Minutes of Meeting of the Resources Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 16 April, 2008 at 10.30 a.m.
Present:
Mrs C Wilson, Mrs P Munro, Mr R Rowantree, Mr D Flear, Mrs D MacKay, Mr R Greene, Mrs J Urquhart, Mr P Cairns, Mr I Renwick, Mr A Henderson, Mrs H Carmichael, Mrs M Davidson, Mr J MacDonald, Miss J Campbell, Mr N Donald, Mr J Ford, Mr B Wynd, Mr G Marsden, Mr S Park, Mr F D S Black, Mr G Rimell
Non-Members also present:
Ms L Munro, Mr D Mackay, Mr J Rosie, Mr W Fernie, Mrs I Campbell, Mrs M Paterson, Dr D Alston, Mr J Laing, Mr W Clark, Mrs E McAllister, Mr J Gray, Mr B Gormley, Mr B Murphy
Officials in attendance:
Mr A Geddes, Director of Finance, Mr S Barron, Director of Housing & Property, Ms M Morris, Assistant Chief Executive, Mrs C McDiarmid, Head of Policy & Performance, Chief Executive’s Service, Mr J Batchelor, Head of Personnel, Chief Executive’s Service, Mr B Williams, Head of Corporate Finance, Finance Service, Mr D Robertson, Head of Accounting, Finance Service, Mrs C King, Policy Manager, Chief Executive’s Service, Ms A Clark, Policy Officer, Chief Executive’s Service, Mr G Westwater, Head of Construction, Housing and Property Service, Mr D Goldie, Head of Housing, Housing and Property Service, Mr A Maguire, Head of Housing Development and Estates, Mrs K Lackie, Business Manager, Chief Executive’s Service, Mr A Williams, Health & Safety Manager, Chief Executive’s Service, Ms E Barrie, Personnel Manager, Chief Executive’s Service, Mr B Mackinnon, Social Inclusion Partnership Manager, Mr J Grieve, IS Client Manager, Chief Executive’s Service, Mrs E Kirkham, Principal Staffing Resources Officer, Education, Culture & Sport Service, Mr D MacDonald, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Service, Mr A MacInnes, Administrative Assistant, Chief Executive’s Service
Mrs C Wilson in the Chair
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mrs K MacNab and Mr J Finnie.
2. Central Services Revenue Budget 2007/08
There had been circulated Reports No. res-26-08 and res-27-08 by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance which provided the Revenue Budget Monitoring Statements for the Chief Executive’s Service and Finance Service for the period to 29 February, 2008.
The Committee APPROVED the terms of the reports as circulated.
3. Property Capital Monitoring Statement
There had been circulated Report No. res-28-08 dated 7 April, 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which set out the current position with regard to the 2007/08 Property Capital Programme.
Following discussion during which it was suggested that it would be useful for Members if information on projects could be produced in Ward numerical order, the Committee:
i. NOTED the current position on allocation and spend within the overall
2007/08 Property capital programme;
ii. APPROVED the proposed amendments to the 2008/09 Strategic Asset
Management programme listed in paragraph 2.5 of the report;
iii. APPROVED the proposed amendments to the 2008/09 Disability
Discrimination Act (DDA) programme listed in paragraph 3.5 of the report;
iv. APPROVED the commencement of investigative works for the 2009/10
DDA programme;
v. APPROVED the proposed 2008/09 programme of Energy Management
projects; and
vi. NOTED that information on projects would be presented in Ward numerical
order in future.
4. Property Revenue Maintenance Budget 2007/08
There had been circulated Report No. res-29-08 dated 7 April, 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which set out the current position with regard to the component parts of the 2007/08 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget.
The Committee NOTED the current position with regard to progress with the 2007/08 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget.
5. Property Revenue Maintenance Budget 2008/09
There had been circulated Report No. res-30-08 dated 9 April, 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which set out proposals for the allocation of the 2008/09 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget using the same basis as had been adopted in previous financial years, including 2007/08.
In response to queries from Members, the Director of Housing and Property agreed that in future years proposed expenditure on Property Maintenance would be submitted to Ward Business meetings in the first instance, prior to consideration by the Resources Committee; that while actual costs of projects would not be known at the time of producing proposals for Revenue expenditure for the year ahead, estimated costs could be provided; that works on the Gairloch Toilets would be carried out in this financial year; that apportioning revenue maintenance budgets on the basis of the needs of the facility could be looked at; and agreed that the Reception sign outside Council Headquarters should be upgraded.
