Councillor Brenda Durno (Angus Council); Councillor Mandy Watt (City of Edinburgh Council); and Councillor Kenny Macleod (Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar).

 

There were no declarations of interest or transparency statements intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

 

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Executive Sub-committee held on 6 December 2024.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel providing a progress update on the 2024/25 Contract Delivery Plan which detailed new framework developments and renewals, flexible frameworks, framework extensions and frameworks with ongoing contract management activity and appendices 1 to 4 to the report provided further details. 

The report highlighted that, at any given point, there were around 65 frameworks in the Scotland Excel contract portfolio. During 2024/25 it was intended that one further framework would be developed and added to the portfolio; that 20 frameworks would be renewed; and that 13 frameworks had extension options that were available to be exercised, with six of these extensions already approved. Four other potential framework opportunities were currently being assessed.

The report advised that the current estimated forecast value of the Scotland Excel framework portfolio was approximately £2.14 billion and that overall, efficiencies created by frameworks awarded so far during 2024/25 were benchmarked at 1.22% of framework value. Appendix 5 to the report set out Scotland Excel’s updated methodology for calculating efficiencies in accordance with the Scottish Government procurement benefits reporting guidance and Appendix 6 to the report detailed a summary of spend per Council across the portfolio between October 2023 and September 2024. 

DECIDED: That the progress made to date be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel relative to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Future of Foster Care launched in October 2024 as part of the work to review and improve the foster care system in Scotland.

The report intimated that the consultation aimed to gather views from a wide range of stakeholders and sought views on the Scottish Government’s proposed vision for the future of fostering in Scotland which aimed to create a more supportive, inclusive and effective system for both children in care and their birth families and for foster families.

The report provided detail on the proposals that the Scottish Government sought views on together with Scotland Excel’s response to the consultation. The report noted that the closing date for submissions was 6 February 2025. Scotland Excel’s draft response to the consultation formed Appendix 1 to the report. 

Councillor Keating highlighted the importance of understanding the cost implications of Independent Fostering Agencies compared with local authority support. Councillor Keating proposed that amendments to the submission be considered to reflect the potential impact on delivery of policy commitments in line with the Promise.

DECIDED: 

(a) That Scotland Excel’s proposed approach to the consultation response as set out in the report be agreed; and 

(b) That the response which formed Appendix 1 to the report, as amended, be submitted to the Scottish Government. 

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel providing an update on the work of the Scotland Excel team established in September 2023 to identify savings opportunities in response to the significant financial challenges facing members.

The report provided detail on the establishment of the team; the engagement undertaken by the team; the work caried out on each potential opportunity; and the work carried out with Council colleagues to fully deliver the opportunity.

The report advised that the initial savings target set for year one was £5 million based on the data available and the limited size of the team. Strategic updates were issued every two months regarding the status of the projects and achievements towards the savings target.

The report noted that 11 savings opportunities were presented in year one of the programme as detailed in section 2.5 of the report. The first year of the savings programme had delivered collective savings opportunities across 32 councils. Further, that the savings team had extended into year two with the support of additional funds made available through the Pension Fund Reserves. A target of £6 million had been set for year two and details of the identified projects currently under review were detailed in section 3.2 of the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress the team had made within the first year of the programme and the planned work for year two be noted; and

(b) That members continue to provide high level support and input to the programme.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel providing an update on the projects funded through reserves held as a result of pension fund changes.

The report intimated that following actuarial review, Strathclyde Pension Fund advised that the fund was 147% funded against current and anticipated future commitments. The Joint Committee, at its meeting held on 8 December 2023, agreed to retain the anticipated operating surplus, ring-fenced within Reserves with any in-year drawdown to be approved by the Executive Sub-committee. The in-year impact for 2024/25 and 2025/26 anticipated an operating surplus of £460,000 and £459,000 respectively.

The report advised that, to date, five projects had been approved by the Executive Sub-committee, being (i) the provision of free commercial training; (ii) part funding of the National Savings team; (iii) the provision of additional legal support; (iv) the introduction of a new commercial analyst role; and (v) the provision of additional Capital Project procurement support.

DECIDED: That the progress made within each of the approved projects be noted.

DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the Executive Sub-committee would be held remotely on MS Teams at 9.30 am on 21 February 2025.