Policy And Resources Committee - 13/01/2003

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th January, 2003.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Lord Provost LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th December, 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POST

There was submitted Report No. 1-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and the Director of Leisure and Arts seeking approval to establish a fixed term post of Youth Sport Officer for the SPRINGBOARD programme.

The Committee approved the establishment of the post of Youth Sport Officer (SPRINGBOARD), graded AP3 (16,673 - 18,296), for a two year fixed term period from 1st April, 2003 - 31st March, 2005.

II ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

There was submitted Report No. 705-2002 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services recommending changes in the structure of the Environmental and Consumer Protection Department which would assist the department to meet the current demands of the service.

The Committee approved the structure detailed in the Appendix to the report.

III HOUSING DEPARTMENT - DEVELOPING A TENANCY SUPPORT SERVICE

There was submitted Report No. 30-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and the Director of Housing seeking to implement a tenancy support service within the Housing Department and suggesting how funding could be secured through Supporting People funding, to support defined groups.

The Committee approved the establishment of a Housing Support Co-ordinator post (AP5, 21,536 - 23,459), 6 Housing Support Worker posts (AP2, 13,984 - 16,217) and a Housing Assistant post (GS3, 13,124 - 13,664) for a fixed term of one year.

IV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL POST

There was submitted Report No. 817-2002 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and Director of Social Work seeking to approve the establishment of a Customer Care Officer post, to allow effective operation of the statutory Social Work complaints procedure.

The Committee approved the establishment of a Part Time (18.5 hours) Customer Care Officer post, PO3-6, SCP37-40 (25,241-27,479 pro rata).

V SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - NIGHT CARE SERVICE - COMMUNITY CARE

There was submitted Report No. 869-2002 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and the Director of Social Work proposing the establishment of night care provision to meet the overnight and interval care needs of vulnerable people.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the establishment of the night care service with 840 Social Care Worker hours per week, residential grade SCP16-23 (13,976-16,673);

(ii) approve the establishment of one post of Social Care Organiser, residential grade SCP27-30 (18,878-20,897); and

(iii) approve the establishment of one post of Clerical Assistant, GS1/2, SCP3-12 (9,680-12,899).

Councillor Borthwick declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereof.

VI SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL POST

There was submitted Report No. 3-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services seeking approval to establish a post of Co-ordinator, Moving and Handling for the Social Work Department, in order to promote safe moving and handling practices and contribute to the Department's responsibilities for a healthy working environment.

The Committee approved the establishment of a new post of Co-ordinator, Moving and Handling, graded PO1-4, (23,930-25,976).

VII PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - CHANGES TO CAREER GRADE STRUCTURE

There was submitted Report No. 6-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and the Director of Planning and Transportation detailing proposed changes to the career grade structure for staff that are affiliated with or are members of the Chartered Institute of Transport and/or the Institute of Logistics and Transport to ensure compatibility of professional qualifications within the Planning and Transportation Department.

The Committee approved the proposed new career grade structure as detailed in the Appendix to the report.

VIII NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - CHANGES TO ESTABLISHMENT

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th April, 2002, wherein the Committee approved a report "Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department - Review of Manual Staff". There was submitted Agenda Note AN1-2003 advising that this report included the establishment of an additional Maintenance Person and the deletion of four Chargehand Attendant posts at Central Library. The maintenance post has remained vacant since August. Following a period of monitoring and as a result of discussions with trade union representatives, the requirement for a Senior Resource Assistant to supervise Resource Assistants based in Central Library and to deputise for the Resource Assistant Co-ordinator was highlighted.

The Committee therefore approved

(i) the deletion of one post of Maintenance Person, Craft Grade 12,267; and

(ii) the establishment of one Senior Resource Assistant post, graded GS3, 13,124 - 13,664;

having noted that the additional cost of this proposal would be contained in the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department?s Revenue Budget.

VIII EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - NEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL INITIATIVE - BALDRAGON CLUSTER - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERMPOSTS

Reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th May, 2001 wherein the Committee approved the establishment of a small team of multi-disciplinary staff to work with early years and primary school establishments within the Baldragon cluster, developing and delivering the New Community School philosophy and practice. There was submitted Agenda Note AN2-2003 advising that it was now proposed to enhance this team by establishing further support posts, thus ensuring the delivery of services is expanded and provided consistently.

