Minute of Meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 30 August 2023 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 4 October 2023
Back to Perth and Kinross Council — 4 October 2023 and its agenda
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PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL Minute of hybrid meeting of Perth and Kinross Council held in the Council Chamber, 2 High Street, Perth on Wednesday 30 August 2023 at 10:30am. Present: Provost X McDade, Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies C Ahern, A Bailey, R Brock and C McLaren, Councillors K Allan, H Anderson, L Barrett, P Barrett, B Brawn, S Carr, A Chan, D Cuthbert, S Donaldson, E Drysdale, J Duff, A Forbes, M Frampton, N Freshwater (from Item 5(i) onwards), K Harvey, D Illingworth, I James, N Khogali, G Laing, B Leishman, I MacPherson, I Massie, S McCole, T McEwan, J Rebbeck, C Reid, W Robertson, C Shiers, F Smith, C Stewart, G Stewart, R Watters and J Welch. In Attendance: T Glen, Chief Executive; L Simpson, Head of Legal and Governance Services; C Mailer, Executive Lead – Strategic Planning and Transformation; B Renton, Executive Director (Communities); S MacKenzie, Head of Finance; C Guild, Head of Innovation, F Robertson, Head of Culture and Communities Services, J Pepper, Chief Officer – Health and Social Care Partnership/Chief Social Work Officer, N Sutherland, S Merone, S Hendry, R Ramsay and M Pasternak (all Corporate and Democratic Services). Apologies: Bailie M Williamson. Provost X McDade, Presiding. Prior to the commencement of business the Provost congratulated Councillor Peter Barrett on his recent award by Perthshire Pride on his work as the Council’s Equalities Champion. The Provost also congratulated Clare Mailer on her appointment as Director of Strategy, People & Resources beginning 1 September 2023. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES Provost McDade welcomed all those present to the meeting. An apology was noted as above. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no Declaration of Interests in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. 3. MINUTE OF MEETING OF PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL OF 28 JUNE 2023 FOR APPROVAL The minute of meeting of Perth and Kinross Council of 28 June 2023 was approved as correct record. 4. OUTSTANDING BUSINESS STATEMENT The Outstanding Business Statement was noted, and it was agreed to remove the completed actions.
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5. NOTICE OF MOTIONS 5(i) Proposed Closure of Methven Branch Surgery Motion By Councillors E Drysdale and G Laing This Council notes with great concern the proposal to close the Methven Branch Surgery with patients to be offered care at Victoria Practice, Glover Street in the centre of Perth instead. Such a move would cause significant inconvenience and disruption to patients who have been attending Methven branch surgery, especially those who rely on public transport or who are mobility impaired. At a time also of increasing population migration into West Perth, this closure would be a hugely unwelcome development. This Council calls on the Leader of the Council and the Leaders of all other political groups within Perth & Kinross Council on behalf of those families affected by this latest proposal, to write jointly to the practice managers, NHS Tayside Primary Care Services and Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership to request an urgent meeting to discuss alternative options for the primary care of the 1500 patients in the Methven area. 1st Amendment by Councillors D Illingworth and F Smith 1. The Council acknowledges the significant dismay, disappointment, and anger of the people of Methven and surrounding area caused by the proposal to close Methven Surgery. 2. The Council recognises the immense strain placed on GP practices across Scotland caused by a shortage of GPs and that that strain is forcing The Victoria Practice, Glover Street to propose closing Methven Surgery. 3. The Council notes that the Victoria Practice and NHS Tayside are working hard to communicate with members of the Methven community, Methven and District Community Council, ward councillors and MSPs to make sure that all alternatives to closure are being explored. 4. The Council will support any initiative to create a volunteer led community transport group in Methven that could be used not only for patient transport to Glover Street, but for other community purposes. 2nd Amendment by Bailie C McLaren Councillor P Barrett To replace Item 4 of the 1st Amendment with : 4.Council Instructs Officers to engage with any local community efforts to establish a Community Transport Group. Calls upon the Leader of the Council, local members and the Vice-Chair of Perth and Kinross Integrated Joint Board to write to the Practise Managers, NHS Tayside Primary Care services and Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care