Thereafter the Committee:
i. APPROVED the proposed work categories and budget allocations for the
2008/09 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget, subject to further
consultation at Ward business meetings;
ii. AGREED that in future years proposals on Property Revenue Maintenance
Budget expenditure would be submitted to Ward Business meetings prior
to consideration by the Resources Committee;
iii. AGREED that an estimate of project costs should also be included in
future reports;
iv. NOTED that the external paintwork on the Gairloch Toilets would be
carried out in this financial year;
v. NOTED that in future years it was intended to look at the apportionment
of revenue maintenance budgets on the basis of the needs of each facility
rather than on the basis of the gross internal floor area of facilities as
happened at present;
vi. AGREED that the Reception Sign outside Council Headquarters, Inverness
should be renewed; and
vii.NOTED that information on the amount of expenditure on internal
decoration work at Graham House, Dornie would be provided to Councillor
I Campbell.
6. Corporate Revenue Monitoring Statement
There had been circulated Report No. res-31-08 dated 3 April, 2008 by the Director of Finance which presented an overview of the projected year end position for financial year 2007/08 on the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account.
The General Fund statement showed a total annual budget allocated to Services of £475.181m, year to date actual of £386.994m and an estimated year end position of £472.965m. The predicted under spend was £2.216m (0.5% of the total net budget).
The report also showed the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Although the net budget was zero, the annual expenditure budget totalled £42.575m to be met largely from Council House rents. At this stage in the year it was expected that the HRA would be on target at the year end.
The Committee having heard that it would be clearer for Members in terms of producing bar charts in black and white if the columns could be distinguished other than by shade:
i. AGREED the Revenue Expenditure Monitoring Statement for financial year
2007/08 at 29 February, 2008 which showed a predicted underspend of
£2.216m; and
ii. AGREED that when producing future bar charts in black and white the
columns would be distinguished other than by shade.
7. Corporate Capital Monitoring Statements
There had been circulated Report No. res-32-08 dated 4 April, 2008 by the Director of Finance which provided an overview of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programmes for the period to 29 February 2008 and the projected year end position.
The General Fund net capital budget for 2007/08 was £51.670m. The General Fund statement showed net expenditure in the year to date of £39.116m. The anticipated outturn position at the year end was £39.279m resulting in an under spend of £12.391m on the programme for the year. It was also advised that the current HRA capital programme could be delivered as planned.
In response to a query, the Head of Accounting advised that in recent years there had been real difficulties in meeting Capital Programme targets and that financial year 2007/08 had seen a significant increase in the level of slippage. Measures to improve management of the capital programme would be the subject of a future report.
Thereafter the Committee:
i. AGREED the financial position on the General Fund and HRA Capital
Programmes as at 29 February 2008; and
ii. NOTED that ways of reducing the underspend on Corporate Capital
expenditure would be examined closely.
8. Capital Monitoring Statement for Chief Executive’s Service
There had been circulated Report No. res-33-08 dated 8 April, 2008 by the Chief Executive which provided information on the capital monitoring position for the Chief Executive’s Service for the period 1 April, 2007 to 29 February, 2008.
The Committee NOTED the capital monitoring report for the period 1 April, 2007 to 29 February, 2008.
9. Treasury Management: Summary of Transactions
There had been circulated Report No. res-34-08 dated 3 April, 2008 by the Director of Finance which provided details of the Treasury Management transactions undertaken for January and February, 2008 which were submitted in compliance with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the Council’s approved Financial Regulations.
The Committee NOTED the terms of the report.
10. Revised Health and Safety Consultation Policy and Guidance
There had been circulated Report No. res-35-08 by the Assistant Chief Executive which recommended approval of a revised policy on Health and Safety Consultation and its associated guidance notes. The documents had been reviewed to ensure that they reflected changes in the health and safety consultation process, including formal partnership agreement with the recognised trade unions, and changes in Operational Areas and Service Structures.
It was proposed that the revised documents should be adopted as Council policy in respect of health and safety consultation and replace the current policy and guidance notes.
