Minutes of Meeting of the Resources Committee held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 15 April, 2009 at 10.30 a.m.
Present
Mrs C Wilson, Mr M Rattray, Ms L Munro, Mrs K MacNab, Mr D Bremner, Mrs D MacKay, Mr R Greene, Mr P Cairns, Dr D Alston, Mr I Renwick, Mrs H Carmichael, Mrs M Davidson, Miss J Campbell, Mrs P Munro, Mr P Corbett, Mr N Donald, Mr J Finnie, Mr J Ford, Mr B Wynd, Mr S Park, Mr F D S Black, Mr G Rimell
Non-Members also present:
Mr R Rowantree, Mr D Mackay, Mr W Fernie, Mr G Smith, Mr D Flear, Mr W J Ross, Ms M Smith, Mrs A MacLean, Mrs M Paterson, Mrs I McCallum, Mr D Millar, Mr I Brown, Mr D Fallows
Officials in attendance:
Mr A Geddes, Depute Chief Executive
Ms M Morris, Assistant Chief Executive
Mr S Barron, Director of Housing and Property
Mr H Fraser, Director of Education, Culture & Sport
Mr G Westwater, Head of Construction, Housing & Property Services
Mrs C McDiarmid, Head of Policy and Performance, Chief Executive’s Service
Ms L Johnstone, Head of Legal & Democratic Services
Mr D Robertson, Head of Accounting, Finance Service
Mr B Williams, Head of Corporate Finance, Finance Service
Mr D Lamont, Head of Exchequer, Finance Service
Mr J Batchelor, Head of Personnel, Chief Executive’s Service
Mrs V Nairn, Head of E Government, Chief Executive’s Service
Mr J Grieve, IS Client Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Mr I Hargrave, Corporate Manager (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross)
Mr R MacKenzie, Head of Support Services, Education, Culture & Sport
Mr A Maguire, Head of Housing Development & Estates
Mrs C King, Policy Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Mr B MacKinnon, Regeneration Co-ordinator, Chief Executive’s Service
Mr A Gould, Head of Procurement, Finance Service
Mrs K Lackie, Business Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Mrs K Dunbar, ICT Procurement Project Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Mr I Murray, Head of Community Learning & Leisure, Education, Culture & Sport Service
Mr J Robertson, Programme Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Ms N Wallace, LEADER Development Manager, Planning & Development Service
Mr D Devine, Property Manager (Asset Management), Housing and Property Service
Mrs L Johnstone, ICT Service Delivery Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Ms T Page, Customer Services Manager, Chief Executive’s Service
Mrs E Kirkham, Principal Staffing Resources Officer, Education, Culture & Sport Service
Mr J Allison, Principal Administrator, Chief Executive’s Service
Mrs L Dunn, Acting 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 bealf of Mr A Henderson.
(* Agreed ast Highalnd Council 7 May 2009)
2. Central Services Revenue Budget Monitoring
There had been circulated Report No res-30-09 by the Chief Executive and Report No res-31-09 Director of Finance which provided the Revenue Budget Monitoring Statements for Central Services for the period to 28 February, 2009.
A view was expressed that while savings were being made through the non filling of posts, this could have an adverse effect on service delivery. In this respect, the Chairman advised that where Members had complaints about specific incidents of poor service provision they should inform the appropriate Senior Officer.
The Committee APPROVED the terms of the reports as circulated.
3. Property Revenue Maintenance Budget 2008/2009
There had been circulated Report No. res-32-09 dated 21 March, 2009 by the Director of Housing and Property Services which set out the current position with regard to the component parts of the 2008/09 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget.
Following discussion, the Committee NOTED the current position with regard to the component parts of the 2008/09 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget.
4. Property Revenue Maintenance Budget 2009/10
There had been circulated Report No. res-33-09 dated 7 April, 2009 by the Director of Housing and Property which set out proposals for the allocation of the 2009/10 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget using the same basis as had been adopted in previous financial years, including 2008/09.
Following consideration, the Committee APPROVED the proposed work categories and budget allocations for the 2009/10 Property Revenue Maintenance Budget, subject to further consultation at Ward Business meetings.
