Policy And Resources Committee - 19/03/2001

At a MEETING of the FINANCE COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th March, 2001.

 

Present:-

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Lord Provost Helen WRIGHT

Joe FITZPATRICK

C D P FARQUHAR

George de GERNIER

Allan PETRIE

Iain M LUKE

John R LETFORD

George REGAN

Jim BARRIE

Betty WARD

Bruce D MACKIE

Julia M STURROCK

Jill SHIMI

Roderick A J WALLACE

Neil GLEN

Robin PRESSWOOD

Kenneth J N GUILD

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Richard BEATTIE

Derek J SCOTT

Fiona M GRANT

Andrew DAWSON

John CORRIGAN

David BOWES

Willie W SAWERS

Dave BEATTIE

Mervyn J ROLFE

 

Councillor George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th March, 2001 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I CONVENTION OF SCOTTISH LOCAL AUTHORITIES (COSLA) MEMBERSHIP 2001 - 2002

 

Prior to considering this matter the Committee agreed to hear deputations from the TGWU, GMB, EIS and the AEEU in support of the Council renewing its membership of COSLA and after they had stated their case and answered questions from the Committee they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

 

There was submitted Report No. 186-2001 by the Chief Executive asking the Committee to consider whether the Council should renew its membership of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) for 2001 - 2002.

 

Councillor Regan seconded by Councillor Farquhar moved that the Council renews its membership of COSLA in accordance with the agreement reached at the Leader's meeting on 23rd February, 2001 ensuring that the Council remains within the joint national contract and wages negotiating structure and Officers have access to the services provided by COSLA, as outlined in this report.

 

As an amendment, Councillor Dave Beattie seconded by Councillor Barrie moved;

 

"As there is no financial provision in the 2001 - 2002 Revenue Budget for membership of COSLA, the Committee confirms

 

(i)Dundee City Council is formally withdrawing its membership of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities;

 

(ii)its continued belief in the principle of national negotiations on wages and conditions in local government;

 

(iii)that the Chief Executive will seek a dialogue with other members of the Scottish Joint Council for Local Government Employees (i.e. the other 31 Local Authorities, UNISON, GMB and TGWU) and COSLA with a view to Dundee City Council continuing its membership of the SJC, in line with Clause 4A of the SJC Constitution;

 

(iv)that the Chief Executive will seek a dialogue with the other Negotiation Bodies (the Joint Negotiating Committee for Chief Officials, the Joint Negotiating Committee for Craft Operatives and the Chief Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff) in order that Dundee City Council's views on pay and conditions are included in the deliberations of these Bodies."

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Lord Provost Wright, Councillors Regan, de Gernier, Letford, Ward, Shimi, Presswood, Farquhar, Luke, Sturrock, Glen, Grant and Rolfe (13); and for the amendment - Councillors Barrie, Richard Beattie, Dawson, Sawers, Fitzpatrick, Petrie, Guild, Corrigan, Dave Beattie, Fordyce, and Bowes (11) - Councillors Mackie, Wallace and Scott declining to vote - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

II ELECTED MEMBERS' SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY ALLOWANCES

 

The Committee agreed that Councillor Barrie be given a Special Responsibility Allowance of 2,182.18 in line with the other major opposition group spokespersons with effect from his appointment on 31st August, 2000.

 

 

 

 

GEORGE REGAN, Convener.