Policy And Resources Committee - 10/03/2003

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th March, 2003.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor FARQUHAR, Vice-Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th February, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION - CHANGES TO ESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Joint Report No 174-2003 by the Head of Information Technology and Director of Personnel and Management Services seeking approval for proposed changes to the IT Staffing Structure.

The Committee approved:-

(a)the establishment of one post of Information Security Team Leader, graded PO7-14 (28,187 - 33,224);

(b)the establishment of two posts of IT Officer (Implementation), graded AP3-PO10 (16,673 - 30,323);

(c)the deletion of one post of IT Team Leader (Support), graded PO7-14 (28,187 - 33,224); and

(d)the deletion of two posts of IT Officer (Support), graded AP3-PO10 (16,673 - 30,323).

II FINANCE DEPARTMENT - REVENUES DIVISION - REVIEW OF STAFFING - INTRODUCTION OF TAXCREDITS AND PENSION CREDITS

There was submitted Joint Report No 206-2003 by the Director of Finance and Director of Personnel and Management Services seeking authority to establish additional posts to meet work generated by the legislative introduction of New Tax Credits and Pension Credits.

The Committee approved the establishment of the undernoted posts in the Revenues Division:-

(a)one post of Revenues Officer, grade AP5, 21,536 - 23,459 in the Accounts Section;

(b)five posts of Accounts/Benefits Assistant, grade GS3/AP2, 13,124 - 16,217 in the Accounts Section; and

(c)one post of Revenues Officer (IT), grade AP5, 21,536 - 23,459 in the Training Section.

III PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

There was submitted Report No 159-2003 by the Director of Planning and Transportation proposing changes to the organisational structure of the Planning and Transportation Department following a review by the Director of Planning and Transportation and the Director of Personnel and Management Services.

The Committee approved:-

(a)the organisational structure outlined in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)the deletion of the vacant post of Policy and Regeneration Manager, grade SCP67-70, 51,428 - 55,223;

(c)the deletion of the post of Building Quality Manager, grade SCP61-64, 44,780 - 47, 927;

(d)the establishment of a post of Head of Planning, grade SCP65-68, 49,082 - 52,700 and the appointment of the current Building Quality Manager to this post;

(e)the redesignation of the post of Roads and Transportation Manager to Head of Transportation and the regrading of this post from SCP61-64, 44,780 - 47,927 to SCP65-68, 49,082 - 52,700;

(f)the regrading of the post of City Engineer from SCP61-64, 44,780 - 47,927 to SCP65-68, 49,082 - 52,700;

(g)the proposal that in due course the Director of Planning and Transportation will appoint a deputy from the Head of Planning, Head of Transportation and City Engineer; to reflect this additional responsibility, the deputy will be remunerated on SCP68-71, 52, 700 - 56,534;

(h)the redesignation of the post of Administration and Finance Manager to Support Services Manager, and the regrading of this post from SCP45-48, 31,004 - 33,224 to SCP49-52, 33,983 - 36,377;

(i)the establishment of posts of Assistant Head of Planning, Assistant Head of Transportation and Assistant City Engineer all graded PO15-18, 33,983 - 36,377;

(j)after appointments have been made to the posts referred to in paragraph 2.8 above, the deletion of 3 Team Leader posts, all graded PO11-14, 31,004 - 33,224;

(k)the establishment of the following new posts:-

?                     Team Leader (Sustainable Transport), grade PO11-14, 31,004 - 33,224;

?                     Senior Engineer/Transport Officer (Sustainable Transport), grade PO7-10, 28,187 - 30,323;

?                     Transportation Officer (Sustainable Transport), grade AP2-PO4, 15,084 - 25,976;

?                     Senior Engineer (Traffic), grade PO7-10, 28,187 - 30,323;

(l)the deletion of the vacant post of Travel Plan Co-ordinator, grade T2/5, 14,240 - 23,459;

(m)the redesignation of the existing post of Senior Building Quality Assistant to IT Support Assistant, with no change in grade;

(n)the establishment of a new post of Team Leader (Project Management and Support), grade PO11-14, 31,004 - 33,224, and the appointment to this post of the current Team Leader (Environment);

(o)the proposal that the resultant Team Leader (Environment) vacancy will be filled internally by application and competitive interview; the Committee will be requested to delete the subsequent vacant post in due course;

(p)the establishment of a new post of Senior Building Quality Assistant, grade AP2, 15,084 - 16,217, to be filled internally by application and competitive interview; the Committee will be requested to delete the subsequent vacant post in due course;

(q)the regrading of the posts of Building Quality Assistant from GS1-T1, 11,009 - 13,976 to GS1-AP1 11,009 - 14,618;

(r)the redesignation of the post of Administrative Assistant (Staffing) to Administrative Officer (Staffing) and the regrading of this post from AP1/2, 13,664 - 16,217 to AP1/3 13,664 - 19,296; and

(s)the regrading of the post of Senior Clerical Assistant (Financial Services) from GS3, 13,124 - 13,664 to GS3/AP1 13,124 - 14,618.

IV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - DUNDEE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH TEAMS - CHANGES TOESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Report No 199-2003 by the Director of Social Work and Director of Personnel and Management Services seeking approval for the establishment of posts within the Community Mental Health Teams.

The Committee approved the establishment of:-

(a)two posts of Care Manager, graded AP4/5+1 (18,878 - 23,930); and

(b)two posts of Social Work Assistant, graded GS3/AP1 (13,124 - 14,618), having noted that the costs of these posts would be 95,000 in 2003/04 and would be met in full by resource transfer from Tayside NHS Board.

V PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - CAREER GRADE STRUCTURE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN123-2003, making reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th January, 2002 relative to a new career grade structure for the Planning and Transportation Department.

The Committee agreed to retrospectively implement these changes in the Career Grade Structure with effect from 1st April 2002, in order to ensure consistency within the Planning and Transportation Department, having noted that the cost of implementing this would be 4,711 inclusive of employer's costs, in financial year 2002/03.

VI SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST - (DUNDEE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL TEAM)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN124-2003, making reference to Article XIV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th April, 2002, wherein the Committee approved the post of full-time Lead Officer (Dundee Drugs and Alcohol Action Team) graded PO7-10 (28,187 - 30,323) for a period of two years.

The Committee approved the establishment of this post on a permanent basis, to ensure the long-term planning and development of integrated drug and alcohol services within Dundee, having noted that this post would be funded in full from resources allocated by the Scottish Executive for the support and development of local Drug Action Teams.

VII HOUSING DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF HOMELESS OFFICER POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN125-2003 advising that in response to additional duties arising from the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 a review of the Homeless Service Unit had been carried out by the Director of Housing and Director of Personnel and Management Services.

The Committee approved the establishment of a post of Homeless Officer, graded AP2 (13,984 - 16,217) to deal with increased demand, having noted that this post would be funded through the Other Housing budget.

VIII HOUSING DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION OF FIXED TERM POSTS (HOMELESS ASSESSMENT/STRATEGY TEAM)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN126-2003 making reference to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th January, 2002, wherein the Committee approved the establishment of a number of fixed term posts for a period of 12 months in order to implement the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. It was reported that the Scottish Executive had now allocated additional funding. The Committee therefore approved the extension of the undernoted posts in the Homeless Assessment/Strategy Team until 31st March 2004:-

(a) Principal Housing Officer graded PO3-6 (25,241 - 27,479);

(b) Senior Housing Officer graded AP5 (21,536 - 23,459);

(c) Housing Officer graded AP3 (16,673 - 18,296);

having noted that all costs would be met from specific grant awarded by the Scottish Executive.

IX BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES FUND - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN122-2003, making reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 10th September, 2001, which approved proposals for the use of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.

It was reported that these proposals were currently being implemented and there was now a need to provide a flexible staffing resource to work with young people and their families, in the community, outside of normal working hours. The proposal, to be known as "Connections", builds on the success of the extended "Connect 5" project and encompasses the three BNSF schools and their communities.

The Committee therefore approved the establishment of six posts of Youth Support Worker, SCP16-23 (13,976 - 16,673) for a fixed term to 31st March, 2005, having noted that it was anticipated that the costs would not exceed 150,000 in a full financial year and would be fully funded from the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.

X ADVERTISING AGENCY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN129-2003, making reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th February, 2000, wherein the Committee approved the appointment of TMP as the Council's Advertising Agency up to 31st March, 2003. It was reported that the services provided by TMP on recruitment and classified advertising had been generally satisfactory.

Nevertheless, in view of the Council's commitment to Best Value, the Director of Personnel and Management Services had concluded that it would be appropriate to review the Council's position and to invite TMP and other interested parties to submit new proposals and bids for the work.

As conducting the full, formal process would require some additional time the Committee approved an interim six month extension of TMP's contract.

The Committee noted that the Convener had agreed that the undernoted items XI, XII and XIV be considered as a matter of urgency in view of the timescales involved.

XI NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - SECTION LEADER (HEALTH DEVELOPMENT)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN139-2003, making reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th June, 2002, wherein the Committee agreed to the temporary redesignation of the post of Project Leader (The Corner) in order that effective line management support could be provided for the development of "The Shore".

The Committee agreed to extend these arrangements until 30th June, 2004, having noted that the Council's share of costs would be 1,400 in 2003/2004 and 550 in 2004/2005, which could be met in full from the existing Partnership funding arrangements.

XII PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - EMPLOYMENT DISABILITY UNIT - CHANGE TOESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Report No 194-2003 by Director of Personnel and Management Services recommending an increase in the establishment of the Employment Disability unit funded by the Government's Workstep Programme.

The Committee agreed that:-

(a)the temporary post of Employment Development Officer (Modernisation), grade AP3/4, 16,673 - 20,897, becomes a permanent post of Support Worker, grade AP3, 16,673 - 18,296;

(b)the temporary post of Clerical Assistant, grade GS1/2, 9,680 - 12,899, becomes a permanent post of Senior Clerical Assistant, grade GS1/3, 9,680 - 13,664;

(c)an additional post of Support Worker, grade AP3, 16,673 - 18,296 be established; and

(d)an additional fixed term post (1 year) of Support Worker, grade AP3, 16,673 - 18,296 be established.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the undernoted items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 6 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

XIII PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN128-2003 recommending the early retirement of an officer in the Personnel and Management Services Department.

The Committee approved the early retirement as detailed in the report on the grounds of the efficiency of the service, at a date to be agreed, but no later than 1st April, 2004, in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998.

XIV FINANCE DEPARTMENT, REVENUES DIVISION - EARLY RETIREMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN144-2003 recommending the early retirement of an officer (ER2/03) in the Revenues Division of the Finance Department.

The Committee approved the early retirement as detailed in the report on the grounds of the efficiency of the service, on 30th June, 2003, in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998.

CHARLES D P FARQUHAR, Vice-Convener, in the Chair.