Following consideration, the Committee APPROVED the revised policy and guidance notes on health and safety consultation attached as an appendix to the report.
11. The Management of Moving and Handling Activities
There had been circulated Report No. res-36-08 by the Assistant Chief Executive which outlined proposals for the effective management of moving and handling activities including the introduction of guidance linked to Council Policy, appointment of a Moving and Handling Adviser and revised training arrangements.
It was advised that the manual handling of inanimate objects and the moving and handling of people were jointly one of the main causes of accidental injury to Highland Council employees. There was therefore a need for an effective moving and handling management system. It was proposed that – there should be new Moving and Handling Guidance linked to the existing Manual Handling Policy; new post of a Moving and Handling Adviser be established; and that there should be a review of the current arrangements for the delivery of moving and handling training.
Following consideration, the Committee AGREED:-
i. that the Moving and Handling Guidance attached as an appendix to the
report be approved and linked to the Council Policy on Manual Handling
Operations;
ii. that a new post of Moving and Handling Adviser be established with
proportionate funding from Social Work and Education, Culture and Sport;
and
iii. that a full review of moving and handling training be undertaken following
the appointment of the Moving and Handling Adviser.
12. Display Screen Equipment – Eye Tests and Supply of Glasses
Members were advised that the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations required employers to ensure that users of display screen equipment were given an opportunity to obtain an eye sight test and if necessary to ensure that they were supplied with glasses for use with display screen equipment. Since 1996 the Council had met its obligation to provide glasses by paying an employer contribution of £50 towards the cost of frames and lenses. However this contribution no longer covered the cost of supplying such equipment and it was recommended that the Council increased its contribution to £75 with effect from 1 April, 2008. Based on expenditure for 2006/07, it was estimated that the increase in cost to the Council would be £4600 per annum which would be borne from Service budgets.
The Committee APPROVED the recommendation to increase the Council’s contribution towards the cost of frames and lenses for employees use of display screen equipment from £50 to £75 with effect from 1 April, 2008.
13. The Fairer Scotland Fund – Developing the Highland Strategy
There had been circulated Report No. res-37-08 dated 3 April, 2008 by the Head of Policy and Performance providing an update on the Fairer Scotland Fund introduced by the Scottish Government to help tackle poverty and deprivation in Scotland over the next three financial years, 2008 to 2011. Members were asked to note the guidance on the introduction of the Fund and approve transitional funding arrangements for its implementation in Highland.
In discussion, it was noted that at the end of the process of implementing the Fairer Scotland Fund it was hoped that a sustainable long term approach would be created to tackle poverty, inequality and deprivation across Highland assisting communities previously not assisted by initiatives funding. There were also opportunities in the proposals for the implementation of the Fund to bring more programmes forward to tackle poverty and deprivation in Highland should additional funding become available. It was also advised that in relation to the Caithness Partnership, it was proposed to have a meeting involving all partners involved in the Partnership, in order to progress the initiative and ensure that funding was being used effectively.
Thereafter, the Committee:
i. NOTED the guidance on the implementation of the Fairer Scotland Fund
and that performance measures for it would be confirmed by the end of
June as part of the Single Outcome Agreement process (and following
discussion at Council meetings). An annual report would be provided to the
Committee on performance against the targets set.
ii. APPROVED the transition approach for funding in 2008/09 which included
targeting action to particular communities and to individuals requiring
support to access work opportunities. In particular it was AGREED :
- to fund the extension of the current Working for Families contract with Highland Opportunity Ltd to March 2009 and to expand it to include Lochaber (up to £45,000);
- to continue allocations of funding for young people building on the approaches used in More Choices, More Chances (£75,000) and in Children’s Services (£194,000);
- allocations of funding for 2008/09 to specific and qualifying communities for employability and area based services as detailed in paragraph 6.2 c of the report;
- to develop bids in 2008/09 for EU and partner funding to be available from 2009, with bids brought back to Resources Committee for approval.
iii. APPROVED that work begins to identify activities and services for the
remaining qualifying datazones in Inverness, Wick, Milton and Kildary and by
engaging with these communities to gear up for the funding available from
2009/10 onwards; and
iv. AGREED to a review of the partnership working arrangements at local and
Highland level to deliver the outcomes and targets associated with the
Fund, with any new proposals for the use of the Fund brought back to
Resources Committee for consideration.