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Partnership to request an urgent meeting to discuss alternative options for the primary care of the 1500 patients of the Methven branch surgery. THERE FOLLOWED A RECESS AND THE MEETING RECONVENED AT 11.15AM. At this point the mover and seconder of the 1st Amendment agreed to incorporate the 2nd Amendment into the 1st Amendment and remove Items 1-3 of the 1st Amendment. The 1st Amendment therefore became the substantive Amendment. The mover and seconder of the Motion then agreed to incorporate the Amendment into the Revised Motion. Resolved: In accordance with the Revised Motion as follows: • This Council notes with great concern the proposal to close the Methven Branch Surgery with patients to be offered care at Victoria Practice, Glover Street in the centre of Perth instead. Such a move would cause significant inconvenience and disruption to patients who have been attending Methven branch surgery, especially those who rely on public transport or who are mobility impaired. At a time also of increasing population migration into West Perth, this closure would be a hugely unwelcome development. • Council Instructs Officers to engage with any local community efforts to establish a Community Transport Group. • Council Calls upon the Leader of the Council, local members and the Vice-Chair of Perth and Kinross Integrated Joint Board to write to the Practise Managers, NHS Tayside Primary Care services and Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership to request an urgent meeting to discuss alternative options for the primary care of the 1500 patients of the Methven branch surgery. 5(ii) Calling for improved financial and practical support from UK Government to facilitate planned increases in Asylum Seeker Dispersal to Perth & Kinross Motion By Councillors E Drysdale And G Laing Last month the UK Government restated its policy to reduce its reliance on contingency hotels accommodation for asylum seekers. This month, Perth & Kinross Council was advised of the Government’s intention to increase the numbers to be housed in two hotels within Perth City Centre by 85%. These measures are being rolled out imminently so far without clarity on many practical considerations, on dealing with the impact on public services, and on sufficiency
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of increased funding to the Council. The matter of local private housing accommodation for those eventually granted asylum has still to be addressed. The people of Perth & Kinross have a proud history of offering support and sanctuary to those fleeing conflict – most recently from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria – and this will certainly continue, however Governments must provide practical and financial resource to assist the local authority and public partners in looking after our guests. Council therefore calls upon the Leader of the Council and leaders of all political groups within Perth & Kinross to write to the UK Home Secretary urgently requesting further financial and practical assistance so that asylum seekers who arrive in Perth & Kinross can be properly looked after, in a caring and compassionate manner. Amendment Councillors P Barrett and W Robertson Council notes 1. The concerns that local authorities are consistently raising with UK and Scottish Governments which include: • Lack of funding and pressure on local services, particularly in relation to health services; • Licensing of hotels given the long term nature of stays and that these are the single address of residents; • Safeguarding and how matching of individuals to room share will be managed; • Infectious diseases testing and management of outbreaks; • Support for those whose mental wellbeing will be affected; • Lockable furniture for service users; • Dispute resolution; • Activities for people. 2 English local authorities have received additional funding from the Department for Education to develop their capacity for Unaccompanied Asylum -seeking Children (UASC) for National Transfer scheme (NTS) placements, and there are plans to extend this funding in the coming months. Scottish local authorities are unable to access this funding. 3 It was reported to CoSLA leaders on Friday that one of the significant concerns from local partners is the significant impact on health services which are, in many areas, already struggling to meet the needs of asylum
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applicants. NHS England disseminates some funding to Integrated Care Systems in England to support these services. Scottish Heath Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships do not get any such funding. Home Office officials have made it clear that health funding would need to come from Scottish Government as it is a devolved competence. COSLA officers have previously raised this matter with Scottish Government officials, but there has been no clear response to date as to the Scottish Government position in this regard. Council agrees that that the Leaders of all political groups of Perth and Kinross Council write a joint letter to the Scottish and UK Governments to 1) ask for their financial support to assist placements for UASC arriving through the NTS rota and as spontaneous arrivals. 2) Seek additional funding for health services. The mover and seconder of the Motion agreed to incorporate the Amendment into the Revised Motion. Resolved: In accordance with the Revised Motion as follows: Council notes: 1 The concerns that local authorities are consistently raising with UK and Scottish Governments which include: • Lack of funding and pressure on local services, particularly in relation to health services; • Licensing of hotels given the long term nature of stays and that these are the single address of residents; • Safeguarding and how matching of individuals to room share will be managed; • Infectious diseases testing and management of outbreaks; • Support for those whose mental wellbeing will be affected; • Lockable furniture for service users; • Dispute resolution; • Activities for people. 2 English local authorities have received additional funding from the Department for Education to develop their capacity for Unaccompanied Asylum -seeking Children (UASC) for National Transfer scheme (NTS) placements, and there are plans to extend this funding in the coming months. Scottish local authorities are unable to access this funding.
