Minute of Meeting of Scrutiny and Performance Committee of 3 June 2026 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 7 October 2026
Back to Scrutiny and Performance Committee — 7 October 2026 and its agenda
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Scrutiny and Performance Committee Minute of hybrid meeting of the Scrutiny and Performance Committee held in the Council Chambers, 2 High Street, Perth, on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 1.00pm. Present: Councillor C Stewart, Bailie A Bailey, Councillors K Allan, A Forbes, K Harvey (substituting for Councillor M Frampton), W Robertson, C Shiers, F Smith, G Stewart (substituting for Councillor S Carr) and J Welch. In Attendance: T Glen, Chief Executive; L Simpson, Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance; S Merone, Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning; K Johnston, S MacDonald, K Smith, N Sworowski and A Rennie (all Economy, Development and Planning), J Clark, K Jamangile, A Goodey, S Wallace, K Molley, E Ferguson and M Pasternak (Legal and Governance). Apologies: Councillors S Carr and M Frampton Councillor C Stewart, Convener, Presiding. Convener led on Items 1-6, 8 and P1, with Vice-Convener leading on Item 7. 1. Welcome and Apologies The Convener welcomed all those present to the meeting. 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 Meeting of Scrutiny and Performance Committee of 25 March 2026 for Approval The minute of meeting of the Scrutiny and Performance Committee of 25 March 2026 was submitted and approved as a correct record. 4. Outstanding Business Statement Resolved: The status of actions in the Outstanding Business Statement, be noted and completed actions be removed accordingly.
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5. Arm’s Length External Organisations – Financial Statements 5(i) Culture Perth & Kinross There was submitted a report (26/154) providing Committee with current financial position of Culture Perth & Kinross. 5(ii) Live Active Leisure There was submitted a report (26/155) providing Committee with current financial position of Live Active Leisure. 5(iii) Perth Theatre and Concert Hall There was submitted a report (26/156) providing Committee with current financial position of Perth Theatre and Concert Hall. Members questions were answered and the Convener thanked K Johnston and S MacDonald for their attendance. 6. National Planning Improvement Plan (NPIF) There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning (26/157) presenting the Performance Assessment of the Planning Service, together with the associated Improvement Action Plan and Progress Update prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Planning Improvement Framework (NPIF). Councillor K Allan queried if targets are set for the planning authority in Perth and Kinross, K Smith confirmed that the performance level in Perth and Kinross was positive but advised that management teams continuously look at what learnings can be taken from processes, procedures and decisions. K Smith added that PKC would look at other Local Authorities performance in terms of best practice activities. In a supplementary question from Councillor K Allan regarding current figures of LRB decisions, N Sworowski confirmed that information would be shared with members following the meeting. Councillor G Stewart referred to the new role of the Planning Improvement Officer and queried if the benefits are being realised and if so, how are they being measured. N Sworowski advised that whist the NPIF was a four-year process, the new role would allow for close monitoring of the process from stage one. N Sworowski confirmed that the introduction of the role had been very positive and the Planning Improvement Officer had also been looking at ways to work more efficiently. Councillor K Allan referred to retail applications and queried if the Planning Authority does consider the want of local communities. K Smith confirmed public opinion would be a consideration, however, advised that their views would be
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balanced against the national and local policies set out in the Local Development Plan. The Convener added that communities can put forward Local Place Plans which would be given consideration as part of the development of LDP3 and N Sworowski confirmed that additional community engagement would be undertaken. Councillor C Shiers queried how the accountability and complaints process was built into the NPIF, N Sworowski advised that there had not been as much data around complaints as had been seen previously with performance framework and confirmed that the potential for more data needs to be further looked at. N Sworowski confirmed that the Planning Improvement Officer would monitor the data that we do hold within the NPIF as part of their role and look at learning that can be undertaken from responses received. The Vice-Convener referred to attribute that this planning authority has good customer care which had been given a score of 3 and queried if the measurement of customer satisfaction would be step one towards improving the customer satisfaction. N Sworowski confirmed that PKC had scored themselves a 3 for customer care as further measurement needs to be undertaken which should lead to improvements in customer satisfaction. In response to a supplementary question from the Vice-Convener as to who we would define as the customer, N Sworowski confirmed that the customer would be anyone that interacted with the planning service such as applicants, residents and businesses. Members thanked officers from the Planning Service