STIRLING COUNCIL

 

MINUTES of MEETING of STIRLING COUNCIL held as a VIRTUAL MEETING by

MICROSOFT TEAMS on THURSDAY 4 JUNE 2020 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 Alasdair TOLLEMACHE
Councillor Jim THOMSON
Councillor Evelyn TWEED

 

In Attendance

 

Carol Beattie, Chief Executive

Annemargaret Black, Chief Officer – Clackmannanshire & Stirling Health & Social Care Partnership/Integrated Joint Board

Jim Boyle, Chief Officer – Finance
Stephen Clark, Chief Officer – Housing

Martin Dalziel, External Communications Team Leader (Communities & Performance)
Judy Edwards, Service Manager - Early Years & Early Intervention

Kristine Johnson, Chief Officer – HR & OD
Kevin Kelman, Chief Operating Officer – People
Drew Leslie, Senior Manager – Infrastructure

Carolyne McDaid, Service Manager – Broad General Education
Gillian McKenzie, Accountant

Isabel McKnight, Chief Operating Officer – Communities & Performance
Bruce McClure, Service Manager – Delivery of CRD

Sean Moffat, Assistant Analyst
Aileen More, Team Leader

Bruce Reekie, Senior Manager – Environment & Place

Brian Roberts, Chief Operating Officer – Infrastructure & Environment
Craig Russell, Service Manager – Housing Management Development
Marie Valente, Senior Manager – Children & Families (CSWO)
Andrew Wallace, Audit Scotland

Gregor Wightman, Private Sector Housing Manager
Julia McAfee, Chief Officer – Governance (Clerk)
Michelle MacDonald, Governance Officer

Louise McDonald, Committee Officer (Minute Taker)
Islay Moore, Support Officer

Prior to the commencement of business, The Provost welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting via MS Teams. A statement was read to the meeting providing detail on the procedures related to MS Teams and the protocols that both Members and Officers should adhere to throughout the meeting.‌

 

The Provost thanked all Stirling Council staff and noted that all Elected Members appreciate everything that they do for the residents of Stirling.‌

 

The Provost also congratulated Councillor Margaret Brisley on the occasion of her 40th Anniversary as an elected member of Stirling Council.

 

The Provost asked the Clerk to carry out a roll call of all Members participating in the meeting. The Clerk confirmed all Members were present.

 

SC284 APOLOGIES

 

There were no apologies.

 

SC285 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

SC286 URGENT BUSINESS

 

There were no items of urgent business.

 

SC287 WRITTEN QUESTIONS

 

4 written questions had been received in terms of Standing Order 30. 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 included in Appendix 1.

 

SC288 RECORDING OF MEETINGS

 

A Section CE45 Report, Schedule of Meetings up to the Summer Recess 2020, was agreed by the Chief Executive in consultation with relevant Elected Members. This re-introduced a limited number of Member level decision making meetings to take place up to the Council recess. The meetings were being held remotely using Microsoft Teams or any other approved platform and the public would be excluded on public health grounds under the provisions of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020.

 

There was no legal requirement for such meetings to be recorded. However to
ensure that the Council’s decision making processes continued to be transparent Council was asked to agree that the proceedings at all meetings scheduled to take place in June 2020 be recorded and the video recording made available for public viewing on the Council’s website after each meeting. If agreed, the recording process would include this Council meeting from the point that the decision to record was taken.

 

Following Member queries it was noted that the videos would be hosted on YouTube. A copyright statement already available on the Council website was being amended to ensure it covered all relevant areas. Other local authorities were already recording their meetings and Stirling would be learning from good practice.

 

It was highlighted that there continued to be work ongoing around the procedures of recording meetings and the Short Life Working Group would explore options for additional functionality, such as the addition of subtitles.

 

Motion

 

“Council is asked to agree that, with immediate effect, the proceedings at all Council, Committee and Panel meetings scheduled to take place in June 2020 be recorded and the video recording made available for public viewing on the Council’s website after each meeting.”

