Finance & Audit Sub-Committee

Tuesday 23 April 2002 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Calvert, Jackson, McCabe, Mitchell, O’Rourke and Rebecchi.

Chair:    Councillor Jackson presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Director of Finance Services, Director of Legal & Support Services and Director of Social Work & Housing Services.

388

Internal Audit Quarterly Report

388

There was submitted a report dated 9 April 2002 by the Director of Finance Services outlining the second Quarterly Monitoring Report on Internal Audit activity to date.  The Sub-Committee agreed to resume consideration of the matter relative to the irregularity at the Waterfront Leisure Centre at a later part of the meeting following the exclusion of the public and press as the discussion would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Decided: 

(1) that the Sub-Committee welcome the continued progress made in the Internal Audit Service; and

(2) that the Director of Finance Services submit progress reports on a quarterly basis to the Sub-Committee.

   389

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Reconciliation

389

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services setting out proposals to remedy problems identified with a number of systems essential for the reconciliation of Housing Benefits as agreed by the Sub-Committee at its meeting on 12 March 2002 (para 248). 

Decided: 

(1)  that the Sub-Committee note the position of the reconciliation within Housing Benefits and approve the Action Plan as detailed in the report; and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to submit progress reports on the matter.

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 of business 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 out opposite each item.

Item                                                                            Paragraph(s)

Building Services                                                       8

Internal Audit Quarterly Report

Waterfront Leisure Centre - Irregularity                 6

   390

Building Services

390

There was submitted a report dated 9 April 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services outlining the current operation within Building Services,  how the operation will require to change to meet the demands of customers, the regulator and the external environment and making recommendations with regard to the establishment and composition of the Working Group to consider essential matters to secure the future for Building Services.

Decided: 

(1)  that the contents of the report be noted;

(2)  that a Working Group comprising 4 Elected Members from the Majority Group, 2 Members from the Minority Groups, together with Officers and Trade Union representatives as appropriate, to be confirmed by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services, be established to address the direction of Building Services in the future with a view to providing a quality service to clients and meeting performance targets;

(3)  that the Working Group address the following matters:-

(a)   to ensure that the future direction of Building Services provides a quality service to clients and meets performance targets;

(b)  A review of the requirement to make a cash surplus which is not reinvested in the Service;

(c)   A review of future skills requirements and production of a plan to provide the required workforce with the necessary training and support to meet future demands including a review of options for internal and external associations;

(d)  A review of the operations, procedures and arrangements in respect of bonus payments and productivity;

(e)   An investigation of sources of funding to provide new plant and equipment and the implementation of the new Repairs Maintenance Management Information System in the current financial year in line with the ongoing consideration by the Policy Review Group; and

(f)   Other relevant issues raised by Elected Members and Trade Union representatives; and

(4)  that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to submit an interim report on the deliberations and recommendations from the Working Group to the Sub-Committee within 3 months.

   391

Internal Audit Quarterly Report : Waterfront Leisure Centre - Irregularity

391

The Sub-Committee resumed consideration of this item, relating to an irregularity at the Waterfront Leisure Centre.  The Chief Executive gave an oral update on action taken to address the issues identified.  

Decided: 

(1) that the Council confirm its intention to comply with the Code of Guidance on Funding External Bodies and following the public pound in terms of its relationship with the Leisure Trust;

(2) that there be clear public accountability for public funds and that the Leisure Trust be required to exercise a high degree of control and accountability and that Officers take all necessary action to ensure this; and

(3) that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to submit a report to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee outlining the respective roles and responsibilities of Members who serve on both the Council and external bodies, to which they are nominated.