Policy And Resources Committee - 11/03/2002

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 11th March, 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor STURROCK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th February, 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I COMMON GOOD FUND

There was submitted Report No. 103-2002 by the Director of Finance outlining the operation of the Council's Common Good Fund.

The Committee approved the Revenue Budget for the financial years 2002/03 and 2003/04.

(a) HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE

There was submitted Report No. 183-2002 outlining the proposals to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee visit to the City on 28th May 2002 and other planned celebrations, mainly over the Jubilee long weekend of 1st to 4th June, 2002.

The Committee approved the proposals outlined in the report and authorised expenditure of up to 25,000 thereon from the Common Good Fund.

(b) PROPOSED LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH CENTRE

There was submitted Joint Report No. 102-2002 by the Director of Economic Development and Director of Finance regarding the proposed development of a new Life Sciences Research Centre at Dundee University.

The Committee agreed that the proposed Life Sciences Research development be supported with a contribution of 100,000 from the Common Good Fund over the financial years 2002/03 and 2003/04.

(c) DUNDEE INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE LTD

There was submitted Report No. 187-2002 by the Director of Leisure and Arts providing an update on the financial position in relation to Dundee Industrial Heritage Ltd.

The Committee -

(a)noted the financial position regarding Dundee Industrial Heritage Ltd as outlined in this report;

(b)remitted to the Director of Leisure and Arts to work with Dundee Industrial Heritage Limited to further review operations and develop a case to the Scottish Executive for financial support; and

(c)agreed to provide a one-off additional grant of 25,000 in 2002/03 to Dundee Industrial Heritage as outlined in Section 6.6 of the report.

II ARTHURSTONE LIBRARY

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Finance Committee of 14th February, 2002 there was submitted Report No. 203-2002 by the Chief Executive informing members of developments relative to the financial situation of Arthurstone Library.

The Committee:-

(a)agreed to invite Tenders for the immediate essential external works amounting to 50,000 to be met from within the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department's Capital Budget for 2002/03;

(b)authorised the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development to prepare a further report to be submitted to Committee in respect of the remaining works. The report to include proposals that would maximise the use of the building by both the Council and Community Organisations; and

(c)restored the estimated revenue saving of 44,000 identified in the Revenue Budget 2002/2003 proposals and agreed at the Finance Committee on 14th February, 2002.

III AMALGAMATION OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AND THE EQUALITY ACTION COMMITTEE

There was submitted Report No. 180-2002 by the Chief Executive regarding the amalgamation of the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Committee and the Equality Action Committee.

Councillor Sturrock seconded by Councillor Regan moved:-

(a)approval of the amalgamation of the Neighbourhood Resources and Development and Equality Action Committees; and

(b)remitted to the Director of Support Services to draft, implement and circulate the necessary changes to Standing Orders to reflect the merger of the two Committees.

As an amendment Councillor Sawers seconded by Councillor FitzPatrick moved:-

(a)that the Committee defer this item with a view to moving towards an amalgamation of the Equality Action Committee with the Policy and Resources Committee; and

(b)it be remitted to the Chief Executive to fully investigate and consult on all the implications of transferring the staff and resources of the Equality Action Team to the Corporate Planning Department and report back to a future Committee.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Lord Provost Letford, Councillors Sturrock, de Gernier, Wright, Ward, Shimi, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Glen, Grant, Rolfe, Powrie, Wallace, Scott, Macpherson and Borthwick (17); and for the amendment - Councillors Barrie, Richard Beattie, Dawson, Sawers, Fitzpatrick, Petrie, Guild, Corrigan, Dave Beattie, Fordyce and Bowes (11) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

IV FORMATION OF LEISURE AND ARTS SERVICES COMMITTEE

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th June, 2001 there was submitted Report No. 210-2002 by the Chief Executive regarding the formation of a new Leisure and Arts Services Committee with responsibility for the current business of the Leisure Services and Arts and Heritage Committees.

The Committee:-

(a)agreed to the formation of a Leisure and Arts Services Committee to replace the current Leisure Services and Arts and Heritage Committees; and

(b)remitted to the Director of Support Services to draft, implement and circulate the necessary changes to Standing Orders to reflect the merger of these two Committees into a Leisure and Arts Services Committee.