 

Moved by Councillor Scott Farmer, seconded by Councillor Danny Gibson

 

Amendment

 

Councillor Neil Benny moved the direct negative in accordance with Standing Order 55, seconded by Councillor Alastair Majury.

 

For Motion (16)

 

Councillor Maureen Bennison
Councillor Margaret Brisley
Councillor Robert Davies
Councillor Douglas Dodds
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 Jim Thomson
Councillor Alasdair Tollemache
Councillor Evelyn Tweed

 

Against Motion (7)

 

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

The Motion was carried by 16 votes to 7.

 

Decision

 

Council agreed that, with immediate effect, the proceedings at all Council, Committee and Panel meetings scheduled to take place in June 2020 be recorded and the video recording made available for public viewing on the Council’s website after each meeting.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer – Governance, dated 19 May 2020, submitted.)

 

Recording of the meeting started.

 

SC289 APPOINTMENT OF JOINT DEPUTE PORTFOLIO HOLDER – HOUSING

 

Councillor Lambie gave notice of his resignation as Joint Depute Portfolio Holder for Housing to his Group Leader in March 2020. Councillor Lambie agreed to continue in the role until a replacement was appointed and at that time he would also step down from the Housing Advisory Group.

 

The Chief Officer – Governance received Councillor Lambie’s formal resignation on 19 May 2020.

 

The report sought to appoint Councillor Alasdair MacPherson to fill the vacant
positions.

 

Motion

 

“Council is asked to:

1. appoint Councillor Alasdair MacPherson as Joint Depute Portfolio Holder for Housing; and

2. appoint Councillor Alasdair MacPherson to the Housing Advisory Group.”
   Moved by Councillor Scott Farmer, seconded by Councillor Danny Gibson
   Amendment

“Council is asked to:

1. appoint Councillor Martin Earl as Joint Depute Portfolio Holder for Housing.”

 

Moved by Councillor Neil Benny, seconded by Councillor Alastair Majury
For 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

Against the Amendment (13)

 

Councillor Maureen Bennison
Councillor Margaret Brisley
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 Jim Thomson
Councillor Evelyn Tweed

 

Not Voting (2)

 

Councillor Robert Davies
Councillor Alasdair Tollemache

 

The amendment fell by 13 votes to 8 votes with 2 Members not voting.
For the 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 Jim Thomson
Councillor Alasdair Tollemache
Councillor Evelyn Tweed

 

Against the 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

 

The Motion was carried by 15 votes to 8 votes.

Decision

 

Council:

 

1. appointed Councillor Alasdair MacPherson as Joint Depute Portfolio Holder for Housing; and

    

2. appointed Councillor Alasdair MacPherson to the Housing Advisory Group. (Reference: Report by Chief Officer – Governance, dated 20 May 2020 submitted.)

 

SC290 ESTABLISHMENT OF SHORT LIFE WORKING GROUP – COVID-19

 

Council was asked to establish a Short Life Working Group to deal with future plans for Council, Decision Making Committees, associated Panels and the Licensing Board, to ensure that the Council’s business was dealt with effectively during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

 

Motion

 

Council is asked to:

1. agree to the establishment of a Covid-19 Short Life Working Group, with the remit to agree future plans for the running of Council, Decision Making Committees, associated Panels and the Licensing Board. The Group will also determine the start of the first committee cycle, following the summer recess;

2. agree the membership of a Covid-19 Short Life Working Group as Provost, Depute Convener of Council, Leader of Council, Depute Leader of Council, Leader of Opposition and Depute Leader of Opposition;

3. appoint the Provost as Chair of the Covid-19 Short Life Working Group;

4. note that, in the interests of expediency, it is proposed that the first meeting of this group take place by the end of June 2020; and

5. agree that the Short Life Working Group concludes discussions by 31 July 2020.

