Best Value and Corporate Services Committee

Thursday 7 September 2006 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Hill, McCabe, McCormick (M), Moran, Nimmo, Snoddy and Stewart.

Chair:  Councillor Snoddy presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, Mr F Jarvie (for Solicitor to the Council), Head of ICT Services and Head of Personnel Services.

Apologies:  Councillors Blair, Hunter and McCormick (P).

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

589

Remits from Committees

589

There were no remits from Committees.

590

Performance Management Framework - Period to 30 June 2006

590

There was submitted a report by the Solicitor to the Council providing an update on the Performance Management Framework for the quarter to 30 June 2006.

The Chief Financial Officer advised the Committee that in relation to Finance Services, the proportion of Audit Plan achieved within target for 2006/07 to 30 June 2006 was 97%.

Noted

591

Revenue Budget 2006/07 - Period 3

591

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer on the 2005/06 Revenue Budget out-turn and the 2006/07 Revenue Budget position as at Period 3 (30 June 2006).

Decided:

(1)   that the out-turn for 2005/06 and the current projected overspend of £35,000 in 2006/07 as at 30 June 2006 be noted;  and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Chief Financial Officer to report to the next meeting of the Committee on proposals for bringing the current projected overspend back in line with the budget.

592

Policy on Payment by Credit and Debit Cards

592

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer proposing formalisation of the policy on the use of credit and debit cards to facilitate payment to Inverclyde Council.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee agree the principle that the cost for debit charges be met by the Council and recharged to the Services to which the debt relates and that the cost for credit card charges be recharged to the payee at the same rate levied against the Council by its merchant bankers;  and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Chief Financial Officer to report back to the next meeting of the Committee providing a further analysis of credit card payments received to date, to allow the Committee to consider the possibility of imposing an upper limit on payments and also to review the types of payment for which a credit card can be used.V

593

Treasury Management - Annual Report 2005/06

593

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer on the operation of the treasury function and its activities for 2005/06 as required under the terms of Treasury Management Practice 6 ("TMP6") on "Reporting Requirements and Management Information Arrangements".

Decided:  that the Committee note the contents of the annual report on Treasury Management for 2005/06 and the significant financial benefits which the current Treasury Management Strategy is delivering for the Council.

594

Treasury Management Monitoring Report - First Quarter 2006/07

594

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer on the Council's Treasury Management position and activities during the first quarter of 2006/07, as required under the terms of Treasury Management Practice 6 ("TMP6") "Reporting Requirements and Management Information Arrangements".

Decided:  that the Treasury Management Monitoring Report for the quarter to 30 June 2006 be noted.

595

Debt Recovery Performance 2005/06

595

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer (1) on the progress made in respect of debt recovery during 2005/06 and (2) advising the Committee of future plans in this regard.

Decided:  that the Committee welcome the significant increase in debts collected via the Debt Management Partnership and the plans to continue to improve performance during 2006/07.

596

Revenues Section Performance for Quarter Ending 30 June 2006

596

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer (1) on the Revenues Section performance for the quarter ending 30 June 2006 and (2) highlighting a number of other relevant issues.

Noted

597

Housing Benefit Control Team - Performance 2005/06

597

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer providing management and performance information for the Council's Benefit Control Team and its counter-fraud work undertaken during the financial year 2005/06.

Noted

598

Benefits Service Performance - Quarter Ending 30 June 2006

598

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer (1) on the processing performance of the Benefits Service for the quarter ending 30 June 2006 and (2) highlighting a number of other relevant developments within the Benefits Service.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the Benefits Service performance during the first quarter 2006/07 and the steps being taken to improve the quality of the Benefits Service on a continuous basis;  and

(2)   that the Committee commend the efforts to date of the employees within the Benefits Service to improve the speed and quality of the service provided.

599

Review of the Benefit Fraud Control Team's Business Plan and Associated Policies

599

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer reviewing the Benefit Fraud Control Team's Business Plan 2006/07 and associated policies.

Decided:  that the Benefit Fraud Control Team's Business Plan 2006/07 and associated policies as set out in the appendices to the report be approved.

600

ICT Capital Programme Update

600

There was submitted a report by the Head of ICT Services on the status of the 2005/08 ICT Capital Programme.

Noted

601

ICT Service - Progress Report

601

There was submitted a report by the Head of ICT Services providing an update on progress in taking forward the Service Delivery Model for the new ICT Service.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the progress made against the Transition and Transformation Programme and the Council's Modernising Government  activities;  and

(2)   that it be noted that further progress reports will be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

602

Employment Equality (Age) Regulations

602

There was submitted a report by the Head of Personnel Services (1) advising of the implications of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations which come into force on 1 October 2006 for employees reaching 65 and (2) seeking approval for the drafting of an "Age Retirement" policy with appropriate consultation to be reported back to the Corporate Management Team prior to submission to the Committee.

