Agenda and minutes

The Chair asked Members if they had any interests to declare, in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Cassie declared interests in Items 15, 16 and 17, as Chair of the Audit Committee, and having applied the objective test he concluded that he would leave the meeting for these items and take no part in the discussion.

Councillor Menard declared interests in Items 15, 16 and 17, as a Member of the Audit Committee, and having applied the objective test he concluded that he would leave the meeting for these items and take no part in the discussion.

Councillor Whyte declared interests in Items 15, 16 and 17, as a Member of the Audit Committee, and having applied the objective test she concluded that she would leave the meeting for these items and take no part in the discussion.

Councillor Baillie made a transparency statement in respect of Item 12, as a support worker, whose duties required interaction with Police Scotland and having applied the objective test concluded that there was no interest to declare and that he would remain and participate.

Councillor Stirling declared an interest in Item 13, as a Director of the Board of the Scottish Lighthouse Museum, and having applied the objective test she concluded that she would leave the meeting for this item and take no part in the discussion.

Councillor James Adams declared an interest in Item 13, as a Director of the Board of the Scottish Lighthouse Museum, and having applied the objective test he concluded that he would leave the meeting for this item and take no part in the discussion.

Consider, and if so desired, adopt the following resolution:-

(1)       to have due regard to the need to:-

(a)               eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation;

(b)              advance equality of opportunity between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and

(c)               foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

(2)       where an Integrated Impact Assessment is provided, to consider its contents and take those into account when reaching a decision.

In taking decisions on the undernoted items of business, the Committee agreed, in terms of Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:-

(1)       To have due regard to the need to:-

(a)  eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation;

(b)  advance equality and opportunity between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and

(c)  foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it, and

(2)       to consider, where an Integrated Impact Assessment has been provided, its contents and to take those into consideration when reaching a decision.

2B.       Resolution:

Consider, and if so decided, adopt the following resolution: - That under Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as amended, the public and media representatives be excluded from the Meeting for Items 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information of the classes described in the relevant Paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

The Committee agreed, in terms of Section 50A (4) and (5) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the items specified below so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information of the classes described in the undernoted paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

Item No                                             Paragraph No of Schedule 7A

   18                                                                                        8

   19                                                                                        8

   20                                                                                        8

   21                                                                                        8

   22                                                                                        8

There had been circulated and was approved as a correct record the Minute of the Meeting of the Committee of 1 June, 2023.

There was circulated a report by the Director of Business Services which updated Members on the progress made against outstanding actions agreed at previous meetings of the Communities Committee.

The Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services provided updates and thereafter, the Committee agreed:-

(1) to acknowledge the position with regard to the outstanding actions from previous meetings and also those which had been completed since the last meeting; and

(2) that with regard to Item 6 – Live Life Aberdeenshire Annual Performance Update within the report, Live Life Aberdeenshire officers would confirm dates to Area Committees as to when reports would be considered with area specific information.

There was circulated a report by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services which provided details of the Revenue and Capital budgets pertaining to the services which fell under the remit of Communities Committee for the financial year 2023/24.

The report highlighted that the Communities Committee had responsibility for monitoring, reviewing and scrutinising of the Council’s policy and making decisions on matters relating to the functions which fell under their remit. The report set out the financial information for these services to enable this process.

The report went on to remind Members that Full Council approved the 2023/24 Revenue and Capital Budgets at the meeting on 9 March, 2023 as part of agreeing the wider Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). Appendix A to the report set out the budget information for the services for which the Communities Committee had responsibility, and the arrangements for monitoring and reporting on the financial performance of these services during 2023/24.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to:-

(1) note the Revenue and Capital Budgets pertaining to the Communities Committee for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A;

(2) note the agreed Budget Savings associated with these budgets and to agree that updates on achievement of these would be reported to future Committees;

(3) note the Earmarked Reserves associated with this Committee and their use;

(4) the proposed revenue budget virements, as detailed in Appendix B; and

(5) recommend the drawdown of reserves to Full Council, as detailed in Appendix B.

