STIRLING COUNCIL

 

MINUTES of the MEETING of STIRLING COUNCIL held in the COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
VIEWFORTH, STIRLING on THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2019 at 10.00 AM

 

Present:

Provost Christine SIMPSON (in the Chair)

 

Councillor Maureen BENNISON
Councillor Neil BENNY
Councillor Alistair BERRILL
Councillor Margaret BRISLEY
Councillor Robert DAVIES
Councillor Douglas DODDS
Councillor Martin EARL
Councillor Scott FARMER
Councillor Bryan FLANNAGAN
Councillor Danny GIBSON
Councillor Graham HOUSTON

Councillor Chris KANE
Councillor Graham LAMBIE
Councillor Alison LAURIE

Councillor Alasdair MACPHERSON
Councillor Alastair MAJURY
Councillor Jeremy MCDONALD
Councillor Susan MCGILL
Councillor Ross OXBURGH
Councillor Jim THOMSON
Councillor Alasdair TOLLEMACHE
Councillor Evelyn TWEED

 

In Attendance

 

Carol Beattie, Chief Executive (Interim)
Jim Boyle, Chief Officer – Finance

Martin Dalziel, Team Leader – External Communications (Strategic, Commissioning & Customer Development)

Kristine Johnson, Chief Officer – HR

Kevin Kelman, Senior Manager – Schools & Learning (CEdO)
David MacKay, Accounting Team Leader (Finance)

Stephen McAleer, Senior Manager – Delivery of City Region Deal
Louise McDonald, Committee Officer (Governance)

Lynne McKinley, Community Engagement Team Leader (Strategic, Commissioning & Customer Development)

Isabel McKnight, Chief Officer – Strategic Commissioning & Customer Development
Stuart Oliver, Senior Manager – Economic Development Culture & Tourism

Brian Roberts, Senior Manager – Infrastructure
Karen Swan, Committee Officer (Governance)

Ruth McColgan, Chief Officer – Governance (Interim)
Gregor Wightman, Housing Team Leader (Housing)
Joyce Allen, (Governance) (Clerk)

 

SC179 APOLOGIES

 

There were no apologies submitted.

SC180 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST‌

 

Councillor Martin Earl noted a non-financial interest as a Director of Active Stirling in respect to the report on Active Stirling Limited – Update on Financial Impact of the PEAK Pool Closure (SC189). He noted that since the report was only an update on the pool closure he would stay for deliberation of the item of business.‌‌‌

 

SC181 URGENT BUSINESS

 

There was no urgent business brought forward by the Provost.

 

SC182 MINUTES

 

1. Stirling Council – 6 December 2018

    

   The Minutes of the Meeting of Stirling Council held on 6 December 2018 were agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.

    

2. Appointments Panel – 19 June 2018

    

   The Minutes of the Appointments Panel held on 19 June 2018 were agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.

    

3. Appointments Panel – 11 December 2018

    

   The Minutes of the Appointments Panel held on 11 December 2018 were agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.

    

4. Appointments Panel – 18 December 2018

    

   The Minutes of the Appointments Panel held on 18 December 2018 were agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.

    

5. Appointments Panel – 15 January 2019

    

   The Minutes of the Appointments Panel held on 15 January 2019 were agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.

    

6. Appointments Panel – 22 January 2019

    

   The Minutes of the Appointments Panel held on 22 January 2019 were agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.

    

7. Appeals Panel – 1 February 2019

 

The Minutes of the Appeals Panel held on 1 February 2019 were agreed as an
accurate record of proceedings.

SC183 WRITTEN QUESTIONS‌

 

Six written questions had been received in terms of Standing Order 44. The
questions and answers are attached at Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

 

The Members who had put the written questions were allowed one supplementary question and the supplementary questions and answers are also include in Appendix 1.

 

SC184 QUESTION TIME

 

In terms of Standing Order 51, Members had the opportunity to put questions to the Provost, the Leader of the Council, any Portfolio Holder or Committee Convener or Chair of any Panel as appropriate regarding any business included in the Volume of Minutes circulated with the agenda for the meeting.

