Corporate Resources, Policy & Governance Committee

Chair:

Ald W McCaughey

Vice-Chair:

Cllr J McKeown

Members:

Ald R Glover
Ald A Wilson
Cllr M Armstrong
Cllr R Beggs
Cllr A Clarke
Cllr M Collins
Cllr M Donnelly
Cllr B Ferris
Cllr J Gibson
Cllr L Gray
Cllr C Harwood
Cllr A Henry
Cllr T Hoey
Cllr C Jamieson
Cllr B Lyness
Cllr G McKeen
Cllr R Quigley
Cllr B Thompson

Terms of Reference

1. Purpose

1.1 This report outlines the areas of business that fall within the remit of this Committee.

It is important to highlight that Members have a clear responsibility to integrate strategy and service delivery within this Committee’s remit.

Additionally, Members contribute to achieving the priority outcomes set forth in the Corporate Plan.

It is therefore proposed that the service planning, allocation of resources, performance, and service opportunities will be all reported to the Corporate Resources, Policy and Governance Committee.

1.2 This is in line with the decisions taken at Council on 13 May 2024 with regards to good governance changes and the Scheme of Delegation.

The focus of this is to ensure that Council and Committees, through all Members, can drive the strategic direction and resource allocation against priorities but enabling officers to deliver services on a day-to-day basis in a streamlined and seamless way.

2. Background

2.1 The following are the service functions that fall within the remit of the Corporate Resources, Policy and Governance Committee:

Key Functions (with Consultation & Engagement and Complaints added for clarity):

• Finance and Revenue Budget Management;
• Governance including Council Constitution, Scheme or Delegation and Standing Orders;
• Communication, PR and Marketing; and
• Corporate Policy Framework
• Consultation & Engagement
• Complaints
• Procurement
• Insurance
• ICT and Digital Strategy
• Legal
• Assets and Facility Management (excluding Harbours and Marinas Service)
• Risk Management processes

2.2 Key Service Areas

• Finance
• Procurement
• Legal and Democratic Services
• Assets and Facility Management
• Strategy and Policy
• Information Governance
• Insurance
• ICT and Digital
• Risk management processes

2.2.1 Current Delegated Powers

• Writing off a loss of money (including bad debts) and loss of stores, obsolete equipment and materials in accordance with Financial Management Policy to the values determined by Council policy (any individual amount in excess of £3,000).

3. Key issues for Consideration

3.1 The role of the Corporate Resources, Policy and Governance Committee is the following:

• The monitoring of the revenue financial budgets of the Council following Councils approval for Medium Term Financial Planning (MTFP)
• Write off any debt in excess of £3,000 where it is recommended to do so
• Oversight of procurement and contract management
• Oversight and assurance of Value for Money (VFM)
• Overview and monitoring of Corporate Policies and Procedures to ensure delivery in line with Corporate Priorities
• To review Corporate Performance, making recommendations for course correction when performance is not meeting targets
• To consider opportunities for innovation and best practice to ensure continuous improvement and quality service delivery
• To direct available resources within existing budgets and within the remit of the Committees key functions if services fail to achieve effective improvement outcomes
• Approving and overseeing the delivery of any relevant service strategies for the following Council functions (with Consultation & Engagement and Procurement added for clarity):
  • Communications
  • Customer Service
  • Consultation & Engagement
  • Human Resources and Workforce Development
  • Governance
  • ICT and Digital Strategy
  • Performance
  • Procurement
  • Risk
  • Finance

4. General Considerations/implications

4.1 Committees of Council can carry out decision making on behalf of Council to ensure the business of Council is transacted in a timely and efficient manner.

4.2 This report is clarifying that this Committee has delegated authority to make and implement decisions on the following, after which the decisions are notified to Council:

• Writing off any loss of money (including bad debts) and loss of stores and obsolete equipment and materials in accordance with Financial Management Policy up to the values determined by Council policy (any individual amount in excess of £3,000)

4.3 Aside from the delegations listed in 4.2 above this Committee will make recommendations to Council, which are then approved, adopted, and ratified by Council and become a decision of Council.

4.4 Additional powers can be delegated to this Committee to make decisions rather than recommendations only. Any further delegations will need to be proposed and agreed by Council.

4.5 To note: This Committee cannot make decisions in relation to the outright disposal or acquisition of property/land however if time permits, officers may take a report to the Corporate Resources, Policy and Governance Committee with a recommendation to Full Council for final decision.

5. Proposed Way Forward

5.1 Elected Members note the remit of the Committee and over the next 12 months the Committee may require further delegations, subject to Council approval.

6. Recommendation or Decision

6.1 Elected Members are asked approve the key functions and service areas the Committee will consider and this will operate as the Terms of Reference for the Committee and a further report will be provided if further delegations are required.