There was circulated a report by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services which provided information on the Housing Service’s performance in terms of finance and key performance indicators of service delivery.

The report explained that it was intended to support the Committee in their role of scrutinising performance related to the Housing Service, both in terms of performance by the Service related to the Council Priorities, and in terms of financial information regarding income and expenditure for the Housing Revenue Account. The reporting format combined information related to financial and service performance into a single document, to provide greater clarity and demonstrate the links between financial and service performance.

The report provided detail on Revenue Financial Performance, Capital Financial Performance and Reserves Financial Performance.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to:-

(1) acknowledge the performance and financial information provided; and

(2) instruct the Directors of Environment and Infrastructure Services and Business Services to continue to report Housing Performance and Financial information to Committee on a regular basis.

There was circulated a report dated 4 August, 2023, by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services which provided an update on the progress being made by the Housing Service on the actions identified in the Aberdeenshire Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) 2019-2024.

The report reminded Members that Rapid Rehousing required that where homelessness could not be prevented it should be brief, with households accessing settled accommodation quickly and stays in temporary accommodation minimised. Move on accommodation should be sustainable to ensure that homelessness does not recur and that the cycle of homelessness is ended.

In previous years the Service had produced a monitoring report for the Scottish Government using a template that focussed on activity and spend. This had been replaced for 2022/23 with a request for qualitative information to capture an overview of RRTP progress and challenges between 2019-2023. The monitoring report, attached as Appendix 1, provided information on the progress made during Year 4 of the RRTP in the format that had been used previously, while Appendix 2 was the update requested by the Scottish Government. Despite challenges which included the global pandemic, cost of living crisis and resettlement schemes, excellent progress had been made towards key rapid rehousing monitoring indicators during Year 4 of the plan.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed:-

(1) to acknowledge the activities being undertaken jointly by Aberdeenshire Council Housing Service and partners to deliver the actions identified within the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan 2019-24;

(2) that the temporary accommodation charges, as detailed in Appendix 4, be reported to Full Council for agreement

(3) to place the RRTP Member Officer Group on hold until the new housing act was in place and detail around the homeless prevention duty was known; and

(4) to a further update on progress being submitted to Committee in twelve months, subject to exception reporting in the meantime.

There was circulated a report dated 8 August, 2023, by the Director of Business Services which explained that the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership Annual Report 2022/2023 had been developed and would be considered by the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Board on 13 September 2023, prior to submission to the Scottish Government. The report provided an opportunity for the Communities Committee to consider and comment on the draft annual report. Progress continued to be made across the three LOIP priorities, namely Reducing Poverty, Connected and Cohesive Communities and Health and Wellbeing, with a number of successful initiatives across Aberdeenshire having positive impacts on communities.

The report highlighted that under the Reducing Poverty priority, the Tackling Poverty and Inequalities Strategic Group had continued to develop opportunities for experts in experience, targeting marginalised communities through the Lived Experience Forum. The group had adopted a rights-based approach to delivering a project focusing on fuel poverty. The challenges for the group included the increasing number of households, particularly working households seeking advice and financial assistance, an increasing number of mental health referrals and issues around the availability of public transport, particularly in rural areas, which, along with access to childcare, was impacting on people’s ability to take up employment.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to:-

(1) acknowledge the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership draft annual report 2022/2023 (Appendix 1); and

(2) note that the Annual Report would be considered by the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership Board on 13 September, 2023.

With reference to the Minute of Meeting of the Committee of 30 March, 2023 (Item 10 refers), there was circulated a report dated 8 August, 2023, by the Director of Business Services requesting that the Committee approve the Aberdeenshire Child Poverty Action Report prior to its publication.

The report reminded Members that the Aberdeenshire Child Poverty Action Plan Action was developed with those with lived experience, partners and comments from the Area Committees and Education and Children’s Service Committee also informed the final version.