 

The following questions were put:-

 

Councillor Alastair Berrill – Minutes of Meeting of Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Joint Committee on 18 December 2018 (CRD –
Question regarding Appointment of Co-Chairs)

 

The Leader of the Council confirmed the rationale behind the Co-Chair of the
Committee was to reflect the political make-up of the Administration of Stirling
Council.

 

Councillor Jeremy McDonald – Minutes of Meeting of Finance & Economy Committee on 22 November 2018 (FE100 – Question regarding Crowdfunding)

 

The Convener of the Finance & Economy Committee confirmed that she would seek clarity on future provision of Crowdfunding and advise Councillor McDonald accordingly.

 

Councillor Douglas Dodds – Minutes of Meeting of Stirling Council on 6 December 2018 (SC171 Motions: Domestic Abuse Scotland regarding staff training)

 

The Convener of the Public Safety Committee confirmed that an update report on the status of Domestic Abuse staff training would be provided to a meeting of Stirling Council in June 2019.

 

Councillor Alasdair Tollemache – Minutes of Public Safety Committee on 25 October 2018 (PU76 – Question regarding visit to Stirling Custody Suite)

 

The Convener of the Public Safety Committee agreed that the visit to the Falkirk Custody Suite was very worthwhile.

SC185 AMENDMENT TO SCHEME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY
COUNCILS‌‌

 

The purpose of the report was to seek Council approval of an amendment to Section 1, part 7 of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils. Part 7 related to Community Council Elections and the amendment sought was specific to the process for the filling of casual places/vacancies between elections.

 

The Scheme prescribed that there shall be minimum and maximum numbers of elected Community Councillors in a Community Council. Due to the diverse nature of the Council area, the Council had set its own formula for the definition of a minimum and maximum number of Community Council members in a Community Council area.

 

The calculations for the scheme adopted in 2018 had resulted in a situation whereby 8 community councils had the same minimum and maximum number. This meant that those Community Councils could not use the co-option mechanism of the Scheme, which was available to the other Community Councils.

 

The proposed amendment sought to rectify this situation.

 

In response to Member’s questions, the Community Engagement Team Leader
confirmed that even if a Community Council fell below the prescribed minimum membership it would remain in existence for the a period of 3 consecutive prescribed meeting dates, during which time the Community Council and the Council would have taken action to address the situation.

 

The Convener of Community, Planning & Regeneration Committee commended the Community Engagement Team Leader and her team for the work involved within the process.

 

Decision‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

 

The Council agreed to approve the amendment to Section 1, part 7 of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils as shown at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, and narrated at section 2.7 within the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Interim Chief Officer - Governance, dated 19 February 2019 submitted)

 

SC186 TREASURY MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL STRATEGY 2019/20

 

The report outlined a Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20, prepared in
accordance with the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003, the revised Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) Treasury Management in the Public Services Code (2017 edition), the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (2017 edition), the Local Government Investment Regulations (Scotland) 2010 and the Local Authority (Capital Financing and Accounting) (Scotland) Regulations 2016.

 

The Council was required to operate a balanced budget, which broadly meant that cash raised during the year would meet cash expenditure. Part of the treasury management function was to ensure that the cash flow was adequately planned, with cash being available when it was required.

The second element of the treasury management function was the funding of the Council’s capital plans. These plans provided a guide to the borrowing need of the Council, essentially the longer-term cash flow planning to ensure that the Council could meet its capital spending obligations. The management of longer-term cash may involve arranging long or short-term loans, or the restructure of existing debt.

 

Following a Member’s question, the Chief Officer – Finance confirmed that an update reporton the Loans and assistance to Credit Unions would be submitted to a meeting of the Finance & Economy Committee within 2019.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to:

 

1. approve the Treasury Management Financial Strategy for 2019/20 as outlined in the submitted report; and

    

2. approve the Prudential Indicators for 2019/20 to 2021/22 prepared with regard to the Capital Programme approved by Stirling Council on 21 February 2019.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer - Finance, dated 19 February 2019 submitted)

 

SC187 CAPITAL STRATEGY

 

The Capital Strategy was intended to give a high level overview of how capital
expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contributed to the provision of services along with an overview of how associated risk was managed and the implications for future financial sustainability.