5. Revenue Monitoring
i. Corporate Revenue Monitoring Statement
There had been circulated Report No. res-34-09 dated 3 April, 2009 by the Depute Chief Executive which presented the revenue budget monitoring position for the period to 28 February, 2009 and the projected year end position for 2008/09.
Following discussion, the Committee AGREED the Revenue Expenditure Monitoring Statement for financial year 2008/09 at 28 February, 2009 which showed a predicted under spend of £1.620m.
ii. Request for Supplementary Estimate
There had been circulated Joint Report No. res-35-09 dated 16 March, 2009 by the Depute Chief Executive and Director of Education, Culture & Sport which asked Members to consider a request from the Education, Culture & Sport Service for a supplementary estimate of £2.154m in 2008/09.
It was advised that the supplementary estimate was necessary as despite Management efforts in the Education, Culture & Sport Service alternative compensatory savings could not be found to offset various budget pressures.
Following consideration, the Committee APPROVED a supplementary estimate of £2.154m to the Education, Culture and Sport Service for the financial year 2008/09.
6. Corporate Capital Monitoring Statement – General Fund and HRA
Capital Programme
There had been circulated Report No. res-36-09 dated 3 April, 2009 by the Depute Chief Executive which provided an overview of the General Fund and HRA capital programmes for the period to 28 February, 2009 and the projected year end position for 2008/09.
Following discussion, the Committee AGREED:
i. the financial position on the General Fund and HRA capital programmes as at
28 February, 2009; and
ii. that further information would be provided to Councillor P Cairns relating to
the slippage in capital spend on the Maryburgh/Conon primary schools option appraisal.
7. Capital Monitoring Statement for Chief Executive’s Service
There had been circulated Report No. res-37-09 dated 3 April, 2009 by the Chief Executive which set out the current capital budget position for the Chief Executive’s Service for the period to 28 February, 2009.
The Committee AGREED the Chief Executive’s Service capital monitoring report for the period to 28 February, 2009.
8. Property Capital Monitoring Statement 2008/09
There had been circulated Report No. res-38-09 dated 19 March, 2009 by the Director of Housing and Property which set out the current position with regard to the 2008/09 Property Capital Programme and included recommendations for the 2010/11 Strategic Asset Management Programme; Spean Bridge Brackletter Travelling Peoples site and the 2010-12 DDA Programme.
Following discussion, the Committee:
i. NOTED the current position with regard to budget allocation and progress
with the 2008/09 Property capital programme;
ii. APPROVED the commencement of preliminary works for the 2010/11
Strategic Asset Management Programme as detailed in paragraph 2.5.1 of
the report;
iii. APPROVED the allocation of £138,000 towards improvements to the
Spean Bridge Brackletter Travelling Peoples site; and
iv. APPROVED the commencement of preliminary works for the 2010-2012
DDA Programme as listed in paragraph 3.6.1 of the report.
9. Treasury Management: Summary of Transactions
There had been circulated Report No. res-39-09 dated 19 March, 2009 by the Depute Chief Executive which provided details of the Treasury Management transactions undertaken for January and February, 2009 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. Highland LEADER Programme 2007-13
There had been circulated Report No. res-40-09 dated 2 April, 2009 by the Director of Planning and Development which sought Members support for the proposed use of Council balances to overcome the issues associated with Advances and Retention applied to the Highland LEADER Programme.
Following consideration, the Committee:
i. AGREED to support the proposed request for use of Council balances up to
a maximum of £500k to provide advance payment and retentions of grants
for the LEADER Programme; and
ii. NOTED that the transfer out of balances would be returned at the end of
the LEADER Programme.
11. Caithness Partnership – Match Funding for LEADER Application
Declarations of Interest:
Mr D Flear, Mr B Fernie and Mr G Smith declared non-financial interests in this item as Council appointees and/or Directors of Caithness Partnership but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude their involvement in the discussion.
There had been circulated Report No. res-41-09 dated 2 April, 2009 by the Corporate Manager, Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross, which described the Caithness Partnership’s plans to seek LEADER funding and requested that Members consider agreeing the required match funding for a three year period.
Following consideration, the Committee AGREED to provide match funding for a three year period in support of the Caithness Partnership’s LEADER application, subject to the agreement of the outcomes to be delivered.