 

Moved by Councillor Scott Farmer, seconded by Councillor Danny Gibson

 

Amendment

 

Council is asked to:

1. agree to the establishment of a Covid-19 Short Life Working Group, with the remit to agree future plans for the running of Council, Decision Making Committees, associated Panels and the Licensing Board. The Group will also determine the start of the first committee cycle, following the summer recess;

2. agree the membership of a Covid-19 Short Life Working Group as Provost, Depute Convener of Council, Leader of Council, Depute Leader of Council, Leader of Opposition, Depute Leader of Opposition, Councillor Alasdair Tollemache and Councillor Robert Davies;

3. appoint the Provost as Chair of the Covid-19 Short Life Working Group;

4. note that, in the interests of expediency, it is proposed that the first meeting of this group take place by the end of June 2020; and

5. agree that the Short Life Working Group concludes discussions by 31 July 2020.

 

Moved by Councillor Alasdair Tollemache, seconded by Councillor Robert Davies For the Amendment (2)

Councillor Robert Davies
Councillor Alasdair Tollemache

 

Against the Amendment (18)

 

Councillor Maureen Bennison
Councillor Neil Benny
Councillor Alistair Berrill
Councillor Margaret Brisley
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 Christine Simpson

 

Not Voting (3)

 

Councillor Douglas Dodds
Councillor Jim Thomson
Councillor Evelyn Tweed

 

The Amendment fell 18 votes to 2 votes with 3 Members not voting
For the Motion (21)

Councillor Maureen Bennison
Councillor Neil Benny
Councillor Alistair Berrill
Councillor Margaret Brisley
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 Christine Simpson
Councillor Jim Thomson
Councillor Evelyn Tweed

 

Against the Motion (1)

 

Councillor Alasdair Tollemache
Not Voting (1)

Councillor Robert Davies

 

The motion was carried with 21 votes to 1 vote with 1 Member not voting

 

Decision

 

Council:

1. agreed to the establishment of a Covid-19 Short Life Working Group, with the remit to agree future plans for the running of Council, Decision Making Committees, associated Panels and the Licensing Board. The Group will also determine the start of the first committee cycle, following the summer recess;‌‌

2. agreed the membership of a Covid-19 Short Life Working Group as Provost, Depute Convener of Council, Leader of Council, Depute Leader of Council, Leader of Opposition and Depute Leader of Opposition;

3. agreed to appoint the Provost as Chair of the Covid-19 Short Life Working Group;

4. noted that, in the interests of expediency, it was proposed that the first
   meeting of this group take place by the end of June 2020; and

5. agreed that the Short Life Working Group concludes discussions by 31 July 2020

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer – Governance, dated 20 May 2020, submitted.)

 

SC291 GENERAL OVERVIEW OF STIRLING COUNCIL’S RESPONSE TO (COVID-19)

 

The Chief Executive gave a presentation to the meeting highlighting how Stirling Council had been responding to the rapidly changing situation the coronavirus had on everyone’s lives. Local Authorities across the country had played a vital role in responding to the pandemic. The report and presentation outlined the response within the Stirling Council local authority area, along with a situation report on the wider context, within which the Council had to operate.

 

Following a Member query regarding residents returning to work and obtaining a place for their child within a school HUB, officers requested that Elected Members should provide details of those who have been unable to obtain a place(s) within a school HUB, outside of the meeting, to allow officers to review. It was also noted that guidance stated that non-vulnerable family members could now provide childcare.

 

Following a discussion in relation to support for care home providers, it was
highlighted that Stirling Council was being used as an exemplar for other Local
Authorities to follow. It was noted that there were lessons to be learned and also a need for communications be reviewed.

 

It was noted that over 3000 residents were shielding and a call had been made to every individual. For those that were unable to be reached by phone, home visits had now begun to allow officers to understand support needs for these individuals.