V CHANGING CHILDREN'S SERVICES FUND

There was submitted Report No. 219-2002 by the Director of Social Work and Director of Education advising members of the Scottish Executive's requirements in relation to the production of an integrated Children's Services Plan for Dundee (2002/2004) and of the establishment of a Changing Children's Services Fund.

The Committee:-

(i)noted the content of the report and in particular that the latest Scottish Executive guidance being used to inform the planning and development of Children's Services in the City; and

(ii)acknowledged the establishment of a Changing Children's Services Fund and instructed the Chief Executive to ensure that proposals for the use of these monies were developed and included within Dundee's Children's Services Plan.

VI COMPLAINTS ON STREETLIGHTING, ROADS AND FOOTPATHS

There was submitted Report No. 121-2002 by the Director of Corporate Planning proposing new arrangements for dealing with public complaints relating to streetlighting, roads and footpaths.

The Committee:-

(a)agreed that, for an initial period of one year from April 2002, all complaints relating to streetlighting, roads and footpaths should be reported to the Planning and Transportation Department with the cost of basic repairs being recharged to the department which currently has responsibility;

(b)instructed the Director of Planning and Transportation, in consultation with the Directors of other relevant department, to develop criteria against which the priority for all repairs can be assessed, to apply consistently across all departments responsible for payment;

(c)instructed the Director of Planning and Transportation to liaise with other Directors to ensure that a comprehensive inspection regime be introduced for all streetlights, roads and footpaths;

(d)instructed the Director of Finance to closely monitor expenditure during the pilot project; and

(e)instructed the Director of Planning and Transportation, in conjunction with the Directors of Finance, Housing, Economic Development and Leisure and Arts, to bring forward a report evaluating the impact of the pilot project and considering the issues in relation to the Planning and Transportation Department taking over full responsibility for the maintenance of all streetlighting, roads and footpaths currently owned by other departments.

VII SUPPLY OF IT EQUIPMENT - GCAT

This Report was withdrawn.

VIII COUNCIL CHAMBER LIGHTING

There was submitted Report No. 175-2002 by the Director of Support Services seeking approval in the interests of health and safety for the necessary upgrading of lighting fitments in the Council Chamber together with associated painterwork etc.

The Committee approved acceptance of an offer from Dundee Contract Services to carry out electrical and painterwork in the City Chambers at a cost of 5,712 together with a contingency cost of 870 for the removal, storage and return of furniture and portraits.

IX FIREWORKS

 

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th December, 2001 there was submitted Report No. 198-2002 updating the Committee on progress regarding this matter.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the Scottish Executive's response;

 

(ii)noted that the Scotland Office had not responded and remitted to the Director of Support Services to write again seeking a response;

 

(iii) noted COSLA's proposals for dealing with this matter;

 

(iv)noted that despite considerable cross-party pressure and private members motions at both Westminster and Holyrood, neither the Scottish Executive nor the Westminster Government had made any moves to tighten legislative control of the sale and use of fireworks;

 

(v)remitted to the Director of Support Services to investigate the financial implications of promoting a local byelaw banning the retail sale and/or the use of fireworks except by bodies of persons like the Council who hold organised displays; and

 

(vi)noted that a letter had been received from Iain Luke, MP and Ernie Ross, MP intimating that the House of Commons would be giving consideration to two Private Member's Bills on this issue in the near future.

 

X CONFERENCE "WORKING TOGETHER FOR BEST VALUE"

It was reported that the Scottish Local Government Information Unit were organising a conference entitled "Working Together for Best Value" in Dundee on 12th April, 2002.

The Committee authorised the attendance of one member of the Majority Group, one member of the Major Opposition Group and one member of the Minority Group at an estimated cost, excluding travel and subsistence of 120 per delegate.

XI BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES FUND - EARLY ACTION PROPOSALS

There was submitted Report No. 217-2002 by the Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development and Director of Corporate Planning providing members with an update on progress with implementation of the geographic element of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.

The Committee:-

(a)noted those projects with a value of under 25,000 which would be approved for immediate action under Directors delegated authority; and

(b)approved the proposals set out in Appendix 1 of this document which referred to projects with a value in excess of 25,000.

JULIA STURROCK, Convener.