12. Highland Council Contract Standing Orders
There had been circulated Report No. res-42-09 dated 17 March, 2009 by the Depute Chief Executive which revised risk management provisions set out within Contract Standing Orders.
In particular reference was made to the need to have clear guidance issued to Officers on the assessment they should be carrying out when engaging Consultants to do work for the Council.
It was confirmed that anyone employed by the Council as a Consultant would have to come with a good recommendation. There was also networking between Councils as to the performance of Consultants. Further, any engagement through the Procurement Unit would be subject to formal pre-qualification and supplier assessment which would include technical vetting prior to Consultants being invited to tender. Members were further advised that the Chief Executive had asked the Head of Procurement to brief Managers on the application of Contract Standing Orders and to develop a training course for all officers with procurement responsibilities.
Thereafter, the Committee:
i. APPROVED the amendments to Contract Standing Orders detailed in the
report; and
ii. AGREED that Guidance for Officers on the engagement of Consultants
should be drafted.
13. Local Government Pension Scheme: Amendment to Admission
Agreement for Visual Impairment Services Highland
Members were advised that the Highland Society for the Blind had been an admitted body of the Local Government Pension Scheme administered by the Highland Council since December, 1978.
The Society had undergone a restructure in April 2002 which had involved the creation of two new companies, Visual Impairment Service Highland and Highland Blindcraft, which had been reported to the appropriate Council Committee in September, 2002.
With effect from 1 April, 2009, Members were advised of a name change for ‘Visual Impairment Services Highland’ to ‘Sight Action’. Scheme membership would be unchanged.
Members were asked to note that the admission agreement would be amended to reflect the name change from 1 April, 2009.
The Committee NOTED the position.
14. Job Evaluation/Equal Pay
Declarations of Interest:
Mr M Rattray, Mr R Greene, Mr G Rimell, Mr P Cairns and Mr J Finnie declared non-financial interests in this item on the basis of having family members employed by the Council but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors Code of Conduct, had concluded that their interests did not preclude their involvement in the discussion.
There had been circulated Report No. res-43-09 dated 3 April, 2009 by the Assistant Chief Executive which provided an update on job evaluation and equal pay progress.
The report provided details of the implementation of the new pay and grades and an update on progress with the new set of harmonised terms and conditions of service. It also referred to progress with the Equal Pay signing sessions and legal implications arising from Equal Pay which were being considered by the Modernising Employment Sub-Committee.
The Committee NOTED the update on job evaluation and equal pay.
15. Supporting People into Work
Declarations of Interest:
Mrs K MacNab declared a financial interest in this item as an employee of Pulteneytown People’s Project and left the meeting.
Mrs C Wilson (Alness Initiative), Mr P Corbett (Chairman, Merkinch Enterprise), Mrs D MacKay (Director, East Sutherland Voluntary Advice Services and involved in Brora Community Learning Centre) declared non-financial interests in this item but, having applied the test outlined in Paragraph 5.18 of the Councillors Code of Conduct, had concluded that their interests did not preclude their involvement in the discussion.
There had been circulated Report No. res-44-09 dated 3 April, 2009 by the Head of Policy and Performance which confirmed that getting people into work was one of the priority actions contained in the Council’s Recession Action Plan. The report proposed an approach to improve the range and co-ordination of employment services managed by the Council and partners and set out how the Fairer Scotland Fund could be used to attract additional investment in services and change the way in which they were managed and delivered.
Following discussion, the Committee NOTED:
i. the changing environment for developing services to support people into work,
ii. that Councillor G Rimell had requested more information regarding the
SHIRLIE Project from the Director of Social Work;
iii. that Councillor D MacKay would be consulted on gaps in services for people
with support needs when Service specifications were being developed;
iv. that the Local Employment Partnership with Job Centre Plus would help fill
any job vacancies that the Council had; and
APPROVED:
i. the approach which focused on measures to support: young adults
including school leavers, adults with a range of support needs and business
to create and retain jobs, training and volunteering opportunities and
infrastructure and management improvements;
ii. funding for the services and projects listed in Appendix 3 for 2009-10,
noting the conditions attached for continuity funding (employability
focused and with performance agreed). The funding apportionment
would be £250,000 for young people; £76,500 for adults; extending the
Working for Families Contract to end September 2009, £320,000;
£177,000 for supporting business; £8,000 for management support;
£160,000 for children’s services and for this amount to be mainstreamed in
that service; £722,500 to be retained for service development and EU bids.