Decided:  that the contents of the report be approved.

603

No Smoking Policy and Procedures - Amendments

603

There was submitted a report by the Head of Personnel Services seeking approval for amendments to the current No Smoking Policy and Procedures as set out in appendix 1 to the report with a view to ensuring the Council's compliance with the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005.

Decided:

(1)   that the revised No Smoking Policy as set out in appendix 1 to the report be approved;  and

(2)   that support be given to the policy by active promotion of the health benefits of not smoking.

604

Education Services:  Post of Management Information Officer

604

There was submitted a report by the Head of Personnel Services requesting approval to amend the grade of the post of Management Information Officer within Education Services Headquarters.

Decided:  that the grade of the post of Management Information Officer currently graded at PO18 (£41,100 - £44,016) be amended to PO5 (£30,279-£32,658).

605

Social Work Services - Establishment of Post of Assistant Service Manager (Contract Monitoring and Complaints Team)

605

There was submitted a report by the Head of Personnel Services on the staffing requirements of the Contract Monitoring and Complaints Team within Social Work Services.

Decided:  that approval be given to the establishment of 1 permanent post of Contracts Monitoring Officer at salary grade PO2/PO5 (£27,729 - £32,658).

It was agreed in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item                                                                                                                  Paragraph(s)

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive                                    6 and 8

Standing Restricted List of Contractors                                                    6

Procurement Review - Use of Consultants                                               6

Jericho House                                                                                               6

Hillend Integrated Service Resource Unit Review                                  1

606

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

606

There was submitted a report by the Solicitor to the Council advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive (1) to invite tenders from firms not on the Council's Approved List for business planning consultants and project management, communications and transport consultancies for Riverside Inverclyde, (2) to approve an increase in the Council Counterparty Limits for Treasury Management lending transactions and (3) to approve the award of a strategic 5 year contract for the provision of telecommunication services to Inverclyde Council by NTL Business.

Noted

607

Standing Restricted List of Contractors

607

There was submitted a report by the Solicitor to the Council advising of progress made in relation to the Council's Standing Restricted List of Contractors.

Decided:

(1)   that the report be noted;  and

(2)   that delegated authority continue to be granted to the Solicitor to the Council in the usual manner to add undertakings to the list.†

608

Procurement Review - Use of Consultants

608

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer requesting the Committee to approve the use of consultants who are not on the Standing List of Tenderers to carry out an efficiency review of procurement within Inverclyde Council.

Decided:

(1)   that approval be granted to invite tenders from companies not on the Standing Restricted List of Tenderers to carry out an efficiency review of procurement within Inverclyde Council;  and

(2)   that delegated authority be granted to Officers to accept the most advantageous tender after considering quality and price.

609

Jericho House

609

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer advising of funding changes which have impacted on Jericho House and which could consequently have a financial impact on the Council.

The Committee decided (1) that the report be noted;  (2) that further updates be provided as the situation develops;  and (3) that the matter be referred to the Corporate Management Team for a further report to be submitted to the Health and Social Care Committee and thereafter to the Policy and Strategy Committee if appropriate, all as detailed in the appendix.

610

Hillend Integrated Service Resource Unit Review

610

There was submitted a report by the Head of Personnel Services recommending revisions to the staffing structure relating to the reconfiguration of Older People's Services within the Hillend Integrated Service Resource Unit.

Decided:

(1)   that agreement be given to the following proposals relative to the staffing of the Integrated Service Resource Unit at Hillend House:-

(a)   that the post of Manager at salary grade AP3 be deleted and that a post of Assistant Service Manager at PO2/5 be created to manage a range of Day Care Services and act as Supervising Officer for commissioned Day Care/Support Services;

(b)   that the 3 posts of Senior Care Officer at salary grade AP1 be redesignated Senior Day Care Officer at grade AP2/3 and increased to 4 posts;  that the Day Care Officer posts at salary grade GS1/2 be reduced from 13 to 9;  that 8 Day Support Assistants be created on salary grade MG8 (all part-time), the postholders to assist in the provision of day care, primarily providing personal care and supporting activities;

(c)   that 2 Resource Worker posts at salary grade AP4/5 be deleted and redesignated Social Work Assistant at salary grade AP2/3 (Access to Home Care);

(d)   that approval be given to the creation of an Administrative Assistant post at salary grade AP1;  and

(2)   that it be noted that there will be a requirement for the holders of the posts of Senior Day Care Officer, Day Care Officer and Day Support Assistant to participate in shift rotas without additional enhancements to salary, with the exception of existing permanent Day Care Officers who will not be required to participate in shift working on a red circled basis.