 

Following a Member query, officers agreed to give consideration to combining the COVID General Overview and COVID Financial Impact reports for future reporting.

 

The Provost thanked the Chief Executive and Management Team.

 

Councillor Scott Farmer moved the recommendation in the report, seconded by Councillor Danny Gibson

 

Decision

 

Council noted the actions undertaken to respond to the impact of the Coronavirus. (Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 12 May 2020, submitted.) Councillor Douglas Dodds left the meeting.

 

At 12.35pm the Council agreed to adjourn
in terms of Standing Order 74 Recording of meeting was stopped
The Meeting reconvened at 1.00pm with all Elected Members (previously noted) present, with the exception of Councillor Douglas Dodds, Councillor Alasdair MacPherson and Councillor Susan McGill

 

Recording of meeting started

 

SC292 FINANCIAL IMPACT ON STIRLING COUNCIL FROM COVID-19

 

The purpose of the report was to provide the Council with an update on the current financial challenges the Council was facing in relation to the pandemic situation and the potential impact this would have on the 2020/21 budget. This was based on best available information at that time and would be subject to future change; this would be reported to Council, as appropriate

 

It was highlighted that point 2.4 had now been resolved with the Scottish Government confirming Stirling Council’s allocation of the consequentials funding was £2.7M.

 

It was noted that a number of assumptions had to be made as a consequence of the pandemic and the assumptions were based on previous year’s patterns. There would be a need to review the budget again, probably in the autumn, which would allow for figures to be refined.

 

Councillor Margaret Brisley moved the recommendations in the report, seconded by Councillor Alison Laurie

 

Decision

 

Council agreed to:

 

1. note the financial impact contained within the report caused by the
   unprecedented financial pressure under which the council is now operating; and

    

2. request that officers bring a further financial impact report to the Council
   meeting on 30 June 2020, setting out proposed measures to mitigate the impact as far as possible.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer – Finance, dated 12 May 2020, submitted.)

 

Councillor Bryan Flannagan left the meeting
Councillor Douglas Dodds joined the meeting

SC294 AWARD OF CONTRACTS FOR FUNDED PROVIDERS

 

The purpose of the report was to seek approval from Stirling Council to award
contracts to early learning and childcare providers in the private, voluntary and independent (PVI) sector. This was to enable them to provide early learning and childcare for children aged 3 to 5 years of age. Once awarded a contract, the provider became a funded provider.

 

Councillor Scott Farmer moved the recommendation in the report, seconded by Councillor Christine Simpson

 

Decision

 

Council agreed to give approval to award the contracts noted in the report to deliver early learning and childcare places on behalf of Stirling Council from August 2020. All contract awards were subject to the funded providers meeting the National Standard criteria by 1 August 2020.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Operating Officer – People, dated 7 May 2020,
submitted.)

 

SC295 MOTHBALLING OF BUCHANAN PRIMARY SCHOOL

 

The purpose of the paper was to propose to Stirling Council the continued
mothballing of Buchanan Primary School for session 2020/21.

 

It was also proposed that the mothballing of Buchanan Primary School be reviewed in session 2020/21 in order to see if there was a desire from parents/carers to enrol their children at the school.

Councillor Scott Farmer moved the recommendations in the report, seconded by Councillor Christine Simpson

 

Decision

 

Council agreed:

 

1. to continue to mothball Buchanan Primary School for school session 2020/21;

    

2. that during the period of mothballing, the catchment of Drymen Primary School continue to be extended to include the current catchment of Buchanan Primary School; and‌‌

    

3. that a further report be brought to the Children & Young People Committee prior to the start of school session 2021/22 relating to the mothballing of Buchanan Primary School.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Operating Officer – People, dated 7 May 2020,
submitted.)

 

Councillor Alistair Berrill left the meeting

 

SC296 REVIEW OF EDUCATION PROVISION AT BAKER STREET NURSERY ANDPRIMARY SCHOOL

 

The purpose of the paper was to inform Stirling Council of the outcome and findings of the statutory consultation exercise undertaken in respect of the review of education provision at Baker Street Nursery and Allan’s Primary School.