iii. the development of specifications for services for development funding in
2009-10 and 2010-11 to reflect the pattern of need better across the
Highlands and to fill service gaps, with further information brought back to
Committee for approval;
iv. that criteria for grants to support social enterprise be brought back to
Committee for approval;
v. the development of a strategic bid for EU funding;
vi. an increase in the use of social clauses and community benefit clauses in
Council procurement contracts where appropriate and in keeping with
Contract Standing Orders;
vii. improved infrastructure and management through a partnership
employability team using time limited secondments and hosted by the
Council, with any resource implications brought back to Committee for
approval; and
viii. the development of the Local Employment Partnership with the DWP to
allow consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.
16. Providing Access to Affordable Credit in Highland
There had been circulated Report No. res-45-09 dated 30 March, 2009 by the Head of Policy and Performance which provided an update from a study undertaken into the best way to provide affordable credit across the Highlands. The study recommended that a pan Highland credit union was the best way in which to provide affordable credit but that this should be part of an integrated approach that also included financial education and pro-active money guidance.
In discussion, there was general support for a pan Highland Credit Union and it was noted that discussions with other Partners on this initiative would continue to be held. It was felt that Scottish and UK Governments should be asked to provide financial support for Credit Unions. Clarification was also sought as to whether Credit Unions could provide financial advice to people on Pensions, Mortgages and Investments.
Thereafter, the Committee:
i. NOTED the recommendations of the study which had identified that the
best way to provide affordable credit in the Highlands was through a pan
Highland Credit Union;
ii. AGREED that further work should be taken forward to identify detailed
costings and operational requirements in order for the Council to consider
how it should proceed;
iii. AGREED that the Convener make representations through COSLA for the
Scottish and UK Governments to provide financial support for Credit Unions; and
iv. NOTED that further information would be provided to Councillor P Cairns on
whether Credit Unions could provide financial advice to people on Pensions,
Mortgages and Investments.
17. Corporate Improvement Programme Progress Report
There had been circulated Report No. res-46-09 dated 30 March, 2009 by the Assistant Chief Executive which confirmed that the Corporate Improvement Programme aimed to deliver efficiency savings and to enhance customer satisfaction. The Programme had been planned, defined and approved by the Corporate Improvement Programme Board and comprised nine projects with inter-relationships to each other. A core team was being put in place to support the programme and projects and the significant change involved. A further resource requirement to identify and improve processes across the Council had been identified and approval to fund and recruit these staff was sought.
Following consideration, the Committee:
i. NOTED the progress of the Corporate Improvement Programme; and
ii. APPROVED the recruitment of three business analysts on a two year fixed
term or secondment basis.
18. Asset Management
There had been circulated Report No. res-47-09 dated 1 April, 2009 by the Director of Housing and Property which provided an update on Asset Management planning in the Highland Council and highlighted progress made, future aims and potential benefits accruing from a strategic asset management approach.
The Committee NOTED the progress being made on asset management and the work scheduled to take forward strategic asset management planning within the Council.
19. Fujitsu: Performance Report
There had been circulated Report No. res-48-09 dated 24 March, 2009 by the Information Systems Client Manager which summarised the performance of the IS Partnership with Fujitsu Services during the period January and February, 2009.
The Committee NOTED the contents of the report.
20. Absence Management
There had been circulated Report No. res-49-09 dated 9 April, 2009 by the Head of Personnel which provided information on the current absence management support arrangements and training and also an overview on current occupational health activities.
In discussion, it was suggested that the Council’s absence statistics should also be compared with similar industries in the private sector in order to see if absence statistics were better than in the Council and, if so, to gain knowledge of best practice in managing absence levels.
Thereafter, the Committee:
i. NOTED the range of absence management support, including training
currently being provided to managers and staff;
ii. NOTED the performance in relation to absence management and the need
to ensure continuous improvement, particularly in relation to craft
employees and teachers;
iii. NOTED the proposed future improvements to Occupational Health Service
as contained in Paragraph 4.4 of the report; and
iv. AGREED that a detailed report be submitted to the next meeting
regarding Occupational Health.
