Policy And Resources Committee - 18/10/2004

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th October 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jill Shimi, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th September 2004 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DUNDEE COMMUNITY SAFETY WARDENS INITIATIVE

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th June 2004.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN377-2004 indicating that the Scottish Executive had approved under the latest round of funding to tackle anti social behaviour sufficient finance to engage a further two teams of wardens on the grant criteria previously agreed and therefore it was proposed that these teams would be attached to (a) the Pitkerro Ward and (b) as a mobile resource to cover sickness absence and operational pressures within the designated wards under patrol.

The Committee approved the above and noted the external funding support from the Scottish Executive for the period 2004-2006.

II ANNUAL CONSUMER SURVEY 2004

There was submitted Report No 666-2004 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Community Planning) summarising the main findings from the 2004 Annual Consumer Survey and explaining their use.

The Committee:

(i) noted the results contained in this report and agreed that the issues raised should continue to be addressed as part of the Council's commitment to continuous improvement; and

(ii) authorised officers to publish the report on the Council's website and distribute copies to partner organisations and representative bodies as part of the Council's commitment to Public Performance Reporting.

III REVENUE BUDGET 2005/2006 - FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL TAXPAYERS

There was submitted Report No 712-2004 by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) informing elected members of the incorporation of an exercise within the annual revenue budget process whereby Council taxpayers views were sought.

The Committee agreed (1) that the exercise be carried out over a six week period commencing on 1st November 2004 and ending on 10th December 2004 and (2) that the exercise be carried out using the Council's internet site and that appropriate access be made available in the Council's Libraries and Neighbourhood Centres for this to take place.

It was noted that Council Taxpayers would also have the opportunity to complete hard copy responses to the consultation exercise at the Council's Libraries and Neighbourhood Centres.

IV THE FIREWORKS (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS

Reference was made to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th June, 2004 wherein the Committee agreed a response on a consultation document issued by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Scottish Executive regarding proposals to introduce a number of prohibitions on the importation, sale, possession and use of fireworks with the aim of tackling anti social behaviour.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN382-2004 advising that following the consultation the Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004 came into force on 7th October, 2004 and created a general prohibition on using fireworks between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am each night but exceptions would allow such use until 1.00 am on the nights of Chinese New Year, Diwali and New Year's Eve and until midnight on 5th November.

It was noted that the curfew did not apply to certain fireworks such as party poppers, crackers and sparklers and Local Authorities would also be allowed to put on displays outside these time for local purposes and for national and commemorative events.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency under Standing Order No 17(b) to allow the printing of the Council Diary 2005 to proceed.

V TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN406-2004 intimating that the operation of the Committee timetable was kept under constant review to ensure that the Council's decision making process ran as efficiently and expeditiously as possible and in this connection it had been noted that the third group of meetings (Development Quality and Planning and Transportation Committees) tended to run much longer than groups 1 and 2. This was probably due to the volume of business on the Development Quality agenda and the frequent occurrence of the need to hear deputations.

In an effort to ensure that the important policy matters which came before the Planning and Transportation Committee from time to time could be afforded adequate time for discussion, it was proposed to move Planning and Transportation Committee to Group 2 being the Committee group which on average took the least time to complete its business.

It was also proposed that Dundee Contract Services Committee be held earlier in the running order of Group 1 and the Housing and Social Work Committees be brought together since they shared the same Convener. The timetable would then be as follows:-

The Committee approved the revised timetable of meetings.

JILL SHIMI, Convener.