Councillors P Barrett and A Chan. Resolved: In accordance with the Motion. 8. AUTHORITY TO WRITE OFF BAD DEBTS AND OBSOLETE STOCK There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support (24/182) seeking approval to write off identified debts in respect of Sales ledger; Council Tax (including Water & Wastewater charges); Non-Domestic Rates; Irrecoverable Rents; Housing Benefit Overpayments and Car Park Trading Account Income; and (2) seeking approval to write off obsolete stock and write off other miscellaneous balances. Resolved: (i) It be approved that all amounts detailed in section 4 of Report 24/182 and included in appendices 1 to 5 are written off for accounting purposes. (ii) It be noted that whilst these amounts are written off, the files are not closed, and every effort will be made to collect outstanding debt where recovery is cost effective. (iii) The removal of charges for services for people seeking asylum for a further year detailed in section 5 of Report 24/182, be approved. (iv) The revised charges set out in section 6 and appendix 6 of Report 24/182, be approved. 9. MISSING SHARES PILOT – FEEDBACK AND RECOMMENDATIONS There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Housing and Communities (24/183) detailing the benefits identified as a result of the pilot and recommends that the Missing Shares Service be extended for a further 3 years. Resolved: The funding of any Missing Shares Service, for a further 3 years, via the second homes budget, as a recoverable income, be agreed.
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DRAFT 10. PERTH WEST PROGRESS REPORT There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (24/184) providing members with an update on the progress made in respect of the funding and income streams that will offset the estimated expenditure to deliver the first phase of the Perth West investment project. Resolved: (i) The anticipated decision path detailed in Report 24/184, be noted. (ii) It be agreed to proceed with Stage 1 of pre-construction works at an estimated costs of £1.55m against the capital allocation of £3m in 2024/25. (iii) It be requested for the Strategic Lead - Economy, Development and Planning, the Strategic Lead - Legal and Governance and the Strategic Lead – Finance and Business Support to report back on progress. 11. REQUEST TO DRAW DOWN EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE RESERVE FOR SUPPORT IN PRIMARY 1 There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Education and Learning (24/185) providing details of the increased support required in Primary 1 and outlines of the purpose of drawing down funding the Early Learning and Childcare reserve to meet this level of need. Resolved: (i) The contents of Report 24/185, be noted. (ii) The draw down of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) reserves of £393,000 in financial year 2024/25 and £243,000 in financial year 2025/26 to provide additional support in P1 For session 2024/25. 12. DISPOSAL OF MINIBUSES There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Environment and Infrastructure (24/187) seeking approval to amend the Council’s policy on the disposal of Fleet and Mechanical Equipment, with specific regard to minibuses which have reached the end of their operational life within the Council service. Resolved: (i) It be agreed that the Disposal of Fleet and Mechanical Equipment Policy is amended to allow an option to transfer minibuses, if deemed suitable, to community groups. (ii) It be requested for officers to develop a policy for disposal of minibuses and selection criteria for transfer of suitable vehicles to community groups.