The Communities Committee agreed the new Action Plan at the meeting on 30 March, 2023 and an updated version was attached at Appendix 3. The report highlighted that the priorities of the Tackling Poverty and Inequalities Strategic Partnership were reducing the number of children/people living in poverty; preventing children/people falling into poverty; enabling children to live poverty free in adult life; and improving the wellbeing of people living in poverty.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to:-

(1) acknowledge the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership draft annual report 2022/2023, as detailed Appendix 1, and that comments would be collated and presented to the Community Planning Partnership Board for their consideration prior to finalising the report for publication;

(2) note that the Annual Report would be considered by the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership Board at the meeting on 13 September 2023; and

(3) to remit to Business Services Committee for further information about the Living Wage Accreditation and how the Council could encourage other employers to implement this.

There was circulated a report dated 3 August, 2023, by the Director of Business Services which provided information on how the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was performing against key performance measures and associated targets, as set out in the Aberdeenshire Fire and Rescue Plan 2021 to 2024 approved at the meeting of the Communities Committee on 18 February, 2021.

The report provided an overview of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service performance in the Aberdeenshire area for the period April 2022 to March 2023. The report gave the opportunity for Members to maintain scrutiny of significant fire and rescue activities, to achieve good outcomes for the residents of Aberdeenshire. The Aberdeenshire Local Fire and Rescue Plan supported the local authority’s priorities with a key focus on the health and wellbeing of people throughout Aberdeenshire, providing early intervention and education in relation to improving community safety outcomes and protecting the environment and economy through both prevention and protection measures and operational response.

The Committee agreed to acknowledge the performance report relating to performance from April 2022 to March 2023 for the Aberdeenshire area of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

There was circulated a report dated 17 August, 2023, by the Director of Business Services on how the Police Service was performing against key performance measures and associated targets, as set out in the Aberdeenshire Police Plan.

The report explained that, in terms of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, the respective powers and duties that were relevant to the Committee's consideration of police matters were as follows: The Chief Constable was responsible for: policing of Scotland and must account to the Scottish Police Authority; ensuring adequate arrangements were in place for the policing of each local authority area; designating a constable as Divisional Commander after consultation with the local authority. The Divisional Commander was responsible for: involving the local authority in setting of priorities and objectives for policing of its area; providing to the local authority information it may reasonably require; preparing and submitting a local police plan to their local authority for approval and, if approved, publishing the local police plan; preparing and submitting replacement plan to the local authority for approval, following a review (local police plans must be reviewed at least once every 3 years). The local authority may: monitor and provide feedback to the Divisional Commander on policing of its area; specify policing measures it wished the Divisional Commander to include in a local policing plan.

The Committee also discussed the recent letter to Councillors from the Divisional Commander which explained the testing of a different approach to the way certain incidents were managed when they were reported to Police Scotland. The Divisional Commander highlighted that taking a proportionate approach to crime meant Police Scotland could continue to deliver a high standard of service whilst responding to growing and increasingly complex individual and community needs, within a tightening financial environment. Members concurred with the Chair in expressing some concerns regarding a perceived lack of transparency in the publicising and notification of the pilot of “proportionate policing”.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed:-

(1) to acknowledge the performance monitoring information relating to the Aberdeenshire component of the North East Division of Police Scotland;

(2) to request the Divisional Commander to continue to report to Committee quarterly on performance measures against service objectives; and

(3) in respect of the “Proportionate Policing” Pilot, that local chief inspectors would engage with Area Committees on this and the outcome of the pilot be reported back to the Communities Committee

There was circulated a report dated 16 August, 2023, by the Director of Business Services which provided information regarding mental health challenges in the community and the impact on policing.

The report explained as background that it was recognised within policing nationally that mental health calls were creating an increasing demand on front line resources and that a multi-agency, partnership based approach represented an effective strategy for addressing and reducing the impact on Police resources whilst seeking to ensure those in mental health crisis were provided with access to suitable support and resources in a timely and efficient manner.

