Policy And Resources Committee - 09/09/2002

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th September, 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Julia STURROCK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th August, 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I A STRATEGY FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: CONSULTATION

There was submitted Report No. 564-2002 by the Chief Executive relative to a response to the Physical Activity Task Force Consultation document entitled "Let's Make Scotland More Active".

The Committee approved the response contained within the Report and agreed that it be submitted to the Scottish Executive.

II PROPOSALS FOR UTILISING THE REALLOCATION OF SCOTTISH BUDGET RESOURCES

On a reference to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of the Recess Sub-Committee of 5th August 2002, there was submitted Report No. 649-2002 by the Director of Finance seeking approval to the proposals submitted to and approved by the Scottish Executive in order to fully utilise the sum of  2.9 million allocated to the City Council from the Scottish Budget Resources.

The Committee -

(i)approved the proposed utilisation of the 2.9m additional resources offered from the Scottish Executive as detailed in Appendix A;

(ii)authorised Chief Officers to proceed to undertake the proposed projects in accordance with the Council's financial regulations. Tenders would be invited, in accordance with Standing Orders and reported to Committee in the normal way. Where, in view of the timescale to complete the works, ie 31 March 2003, more urgent approval was required, the Chief Officer would approve the expenditure in consultation with the Convener and the Spokespersons from the opposition groups.

III BROUGHTY FERRY YELLOW AND BLUE FLAG INITIATIVE

On a reference to Article II above there was submitted Report No. 656-2002 by the Director of Corporate Planning outlining the measures and associated costs which would be required to achieve Blue and/or Yellow Flag status at Broughty Ferry beach.

The Committee approved the undernoted recommendations:-

(a)the City Council makes an application in 2003 for a Seaside Award to achieve Yellow Flag status for Broughty Ferry beach in the summer of 2004.

(b)the City Council applies for designation of Broughty Ferry beach as a Blue Flag beach once Scottish Water has achieved guideline water quality. This may not be achieved before 2005/2006.

(c)the relevant Departments be remitted to introduce the measures to meet the requirements of the Yellow and Blue Flags.

(d)the Chief Executive be remitted to continue to press the Scottish Executive to designate Broughty Ferry as an identified Bathing Water.

IV SUPPLY OF IT EQUIPMENT

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th March 2002 wherein the Committee approved acceptance of the GCAT Procurement Scheme from 1st April 2002 until 30th September 2002.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN220-2002 recommending that approval be given for a further three months to 31st December 2002.

The Committee approved accordingly.

V DUNDEE CITIZENSHIP AWARDS

There was submitted Report No. 659-2002 by the Chief Executive proposing changes to the Dundee Citizenship Awards.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)that the criteria and selection process for the Citizen of the Year award revert to the position prior to 1996 i.e. one citizen to be selected, regardless of age, with the emphasis being on recognition of local community and voluntary service;

(ii)that a new strategy be developed to encourage nominations for the award;

(iii)that past and future winners of the Citizen award have their names inscribed on a Board of Honour to be placed in a prominent position within the City Chambers.

(iv)to note the proposal for the City of Discovery Campaign to introduce a new award, Ambassador of the Year, to recognise a person who has enhanced the image and reputation of the city through their national profile in fields such as business, sport, the arts or academic research.

VI ENHANCED TRAVEL CONCESSION SCHEME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS & DISABLED PERSONS

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th June, 2002 there was submitted Report No. 519-2002 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising members that agreement had now been reached with the major bus operators to implement and enhance the travel concession scheme for senior citizens and disabled persons.

The Committee agreed that the Council participate in the scheme and

(1)approved maximum payments to the following major bus operators in financial year 2002/03;

(i) Travel Dundee of 2.15m

(ii) Strathtay Scottish of 261,000;

(2)noted that agreement had been reached up to 31 March 2003 and that further negotiations were being held to advance participation beyond this date with specific regard to increased costs associated with participation in a free travel concession scheme.

VII NEW OPPORTUNITIES FUNDING FOR PE AND SPORT

There was submitted Report No. 678-2002 by the Directors of Leisure and Arts, Education, Neighbourhood Resources and Development and Social Work setting out proposals from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) Working Group which would be submitted as the Council's bid for additional NOF Funding of 2.6m.

The Committee approved the undernoted:-

(i) the activity programme projects outlined within the Report at section 7;

(ii) the programme of facilities projects outlined in the Report at section 8.

VIII ANNUAL CONSUMER SURVEY 2002

There was submitted Report No. 643-2002 by the Director of Corporate Planning summarising the main findings from the 2002 Annual Consumer Survey and explaining their use.

The Committee:-

(i)noted the results contained in this report and agreed that the issues raised should continue to be addressed as part of the Council's commitment to continuous improvement;

(ii)authorised officers to publish the report on the Council's website and distribute copies to partner organisations and representative bodies as part of the Council's commitment to Public Performance Reporting;

(iii)noted the benchmarking comparisons with other Councils which had entered results on the COSLA website;

(iv)agreed that the annual survey should continue to be carried out for the next three years.

IX PERFORMANCE REPORT

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Best Value Sub Committee of 16th May 2002, there was submitted Report No. 642-2002 by the Director of Finance relative to the above.

The Committee noted that the document had now been published and was available to the general public and other stakeholders. In addition it was remitted to the Director of Finance to investigate the possibility of making the report available in Braille.

XI FIREWORKS

Reference was made to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th March, 2002.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN221-2002 updating the Committee on developments since the last meeting.

The Committee noted the position and approved the undernoted.

"Dundee City Council recognises the work being done by Local Authorities at COSLA but would also seek more immediate action at a local level. A meeting should be arranged between Officers, Members of the Council and managers or owners of shops selling fireworks. This meeting should be used to explore the viability of a voluntary code for the sale of fireworks within the Dundee area. The voluntary code may look at limiting the size of fireworks sold and also the time of year when they would be available for sale.

1.In addition, this Committee notes with disappointment the response received from the Scottish Executive on 28th May, 2002 which suggests that a Bye-Law restricting the sale or use of fireworks is not likely to be considered by the Scottish Executive.

This Committee therefore agrees to:-

(i)write to Melanie Johnson, Consumer Minister DTI, to press the need for Local Authority Bye-Laws restricting the sale and use of fireworks;

(ii)ask the Minister if, in principle, she will confirm a byelaw from this Council specifically and clearly restricting the sale and use of fireworks.

2.This Committee further notes, however, that on 12th June, 2002 Lewis MacDonald, the Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning acknowledged in a speech to Scottish Parliament that "the Scottish Executive still plays a role."

This Committee notes that relevant legislation referred to by the Deputy Minister included:-

(i) Section 1 of the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912;

(ii) Section 44 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

This Committee therefore agrees to:-

(i)instruct the Chief Executive to call a meeting of the Trading Standards Officers, the Police, SSPCA and the Procurator Fiscal with a view to tightening up enforcement and securing prosecutions for breaches of Section 1 of the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 in relation to unnecessary suffering caused to any domestic or captive animals by the misuse of fireworks;

(ii)write to the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning calling on the Scottish Executive to use the powers provided under Section 44 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to introduce licensing of the sale and use of fireworks as an additional licensing activity by way of regulation."

It was further agreed that it be remitted to the Chief Executive to write to Neighbouring Authorities asking them to undertake similar steps.

JULIA STURROCK, Convener.