City Development Committee - 10/12/2001

At a MEETING of the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th December 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor ROLFE, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I LOCAL EMPLOYMENT ACTION PLAN - DUNDEE

The Director of Economic Development submitted Report No. 767-2001 outlining the Local Employment Action Plan for Dundee for the period 2002/2004.

The Committee approved the Local Employment Action Plan for Dundee for the period 2002/2004 and instructed the Director of Economic Development to develop further the monitoring framework and action plan within the document in consultation with partners and return to this Committee with an annual update on progress achieved during 2002 to 2003.

II INVERTAY SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND

The Director of Economic Development reported that this fund had been set up by Dundee Industrial Association, assisted by Social Investment Scotland (Scottish Enterprise and the four clearing banks), as one of the pilot funds for Scotland to assist the development of "social economy" businesses.

The fund followed the model of Small Business Finance (Dundee) Limited and the Council had been asked to take a Directorship of this company and to take an active part in promoting its role.

The Committee agreed that the Director of Economic Development, or his nominee, be put forward as the Council's Board Member of this new company.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 52(3)(b) in view of the timescales involved.

III RENEWABLE ENERGY

The Director of Economic Development reported that Dundee City Council proposed to purchase a renewable energy (electricity) supply with Scottish and Southern Energy plc, the present contract's electricity supplier. The supply concerned would be for Tayside House with effect from 1st January 2002 until the end of the contract period on 31st March 2003, resulting in a small additional price premium for each unit of electricity which would be more than offset by savings under the Government's recently introduced Climate Change Levy. Overall savings in excess of 5,000 were likely to be realised over the period concerned assuming similar levels of electricity usage were maintained.

The Committee approved the proposed purchasing arrangements.

The Committee resolved, under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

IV COMMERCIAL LEASES

There was submitted and approved Report No. 765-2001 by the Director of Economic Development detailing commercial leases in respect of the undernoted premises:-

215 Hilltown

Unit 4, Alexander Street

Shops, 21 and 23 Haldane Avenue

Site at Smeaton Road

5-7 Teviotdale Avenue.

V RENT REVIEWS

There was submitted and approved Report No. 766-2001 by the Director of Economic Development detailing the review of rent in respect of premises at 2-4 Brownhill Road.

VI SITE AT FARADAY STREET, DUNDEE

The Director of Economic Development reported that an interested company had provisionally agreed to build and lease an industrial unit at the above location to another company and the Committee noted, for its interest, the details of the proposal.

The site on which the proposed unit was to be built, extending to 929 sq m or thereby, was in the ownership of the Council and provisional agreement had been reached to sell this site to the interested party.

The Committee approved the proposed sale on the terms stated.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 52(3)(b) in view of the timescales involved.

VII PROPOSED WIGHTON CENTRE, WELLGATE LIBRARY, WELLGATE SHOPPING CENTRE

The Director of Economic Development reported that the works required to create the proposed Wighton Centre at the Wellgate Library were due to commence shortly and the landlords of the Wellgate Centre required the Council, as tenant, to provide Collateral Warranties for the works.

It was reported for the information of the Committee that, after consultation with the Convener and spokepersons of the Major and Minority Opposition Groups, the Director of Support Services had been instructed to conclude the necessary legal formalities.

VIII UNIT K, CLAVERHOUSE INDUSTRIAL PARK

On a reference to Article XIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th October 2001 the Director of Economic Development reported that the tenant of Unit K had renounced the tenancy and another company had expressed interest in relocating from Unit G to Unit K. A further company had expressed interest in leasing Unit G.

The Committee approved the relocations on the terms and conditions detailed and remitted to the Director of Support Services to conclude the necessary legal formalities.

IX EURO 2008 - PROPOSED STADIUM, CAIRD PARK

At the request of the Convener, the Director of Support Services offered advice and guidance on the issue of Declarations of Interest.

Councillors Rolfe, Glen and Barrie thereafter declared an interest and left the meeting. Councillor de Gernier also declared an interest but remained present.

Thereafter, Councillor Grant proposed that Councillor Sturrock take the Chair and this was unanimously agreed.

Following discussion, Councillor Fitzpatrick sought advice and then also declared an interest and left the meeting.

The Director of Economic Development reported that, in relation to the current Scottish bid to host the 2008 European Football Championship and the City's bid to procure a new football stadium at Caird Park, the terms of the original Disposition of land comprising the park contained restrictions as to use etc and provisional agreement had been reached with the agents for the disponers to have these conditions removed.

The Director of Economic Development recommended that the Council agree to the foregoing and remit to the Director of Support Services to complete necessary legal action to remove all restrictions on the use of the Park.

Councillor Sturrock, seconded by Lord Provost Letford, moved approval of the foregoing.

As an amendment, Councillor Richard Beattie, seconded by Councillor Borthwick, moved refusal of the proposal.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillor Sturrock, Lord Provost Letford and Councillors de Gernier, Ward, Shimi, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Grant, Sawers, Guild, Corrigan, Bowes, Powrie, Mackie, Wallace, Scott and Macpherson (18); and for the amendment - Councillors Richard Beattie, Dawson, Dave Beattie and Borthwick (4); whereupon the motion was declared carried.

MERVYN ROLFE, Convener.

JULIA STURROCK, Chair.