Policy And Resources Committee - 20/10/2003

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th October, 2003.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Lord Provost JOHN LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th September, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - THROUGHCARE SERVICE FOR EX PRISONERS AND ESTABLISHMENT OFPOSTS

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee of 20th October, 2003 there was submitted Joint Report No 607-2003 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management).

The Committee approved the establishment of the undernoted posts:-

?                                             One post of Social Worker, graded AP4/5 + 1, 19,632 - 24,888;

?                                             One post of Support Worker, graded AP2, 15,582 - 16,866.

II SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - FAST TRACK SCHEME FOR SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES

There was submitted Joint Report No 637-2003 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval for the establishment of four fixed term Trainee Social Worker posts.

The Committee approved the establishment of four posts of Trainee Social Worker, graded AP3, 17,340 - 19,029, for a period of 15 months.

III SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - MENTAL HEALTH TEAM FOR OLDER PEOPLE - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS

There was submitted Joint Report No 634-2003 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval to establish posts within Community Care to form part of the Mental Health Teams for Older People to meet additional workloads resulting from new legislation.

The Committee approved the establishment of:-

(a) Five Care Manager posts, graded AP4/5 + 1, 19,632 - 24,888; and

(b) 7.2 FTE Social Care Worker posts, graded SCP16-23, 14,535 - 17,340.

IV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF PRACTICE TEACHER POST

There was submitted Joint Report No 632-2003 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval to establish one temporary Practice Teacher post for a period of 18 months within the Social Work Department's Staff Development Service.

The Committee approved the establishment of the post for a period of 18 months, graded PO1-4 (24,888 - 27,015).

V SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REVISED STAFFING ESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Joint Report No 510-2003 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) detailing proposed changes to the structure of the Social Work Department and changes in reporting relationships.

The Committee agreed to:-

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

(b) approve the establishment of 7.5 new posts outlined in Appendix 2 to the report;

(c)approve the redesignation and change of grade of posts outlined in Appendix 2 to the report; and

(d)note the changes in reporting relationships as outlined in Appendix 3 to the report.

VI SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL FIXED TERM POSTS - VIDEOINTERACTIVE GUIDANCE (VIG) DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS

There was submitted Joint Report No 636-2003 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval to establish two VIG Development Officer posts (fixed term for one year) within the Social Work Department's Staff Development Service.

The Committee approved the establishment of two posts of VIG Development Officer (fixed term of one year), graded at AP4/5 + 1 (SCP 27-35) 19,632 - 24,888.

VII DUNDEE CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE - CORPORATE PLANNING DIVISION - ESTABLISHMENT OFPOSTS

There was submitted Joint Report No 641-2003 by the Chair of Dundee Child Protection Committee and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) requesting approval to establish three fixed term posts, funded through the Changing Children's Services Fund in order to provide staff to work with the Dundee Child Protection Committee to assist the Committee in its task of planning services, developing policies, procedures and practice and assuring the quality of inter-agency child protection work.

The Committee approved the establishment of the following posts for a fixed term period of two years:-

(a) Lead Officer Child Protection, graded PO15-18, 35,343 - 37,833;

(b) Staff Development Officer, graded PO1-4, 24,888 - 27,015; and

(c) Clerical Assistant, graded GS1/2, 10,068 - 13,416.

VIII COUNCIL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

There was submitted Report No 659-2003 by Assistant Chief Executive (Management) detailing the revised Council Health and Safety Policy.

The Committee approved the revised version of the policy, as detailed in the report.

IX ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TRADING STANDARDS - IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTAMINATED LAND REGIME -ESTABLISHMENT OF POST

There was submitted Joint Report No 618-2003 by the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval for the establishment of a post which was required to ensure that the provisions of Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 continue to be implemented effectively.

The Committee approved the establishment of a post of Assistant Contaminated Land Officer, graded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029) within Environmental Health and Trading Standards.

X ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF ESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Joint Report No 351-2003 by the Director of Economic Development and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval to change the establishment of the Economic Development Department following a review.