for all their work and the continued support to residents. Members also referred to the success of the PKC hosted event of Heads of Planning Scotland Student Opportunities programme. Councillor C Shiers suggested that the structure and language used in the NPIF could be altered to make the documents more user friendly for members of the public. N Sworowski confirmed that officers would feedback to the Improvement Service. In respect to recommendation two, the Convener and Vice-Convener confirmed that an executive summary would be beneficial, with a focus on the areas of complaints performance and planning enforcement on an annual basis. The Convener suggested that an offline discussion be arranged to look at themes raised and to consider when and which Elected Members should be included in the process. Resolved: (i) The NPIF Performance Assessment, Improvement Action Plan and the Improvement Action Progress Update 2025 attached as Appendix 1, 2 and 3, respectively, be noted. (ii) Elected Member input for NPIF Year 3 (Stage 4) process, and onwards, including consideration at which specific point, stage or sub-stage Elected Members should wish to be consulted or engaged with, be considered. (There followed a short recess and the meeting reconvened at 2.08pm)
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7. Annual Governance Statement 2025/26 There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance (26/158) presenting for scrutiny and review, the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for the financial year 2025/26 which provides assurance as to the effectiveness of the Council’s governance framework, and particularly the system of internal control. Councillor A Forbes queried how confident officers are on the adequacy of the information gathered from the Strategic Leadership Team for the Annual Governance Statement. J Clark confirmed that Strategic Leads are asked to complete separate questionnaires for their areas which covers all aspects of governance. In addition, the officers detailed in 6.2 of the report are also asked to complete a questionnaire which would be reviewed by the Chief Internal Auditor and those questionnaires support or challenge the evidence provided by SLs. In response to a supplementary question from Councillor A Forbes regarding the questionnaires, J Clark confirmed that the questionnaires are comprehensive and cover areas such as vision, values and leadership. J Clark added that the questionnaires include detail on internal controls and arrangements within the SL’s service to support the culture of the organisation and the management of assets. In response to a question from Councillor A Forbes, L Simpson confirmed that the purpose of the Annual Governance Statement was to provide assurance that there are controls in place that allow the Council to manage risk, finances and information assets, procure legally, work to a corporate plan and Council priorities, effective leadership political engagement are in place, and to keep the organisation protected in terms of cyber. In response to a supplementary question, L Simpson confirmed that it was a statutory requirement for the AGS to be carried out on an annual basis. L Simson added that a draft of the AGS would be submitted to Scrutiny and Performance Committee first to allow members to provide observations and comments. The draft AGS would then be submitted to Audit and Risk Committee at the end of June with the draft accounts and the finalised version would be submitted for approval near the end of the year. The Vice-Convener queried where the internal controls of AI and automation sit. L Simpson confirmed that there are specific controls in terms of AI, automation and digital technology but confirmed as AI becomes embedded in some of the Council’s transformation projects, they would be looked at in each of the areas that they are operating in. Resolved: (i) The draft Annual Governance Statement for the financial year 2025/26, be scrutinised.
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(ii) The assurance provided as to the adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s Governance arrangements, including the system of internal control, be noted. 8. Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Draft Care and Professional Governance Assurance Report Resolved: Perth and Kinross Care and Professional Governance Forums were held on 14 February, 10 April and 8 May. There were no Social Work/Social Care issues escalated for exception reporting. (It was agreed that the public and press should be excluded during consideration of the following items in order to avoid the disclosure of information which is exempt in terms of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.) P1. Annual Review of Cyber Security There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance (26/159) (1) providing an overview of the Council’s cyber security position, (2) outlining the current risks and threats, the arrangements in place to protect information (“Cyber Security”), and the key compliance frameworks that apply to the organisation, and also (3) considering the evolving cyber threat landscape and assessing the maturity of the Council’s governance and security controls, providing assurance on the integrity and resilience of our systems and processes. Resolved: (i) The contents of Report 26/159, be considered. (ii) The current cyber security position and the assurance provided as to the 2adequacy of the existing arrangements for protecting Council information and systems, be noted. (iii) Continued assurance that the cyber security risks are being actively monitored and managed.