The extensive report covered the topics and sub topics of: Reducing Mental Health Related Demand Impacts On Policing; Suicide and Suicide Prevention; Missing Persons and Reducing Missing Persons; and Risk Mitigation and the Vulnerable Persons Database (VPD).

The report concluded by explaining that it had identified those sources of demand on Police resources where mental health was likely to be a factor/consideration. It also illustrated the partnership arrangements, both established and developing which were deployable to support vulnerable individuals who may present in mental health crisis and which in turn may yield a benefit to local policing in terms of reducing the demand on them. There was a recognised need for effective data gathering, sharing, analysis and interpretation. These remained under ongoing review and development with appropriate approaches to extracting maximum value from the data being explored. In turn this would enable wider and more informed scrutiny across partners and open up opportunities to identify and implement earlier, meaningful interventions.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to:-

(1) acknowledge detail in the report which sought to update the Committee regarding the nature and extent of mental health challenges in the community and the impact on policing; and

(2) that the report be remitted to the Community Planning Partnership Executive Group for further consideration and action

Councillors Stirling and J Adams, both having declared an interest, left the meeting for this item.

There was circulated a report dated 26 July, 2023, by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which outlined proposed financial support to The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh.

The report explained that the Council was committed to and recognised the value of partnership working. In Arts, Heritage and Community Learning and Development (CLD), the Council had long-established partnership arrangements, with Council funding supporting a range of activities that brought significant benefit to Aberdeenshire’s residents and communities. The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses (MoSL) was a purpose-built museum located in Fraserburgh. It sat next to the Kinnaird Head Lighthouse, the very first lighthouse built on mainland Scotland in 1787. The museum attracted more than 9000 visitors annually, with 9281 visits during 2022/23, bringing visitors and economic benefits to the town.

The Committee agreed to:-

(1) the grant payment to The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses for 2023, as detailed in the report;

(2) direct officers to negotiate a new Grant Funding Agreement with the board of The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses; and

(3) the Grant Funding Agreement being for a three-year period.

There was circulated a report dated 26 July, 2023, by the Director of Education and Children’s Services which reminded Members that Live Life Aberdeenshire had an estate portfolio that included community halls, libraries, museums, leisure centres, ski slopes, swimming pools, sports pavilions and an aquarium.

The Service was committed to meeting the needs of communities, shaping service delivery to the changing landscape of demand and usage. The Service had demonstrated it no longer required such an expansive estate for direct service delivery. Through innovative digital applications and alternative delivery models for services, including co-locating with community partners and outreach, a reduced portfolio of static buildings can continue to meet the needs of our communities from a direct service delivery perspective.

The report went on to explain that as part of Council-wide budget savings in 2021/22, the Service proposed several buildings to be surplus as the Service would meet the needs by colocation and the introduction of click-and-collect and delivery services with electric vehicles. The properties and savings were set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

The report asked the Committee to review and comment on the progress of the previously agreed asset disinvestment, detailed in Appendix 1; and to agree that the Service should proceed in declaring as surplus to requirements the properties in Appendix 1, to ensure these properties were quite used to benefit their communities through community asset transfer or sale or adoption by another service area.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed:-

(1) to acknowledge the progress of the previously agreed asset disinvestment at Appendix 1; and

(2) in principle, that the Service should proceed in declaring as surplus to requirements the properties in Appendix 1, subject to engagement with Ward Councillors and communities to ensure these properties would be used to benefit their communities through community asset transfer or sale or adoption by another service area; and thereafter it be delegated to the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services, following consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair and Opposition Spokesperson; and thereafter the Committee and public be advised of the outcome.

Councillors Cassie, Menard and Whyte, all having declared an interest, left the meeting for this item.