The Committee agreed that:-

(a) the post of Property Inspector, graded T2/3 (14,811 - 19,029) be deleted;

(b)one post of Trainee Building Surveyor, graded GS1/AP1 (10,068 - 15,204) be established;

(c)one post of Keyboard Operator/Clerical Assistant, graded GS1/3 (10,068 - 14,211) be established (this post was originally created on a temporary basis to provide data inputting to complete the database on the property system);

(d)one post of Estates Assistant, graded AP1 (14,211 - 15,204) be established;

(e)the post of Revenue Control Officer graded AP2 (15,582 - 16,866) be redesignated Senior Estates Assistant on the same grade;

(f)the post of Team Leader (Property Development) graded PO11-14 (32,244 - 34,554) be deleted;

(g)the post of Team Leader (Property Management) graded PO11-14 (32,244 - 34,554) be deleted;

(h)one post of Team Leader (Property) and one post of Corporate Property Officer, both graded PO11-14 (32,244 - 34,554) be established and these posts be filled by interviewing the incumbents of the posts referred to in paragraphs (f) and (g) above;

(i)the post of Senior Surveyor (Property Development) graded PO5-10 (27,873 - 31,536) be redesignated Property Development Officer on the same grade;

(j)the post of Team Leader (Technical Support) graded T5 (22,398 - 24,346) be redesignated Land Services Officer on the same grade;

(k)the post of Senior Building Surveyor, graded PO7-10 (29,313 - 31,536) be redesignated Team Leader (Property Maintenance) and regraded PO11-14 (32,244 - 34,554);

(l)two posts of Trainee Building Surveyor remain on the establishment, but be redesignated Building Surveyor, graded AP5/PO4 (22,398 - 27,015) as the postholders become qualified;

(m)the post of Team Leader (Keyboard Services/Reception) graded AP1 (14,211 - 15,204) be deleted;

(n)the post of Director's Secretary, graded AP2 (15,582 - 16,866) be redesignated Director's Secretary/Supervisor and regraded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029) to reflect increased and additional responsibilities;

(o)the post of Team Leader (Policy and Europe) be regraded from PO11-14 (32,244 - 34,554) to PO15-18 (35,343 - 37,833);

(p)one post of Development Officer graded AP5-PO4 (22,398 - 27,015) currently funded on a temporary basis, be established and the temporary postholder be appointed to the post;

(q)the post of Manager of "Dundee by Design", graded PO11-18 (32,244 - 37,833) be deleted;

(r)the post of Product Specialist, graded PO12-16 (32,991 - 36,132) be deleted; and

(s)the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) review the grades of the posts referred to in paragraphs 2.8, 2.9 and 2.11 within 12 months of appointment once the full effect of the workload and staffing responsibilities was established.

XI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION- ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN439-2003 reporting that the Head of Information Technology had advised that the increased use of information technology hardware and software in the Council had resulted in a significantly higher workload in the Support Section and had created difficulties in maintaining service delivery and in measuring service performance.

The Committee agreed that two posts of IT Officer (Support) graded AP3-PO10 (17,340 - 31,536) be established, having noted that the cost of implementing this proposal would be 21,453 including employer's costs, in the current financial year and 68,063 in a full financial year, and could be contained within the Department's Revenue Budget.

XII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POSTS - SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN440-2003 seeking approval for the establishment of three fixed term posts of Social Work Assistant, graded GS3-AP1 (SCP13-18) 13,650 - 15,204 until 31st March, 2005, in order to support the work of Social Workers investing in families and offering them practical support working out of the three Better Neighbourhood Services Fund schools.

The Committee approved the establishment of these posts, having noted that the costs would be 25,690, inclusive of employers' costs, in the current financial year, and 51,380 inclusive of employers' costs in a full financial year, and would be funded externally through the BSNF fund.

XIII LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION OF FIXED TERM POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN441-2003, making reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th October, 2001 wherein approval was given to the establishment of the posts of Regional Manager, Administration Officer, Athletics Development Officer, Basketball Development Officer, Girls'/Women's Football Development Officer, Hockey Development Officer and Development Officer, in partnership with Tayside Sports Development Group now known as Sport Tayside, for a four year period to October 2005.

As the project had been delayed in starting, the Committee approved the extension of the fixed term period to 31st January, 2006.