21. Amendments to Organisational Structures/Establishments
There had been circulated Report No. res-50-09 dated 9 April, 2009 by the Assistant Chief Executive which recommended amendments to organisational structures/establishments as a consequence of proposals from Service Directors.
Following consideration, the Committee:
i. APPROVED the amendments to the staffing establishment and other
staffing changes as detailed in Section 2 and Appendix 1 of the report,
subject to the withdrawal of a 3 year fixed term post of Translation Officer;
a temporary post (3 year fixed term) of Gaelic Community Officer; and the
withdrawal of part time Day Care Officer 2 and two part time posts of Day
Care Officer 1 based at MacLean Court, Nairn; and otherwise
ii. NOTED the trends shown in Appendix 2 of the report.
22. Customer Services Strategy
There had been circulated Report No. res-51-09 dated 6 April, 2009 by the Head of E-Government which presented a summary of the Council’s Strategy for Customer Services for the period 2009 – 2012. The strategy outlined the development of the Customer Services function to date and the plans for the future. The strategy would continue to be revised as the Council’s business needs were developed as part of the Council’s Corporate Improvement Programme.
Following consideration, the Committee:
i. APPROVED the Customer Services Strategy for the period 2009-2012; and
ii. AGREED to delegate responsibility for implementation of the equalities
impact assessment as outlined in section 6.3 of the report to the Assistant
Chief Executive.
23. Pathfinder North Progress Update Report
There had been circulated Report No. res-52-09 dated 6 April, 2009 by the Head of E-Government which provided an update on the progress of the Pathfinder North Broadband Project which would provide high capacity broadband links to schools, libraries and other Council buildings throughout the Highlands and Islands.
The Committee NOTED the report and the work being undertaken by the project team with THUS to deliver the project.
At this point, the meeting adjourned for lunch and resumed at 1.45p.m.
24. Property Disposals Requiring Scottish Ministers’ Consent
There had been circulated Report No. res-53-09 by the Director of Housing and Property which invited Members to approve property disposals at below market value, subject to receipt of Scottish Ministers consent.
Following consideration, the Committee APPROVED:
i. the lease of the former Library, Bayfield Lane, Portree to Portree YMCA and
Skye Bible Church, jointly and severally on a full repairing lease to 31 March,
2012 at a nominal rent of £10 per annum;
ii. the sale of the former filling station site at South Bonar Industrial Estate to
the Kyle of Sutherland Youth Development Group for a nominal sum; and
iii. the sale of the Raasay Sports Pitch, Mill Place, Isle of Raasay to Raasay
Community Association for a nominal sum.
The Committee also AGREED that the Director of Housing and Property should seek consent for these transactions from the Scottish Ministers under Section 74(2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.
25. Wick Office Project
There had been circulated Report No. res-54-09 dated 2 April, 2009 by the Corporate Manager (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross) which provided details of recent work carried out on the Wick Office project.
Following consideration, the Committee:
i. NOTED the progress to date; and
ii. AGREED to receive further progress reports.
26. Legal Fees
There had been circulated Report No. res-55-09 dated 25 March, 2009 by the Assistant Chief Executive which considered a review of fees chargeable by Legal Services.
Following consideration, the Committee AGREED:
i. the proposed new minimum fees effective from 30 April, 2009; and
ii. to grant delegated authority to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services
to increase these minimum fees in future years in line with inflation.
27. Armed Forces Day: Request to Fly the Armed Forces Flag
Members were advised that the UK Government had announced that the first British Armed Forces Day would take place on 27 June 2009 and all Local Authorities had been invited to simultaneously fly a specially commissioned ‘Armed Forces Flag’ from 10.30a.m. on Monday, 22 June until Monday 29 June 2009.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) had confirmed that they could supply a number of the specially commissioned Armed Forces Flags on request. The first flag would be provided free of charge, additional flags would be charged at cost price and would be under £100 each.
Members were advised that the policy for flying flags at Council HQ had been agreed by the Resources Committee on 28 August 2002. This proposal was outwith that policy and therefore required Committee approval.
It was recommended that the Council should fly the Armed forces Flag on the flag pole outside the Chamber for the period proposed by the MOD. Discussions would take place with Corporate Managers to agree the appropriate arrangements at the main administrative centres outwith Inverness and costs would be met from the Chief Executive’s Service Budget.