14. Tackling Poverty, Inequality and Deprivation in Scotland
There had been circulated Report No. res-38-08 dated 4 April, 2008 by the Head of Policy and Performance summarising the Scottish Government’s discussion paper on “Tackling Poverty, Inequalities and Deprivation in Scotland”. A draft response was provided for Members to consider and this made reference to the Council’s previous written submission to the Scottish Affairs Committee Inquiry into Poverty in Scotland.
In response to points raised by Members, the Head of Policy and Performance advised that it was generally acknowledged that difficulties arose throughout Scotland in identifying individuals eligible for assistance with regard to employment opportunities and to ensure that they received the benefits they were entitled to. In Highland there was the added challenge that some people were not only hard to reach, but also hard to find as they may not live in areas of multiple deprivation.
Thereafter the Committee:
i. NOTED the issues raised by the Scottish Government’s Discussion Paper on
Tackling Poverty, Inequality and Deprivation; and
ii. AGREED the draft response attached to the report, and that the
response would be accompanied by the written evidence the Council
provided to the Scottish Affairs Committee enquiry into “Poverty in
Scotland”.
15. Service Delivery Contracts for Provision of Advice and Information Services 2008-2011
Declaration of Interests
Mr G Marsden declared a financial interest in this item as an employee of Nairn Citizens Advice Bureaux and left the meeting.
Mrs D MacKay as a Director of East Sutherland Voluntary Advice Services and Mr I Renwick as a member of Skye Citizen Advice Bureaux both declared a non-financial interest in this item, but having applied the test outlined in paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors Code of Conduct, concluded that their interest did not preclude their involvement in the discussion.
There had been circulated Report No. res-39-08 dated 9 April, 2008 by the Head of Policy and Performance which advised that the Council’s Programme for Administration had a commitment to increase the support for money advice and welfare rights services in the Highlands by providing additional funding of £100,000. The report outlined current provision of advice services and sought approval to improve the quality and consistency of advice and information services across the Highlands through new working arrangements and revised Service Delivery Contracts with Advice Agencies. The proposals contained in the report had been developed with the involvement of the Member Working Group established by this Committee and in discussion with the independent advice providers.
Following discussion, and having heard Councillor J Campbell express her disappointment that an additional post of Assistant Income Maximisation Officer had not been approved due to a lack of funding, the Committee:
i. NOTED the need for and value of advice and information services in the
Highlands;
ii. AGREED to the funding proposals set out in the report and apportioned to
Advice Agencies (£931,769 and through new Service Delivery Contracts
with each agency as set out in paragraph 4.13 of the report); Highland
Council (£3,938) and for several pan-Highland projects (£133,232 as set
out in paragraph 2.8), and that this would enable targets to be met for a
5% increase in customer contact and 5% increase in financial benefit
gained from contact over the 3 year period;
iii. NOTED the unmet needs outlined at section 6 of the report and AGREED
that these should be considered should any additional funding be
identified, including from other external sources; and
iv. AGREED to the Governance arrangements proposed, with an
annual reportof performance brought to Resources Committee; with
information on service delivery brought to ward business meetings and
that an elected member was appointed to each Advice Agency Board.
16. CCTV – Extension of Monitoring Contract
There had been circulated Report No. res-40-08 dated 26 March, 2008 by the Head of Policy and Performance which sought approval for renewal of the CCTV Monitoring Contract with Remploy Managed Services Ltd until 31st March 2009 at a cost of £129,461. Remploy was a social enterprise providing specialist employment services for disabled people and those who experienced complex barriers to employment.
It was advised that during 2008/09 there were three developments which would influence future contracting arrangements for CCTV services, these being: a joint review of CCTV arrangements with Northern Constabulary; the review of voluntary sector funding and the development of a compact with the voluntary sector; and the partnership work to tackle poverty and assist people into employment.
Following consideration, the Committee:
i. APPROVED the extension of the CCTV Monitoring Contract with Remploy
Managed Services Ltd until 31 March, 2009 at a cost of £129,461; and
ii. NOTED that further reports would be made on the review of CCTV
arrangements with Northern Constabulary and on working arrangements
with the voluntary sector and that these would influence the approach to
future contracting for this service from 2009/10 onwards.