XIV COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT - LIBRARY AND INFORMATION ASSISTANTS - SALARY PROGRESSION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN442-2003, making reference to Article VI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th April, 2002, wherein a report "Introduction of a Team Approach in Library and Information Delivery" was approved. This report contained a recommendation to regrade full and part-time Library and Information Assistants from GS1-2 to GS1-3, currently 10,068 - 14,211, with a bar at the top of GS2, progression beyond which required certain criteria to be met.

It was reported that the recommendations in the report had been implemented as agreed, however, concerns had been raised via the trade union representatives regarding the length of time it could take employees to progress through the scale, even after meeting all of the criteria detailed in the report and this was felt to be having a detrimental effect on employee morale and resulting in an increase in labour turnover as, having completed ECDL, employees sought alternative employment.

The Committee noted that following discussions with union representatives the following proposal had been recommended for approval:-

(i)the criteria detailed in Appendix 4 of the original report remain unaltered for progression from GS2 to GS3; and

(ii)Staff with at least two years' experience, ECDL and on successful completion of SVQ or mosaic, receive three accelerated increments or progress to spinal column point10.

The Committee approved the proposal, having noted that the costs would be contained in the departmental revenue budget.

XV PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - CITY ENGINEER'S DIVISION - REDESIGNATION ANDREGRADING OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN443-2003 advising that at the request of the Director of Planning and Transportation, the Personnel Manager had reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the Infrastructure Team.

Due to the nature and extent of the current workload, the Committee approved the redesignation of the post of Assistant Engineer currently vacant, to Engineer, and the regrading of the post from GS1-T5 (11,449 - 24,397) to AP2-PO4 (15,583 - 27,015) having noted that there would be no cost implication within the current financial year in implementing this change and any increased cost to future financial years would be contained within the Department's Revenue Budget through additional fee recovery.

XVI PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN444-2003 seeking approval for the retiral of ER7/03, an Engineer within the Planning and Transportation Department with effect from 31st December, 2003 in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998, on the basis that the employee satisfied the conditions of the "85-year Rule".

The Committee approved the early retiral, having noted the financial implications involved.

XVII COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT - APPLICATION FOR REGRADING

There was submitted Agenda Note AN446-2003 advising that in accordance with the agreed procedure, a Graphic Artist in the Community Information Team of the Communities Department had submitted an application that the post should be regraded from Tech 1, 13,650 - 14,535, to AP1/2, 14,211 - 16,866.

It was reported that following a review of the application for regrading and of the duties and responsibilities of the post, the Personnel Manager had confirmed that the application had been substantiated and recommended that the post be regraded to AP1/2, 14,211 to 16,866.

The Committee approved accordingly.

XVIII EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - APPLICATION FOR REGRADING

There was submitted Agenda Note AN447-2003 advising that in accordance with the agreed procedure, the Education Welfare Officers (12 posts) in the Home School Support Service of the Education Department had submitted an application that their posts should be regraded from AP1, 14,211 - 15,204, to AP2/3, 15,582 - 19,029.

It was reported that following a review of the application for regrading and of the duties and responsibilities of the posts, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) had confirmed that the application had been substantiated in part and recommended that the post be regraded to AP2, 15,582 - 16,866.

The Committee approved accordingly.

XIX SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS, WHITE TOP CENTRE

There was submitted Joint Report No 635-2003 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval of additional posts within the White Top Centre.

The Committee approved the establishment of 2.8 fte (104 hours) Social Care Officer Posts, residential grade SCP16-23, 14,535-17,340, having noted that the total cost of this proposal would be 52,400 in a full financial year, and would be met from existing Social Work Department revenue budget provision.

The Committee resolved under Section 59(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

XX CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S DEPARTMENT - REGRADING OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN445-2003 advising that at the request of the Chief Executive, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) had reviewed the duties and responsibilities of a member of staff in the Chief Executive's Department, and that as a consequence of this review, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) had recommended that to reflect the level of duties and responsibilities, the post should be regraded.

The Committee approved the regrading, as detailed in the note.

LORD PROVOST John R Letford, Convener.