 

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) Prudential Code of Capital Finance in Local Authorities was updated in December 2017. The revised Code required Local Authorities, from 2019/20, to determine a Capital Strategy in order to demonstrate that the authority took capital expenditure and investment decisions in line with service objectives and properly took account of stewardship, value for money, prudence, sustainability and affordability and set out the long-term context in which capital expenditure and investment decisions were made, gave due
consideration to both risk and reward and impact on the achievement of priority outcomes.

 

In response to questions, the Chief Officer – Finance confirmed that risk would play a key element in the awareness traning. He also confirmed that business cases would form part of the training process.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to approve the Capital Strategy as detailed within the submitted report.

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer - Finance, dated 21 February 2019 submitted)

SC188 MOTIONS IN TERMS OF STANDING ORDER 16

 

Prior to the Meeting, Elected Members had received supplementary information from Officers on the subject of the Motions. The supplementary information is attached as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

 

1. Workplace Parking Charges
   Motion

   “Council believes that workplace parking charges would be damaging for
   businesses and for workers in Stirling.

    

   Council resolves not to implement any new workplace parking charges.”
   Signed by Councillor Neil Benny and Councillor Alastair Majury

    

   Amendment

    

   Replace all with –

    

   “Stirling Council notes that the SNP/Labour partnership administration have made clear during the budget setting process that we have no intention of implementing a workplace parking levy.”

    

   Signed by Councillor Jim Thomson and Councillor Danny Gibson

    

   At 10.40am the Council agreed to adjourn for a break to allow Members to consider the amendment.

    

   The Meeting reconvened at 10.45am with all Elected Members (previously noted) present.

    

   On the roll being called the Members present voted as follows:-
   For the Amendment (15)

   Councillor Maureen Bennison
   Councillor Margaret Brisley
   Councillor Robert Davies
   Councillor Scott Farmer
   Councillor Danny Gibson
   Councillor Graham Houston
   Councillor Chris Kane
   Councillor Graham Lambie
   Councillor Alison Laurie
   Councillor Alasdair MacPherson
   Councillor Susan McGill
   Councillor Christine Simpson
   Councillor Alasdair Tollemache
   Councillor Jim Thomson

   Councillor Evelyn Tweed
   Against the Amendment (8)

   Councillor Neil Benny
   Councillor Alistair Berrill
   Councillor Douglas Dodds
   Councillor Martin Earl
   Councillor Bryan Flannagan
   Councillor Alastair Majury
   Councillor Jeremy McDonald
   Councillor Ross Oxburgh

    

   The Amendment was carried by 15 votes to 8 and became the Substantive Motion.

    

   For the Substantive Motion (15)

    

   Councillor Maureen Bennison
   Councillor Margaret Brisley
   Councillor Robert Davies
   Councillor Scott Farmer
   Councillor Danny Gibson
   Councillor Graham Houston
   Councillor Chris Kane
   Councillor Graham Lambie
   Councillor Alison Laurie
   Councillor Alasdair MacPherson
   Councillor Susan McGill
   Councillor Christine Simpson
   Councillor Alasdair Tollemache
   Councillor Jim Thomson
   Councillor Evelyn Tweed

    

   Against the Substantive Motion (8)

    

   Councillor Neil Benny
   Councillor Alistair Berrill
   Councillor Douglas Dodds
   Councillor Martin Earl
   Councillor Bryan Flannagan
   Councillor Alastair Majury
   Councillor Jeremy McDonald
   Councillor Ross Oxburgh

    

   Decision

    

   The Substantive Motion was carried by 15 votes to 8, and accordingly, Stirling Council notes that the SNP/Labour partnership administration have made clear during the budget setting process that we have no intention of implementing a workplace parking levy.

2. Charter Against Modern Slavery
   Motion

   Stirling Council will:

    

   1. Train its corporate procurement team to understand modern slavery through the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) online course on Ethical Procurement and Supply.

       

   2. Require its contractors to comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, wherever it applies, with contract termination as a potential sanction for non- compliance.