The Committee approved the establishment of the following posts on a fixed term basis, during term time only, until 31 March, 2004:-

having noted that the cost of this proposal was 3,376 in the current financial year and 15,819 in a full financial year and can be contained in the Scottish Executive funding available for this initiative.

X EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS

Reference was made to Article XII of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 21st May, 2001, wherein the Committee approved the adoption of a Pilot Scheme for the payment of Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) for sessions 2001/2002 to 2003/2004.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN3-2003, advising that the Scottish Executive Education Department had indicated that it was their intention to extend EMA pilots to a National Programme from session 2004/2005.

In light of this decision the Committee approved the establishment of the following permanent posts:-

having noted that the total cost of this proposal, including on costs, is 51,440. The cost is fully funded by specific grant from the Scottish Executive.

XI EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - REDESIGNATION AND REGRADING OF POST

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th August, 1999, wherein the Committee approved the temporary establishment of a new Early Years and Childcare Team, to deliver the expansion of pre-school education and childcare.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN4-2003, advising that since the establishment of the Team, the childcare agenda has continued to expand rapidly, and in particular, Out of School Care Clubs have increased significantly. Additional funding from the newly announced New Opportunities Fund will further increase childcare services across the City, thus increasing the workload of the Out of School Care Co-ordinator.

The current post of Family Support Co-ordinator, grade PO7-10, currently 28,187 - 30,323, is currently vacant as a result of the seconded postholder returning to his substantive post in Social Work. The duties and responsibilities of this post have been reviewed and redistributed within the team and, in particular, the family support aspects are being undertaken within the Parents? Services Initiative.

The Committee agreed therefore to redesignate the Family Support Co-ordinator post to Childcare Services Development Officer and regrade it to AP4, currently 18,878 - 20,897, having noted that this proposal will result in a saving of 2,425 in the current financial year, and 11,975 in a full financial year.

XII HOUSING DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION OF FIXED TERM POSTS

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 20th August, 2001, (Scottish Executive Central Heating Initiative) there was submitted Agenda Note AN8-2003. The Committee approved the extension of the following temporary posts until June 2004:-

?                                             one post of Temporary Project Officer, graded AP4 (18,878 - 20,897);

?                                             two posts of Temporary Housing Officers, graded AP2/3 (14,984 - 18,296).

having noted that this expenditure can be funded from the Heating for All allowance within the Housing Capital Estimates for 2002/03 and 2003/04.

XIII LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION OF FIXED TERM POSTS

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 18th  June, 2001, wherein a report on the Formation of a New Department of Leisure and Arts was approved. This report detailed the fixed term staffing establishment for the Youth Sport Development Project. Reference was also made to Article XII of the minute of meeting of the Personnel and Management Services Committee of 15th April, 2002, wherein an extension to the posts of the Youth Sport Development Officer and Youth Sports Officers (3 posts) until 2004 and until 2003 for the Clerical Assistant.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN5-2003 advising that additional funding for the Youth Sport Development Project had now been secured from sportscotland Lottery Fund: Social Inclusion Partnership Programme. The Committee therefore approved the extension of the following posts until 31st March 2005:-

?                                             Youth Sport Development Officer AP5 (21,536 - 23,459);

?                                             Youth Sport Officers (3 posts) AP3 (16,673 - 18,296);

?                                             Clerical Assistant GS3 (13,124 - 13,664);

having noted the future funding arrangements.

XIV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POST

On a reference to Article V of the Policy and Resources Committee of 21st October, 2002 (Children's Services Plan 2002/04) there was submitted Agenda Note AN6-2003 seeking approval for the establishment of a post of Development Officer graded PO1-4 (23,930-25,976) for a fixed term period of two years.

The Committee approved the establishment of the post, having noted that the postholder would work across the voluntary sector, health, Education and Social Work to develop policies, protocols and tools for joint assessment and planning for children with additional or complex needs and their families to better meet the needs of children and families in Tayside, and would be funded from the Changing Children's Services Fund.

XV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REGRADING OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN7-2003 seeking Committee approval for the regrading of the post of Health and Safety Officer, currently graded AP4 (18,878 - 20,897) to grade AP4-PO4 (18,878 - 25,976), following an evaluation of the grade of the post.

The Committee approved the regrading, having noted that a qualification bar would be incorporated at the maximum of AP5 (spinal column point 34) and that to progress through this bar, the postholder must have corporate membership of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) or equivalent.

LORD PROVOST John R Letford, Convener.