Policy And Resources Committee - 20/12/2004

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th December, 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Lord Provost John R LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I RATIONALISATION OF LOCAL AUTHORITY NURSERY EDUCATION SERVICES

There was submitted Report No 841-2004 by Director of Education and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval to implement proposals for managing a rationalising the current provision of nursery places in local authority nursery schools and classes.

The Personnel Committee approved the deletion of non-teaching posts from the establishment of the Education Department and the re-deployment of non-teaching posts as set out in Appendix 1 of the Report.

II DELIVERY OF THE SUCCEED (SURE START CHILDCARE AND EARLY EDUCATION IN DUNDEE) INITIATIVETO PROMOTE CHILDREN'S SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT IN THE EARLY YEARS

There was submitted Report No 842-2004 by Director of Education and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval to implement proposals for delivering a new integrated strategy in Dundee to promote children's success and achievement in the early years.

The Committee approved and agreed the changes in nursery nurse staffing in local authority nursery classes as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

III SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE PRE AND POST BIRTHASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICE

There was submitted Report No 843-2004 by Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) advising the Committee about the proposed new pre and post birth assessment and support service and seeking approval for the establishment of two new Social Work posts within Children's Services. This joint initiative with Health aimed to improve the identification of needs, assessment and support provided to substance misusing pregnant women and their unborn babies in Dundee.

The Committee approved the establishment of the following posts until 31st March 2006:

(i) one Social Worker post graded AP4/5 + 1 (19,632 - 24,888); and

(ii) one Senior Family Support Worker post graded SCP 27-30 (19,632 - 21,732).

IV PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE IMPLEMENTATION AND SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE COMMUNITYREGENERATION FUND IN DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 832-2004 by Assistant Chief Executive (Management) and Assistant Chief Executive (Community Planning) seeking approval for the future implementation and support arrangements for the Community Regeneration Fund in Dundee.

The Committee approved:-

(i)the redesignation of the Geographic Social Inclusion Partnership Co-ordinator (PO5-8) to the post of Community Regeneration Fund Co-ordinator (PO5-8) and

(ii)the redesignation of the following posts and redeployment of the following Social Inclusion Partnership Workers (CEW) as follows:-

SIP Worker (Ardler) to be redeployed as Community Regeneration Worker (Dundee North West).

SIP Worker (Kirkton) to be redeployed as Community Regeneration Worker (Dundee North East).

SIP Worker (Hilltown) to be redeployed as Community Regeneration Worker (Dundee Central).

SIP Worker (Mid Craigie/Linlathen) to be redeployed as Community Regeneration Worker (Dundee South East) and

Voluntary Sector Lead Officer (APV) to be redeployed as Community Regeneration Worker (Dundee West), retaining responsibility for support to the Community and Voluntary Alliance (CAVA).

(iii) the establishment of two new fixed term posts for a period of three years:-

(a)Administrative Assistant graded AP1 (14,211 - 15,204)

(b)Communications Officer, graded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029)

(iv)the redeployment of the current clerical assistant establishment, graded GS1/2 (10,086 - 12,789 pro rata), who currently support the geographic SIP and the Senior Clerical Assistant Post graded GS3 (13,649 - 14,211), currently supporting BNSF as per Appendix 1.

(v)the filling of the clerical posts outlined in Appendix 1 to the report by redeploying existing clerical staff who have temporary contracts and have at least one year's continuous service with the Council. Where staff require to be redeployed preference sheets will be used with lengths of service determining priority. All promoted posts will be advertised internally in the first instance.

(vi)that, as the Community Regeneration Fund is controlled by the Scottish Executive and allocated one year in advance, with indicative allocations for subsequent years, all staff will be contracted on a fixed-term - initially to 31st March, 2008.

(vii)that newly established posts would be advertised internally in the first instance.

(viii)the extension of fixed term contracts for two FTE posts funded from the SIP 2 Empowering Communities Fund (to be known as Community Voices Programme from April 2005) for a further 12 months to 31st March, 2006.

V SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - YOUTH JUSTICE STRATEGY FOR DUNDEE - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN479-2004 whereby reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee of 18th December, 2000, and Article IX of the minute of meeting of the Personnel Committee of 12th March 2001 which noted the development of a Youth Justice Strategy for Dundee and approved a fixed term three year post of a Youth Justice Co-ordinator graded PO7-10, 29,313 - 31,536.

It was reported that the post had been critical in developing Dundee's response to the Youth Justice National Agenda as well as locally co-ordinating all work in this field, and the Committee therefore agreed to establish this post on a permanent basis, having noted that the cost of the proposal in a full financial year would be 40,250 which would be funded by the Youth Justice monies within the Social Work Department's revenue budget.

VI SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DIVISION - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTOF ASBESTOS CO-ORDINATOR

There was submitted Agenda Note AN480-2004 advising the Committee that the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 came into effect on 21st May, 2004 and these placed a responsibility on the Council to manage asbestos in its non-domestic properties and in properties that were defined as a 'place of work'. Under the Regulations, duty holders require to determine the existence/condition of asbestos and asbestos containing materials within properties, assess the risk of fibre release and prepare and instigate a Management Plan to address/control that risk.

In order to assist the Council to fulfil its responsibilities under these new Regulations, it was agreed to establish a post of Asbestos Co-ordinator, grade PO5-8, 27,873 - 30,060 to reflect the duties and responsibilities to be undertaken.

It was further agreed that as the incumbent of a post of Architectural Technician, who had obtained a specialist asbestos qualification, had begun to carry out the tasks involved since June 2004, the incumbent of this post be transferred to the newly created post.

VII FINANCE DEPARTMENT - REVENUES DIVISION - NEW RECOVERY INITIATIVE - ESTABLISHMENT OFPOSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN481-2004 whereby reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th May, 2003, wherein two temporary posts of Recovery Officer, graded GS2/AP1, 13,110 - 15,204 were approved until 31st March, 2005.

It was reported that following a review of the continuing workload, approval was now sought to establish one of these posts on a permanent basis, and to extend the other post until 31st March, 2006.

The Committee approved this proposal, noting that the financial implications of these proposals would be 33,436 in a full year, inclusive of employer's costs.

VIII EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - HOME SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICE - APPLICATION FOR REGRADING

There was submitted Agenda Note AN482-2004 advising that in accordance with the agreed procedure, a Pupil Safety Officer in the Home School Support Service of the Education Department had submitted an application that the post should be regraded PO1-4, 24,888 - 27,015, to PO5-8, 27,873 - 30,060.

It was reported that following a review of the application for regrading and of the duties and responsibilities of the post, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) confirmed that the application had been substantiated in part and recommended that the post be regraded to PO3-6, 26,250 - 28,578.

The Committee approved the regrading and further agreed that the post be redesignated to Child Protection Co-ordinator.

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 item of business on the grounds that it involved disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

IX CHIEF OFFICERS' SECRETARIES - REGRADING OF POSTS

This item was withdrawn.

Lord Provost John R LETFORD, Convener