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3 It was reported to CoSLA leaders on Friday that one of the significant concerns from local partners is the significant impact on health services which are, in many areas, already struggling to meet the needs of asylum applicants. NHS England disseminates some funding to Integrated Care Systems in England to support these services. Scottish Heath Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships do not get any such funding. Home Office officials have made it clear that health funding would need to come from Scottish Government as it is a devolved competence. COSLA officers have previously raised this matter with Scottish Government officials, but there has been no clear response to date as to the Scottish Government position in this regard. Council agrees that that the Leaders of all political groups of Perth and Kinross Council write a joint letter to the Scottish and UK Governments to: 1) Ask for their financial support to assist placements for UASC arriving through the NTS rota and as spontaneous arrivals. 2) Seek additional funding for health services. 3) Requesting further financial and practical assistance so that asylum seekers who arrive in Perth & Kinross can be properly looked after, in a caring and compassionate manner. 5(iii) Winter Clothing Grant for School Children Motion By Councillor B Leishman and Bailie A Bailey The devastating cost of living crisis shows no sign of ending. This is impacting nearly everyone in society and there are families across every ward in Perth & Kinross that are in great need and would benefit from help in providing winter clothing for their children and young people. We propose to add an additional £20,000 to the Council’s Financial Insecurity Fund with referral routes for applications being broadened to include schools, link workers, self-referrals and those who may be eligible through Welfare Rights and Welfare Fund. This £20,000 would be taken from the Covid Reserve.
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Proposed Amendment by Councillor G Laing To remove the wording ‘school children’, so that the grant is also applied to pre- school children. The mover and seconder of the Motion agreed to incorporate the proposed Amendment. Resolved: With the Revised Motion. 6. PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2022/23 There was submitted a report by Chief Executive (23/234) (1) providing an overview of performance against priorities, actions and associated key performance indicators in the period from April 2022 to March 2023, as set out within Corporate Plan 2022-2027. Whilst the revised Corporate Plan was approved by Council in December 2022, this report covers a full financial year reporting period. It recognises activity undertaken in support of corporate priorities both pre-and post-publication of the Plan. Resolved: The Annual Performance Report 2022/23, be approved. 7. ARMED FORCES COVENANT PROGRESS REPORT There was submitted a report by Head of Innovation (23/235) providing members with a Progress Report in relation to the Council’s commitment under the Armed Forces Covenant. Resolved: The content of the report be noted, and the continued work in relation to the Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant be approved. 8. REVIEW OF COMMITTEE TIMETABLE 2023 AND INDICATIVE 2024 TIMETABLE There was a report submitted by Head of Legal and Governance Services (23/238) presenting a review of the committee timetable for 2023 and an indicative committee timetable for 2024.
