Corporate Resources, Policy & Governance Committee

Chair:

Cllr M Armstrong

Vice-Chair:

Cllr B Ferris

Members:

 Ald W McCaughey

Ald Mrs M Morrow

Ald Ms G Mulvenna

 Cllr R Beggs

Cllr A Clarke

Cllr M Collins

Cllr M Donnelly

Cllr J Gibson

Cllr R Glover

Cllr L Gray

Cllr A Henry

Cllr T Hoey

Cllr C Jamieson

Cllr B Lyness

Cllr G McKeen

Cllr J McKeown

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, Complaints and Annual Events Programme added for clarity):

• Finance and Budget Management;
• Overview of Capital Plan and Budget;
• Governance including Council Constitution, Scheme or Delegation and Standing Orders;
• Communication, PR and Marketing; and
• Corporate Policy Framework

2.2 Consultation & Engagement

• Complaints
• Procurement
• Insurance
• ICT and Digital Strategy
• Legal
• Assets and Facility Management (excluding Harbours and Marinas Service)
• Approval of the Annual Events Programme

2.3 Key Service Areas (Events has been added for clarity):

• Finance including Capital Plan
• Procurement
• Legal and Democratic Services
• Assets and Facility Management
• Strategy and Policy
• Information Governance
• Insurance
• ICT and Digital
• Events

3. Key issues for Consideration

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

• The monitoring of the financial budgets of the Council following Councils approval for Medium Term Financial Planning (MTFP)
• 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

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 Committee will make recommendations to Council, which are then approved, adopted, and ratified by Council and become a decision of Council.

4.3 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.

4.4 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.