 

Councillor Scott Farmer moved the recommendations in the report, seconded by Councillor Christine Simpson

 

Decision

 

Council agreed to:

 

1. note the contents of the Consultation Report (attached as Appendix 1).

    

2. approve the proposal that Baker Street Nursery was permanently
   amalgamated with Allan’s Primary School and became Allan’s Primary School Nursery with effect from 17 August 2020.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Operating Officer – People, dated 7 May 2020,
submitted.)

 

Councillor Alistair Berrill joined the meeting

 

SC297 SCHOOL TRANSPORT POLICY

 

The paper identified changes made to the School Transport Policy so that it was in line with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PVSAR 2000) which were expanded to capture all vehicles with more than 22 passenger seats from

1 January 2020, including those used for home to school transport. The new
legislation meant that Stirling Council was no longer able to charge for Privilege

Passes. The process for awarding Privilege Passes had therefore been reviewed and the School Transport Policy had been updated accordingly.

 

If approved, the new process would be put in place for applications submitted from 1 June 2020 onwards. The process would be reviewed in January 2021 and, should any changes be required, these would be brought to Children and Young People Committee for approval thereafter.

 

Motion

 

“Council is asked to:

 

1. approve the changes to the School Transport Policy.”

 

Moved by Councillor Scott Farmer, seconded by Councillor Christine Simpson

 

Amendment

 

“Council is asked to:

 

1. agree there be no charge for passes in the meantime following legislation and defer any changes to criteria to the next Children & Young People Committee.”

 

Moved by Councillor Martin Earl, seconded by Councillor Alistair Majury
For the Amendment (7)

Councillor Neil Benny
Councillor Alistair Berrill
Councillor Robert Davies
Councillor Martin Earl
Councillor Alastair Majury
Councillor Jeremy McDonald
Councillor Ross Oxburgh

 

Against the Amendment (13)

 

Councillor Maureen Bennison
Councillor Margaret Brisley
Councillor Douglas Dodds
Councillor Scott Farmer
Councillor Danny Gibson
Councillor Graham Houston
Councillor Chris Kane
Councillor Graham Lambie
Councillor Alison Laurie
Councillor Christine Simpson
Councillor Jim Thomson
Councillor Alasdair Tollemache
Councillor Evelyn Tweed

 

The Amendment fell by 13 votes to 7 votes

For the Motion (13)

 

Councillor Maureen Bennison
Councillor Margaret Brisley
Councillor Douglas Dodds
Councillor Scott Farmer
Councillor Danny Gibson
Councillor Graham Houston
Councillor Chris Kane
Councillor Graham Lambie
Councillor Alison Laurie
Councillor Christine Simpson
Councillor Jim Thomson
Councillor Alasdair Tollemache
Councillor Evelyn Tweed

 

Against the Motion (6)

 

Councillor Neil Benny
Councillor Alistair Berrill
Councillor Martin Earl
Councillor Alastair Majury
Councillor Jeremy McDonald
Councillor Ross Oxburgh

 

Not Voting (1)

 

Councillor Robert Davies

 

The Motion is carried by 13 votes to 6 votes with 1 Member not voting

 

Decision

 

Council agreed to approve the changes to the School Transport Policy.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Operating Officer – People, dated 7 May 2020,
submitted.)

 

SC298 APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR TO STEP BOARD

 

The report sought approval from Council to appoint Councillor Graham Houston to the Board of Stirling Enterprise Park Ltd. (STEP) as a Director.

 

Councillor Margaret Brisley moved the recommendation in the report, seconded by Councillor Dodds

 

Decision

 

Council agreed to approve the appointment of Councillor Graham Houston to the STEP Board as a Director.

