Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 19/05/2003

At a MEETING of the ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th May 2003.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor STURROCK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st April, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION SUB-COMMITTEE (BUTCHERS' SHOPS LICENSING)

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of 21st August, 2000 there was submitted Agenda Note AN241-2000 reporting that the Committee was required to set up an Environmental and Consumer Protection Sub-Committee the remit of which would be to consider applications for butchers' shop licences.

The Committee agreed that places be allocated on the basis of 3 members of the Administration, 2 members of the SNP Group and 1 member of the Conservative Group.

II WASTE TO ENERGY PLANT WORKING GROUP

On a reference to Article V of minute of meeting of 16th April 2001 there was submitted Agenda Note AN242-2003 reporting that the Committee was required to set up a Waste to Energy Plant Working Group the remit of which would be to monitor progress of the operation of the Waste to Energy Plant and any associated matters.

The Committee agreed that places be allocated on the basis of 3 members of the Administration, 3 members of the SNP Group and 1 member of the Conservative Group.

III CIVIC GOVERNMENT NOTICES WORKING GROUP

On a reference to Article III of minute of meeting of 16th September, 2002 there was submitted Agenda Note AN243-2003 reporting that the Committee was required to set up a Civic Government Notices Working Group the remit of which would be to examine issues concerning the reporting of Notices issues for works required to be undertaken in relation to the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

The Committee agreed that places be allocated on the basis of the Convener of the Environmental and Consumer Protection Committee, the Convener of the Planning and Transportation Committee, 2 members of the SNP Group and 1 member of the Conservative Group.

IV NATIONAL AND AREA WASTE PLAN

There was submitted Joint Report No. 273-2003 by the Acting Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection and the Director of Planning and Transportation advising of progress on both the National Waste Plan for Scotland and the Area Waste Plan for Tayside.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that, the launch of the National Waste Plan for Scotland be noted;

(ii) that Ministerial endorsement of the Tayside Area Waste Plan be noted;

(iii) that the approved Tayside Area Waste Plan be commended to the Development Quality Committee as a material consideration when determining relevant planning applications; and

(iv) that the Acting Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection and the Director of Planning and Transportation be remitted to provide a joint annual report to the Committee on progress in implementing the Area Waste Plan.

V AUDIT SCOTLAND - PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF TRADING STANDARDS

There was submitted Report No. 299-2003 by the Acting Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection on proposals following the 2001/2002 national and local audits of local authority trading standards services by Audit Scotland.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the 2001/2002 performance audit of trading standards services, 'Made to Measure' carried out by Audit Scotland be noted; and

(ii) that, the Acting Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection be authorised to review the current operation of trading standards services in Dundee, and prepare proposals where appropriate, in light of the findings and recommendations of the national and local audits.

VI CHARGING FOR DISPOSAL OF COMMERCIAL FRIDGES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN244-2003 advising that as a result of the European Directive on the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) (mainly Chloro-Fluro Carbons (CFCs)), Regulation 2037/2000 which came into force on 1st January 2002, disposal of redundant fridges and freezers by specialist treatment became obligatory. It was reported that as much of the ODS in fridges, as technically possible, must be removed and destroyed, to reduce the Greenhouse Effects in order to minimise Global Warming Potential.

Whilst the majority of fridges came from domestic sources, a number were being received from commercial and industrial sources. These fridges, chillers and freezers could be considerably larger than domestic units and treatment costs, whilst varying, reflect this fact.

The Committee approved a charge of 40 for disposal of large fridges, freezers and chillers from commercial and industrial sources and a charge of 20 for the disposal of units of domestic sized fridges and freezers from commercial and industrial sources. The Committee further agreed that should the department be asked to dispose of a cold store, that this work be undertaken on a cost recovery basis.

VII TENDERS - HILLTOWN TOILET BLOCK

There was submitted Report No. 342-2003 by the City Engineer seeking authority to accept an offer which had been received for works to Hilltown Toilet Block.

The Committee agreed that the negotiated offer from Dundee Contract Services amounting to 29,778.15 be accepted.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that this would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3, 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A to the above Act.

VIII LEASE OF AREA OF GROUND AT LONGHAUGH QUARRY, WHITFIELD

The Committee agreed that consideration of this item be deferred to a future meeting.

IX CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982 - SECTION 87(1) - BUILDINGS IN NEED OF REPAIR

There was submitted Agenda Note AN246-2003 reporting that Notices had been served on the owners of various properties requiring works to be carried out.

The Committee authorised the Acting Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection to carry out the works should the owners not comply within the time allowed in the Notices.

JULIA STURROCK, Convener