Minute of Meeting of Scrutiny and Performance Committee of 4 June 2025 for Approval
Perth and Kinross Council · 17 September 2025
Back to Scrutiny and Performance Committee — 17 September 2025 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 4 June 2025 at 09.30am. Present: Councillors C Stewart, Bailie A Bailey, Councillors K Allan, B Brawn (substituting for Councillor C Shiers), S Carr, A Forbes, M Frampton, I Massie, W Robertson, F Smith and J Welch. In Attendance: T Glen, Chief Executive; C Mailer, Depute Chief Executive; L Simpson, Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance; S Merone, Strategic Lead – Economy, Development and Planning; S McDonald, K Johnston and T Waterworth (Economy, Planning and Development); F MacKay and J Meikle (Education and Learning); J Clark, K Jamangile, A Goodey, S Wallace, J McGregor, K Molley, M Pasternak and R Ramsay (Legal and Governance). Apology: Councillor C Shiers Councillor C Stewart, Convener, Presiding. The Convener led discussion on Items 1-4 and 6-9, and the Vice-Convener led discussion on item 5 and P1. 1. Welcome and Apologies The Convener welcomed all those present to the meeting and 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 Scrutiny and Performance Committee of 23 April 2025 The minute of meeting of the Scrutiny and Performance Committee of 23 April 2025 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 removed accordingly.
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5. Scrutiny review findings: adjustments for children and young people with additional support needs (“ASN”) There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance (25/141) presenting the findings of the review by the Scrutiny and Performance Committee in relation to adjustments made by the Council within schools for children and young people with additional support needs (“ASN”). In response to a question from Councillor A Forbes regarding the aspect of funding with the increase in level of need, F MacKay advised that Education and Learning would continue to work within the budget available to ensure that resources are impactful as possible but confirmed that the service would always welcome additional resource. The Vice-Convener thanked members, F MacKay, L Simpson and their teams for their thorough work on the scrutiny review of adjustments for children and young people with additional support needs (ASN). Resolved: (i) The Committee approved the four recommendations outlined in the Report 25/141: 1. Planning Assessment: Streamline, Personalise and Future Proof 2. Communication & Engagement: Building Trusting and Inclusive Partnerships 3. Workforce Development: Develop and Expand ASN Knowledge and ASL expertise across all roles 4. Learning Environment: Create Inclusive and Adaptive Spaces (ii) A progress summary report be submitted to the Scrutiny and Performance Committee within a year. 6. Review of Perth and Kinross Council Support to Community Led Development Projects Involving Regeneration of Key Buildings There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Economy Development and Planning (25/142) (1) reviewing the support provided by Perth and Kinross Council to community-led development projects involving the regeneration of key buildings and significant physical assets, (2) evaluating past and current interventions, (3) identifying successes and challenges through case studies and (4) proposing actionable recommendations to support future community-led regeneration efforts.
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Resolved: (i) The contents of the report, be considered and commented on. (ii) The findings of this report, be approved and it be requested that the Strategic Lead - Economy, Development and Planning and the Strategic Lead - Housing and Communities develop a framework to be used for future support of community led regeneration projects and report back to the relevant committee when complete. (iii) A further workshop with members of the Committee on vacant and eyesore properties, be arranged. 7. Annual Governance Statement 2024-25 There was submitted a report by Strategic Lead – Legal and Governance (25/143) presenting for scrutiny and review the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for the financial year 2024/25 which provides assurance as to the effectiveness of the Council’s governance framework and in particular the system of internal control. Councillor A Forbes queried if there had been any significant change since the last Annual Governance Statement to reduce the level of risk. L Simpson confirmed that in terms of the complexity of business, the level of risk had remained static across the organisation. L Simpson confirmed that even with extensive risk protocols and mitigation measures in place, certain areas of risk would always be high to manage such as cyber and information security. Resolved: (i) The draft Annual Governance Statement for the financial year 2024/25, be scrutinised and commented on. (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. Update from Arm’s Length External Organisation 8(i) Live Active Leisure There was a submitted a report (25/144) providing the current financial position of Live Active Leisure. 8(ii) Culture Perth & Kinross There was a submitted a report (25/145) providing the current financial position of Culture Perth and Kinross.
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8(iii) Perth Theatre and Concert Hall There was a submitted a report (25/146) providing the current financial position of Perth Theatre and Concert Hall. In response to a question from Councillor A Forbes, K Johnston reassured members that regular reviews of the ALEOs are undertaken, quarterly monitoring meetings are held and the three ALEOs provide monthly reporting. K Johnston confirmed that there are no anomalies in the reporting and everything is as it should be at this point. Resolved: The financial position of the three Arm’s Length External Organisations, be noted. 9. Perth and Kinross Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Clinical and Care Governance Exception Report Perth and Kinross Care and Professional Governance Forums were held on 6 March, 11 April and 9 May. There were no Social Work/Social Care issues escalated for exception reporting. Resolved: The Committee noted the update. (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 (25/147) providing (1) an overview of Cyber Security in the Council; (2) assurance on current risks and threat; (3) giving a description of the current arrangements in place to protect information (‘cyber security’); (4) detailing the relevant compliance framework to which the organisation is subject, and (5) giving an analysis of the security measures in place in order to counteract threats and mitigate associated risks to provide the Council with assurance as to the integrity of our systems and processes. Resolved: (i) The contents of Report 25/147, be scrutinised and noted. (ii) The assurance as regards to the adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s cyber risk and management arrangements, be noted. ~~~~~~