 

(Reference: Report by Senior Manager - Economic Development and Communities, dated 20 May 2020, submitted.)

SC299 2019/20 GENERAL FUND REVENUE BUDGET OUTTURN AND CAPITAL CARRY FORWARDS‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

 

The report provided the final outturn position on the overall General Fund revenue budget position for 2019/20 and sought Council’s approval to the updating of the 2020/21 General Services Capital Programme budget to reflect additional carry forward commitments and virements.

 

Motion

 

“That the Council agrees the Officer Recommendations 1 to 3; and

 

That the Council agrees to add the following in place of Officer Recommendation 4:
Council is agrees to:

1. approve that the 2019/20 underspends / slippages are not carried forward to 2020/21 and used solely for the individual projects to which they relate, but that they be used instead to help fund a reconfiguration of the 2020/21 programme;

    

2. agree to allocate an initial investment of £2 million, funded from current
   resources (2019/20 slippage) to provide IT and Facilities investment to
   accommodate the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery arrangements; with projects within this to be agreed by Convenor and Vice Convenor of Finance & Economy Committee, Council Leader, Depute Leader, Leader of Opposition and Chief Executive;

    

3. agree that officers provide a report to the Council meeting on 30 June setting out proposals for the reconfiguration of the 2020/21 general services capital programme to meet the challenges of service delivery adjustments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, taking account of recommendation 2 above.”

 

Moved by Councillor Margaret Brisley, seconded by Councillor Alison Laurie

 

At 3.00pm the Council agreed to adjourn
in terms of Standing Order 74

Recording of meeting was stopped
The Meeting reconvened at 3.10pm with all Elected Members (previously noted) present, with the exception of Councillor Bryan Flannagan, Councillor Alasdair MacPherson and Councillor Susan McGill

 

Recording of meeting started

 

In the course of discussion in relation to the Motion it was highlighted that the reason for the Motion was to respond to the urgency created by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In respect of recommendation 1 of the Motion it was highlighted by officers that there was an urgency to have funding available for IT to allow young people to return to school. It was felt that the wording of recommendation 1 should be changed to remove ‘to 2020/21’.

Councillor Margaret Brisley moved the Motion with the change to wording of
recommendation 1, seconded by Councillor Alison Laurie.

 

Decision

 

Council agreed to:

 

1. note the General Fund and HRA revenue and capital outturn positions as at 31 March 2020;

2. note the final uncommitted General Fund reserves of £8.693M at 31 March 2020 (4.1% of General Fund budget) as set out in appendix 1;

3. approve the further transfer of £500k from General Reserves to the
   Transformation Fund;

4. approve that the 2019/20 underspends / slippages are not carried forward and used solely for the individual projects to which they relate, but that they be used instead to help fund a reconfiguration of the 2020/21 programme;

5. allocate an initial investment of £2M, funded from current resources
   (2019/20slippage) to provide IT and Facilities investment to accommodate the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery arrangements; with projects within this to be agreed by Convenor and Vice Convenor of Finance & Economy Committee, Council Leader, Depute Leader, Leader of Opposition and Chief Executive; and

6. officers providing a report to the Council meeting on 30 June setting out
   proposals for the reconfiguration of the 2020/21 general services capital
   programme to meet the challenges of service delivery adjustments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, taking account of recommendation 5 above.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer – Finance, dated 20 May 2020, submitted.)

 

In terms of Standing Order 76, an automatic vote was required to consider whether to adjourn until a date and time within the following four working days.

 

The meeting unanimously agreed not to adjourn.