       

   3. Challenge any abnormally low-cost tenders to ensure they do not rely upon the potential contractor practising modern slavery.

       

   4. Highlight to its suppliers that contracted workers are free to join a trade union and are not to be treated unfairly for belonging to one.

       

   5. Publicise its whistle-blowing system for staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

       

   6. Require its tendered contractors to adopt a whistle-blowing policy which enables their staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

       

   7. Review its contractual spending regularly to identify any potential issues with modern slavery.

       

   8. Highlight for its suppliers any risks identified concerning modern slavery and refer them to the relevant agencies to be addressed.

       

   9. Refer for investigation via the National Crime Agency’s national referral mechanism any of its contractors identified as a cause for concern regarding modern slavery.

       

   10. Report publicly on the implementation of this policy annually.

 

Signed by Councillor Danny Gibson and Councillor Scott Farmer

 

The Motion was agreed unanimously without the need for a roll call vote.

 

Decision

 

Stirling Council will:

 

1. Train its corporate procurement team to understand modern slavery
   through the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) online course on Ethical Procurement and Supply.

    

2. Require its contractors to comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act 2015,
   wherever it applies, with contract termination as a potential sanction for non- compliance.

3. Challenge any abnormally low-cost tenders to ensure they do not rely upon the potential contractor practising modern slavery.

    

4. Highlight to its suppliers that contracted workers are free to join a trade
   union and are not to be treated unfairly for belonging to one.

    

5. Publicise its whistle-blowing system for staff to blow the whistle on any
   suspected examples of modern slavery.

    

6. Require its tendered contractors to adopt a whistle-blowing policy which
   enables their staff to blow the whistle on any suspected examples of modern slavery.

    

7. Review its contractual spending regularly to identify any potential issues
   with modern slavery.

    

8. Highlight for its suppliers any risks identified concerning modern slavery
   and refer them to the relevant agencies to be addressed.

    

9. Refer for investigation via the National Crime Agency’s national referral
   mechanism any of its contractors identified as a cause for concern regarding modern slavery.

    

10. Report publicly on the implementation of this policy annually.

 

The Committee resolved under Section 50A (4) of the Local Government (Scotland)
Act 1973 that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of
business on the grounds it involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined
in Paragraphs 6, 8, 9 and 12, respectively, of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Local
Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

SC189 ACTIVE STIRLING LIMITED – UPDATE ON THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE POOL CLOSURE

 

The report provided an update on the range of anticipated financial and non-financial impacts of the closure of the swimming pools at the PEAK, following the discovery of serious faults. The Council approved at a meeting on 6 December 2018 to the provision of a financial underwriting guarantee up until the end of March 2019, subject to a maximum level of £0.6M, with such guarantee being funded from Council reserves.

 

Council Officers and Active Stirling Limited had been working collaboratively to
establish cause; organise repair works; re-provision activity and manage
communications both with the customers and the media.

 

The Convener of Community Planning and Regeneration Committee praised the Senior Manager – Infrastructure and his team for the way they had handled the whole situation.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to:

1. note the update following the close working of officers with Active Stirling Limited to quantify the level of financial support required; and

    

2. note the update on the progress of the pool remedial works.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer – Finance, dated 20 February 2019, submitted)

 

The Provost closed the meeting at 11.40am.

Appendix 1

 

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR ALASTAIR MAJURY FOR ANSWER BY CONVENER
OF ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE AT THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING TO BE
HELD ON THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2019.

 

QUESTION

 

Would the Convener confirm that 20mph Limits & Zones will only be introduced to communities where there is demonstrable majority community support for these initiatives?

 

Answer

 

The communities included in the current 20mph proposals were identified by officers as there had already been requests and support shown by members of those communities, through previous contacts, for implementation of 20mph limits and limit areas. The statutory Traffic Regulation Order and Consultation process has been undertaken and the proposals have been well received with only 4 objections lodged. Officers are currently reviewing these objections and will submit their recommendations to the Environment & Housing Committee
shortly.

 

I can confirm that 20mph limits will only be implemented following full public consultation and engagement.

 

Supplementary Question and Answer

 

Councillor Majury thanked the Convener of Environment & Housing Committee for his response and asked whether the Convener was satisfied that there had been a full consultation in Dunblane.