With reference to the Minute of Meeting of the Committee of 1 June, 2023 (Item 18 refers) there was circulated a report dated 16 August, 2023, by the Chief Officer, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), which provided an update on progress against the action plan arising from Internal Audit Report 2301 ‘Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP) Governance Arrangements’, following the Stage 2 workshop held on 10 May, 2023, and subsequent report to the meeting of the Communities Committee on 1 June 2023 as part of the agreed framework of the Committee Review Process. Members were requested to consider recommendations and agree future improvement actions.

Following discussion, Councillor Reynolds, seconded by Councillor Joji, moved that the report did not provide adequate assurance and that a Stage 3 Investigation take place to allow to allow for further exploration of the issue and identification of potential improvement actions.

As an amendment, Councillor Stirling, seconded by Councillor Walker, moved that the Committee was assured and that a Stage 3 Investigation therefore would not take place. Members of the Committee voted:

for the motion                       (4)                   Councillors Baillie, Durno, Joji and

Reynolds.

for the amendment              (6)                   Councillors Adams, Beagrie, Brown,

Payne, Stirling and Walker.

absent from division            (1)                   Councillor Sullivan.

The amendment was carried whereby the Committee agreed that the Committee was assured and that a Stage 3 Investigation therefore would not take place.

Councillors Cassie, Menard and Whyte, all having declared an interest, left the meeting for this item.

With reference to the Minute of Meeting of the Committee of 1 June, 2023 (Item 16 refers) there was circulated a report dated 14 August, 2023, by the Chief Officer, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), which provided an update on progress against the action plan arising from Internal Audit Report 2312 ‘Assurance Review of IJB (Integration Joint Board) Governance’ as part of the agreed framework of the Stage 1 Committee Review Process. Members were asked to consider recommendations and agree future improvement actions.

Following discussion, Councillor Reynolds, seconded by Councillor Baillie, moved that the report did not provide adequate assurance and that a Stage 2 workshop take place to allow further exploration of the issues and identification of improvement actions.

As an amendment, Councillor Stirling, seconded by Councillor Payne, moved that the matter be deferred until the meeting of Committee on 2 November, 2023.

Members of the Committee voted:

for the motion                       (4)                   Councillors Baillie, Durno, Joji and

Reynolds.

for the amendment              (6)                   Councillors Adams, Beagrie, Brown,

Payne, Stirling and Walker.

absent from division            (1)                   Councillor Sullivan

The amendment was carried whereby the Committee agreed that the matter be deferred until the meeting of Committee on 2 November, 2023.

With reference to the Minute of Meeting of the Committee if 1 June, 2023 (Item 17 refers) there was circulated a report dated 14 August, 2023, by the Chief Officer, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), which provided an update on progress against the action plan arising from Internal Audit Report 2212 ‘IJB (Integration Joint Board) Transformational Projects’ as part of the agreed framework of the Stage 1 Committee Review Process. The report requested that Members consider recommendations and agree future improvement actions.

The report highlighted that the status against the majority of recommendations remained ‘in-progress’ however focus continued to be given to implementing actions required to provide assurance and ensure timely completion for workstreams agreed as continuing priorities under the Health and Social Care Partnership’s strategic delivery plan.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed that the report did not provide adequate reassurance, and requested the delivery of a Stage 2 workshop for the Committee to allow for further exploration of the issue and identification of potential improvement actions.

With reference to the Minute of Meeting of the Committee of 30 March, 2023 (Item 18 refers) there was circulated a report dated 8 August, 2023, by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services, which sets out how the Sheltered Housing Review would be progressed over the next 18 months and requested that the Committee consider the criteria for assessment of Sheltered Housing, acknowledge the engagement plan, and endorse the decision making route.