17. Fujitsu Performance Report
There had been circulated Report No. res-41-08 dated 7 April, 2008 by the Information Systems Client Manager which summarised the performance of the IS Partnership with Fujitsu Services and highlighted the major ICT activities during the months of January and February, 2008.
It was reported that the Council continued to enjoy very high levels of service whereby all services were delivered within the defined thresholds of the contractual service level agreements. There were no service credits incurred during the defined period and no complaints were received.
In response to a query, the IS Client Manager advised that the E-care project was being carried out in conjunction with NHS Highland and the Scottish Government, together with a number of stakeholders and that the scheduled completion date of the project had changed, which was outwith the control of the Council. In this respect a request was made for the Highland Council/NHS Leadership & Performance Group to look at resolving the issues causing the delays to this project.
Thereafter the Committee:
i. NOTED the contents of the report; and
ii. AGREED that the Highland Council/NHS Leadership & Performance Group
should look at the cause of delays with the E-Care project, with a view to
bringing the project back on schedule.
18. Amendments to Organisational Structures/Establishments
There had been circulated Report No. res-42-08 dated 10 April, 2008 by the Assistant Chief Executive which recommended amendments to organisational structures/establishments as a consequence of proposals from Service Directors.
It was advised that the proposals contained in the report showed an overall net increase of 67.38 posts and an overall net cost of £1,321,000 for proposals which had to be met from Service budgets. In addition there was a net increase of 19.3 posts which were subject to full external funding. There were extensions to 36.5 existing temporary posts at a cost of £393,000 funded by Services and £149,500 by external funding.
Following consideration, the Committee AGREED:-
i. the amendments to the staffing establishment and other staffing changes
as detailed in Section 2 and Appendix 1 to the report; and
ii. the trends shown in Appendix 2 of the report.
19. Isle of Rum Development
Declaration of Interest
Mr A Henderson as a Director of The Isle of Rum Community Trust declared a non-financial interest in this item, but having applied the test outlined in paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors Code of Conduct, concluded that his interest did not preclude his involvement in the discussion.
There had been circulated Report No. res-43-08 dated 17 March, 2008 by the Corporate Manager, Ross, Skye and Lochaber which outlined the work of the Rum Task Force and sought funding of £10,000 to contribute to the Rum Development Project.
It was advised that the Task Force had been formed to identify and facilitate actions in support of the development of a dynamic community on Rum which was not solely dependant on Scottish Natural Heritage. The types of development which had been considered included – restoration of the castle and development of a new activities centre and hostel; provision of housing in order to stabilise and grow the community; transfer of land from SNH to Rum Community Trust; creation of crofts and further projects which would allow the sustainable development of the island.
The total cost of the project was £84,000 and the Highland Council had been asked to contribute a one of cost of £10,000 with the remainder to be funded equally by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Following consideration, the Committee AGREED that the sum of £10,000 be contributed to the Rum Development Project.
20. Local Government Pension Scheme Amendment to Admission Agreement
There had been circulated Report No. res-44-08 dated 11 March, 2008 by the Director of Finance asking members to agree a change to Admission Agreements currently in place for Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Local Enterprise Companies (LEC’s) following a restructure of the companies.
It was advised that currently six Local Enterprise Companies participated in the Local Government Pension Scheme as “Admitted Bodies”. With effect from 1 April, 2008 the Companies had been restructured and merged into one company. Therefore a request had been made to terminate all the individual LEC Admission Agreements and replace them with one closed HIE Admission Agreement.
The Committee AGREED to the request to terminate all the individual LEC Admission Agreements with effect from 31st March, 2008 and replace them with one closed HIE Admission Agreement from 1st April 2008.
21. Local Government Pension Scheme - Change of Name of Admitted Body
Members were advised that Stoneyhill Waste Management Limited currently participated in the Local Government Pension Scheme administered by Highland Council under an admission agreement. The company had now been acquisitioned by SITA UK who had requested that the admission agreement be amended to reflect the change in ownership.
It was noted that the Highland Council’s Resources Committee had agreed procedures on 17 April, 2001 designed to protect the pension rights of Council employees who were transferred to an external provider of services.
The Committee NOTED that the necessary amendment would be made to the admission agreement to reflect the change in ownership of Stoneyhill Waste Management Limited who had now been acquisitioned by SITA UK.