 

The Convener of Environment & Housing Committee confirmed that various different levels of consultations had taken place and would be happy to discuss after the meeting.

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR ROSS OXBURGH FOR ANSWER BY CONVENER OF
ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE AT THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING TO BE
HELD ON THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2019.

 

QUESTION

 

Can the Convener confirm when he last met representatives of Stirling University to discuss the provision for parking in and around the university and what outcomes were agreed?

 

Answer

 

The Convener has had a number of meetings with the student union and university management over the past year, most recently yesterday on Wednesday the 27th of February. Parking considerations have been central to discussions.

 

Officers from the Traffic Management Team have also been in recent dialogue with the university discussing university traffic access and associated safety improvements.

 

The Transport Development Team is leading a steering body associated with delivering the Active Travel Plan. This group meets on a frequent basis. The university is well represented on this group.

 

The Public Transport Team have had a number of discussions over the last 6 months with the students union around improvements to bus links between the university and the city centre.

 

Supplementary Question and Answer

 

Councillor Oxburgh thanked the Convener of Environment & Housing Committee for his response and asked with the car overspill from the university, whether work was taking place with the traffic enforcement teams.

 

The Convener of Environment & Housing Committee confirmed that work was ongoing with officers working collectively with TACTRAN to resolve parking issues.

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR DOUGLAS DODDS FOR ANSWER BY CONVENER OF
FINANCE & ECONOMY COMMITTEE AT THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD
ON THURSDAY28 FEBRUARY 2019.

 

QUESTION

 

Will the Convener advise what the Council has planned to support our City Centre businesses over the Spring and Summer months this year?

 

Answer

 

Aside from our workforce’s valuable day-to-day operational input to support a safe and clean city centre, our Officers continue to work with local partner public agencies and businesses to deliver the actions detailed in the Stirling City Centre Economic Action Plan which was approved at Finance and Economy Committee in March 2018.

 

Actions are designed to increase footfall, and encourage vibrancy to drive economic growth in the city centre. Key planned actions in Spring/Summer 2019 are centred around the ongoing development of events and activation in the city centre, infrastructure improvements, and supported by actions to make the city centre a safer and cleaner place to live, shop, work and do business. This includes:

 

Infrastructure Improvements

• Completion of free city centre wi-fi;

• Engagement with city centre businesses on City Centre South masterplan with focus given to place-making and active travel (March, ongoing);

• Support City Fibre to install next generation full-fibre broadband in the city centre;

• Completion of improvement works to lighting and landscaping at Princes Street Steps and Baker Street Gardens.

   

  Events/Activation

• Development and delivery of city centre events programme including the World Wheelchair Curling Championships (March); Great Stirling Run (April); and Armed Forces Day (June);

• Ongoing partnership support to the city centre BID and local businesses/event organisers on locally run city centre events and festivals;

• Ongoing effective management of city centre space to reduce congestion and proliferation of street traders and promotional agencies;

   

  City Centre Safety

• Continue to work in partnership with PoliceScotland to deliver the successful city centre safety operations aimed at targeting anti-social behaviour – Operation Steadfast Spring and Operation Steadfast Summer.

   

  Cleanliness

• Completion of the city centre commercial waste review with new regime in place by Summer 2019.

   

  Marketing/Promotion

• Ongoing promotion of the City Centre, our businesses and key attractions in partnership with the city centre BID, local public agencies and visitor attractions;

• Continued development of the MyStirling app to encourage growth in visitor numbers to Stirling city centre;

• Review and development of Stirling city centre communications plan to continue to highlight positive developments in the city centre including new business openings;

• Continue to market and promote Stirling City Centre and its key benefits to encourage new businesses and relocation of existing businesses to the area.

 

Supplementary Question and Answer

 

Councillor Dodds thanked the Convener of Finance & Economy Committee for her response and asked whether the Administration would work with the Opposition to improve Economic Growth.

 

The Convener of Finance & Economy Committee understood that the Finance & Economy Committee did work well together and was happy to look at any new ideas.

