Policy And Resources Committee - 08/01/2001

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 8th January, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Julia STURROCK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th December, 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I UNIT RATE CONTRACT FOR MINOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS - JANUARY 2001 TO MARCH 3002

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th September, 1999 it was reported that the City Engineer had revised the Unit Rate Contract based on updated rates from contractors on the Council's Select Tender List.

The Committee authorised the City Engineer to bring forward offers for discreet work packages for individual projects on the basis of the updated Unit Rate Contract.

II DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL'S VOLUNTARY SECTOR POLICY

There was submitted Report No 29-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development seeking approval to proceed with the adoption of the Voluntary Sector Policy for Dundee City Council.

The Committee:-

(i)approved the adoption of the voluntary sector policy "Developing and Strengthening the Partnership" which had been prepared in line with guidance issued by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and the Scottish Executive;

(ii)endorsed the "Policy Guidance on Funding of Voluntary Organisations" produced by COSLA which reinforced the principles set out in Dundee's Voluntary Sector Policy;

(iii)welcomed the allocation of 60,000 from the Scottish Executive to Dundee Voluntary Action (DVA) to support the development of the voluntary sector infrastructure in Dundee;

(iv)agreed to the setting up of a Dundee City Council/Voluntary Sector Liaison Group to establish communication frameworks and define areas of common interest as well as address issues identified by the City Council or the voluntary sector;

(v)instructed the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development to progress development, with the voluntary sector of a "Dundee Compact".

III DUNDEE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP - COMMUNITY SAFETY STRATEGY/ACTION PLANS 2000/2002

There was submitted Report No 37-2001 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development and Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection seeking approval for Dundee Community Safety Partnership Community Safety Strategy and Action Plans for the period 2000/2002.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the strategic priorities for the period 2000/2002;

(ii) approved Action Plans for the period 2000/2002;

(iii)approved the extension of membership of the Partnership to key relevant local community groups, voluntary organisations and agencies involved with community safety planning;

(iv)agreed to Tayside Police and the City Council jointly developing Community Safety within the broader context of Community Planning using the Dundee Community Safety Partnership as a vehicle.

IV LOCAL AGENDA 21 WORKING GROUP

It was reported that Councillor Petrie had resigned from the above Working Group and that it had been proposed by the Major Opposition Group that the vacancy be filled by Councillor Barrie.

The Committee approved accordingly.

V MAKING PROGRESS WITH BEST VALUE

It was reported that the Accounts Commission had issued a report entitled "Making Progress with Best Value" which marked three services from each Council against agreed criteria.

Approximately two thirds of the services across the country had achieved overall progress scores of between 50% and 75% including Dundee Contract Services (DCS scored 100% on financial monitoring) and around one in six services had made greater progress overall scoring higher than 75%. This included Dundee City Council Social Work Services and Neighbourhood Resources and Development - Libraries and Information Services.

It was noted that three further services, Housing, Planning and Transportation and Architectural Services as well as the corporate approach to Best Value were being audited this year.

VI THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES (GOODS AND SERVICES) (PUBLIC BODIES) (NO 2) (SCOTLAND) ORDER 2000

It was reported for information that a new Statutory Instrument had been made by the Scottish Parliament which widened Councils' powers to provide goods and services to other bodies.

Under the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970, Councils were able to provide goods and services in certain circumstances to a designated list of public bodies such as housing associations, universities etc. The Local Authorities (Goods and Services) (Public Bodies) (No 2) (Scotland) Order 2000 extended the list of public bodies to include Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, National Health Service Trusts, Local Enterprise Companies and certain companies which had contracts with the Council and where the Council held between 25 - 49% of the share capital. This gave additional opportunity to the Council to become involved in projects with other bodies.

The recent Consultation Paper issued by the Scottish Executive on the introduction of a power of Community Initiative proposed that Councils' powers to act in the interests of their communities be widened to allow them to do anything for the promotion or improvement of the economic, social, and environmental well being of their area, including provision of goods and services. It was likely that the Goods and Services Act would be amended to achieve this by referring more broadly to purposes, rather than the current limited list of public bodies.

It was noted that further reports would be brought forward when any changes were made to the legislation.

VII LEADERSHIP ADVISORY PANEL - UPDATE

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th November, 1999 there was submitted Report No 46-2001 by the Chief Executive updating members on the latest position in regard to the modernising agenda.

The Committee agreed to refer consideration of this report to a meeting of this Committee to be held on 15th January, 2001.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No. 51(3)(b) in view of the timescales involved.

VIII TRUNK ROAD CONTRACTS

It was agreed that a Fax to be signed by representatives of each group on the Council and the Independent Member be sent to the Scottish Executive expressing deep concern regarding rumours circulating about the transfer of the above contracts to the private sector and the resulting redundancies.

JULIA STURROCK, Convener.