Recess Sub-committee - 30/07/2001

At a MEETING of the RECESS SUB-COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 30th July, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor FARQUHAR, Convener, in the Chair.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION DEPARTMENT: REVIEW OF RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTAMINATED LAND REGIME

There was submitted Joint Report No. 406-2001 by the Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection and the Director of Personnel and Management Services informing the Committee of the resources required to effectively carry out the next stage of the Contaminated Land Regime and make recommendations for its effective implementation.

The Committee approved the following measures in order to ensure that the provisions of Part IIA of the Environmental and Protection Act 1990 continues to be implemented effectively:-

ithat a post of an Assistant Scientific Officer (Contaminated Land), Grade T3, (15,240 - 16,770) be established within the Environmental and Consumer Protection Department for an initial period of one year. This appointment to be reviewed after that period and a decision made on the retention, or otherwise, of the post.

iithat the Contaminated Land Working Group continues to implement the remit as approved by Report No. 374-2000 and remains in place until the Council's statutory responsibilities under this regime are complete.

II NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT: QUALITY CONTACT PROJECT

The Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department established this project during 1998 (Report No. 735-1997, dated 13th October, 1997 refers). Based in Charleston, the project worked with children in the final stages of primary school. During the life of the project its work extended to other primary schools in the Menzieshill "cluster" and developed a focus on the transition from primary to secondary school. The project achieved considerable success during its three year period. The external funding from the Derwent Consultancy ceased at the end of July 2001.

The Education Department now wished to continue the project's work with immediate effect supported by external funding from the Scottish Executive - Excellence Fund.

Consequently, it was proposed to retain the staff as per current costs to 31st March, 2002 as follows:-

The Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department to recharge the Education Department pro tem until a further report can be brought forward for full Committee consideration.

The Sub-Committee authorised this arrangement.

III MAXWELLTOWN INFORMATION CENTRE

The Maxwelltown Information Centre was established in 1994/95 as an Urban Programme Project sponsored by Dundee's District Council. It was still funded through the Social Inclusion Partnership Fund and had funding until 31st March, 2003. Since its establishment, the project had developed a strong local Management Group which now has charitable status.

Recently the local Management Group had written to the City Council requesting that the Council transfer control of the premises and the running costs budget from the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department to the local Management Group. In this request, the Group had asked that the local authority should retain responsibility for the employment of staff and their professional supervision.

The Maxwelltown Information Centre Management Committee understood that the Council had made no financial commitment beyond the period for which Social Inclusion Partnership Funding had been approved. This move towards independence status would put the Maxwelltown Information Centre in a stronger position to secure external funding. It was note that there no direct financial implications to the Council at this time and therefore it was recommended that the transfer be implemented with effect from 1st August, 2001.

The Sub-Committee approved the transfer with effect from 1st August, 2001.

IV RESIGNATION OF COUNCILLOR LUKE, WARD 21, TAY BRIDGES

It was reported for information that Councillor Luke had submitted a letter intimating his resignation as Councillor for Ward 21, Tay Bridges, with effect from 20th July, 2001.

It was noted that the Returning Officer will arrange a by-election for Thursday, 30th August, 2001.

C D P FARQUHAR, Convener.

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