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Motion by Councillors E Drysdale and G Laing To agree the proposals in the report. Amendment by Councillor J Duff and Bailie C Ahern To agree the proposals set in the report in relation to the 2023 timetable and to reconstitute the Governance Member/Officer Working Group to further consider the proposed 2024 timetable. In terms of Standing Order 21.1, a roll call vote was taken: 21 Members voted for the Motion, as follows: Provost X McDade, Depute Provost A Parrott, Bailies A Bailey andR Brock, Councillors S Carr, D Cuthbert, S Donaldson, E Drysdale, M Frampton, K Harvey, G Laing, B Leishman, I MacPherson, I Massie, S McCole, T McEwan, J Rebbeck, C Stewart, G Stewart, R Watters and J Welch. 18 Members voted for the Amendment, as follows: Bailies C Ahern, C McLaren, Councillors K Allan, H Anderson, L Barrett, P Barrett, B Brawn, A Chan, J Duff, A Forbes, N Freshwater, D Illingworth, I James, N Khogali, C Reid, W Robertson, C Shiers and F Smith. Resolved: In accordance with the Motion. 9. APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES/OUTSIDE BODIES (i) It be agreed that Provost X McDade replace Councillor C Stewart on the Learning and Families Committee. (ii) It be noted that the following members were appointed to the Appointment Sub-Committee: • Panel for the post of Executive Director (Strategy, People and Resources) Bailie A Bailey Councillor P Barrett Councillor G Laing Provost McDade Councillor C Shiers
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• Panel for the post of Executive Director (Economy, Place and Learning) Bailie A Bailey Councillor P Barrett Councillor D Cuthbert Councillor G Laing Councillor C Shiers (iii) In line with the Perth and Kinross Integration Scheme, the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Perth and Kinross Integration Joint Board rotate every 2 years between Perth and Kinross Council and NHS Tayside. The current Chair of the IJB is Bob Benson, NHS Tayside. From 4 October 2023, the position of Chair of the Board will be held by Perth and Kinross Council. It be confirmed that Councillor C Stewart be appointed to the role of Chair of the Integration Joint Board from 4 October 2023. 10. ELECTED MEMBERS BRIEFING NOTES Resolved: The Elected Members Briefing Notes, issued since the previous Council meeting and as set out on the agenda, be noted. 11. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE KINROSS-SHIRE LOCAL COMMITTEE SCHEME OF ADMINISTRATION Resolved: Council approves the enclosed changes to the terms of reference for the Kinross-shire Local Committee and instructs the Head of Legal and Governance Services to amend the Council’s Scheme of Administration as necessary. P1. PERTH HARBOUR - MARKETING OF LONG LEASEHOLD OPPORTUNITY There was submitted a report by Head of Planning and Development (23/236) providing an update on the marketing of Perth Harbour on a long leasehold basis as agreed at the Council’s meeting of 8 February 2023 (Report No. 23/42 refers).
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Motion by Councillors G Laing and E Drysdale: (i) Council accepts the bidder’s expression of interest, as detailed in the report, excluding the sale of the Fair Maid tugboat at nil value, and instructs the Head of Planning & Development and the Head of Legal & Governance Services to conclude a legal agreement with the bidder on that basis. (ii) Should the bidder agree to exclude the sale of the Fair Maid at nil value, the Executive Director (Communities) is instructed to seek the approval of the Scottish Ministers for a Harbour Revision Order to transfer the Statutory Harbour Authority and Competent Harbour Authority’s responsibilities to the bidder. (iii) Should the bidder formally advise that it does not wish to enter into a lease that excludes the sale of the Fair Maid at nil value, the Executive Director (Communities) is instructed to seek the approval of the Scottish Ministers for a Harbour Revision Order to close the Harbour in line with Option 5 as agreed on 8 February 2023 (Report No. 23/42 refers). Proposed Amendment by Councillor P Barrett: In accordance with the Motion but to set a deadline of one week for the bidder to respond to the proposed offer. The mover and seconder of the Motion agreed to incorporate the proposed Amendment into the Revised Motion. Resolved: In accordance with the Revised Motion.