Policy And Resources Committee - 21/10/2002

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 21st October 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Julia STURROCK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th September 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I COMMUNITY MEDIATION PROJECT

There was submitted Report No 174-2002 by the Directors of Housing, Corporate Planning and Neighbourhood Resources and Development outlining the proposed model for a Community Mediation service for the residents of Dundee.

The Committee:-

(i) remitted to the Director of Housing to negotiate a Service Level Agreement with SACRO for the provision of a citywide community mediation service and

(ii) agreed the proposed funding package as outlined at paragraph 9 of the report.

II QUALITY SCOTLAND FOUNDATION

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Finance Committee of 14th February 2002 wherein it was agreed to withdraw from the membership of the Quality Scotland Foundation (QSF) as part of the 2002/03 Revenue Budget savings exercise.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN263-2002 intimating that since withdrawing from membership of QSF it had transpired that costs arising from complying with Best Value and Performance Management Continuous Improvement Action Plans would be in excess of 7,000 more than previous costs, this being due to the fact that QSF provided free courses and materials for implementation of the EFQM assessment process which would otherwise be purchased separately.

The Committee agreed to rejoin the Quality Scotland Foundation at a cost of 4,750.

III CONFERENCES ETC

There was submitted Agenda Note AN264-2002 dealing with the undernoted:-

(a) ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES EXCELLENCE - PFI DEVELOPMENTS

It was reported that the Association of Public Service Excellence were organising a Seminar on PFI Developments in Motherwell on 15th November 2002.

The Committee agreed that any member interested be authorised to attend at an estimated cost, excluding travel and subsistence of 65 per delegate.

(b) NUCLEAR FREE LOCAL AUTHORITIES - POLICY REVIEW SEMINAR AND AGM

It was reported for information and noted that in view of the timescales involved the Director of Support Services in consultation with the Convener and spokespersons from the Major Opposition Group and Minority Group authorised the attendance of Councillor Regan at the above Seminar and AGM in Slough on 17th and 18th October 2002 at an estimated cost of 65 excluding travel and subsistence.

It was also noted that Councillor Regan had been proposed unopposed for the position of National Chair.

(c) THE SCOTTISH FORUM FOR MODERN GOVERNMENT

It was reported that a Conference entitled "Funding the Future - Reshaping the Public Private Interface in Scotland" would be held in Glasgow on 11th November 2002.

The Committee noted accordingly.

(d) FRIENDS OF THE EARTH SCOTLAND

It was reported that Friends of the Earth Scotland were organising a Conference entitled "Green Office in Edinburgh on 7th November 2002".

The Committee authorised the attendance of two members of the Administration, one member of the Major Opposition Group, one Member from the Minority Group and one member from the Independents/Liberal Democrat at an estimated costs of 30 per delegate.

IV CHILDREN'S SERVICES PLAN 2002/2004

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th March 2002 there was submitted Report No. 768-2002 by the Director of Social Work advising the Committee of the requirements under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to produce and publish an integrated Children's Services Plan for Dundee.

The Committee noted the content of the Children's Services Plan 2002-2004 and approved the proposals for the development and delivery of services to children, young people and their families in the city.

V COUNCIL REPRESENTATION AT CIVIC EVENTS

It was reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Sawers.

After a short adjournment the motion proposed by Councillor Sawers was ruled out of order by the Convener.

VI SCOTTISH LOW PAY UNIT

After considering Agenda Note AN265-2002 the Committee agreed that a subscription of 4,096.49 be paid.

JULIA STURROCK, Convener.