22. Minutes of Meetings
The Committee APPROVED the following Minutes of Meetings which had been circulated for confirmation:-
i. Appeals Committee of 5 March 2008;
ii. Early Retirement Sub-Committee of 6 March 2008;
iii. Investment Advisory Group of 28 February 2008 ;
iv. Joint Consultation Group of 7 March 2008 ;
v. Central Safety Committee of 7 March 2008 .
23. Exclusion of The Public
With the exception of item 24, the Committee RESOLVED that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Schedule 7A of the Act.
In relation to item 24, the Committee AGREED that the report briefing should be held in Public, but that any discussion thereafter be held in Private, in terms of Paragraph 11 of Schedule 7A of the Act.
24. Job Evaluation
There had been circulated Report No. RES/46/08 dated 10 April, 2008 by the Assistant Chief Executive which provided an update on the Job Evaluation and Equal Pay process since the last report to Resources Committee in November, 2007.
In particular it was advised that an equal pay framework covering the period 1 October, 2006 to 31 March, 2008 had been submitted to trade unions for their consideration and a response was awaited. In order that the Council could progress the implementation of the equal pay framework, it was recommended that the Modernising Sub-Committee’s remit be extended to give the Chief Executive and Director of Finance authority to implement the equal pay framework and any subsequent amendments as a result of consultation.
It was also noted that detailed proposals for implementation of a new pay structure, conditions of service package and equal pay framework would be submitted to the Modernising Employment Sub-Committee.
At this point, in terms of the decision made at item 23 of this minute, the meeting went into private for the remainder of this item and the following items of business.
In discussion it was advised that Management were to meet with trade unions soon to progress matters relating to equal pay and job evaluation and to discuss concerns they had in relation to these issues. A Newsletter on progress regarding job evaluation and equal pay would be issued to all staff. It was also advised that subject to the necessary approvals being given, it was intended to write to all employees during July and August advising them individually of what the outcome of the job evaluation exercise meant for them.
Thereafter the Committee:
i. NOTED the update on job evaluation progress;
ii. AGREED the recommendation to extend the remit of the Modernising
Employment Sub-Committee to give the Chief Executive and Director of
Finance authority to implement the equal pay framework previously agreed
by the Council to cover the period 1 October, 2006 to 31 March, 2008;
iii. NOTED that the Modernising Employment Sub-Committee would consider
detailed proposals for implementation of a new pay structure, conditions of
service package and equal pay framework;
iv. NOTED that Members would also receive a copy of the Newsletter being
issued to staff of progress on job evaluation and equal pay; and
v. NOTED that the report would also be circulated to the trade unions.
25. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
There had been circulated to Members only Report No. RES/45/08 dated 8 April, 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which advised on sales targeted for completion within the financial year 2007/08 and summarised progress. The report also provided details of the Property Account property transactions approved by the Head of Housing Development and Estates.
Following discussion, the Committee NOTED:
i. progress on property sales with anticipated settlement within financial year
2007/08; and Property Account transactions approved by the Head of
Housing Development and Estates; and
ii. that the Head of Housing Development and Estates would advise Councillor
D Flear of progress on the sale of the Council owned site at Henrietta
Street, Halkirk.
26. IT Procurement Project
There had been circulated to Members only Report No. RES/47/08 dated 9 April, 2008 by the Assistant Chief Executive which provided an update on the scope and progress of the IT procurement project and sought approval to establish a Members Working Group to support the process.
In particular it was advised that the IT procurement would be done by the ‘competitive dialogue process’ and due to the value of the contract, would need to be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union. It was proposed that a Members Working Group be established for the duration of the project. This Group would be engaged at key stages of the process and would provide advice and support to the Resources Committee. In this respect, it was suggested that given the involvement of the Highland and Islands Fire Board in the procurement, they should also be represented on the Working Group.
Thereafter the Committee:
i. NOTED the scope and progress of the IT procurement project;
ii. AGREED the establishment of a Members Working Group as detailed in
paragraph 5.3 of the report (Membership would be submitted to Council at
meeting on 8 May, 2008 for approval);
iii. AGREED the terms of reference for the Members Working Group as
contained in section 5.4 of the report; and
iv. NOTED that consideration would be given to Highland and Islands Fire
Board being represented on the Working Group.
The meeting ended at 12.25 pm.