The Committee APPROVED the recommendation as detailed.
28. Nomination to Caithness Citizens Advice Bureau
Members were advised that, as previously reported to the Committee, under the new Service Delivery Contracts with the Advice Agencies in Highland, it had been specified that a Highland Council representative should be appointed to each Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Board and that nominations should be approved through the Resources Committee.
The current representative to the Caithness CAB Board, Councillor Katrina MacNab, had resigned and, following a Ward Business meeting, Caithness Members had nominated Councillor Lady Thurso as her replacement.
The Committee APPROVED the nomination of Councillor Lady Thurso to the Board of Caithness CAB as detailed.
29. Minutes of Meetings
The Committee APPROVED the following Minutes of Meetings which were circulated for confirmation:-
i. Joint Consultation Group – Minute of Meeting of 6 March 2009;
ii. Central Safety Committee – Minute of Meeting of 6 March 2009;
iii. Investment Advisory Group – Minute of Meeting of 27 February 2009;
iv. Appeals Committee – Minutes of Meetings of 13 February 2009 and 27 March 2009;
v. Modernising Employment Sub-Committee – Minute of Meeting of 19 March 2009; and
vi. ICT Procurement Working Group – Minute of Meeting of 11 March 2009
30. Exclusion of the Public
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 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.
31. ICT Procurement: Public Sector Comparator
There had been circulated to Members only Report No. RES/56/09 dated 7 April, 2009 by the Assistant Chief Executive which provided an update on the progress of the Public Sector Comparator, the ICT procurement Value for Money assessment. It included a summary of the Qualitative and Quantitative assessment that had been carried out to ensure that the ICT Procurement delivered the optimum combination of whole-life costs and quality of the service to meet the Council’s requirements.
Following consideration, the Committee:
i. APPROVED the work undertaken to date on the Public Sector Comparator;
ii. AGREED that the Public Sector Comparator would be fixed against the
current ICT procurement requirements; and
iii. AGREED that the Public Sector Comparator be used to evaluate value for
money of the final tenders in the ICT procurement.
32. ICT Procurement – Detailed Solutions Evaluation Report
There had been circulated to Members only Report No. RES/57/09 dated 8 April, 2009 by the Assistant Chief Executive which presented the evaluations of the three Detailed Solutions responses from Bidders and made recommendations for the next stage of the procurement.
Following consideration, the Committee AGREED:
i. that, as there was a strong differential between the second and third
rankings, to de-select Bidder B;
ii. that dialogue should continue with two bidders: Bidder C and Bidder A;
iii. that, on completion of additional dialogue, the Council should ask the two
remaining bidders to re-submit parts of their proposals, assess the readiness
to close dialogue and Call for Final Tender;
iv. that the Project Milestone Plan should be amended to facilitate this
additional dialogue;
v. that a report should be presented to the August meeting of the Resources
Committee detailing the Council’s recommendation regarding Preferred Bidder; and
vi. that NCC (technical external advisor) should create the Technical Schedules
for the Contract at a fixed price of £40,000 to be funded through existing budgets.
33. Property Transactions Monitoring Report
There had been circulated to Members only Report No. RES/58/09 by the Director of Housing and Property which advised on sales targeted for completion within the financial year 2008/09 and summarised progress together with details of the Property Account property transactions approved by the Head of Housing Development and Estates.
The Committee NOTED progress on property sales with anticipated settlement within financial year 2008/09 and the Property Account transactions approved by the Head of Housing Development and Estates.
34. Property Transactions
There had been circulated to Members only Report No. RES/59/09 by the Director of Housing and Property which asked Members to approve the extension of the lease of Obsdale House, 1-3 Obsdale Road, Alness and that the former Slioch Office building and the adjoining demountable unit at Castle Street, Dingwall be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements with the intent that the properties were marketed for disposal on the open market.
Following consideration, the Committee APPROVED:
i. the extension of the lease of Obsdale House, Alness for a further three year
term, on terms and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Housing and
Property; and
ii. that the former Slioch office building and the adjoining demountable unit at
Castle Street, Dingwall be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements
with the intention of marketing them for disposal on the open market thereafter.
The meeting ended at 2.35p.m.