The report explained that while the Sheltered Housing Review would lead to significant disinvestment in certain schemes and locations, it would support reinvestment in the schemes that were to be retained to ensure these were viable assets fit for the future. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan had identified that the HRA was being severely impacted on with the level of subsidies required to maintain the existing portfolio of Sheltered Housing properties. Therefore, as part of the HRA business plan the aim of the Sheltered Housing Review would make the portfolio of the sheltered housing properties self-sustaining and ensure that these were viable assets fit for the future.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to:-

(1) the criteria for assessment of viability of each Sheltered Housing scheme within the portfolio to allow engagement with the Communities Committee, Area Committees, tenants, and officers;

(2) acknowledge the sheltered housing tenant engagement plan using a place setting methodology; and

(3) endorse the decision making route that noted points of engagement and updates with Area Committees, Ward Councillors, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, Sheltered Housing tenants and Sheltered Housing staff.

There was circulated a report dated 7 August, 2023, by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services which sought approval to add two supplementary items to the Housing and Building Standards Procurement Plan.

The Committee agreed to:-          

(1) approve the items on the Supplementary Procurement Plan, as detailed in Appendix 1, and to note that these items would be added to the Housing and Building Standards Procurement Plan approved by Communities Committee on 30 March 2023; and

(3) not reserve the approval of the Procurement Approval Form for any item on the Procurement Plan where the value of the matter was between £50,000 and £1,000,000.

There was circulated a joint report dated 9 August, 2023, by the Directors of Business Services and Environment and Infrastructure Services, which provided an update on the progress of the delivery of the Housing Improvement Programme, taking into consideration factors impacting on the programme, and request the Committee to acknowledge and consider the programme.

The report explained as background that four contractors were appointed to undertake multiple upgrades to the housing portfolio to deliver the overarching Housing Improvement Programme. The report also highlighted that the construction industry remained volatile, with supply chain issues and labour shortages impacting on the programme with significant consequences. This uncertainty in the market was anticipated to continue for the foreseeable future. Council officers therefore continued to monitor the situation regularly seeking deliverable solutions and taking all practical mitigation measures available to reduce disruption with contractors remaining agile in delivering a very fluid programme of work.

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to:-

(1) acknowledge the current position with regards to progress on the delivery of the Housing Improvement Programme (HIP) for Year 3, and Year 4; and

(2) note the actual spend profiles for the Financial Years up to and including 2022/2023, and the forecast spend profiles for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 for the Housing Improvement Programme (HIP).

There was circulated a report by the Chief Officer, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), which presented a Supplementary Procurement Work Plan for the Integration Joint Board for 2023/2024, for the Committee to implement the Direction to procure the items on the work plan

The report reminded Members that the Council was legally bound to implement the directions of the Integration Joint Board. The purpose of the report was to request that the Committee use its delegated powers to authorise procurement of the items on the Supplementary Procurement Work Plan. To fulfil the governance requirements of the Council’s procurement approval process, the items on the Work Plan and the Business Cases/Award Reports for matters with a value of over £1,000,000 must be approved by the Communities Committee.

The Committee agreed to:-

(1) note the details included in the report to the Integration Joint Board entitled “2023/2024 Supplementary Procurement Work Plan (Social Care)”, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, and approved by the Integration Joint Board at the meeting on 23 August, 2023;

(2) implement the direction from the Integration Joint Board to procure the items in the 2023/2024 Supplementary Procurement Work Plan (Social Care), as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report; and

(3) not reserve the approval of Business Cases/Award Reports for items on the Work Plan with a value of £50,000 up to £1,000,000 and the award of contract with a value over £1,000,000.

There was circulated a report dated 8 August, 2023, by the Chief Officer, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), which explained that the contract between Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) and Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) for the provision of prepaid cards expires in February 2024. A solution was required with regards to the renewal of the contract. An options appraisal and cost analysis has been carried out and a summary of the findings and recommendations were contained in the report.

The Committee agreed to:-

(1) implement the Direction from the Integrated Joint Board by approving the Direct Award of a contract to Prepaid Financial Services for 4 years, using the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) framework, as detailed in the Supplementary Procurement Plan (Appendix 1) and by approving the associated Procurement Approval Form (Appendix 2); and

(2) not reserve the approval of the Procurement Approval Forms for items on the Work Plan with a value of £50,000 up to £1,000,000 and the award of contract with a value over £1,000,000.