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR BRYAN FLANNAGAN FOR ANSWER BY THE
CONVENER OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE COMMITTEE AT THE FULL
COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2019.

 

QUESTION

 

Can the Convener advise if any guidance will be issued to Headteachers, Parents, Carers & Pupils regarding any forthcoming ‘Youth Strike 4 Climate’ events that are planned during school term time?

 

Answer

 

No specific guidance has been issued to date. However, we will continue to liaise with schools and support as need arises.

 

Supplementary Question and Answer

 

Councillor Flannagan thanked the Convener of Children & Young People Committee for her response and asked whether she regrets the strike action.

 

The Convener of Children & Young People confirmed she had no opinion on the matter.

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR MARTIN EARL FOR ANSWER BY THE CONVENER
OF ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE AT THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING TO BE
HELD ON THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2019.

 

QUESTION

 

Would the Convener advise if there are any plans to introduce a 20mph Zone or Limit, or a combination of the two, throughout Thornhill?

 

Answer

 

The current 20mph proposals do not include Thornhill; however, should the existing roll out of 20mph limit areas in our villages prove successful and the community show support for the implementation of a 20mph limit in Thornhill, officers would be happy to investigate that request.

 

Supplementary Question and Answer

 

Councillor Earl thanked the Convener of Environment & Housing Committee for his response and asked if existing roll out was not successful would that stop the roll out to other villages.

 

The Convener of Environment & Housing confirmed that, if not successful, it would not necessarily stop the roll out to other villages.

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR ALASDAIR TOLLEMACHE FOR ANSWER BY THE
CONVENER OF ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING COMMITTEE AT THE FULL COUNCIL
MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2019.

 

QUESTION

 

How is the roll out of the 20mph areas progressing? Is this being considered in rural and urban areas?

 

Answer

 

Consultation on the roll out of 20mph speed limit areas in Fintry, Kippen, Doune, Dunblane and the top of the town in Stirling has been undertaken. The responses received from those five communities has been positive, with residents, community groups and schools providing support for the proposals. As mentioned previously, there have been four objections, all of which relate to Dunblane, which officers are currently reviewing. However, officers have also received a number of letters, calls and emails supporting the implementation of 20mph limit areas throughout the Council area and would hope to progress the implementation of 20mph limits in other urban and rural communities.

Appendix 2

 

MEETING of the STIRLING COUNCIL to be held in the COUNCIL CHAMBERS, OLD VIEWFORTH, STIRLING on THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER 2018

 

Motion in Terms of Standing Order 16
Information/Advice from Officers

 

1. Workplace Parking Charges

   It would be premature to assert that the proposed Work Place Parking Charge Scheme, would be damaging for business until a full assessment of the opportunities and impacts have been considered.

    

   In order for Stirling Council to consider if the introduction of such a charging scheme would be beneficial, a full and comprehensive assessment of the challenges and benefits need to thoroughly worked through, in consultation with all stakeholders. This needs to be considered over a measured timescale to allow all parties to input into consultations.

    

   The principal objective of introducing such a charge is to encourage the use of more sustainable forms of transport in the urban areas, and to minimise urban transport congestion and pollution related concerns. However the concept needs to be fully weighed up against the impact and the range of alternative transport provision made available.

    

   Stirling Council is currently not minded to pursue the implementation of the work place parking levy, but will remain open-minded towards considering it in the future.

    

2. Charter Against Modern Slavery

From a procurement perspective this charter is something that we would support and if approved we can ensure that it is fully incorporated into our standard policies and procedures. There would be consideration as to whether contractual amendments are required to implement the charter. If there are, such amendments could be imposed going forward, however the Council may be more limited in its ability to impose new conditions under existing contracts.

 

We may not be in a position to carry out the CIPS online training due to membership restrictions but we can ensure that equivalent training is carried out either internally or by our centre of expertise.

 

In relation to paragraph 6 of the motion and the proposed requirement for contractors to adopt a relevant whistleblowing policy, it is noted that certain of the Council’s tendered contractors may be smaller organisations. Arrangements short of a formal policy may be sufficient and proportionate for certain contractors, to enable their staff to report any such concerns.