Policy And Resources Committee - 09/02/2004

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th February 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor SHIMI, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th January, 2004 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I REVISED GUIDANCE ON RESERVES AND BALANCES

There was submitted Report No 70-2004 by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) advising the Committee of revised guidance issued recently by CIPFA on Reserves and Balances and setting out proposals for satisfying the requirements of that guidance.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the terms of the revised guidance on Reserves and Balances recently issued by CIPFA as outlined in section 7 of the report;

(ii) agreed the proposed protocol for the operation of the Council's various Reserves as outlined in section 9 of the report;

(iii) noted the procedures for the establishment of any new Reserves as outlined in paragraph 10.1 of the report; and

(iv) noted the statutory requirement to establish a new Pension Fund Reserve as outlined in paragraph 10.2 of the report.

II LEVY ON PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS

There was submitted Report No 112-2004 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Community Planning) regarding a proposed levy on plastic shopping bags.

Councillor Shimi, seconded by Councillor Grant moved approval of the undernoted:-

(i) that the Council support a proposal that the Government introduce a levy on plastic shopping bags, the proceeds of which should be used to fund environmental initiatives;

(ii) that environmentally friendly bags be excluded or be subject to a reduced levy; and

(iii) that it be remitted to the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and to Dundee's MPs and MSPs confirming the Council's support for such a levy.

As an amendment Bailie Borthwick, seconded by Bailie Mackie moved that the report be noted and that it be remitted to appropriate officers to ascertain whether there was some measure of public support for the proposals.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Lord Provost Letford, Bailies Farquhar, Wright and Corrigan and Councillors Shimi, Keenan, Regan, Sturrock, Grant, Hind, Morrow, Macpherson, Dick, Don, Duncan, Beattie, Andrew Dawson, FitzPatrick, Roberts, Barrie, Will Dawson, Fordyce, Wallace, Webster and Scott (25); and for the amendment - Bailies Powrie, Mackie and Borthwick (3) - thereupon the motion was declared carried.

III 6TH IRISH AND UK LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONFERENCE ON NUCLEAR HAZARDS

It was reported that the above conference would be held in Glasgow on 25th and 26th March 2004.

The Committee authorised the attendance of Councillor Regan at an estimated cost, excluding travel and subsistence, of 100.

JILL SHIMI, Convener.