Policy and Resources Committee held on 10 October 2024
Argyll and Bute Council · 21 November 2024
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 21 November 2024 and its agenda
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MINUTES of MEETING of POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held ON A HYBRID BASIS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on THURSDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2024 Present: Councillor Audrey Forrest (Chair) Also Present: Councillor John Armour Councillor Gordon Blair Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess Councillor Audrey Forrest Councillor Kieron Green Councillor Amanda Hampsey Councillor Jan Brown Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle Councillor Liz McCabe Councillor Dougie McFadzean Councillor Ross Moreland Councillor Gary Mulvaney Councillor Dougie Philand Councillor Andrew Vennard Attending: Pippa Milne, Chief Executive Douglas Hendry, Executive Director Carolyn Earl, Interim Head of Financial Services Jane Fowler, Head of Customer and Support Services Jane Jarvie, Communications Manager Shona Barton, Governance Manager 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mark Irvine, Jim Lynch and Yvonne McNeilly. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. 3. MINUTES The Minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on Thursday 15 August 2024 were approved as a correct record. The Chief Executive welcomed the Interim Head of Financial Services, Carolyn Earl, to her first meeting. * 4. FINANCIAL REPORTS MONITORING PACK - 31 AUGUST 2024 The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a summary of the financial monitoring reports as at the end of August 2024. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1. noted the revenue budget monitoring report as at 31 August 2024;
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2. noted the financial risks for 2024-25; 3. noted the capital plan monitoring report as at 31 August 2024 and approved the proposed changes to the capital plan outlined in Appendix 4 of that report; 4. noted the treasury monitoring report as at 31 August 2024; 5. noted the reserves and balances report as at 31 August 2024; 6. agreed to recommend to Council that the revenue virements over £0.200m during July and August 2024 be approved; and 7. noted the commitments/drawdowns from the Strathclyde Pension Fund gain Transformation/Spend to Save projects earmarking. (Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 6 September 2024, submitted) 5. BUDGET OUTLOOK 2025-26 TO 2029-30 The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update to the budget outlook covering the period 2025-26 to 2029-30 as reported to the Policy and Resources Committee on 15 August 2024. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee noted the current estimated budget outlook position for the period 2025-26 to 2029-30. (Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 27 September 2024, submitted) 6. SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL - UPDATE The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the development of alternative governance models, such as a Single Authority Model (SAM). Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1. noted the updates regarding the ongoing work in respect of a SAM, as set out at paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 of the report; and 2. noted that further progress reports would be prepared for future meetings of the Committee. (Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated September 2024, submitted) 7. ANNUAL COUNCIL BUSINESS PLAN 2023-24 OUTCOMES The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update to the progress of the Annual Business Plan 2023 – 2024. Decision
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The Policy and Resources Committee – 1. noted the progress made against the outcomes specified in the 2023 – 2024 Annual Business Plan; and 2. noted that a revised Corporate Plan and associated Annual Business Plan would be created following decisions by the Council in regard to priorities. (Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 3 September 2024, submitted) 8. COUNCIL COMMUNICATION STRATEGY 2024 - 2027 The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing the draft Council Communication Strategy. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee approved the draft Council Communication Strategy. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated September 2024, submitted) 9. ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE PLAN 2024 - 2030 The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining the steps which have been taken to develop a new British Sign Language plan, and detailing the proposed new plan. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee approved the Argyll and Bute Council British Sign Language Plan 2024-2030. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated September 2024, submitted) 10. LORN ARC TAX INCREMENTAL FINANCE PROGRAMME - OBAN AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK - UPDATE The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the development of Oban Airport Business Park. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee – 1. noted the project update relating to Oban Airport Business Park; and 2. noted that another update report including the Full Business Case would be reported back to Members for consideration in December 2024.
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(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services and Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 11 September 2024, submitted) 11. POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE WORKPLAN The Policy and Resources Committee Workplan was before the Committee for noting. Decision The Policy and Resources Committee noted the content of the Workplan as at 10 October 2024. (Reference: Policy and Resources Committee Workplan dated 10 October 2024, submitted)