 

SC300 TREASURY MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL STRATEGY 2020/21

 

The Chief Officer – Finance, presented the report, which outlined a Treasury
Management Strategy for 2020/21, prepared in accordance with:

 

1. The Local Government in Scotland Act 2003;

    

2. The revised Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA)
   Treasury Management in the Public Services Code (2017 edition);

    

3. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (2017 edition);

    

4. The Local Government Investment Regulations (Scotland) 2010; and

5. The Local Authority (Capital Financing and Accounting) (Scotland)
   Regulations 2016.

 

Councillor Margaret Brisley moved the recommendations in the report, seconded by Councillor Alison Laurie

 

Decision

 

Council agreed to:

 

1. approve the Treasury Management Financial Strategy for 2020/21 as detailed in this report; and

    

2. approve the Prudential Indicators for 2020/21 to 2022/23 prepared with regard to the General Services Capital Programme Motion approved by Stirling Council on 12 March 2020 and the Housing Capital Investment Programme approved by Stirling Council on 27 February 2020.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer – Finance, dated 21 May 2020, submitted.)

 

SC301 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT – FINAL OUTTURN 2019/20

 

The Chief Officer – Housing, presented the report and highlighted the following:

 

Housing Revenue Account

 

The projected outturn for 2019/20 showed expenditure of £21.853M against a budget of £21.900M. The level of balances retained by the Housing Revenue Account would remain at £986,000.

 

Housing Investment Programme

 

The 2019/20 Housing Investment Programme showed expenditure of £17.728M against a budget of £17.431M. The level of new borrowing required for the current year was £1.124M under budget at £5.104M.

 

Councillor Evelyn Tweed moved the recommendations in the report, seconded by Councillor Danny Gibson

 

Decision

 

Council agreed:

 

1. to note that expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account for 2019/20 was £21.853M;

    

2. to note that the year-end retained balances would remain at £986,000;

    

3. to note that expenditure on the Housing Investment Programme was £17.728M; and

    

4. to note that the borrowing requirement for 2019/20 was £5.104M.
   (Reference: Report by Chief Officer – Housing, dated 7 May 2020, submitted.)

 

Council resolved under Section 50A (4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973
that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on
the grounds that it involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in
Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

Recording was stopped

 

Councillor Graham Houston and Councillor Douglas Dodds left the meeting

 

SC302 YOUNG PERSON SUPPORT PROJECT (LOWER BRIDGE STREET) – TO AWARD CONTRACT

 

The Chief Officer – Housing presented the report and highlighted that the Lower Bridge Street Project (‘The Bridge’) is a supported accommodation project which provides support to young people aged 16-25 who are experiencing homelessness. Support was provided on-site at 53/57 Lower Bridge Street and on an outreach basis.

 

The current contract expired on 31 March 2020 (although Loretto Care continued to provide support on existing terms pending the outcome of this procurement exercise).

 

Following an OJEU open tender process, the paper sought approval to award the contract to Loretto Care (the incumbent provider) for a 3 year period. There was also the option of two single year extensions up to 2025.

 

Councillor Evelyn Tweed moved the recommendation in the report, seconded by Councillor Danny Gibson

 

Decision

 

Council agreed to approve the award of the Young Person Support Project to Loretto Care.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer – Housing, dated 21 May 2020, submitted).

 

The Provost declared the Meeting closed at 4.10pm

APPENDIX 1

 

THIS REPORT RELATES

TO ITEM 4 ON THE AGENDA

 

STIRLING COUNCIL 4 JUNE 2020

WRITTEN QUESTIONS

 

Questions on the following matters have been submitted in terms of Standing Order No 30. The written answers are attached.

 

1. Convener of Finance & Economy Committee: Assets

    

2. Leader of the Council: Volunteer and Staff Recognition – COVID-19

    

3. Leader of the Council: Volunteering Work – COVID-19

    

4. Convener of Environment & Housing Committee: Recovery Phase – COVID-19 –
   Climate Emergency

 

 

Councillor Davies thanked the Convener for her answer and asked whether the Council could dispose of assets, which
were liabilities, such as Craigend Castle.

Councillor Brisley advised that Officers regularly review assets which were not required for the delivery of a service for
disposal and Craigend Castle would be considered during that process.

Supplementary
Question and
Answer