Policy And Resources Committee - 14/02/2005

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th February, 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Lord Provost LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Comittee of 17th January 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE

The minutes of meetings of the Personnel Appeals Sub-Committee of 17th January 2005 and 24th January 2005, as appended, were submitted and noted.

II HOUSING DEPARTMENT - PROPERTY SHOP

This item was withdrawn.

III SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - STAFFING IMPLICATIONS FOR DAY OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNINGDISABILITIES

Councillor Fordyce declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of her sister being employed as Manager of Kemback Street ARC.

There was submitted Report No 39-2005 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) recommending the staffing establishment with reference to Article V of the minute of the Social Work Committee of June 2004 which proposed a reconfiguration of day services for people with learning disabilities taking account of the anticipated demand over the next five years.

The Committee approved:-

(i) the regrading of the post of Resource Manager from PO3-6, 27,024 - 29,421, to PO5-8, 28,695 - 30,947;

(ii) the redesignation of the post of Development Officer to Day Services Manager (Out & About), with no change of grade;

(iii) the redesignation and regrading of the post of Douglas ARC Manager, grade SCP31-34, 23,058 - 25,116, to Day Services Manager (Wellgate), grade SCP34-37, 25,116 - 27,024;

(iv) the redesignation and regrading of the post of Kemback Street ARC Manager, grade SCP33-36, 24,429 - 26,280, to Day Services Manager (Kemback Street), grade SCP34-37, 25,116 - 27,024;

(v) the redesignation of the post of Depute Manager, Kemback Street, to Supported Employment Manager (Learning Disabilities), with no change of grade;

(vi) the establishment of the post of Day Services Manager (Whitetop), grade SCP34-37, 25,216 - 27,024;

(vii) the redesignation of 3 posts of Day Centre Officer (Outreach Supported Employment) to Supported Employment Worker (Learning Disabilities), with no change of grade;

(viii) the redesignation of 3 posts of Day Centre Officer and 3 posts of Day Care Worker to Community Support Worker (Out & About), with no change of grade;

(ix) the establishment of a further 6 posts of Community Support Worker (Out & About), grade SCP15-27, 14,630 - 20,211;

(x) the establishment of 1 part time post of Clerical Assistant (18.5 hours per week), grade GS1/2, 5,182 - 6,906;

(xi) the proposed organisational structure outlined in Appendix 1 of the Report.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Management) advised the Committee that, following consultation with the Trade Unions, it had been agreed to carry out a formal review of the operations arising from the implementation of this report after a period of 6 months. If necessary, a further report would be submitted to the Committee at that time.

IV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - INTENSIVE SUPPORT AND MONITORING SERVICES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN33-2005 whereby reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee of 23rd August, 2004, wherein a report on Intensive Support and Monitoring Services was approved.

It was noted that Dundee City Council had been identified by the Scottish Executive as a Phase 1 Authority for the implementation of the Intensive Support and Monitoring Service within the Children's Hearings System.

Accordingly, funding had been made available to the Social Work Department and the Committee agreed to approve the establishment of one post of Programme Manager, graded PO3-6, 27,024 - 29,421, and one post of Social Worker, graded AP4/5+1, 20,211 - 25,623, having noted that the cost resulting from this proposal would be 63,000 in a full financial year which would be met in full by the Scottish Executive.

V LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - CHANGES TO ESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN34-2005 advising that when the Leisure and Arts Department was created, a post of Systems Development Officer was established for a period of 3 years until March 2005. The post was established to support and develop systems operating within the department, particularly during the difficult transition stage. However, the work had proved to be of a more longer term nature, accordingly, the Committee agreed to establish this post on a permanent basis on the existing grade of PO5-8, 28,695 - 30,948.

Reference was also made to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Leisure and Arts Services Committee of 20th September, 2004 wherein the Committee considered a revised policy for Cemeteries in Dundee and proposed the establishment of a post of Clerical Assistant to support the employees involved with the health and safety issues related to headstone inspections. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to establish this post on a grade of GS1/2, 10,365 - 13,812.

Reference was also made to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th May, 2004 wherein it was noted that the functions of the Bookings Service would be transferred to the Business Development Section. However, following a review of the roles and responsibilities, it had been decided that the most efficient and effective location for the Bookings Service is within the Purchasing and Finance Section and the Committee agreed to approve this structural change.

It was further noted that with regard to the financial implications of the above recommendations, funding for the post of Systems Development Officer was included in the Provisional Revenue Budget for 2005/06 and the approval of the recommendation would result in no additional expenditure. The additional cost of establishing the post of Clerical Assistant would be 17,000, inclusive of employers costs, in a full financial year and this would be funded from additional income raised from increased interment fees as approved in Report No 565-2004. No additional costs would arise from the transfer of the Bookings Service.

VI HOUSING DEPARTMENT  HOMELESS ASSESSMENT/STRATEGY TEAM  EXTENSION OF FIXED TERM POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN35-2005 whereby reference was made to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th January, 2004 which approved the establishment of a number of posts for a period of 12 months in order to implement the homelessness provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

Reference was also made to Articles VIII and VI of the minutes of meetings of this Committee of 10th March, 2003 and 9th February, 2004, wherein the Committee approved the extension of these posts until 31st March, 2005, following additional funding from the Scottish Executive.

It was reported that the Scottish Executive had now allocated further funding and, accordingly, the Committee agreed to approve the further extension of the following posts in the Homeless Assessment/Strategy Team until 31 March 2006:-

Principal Housing Officer, graded PO3-6 (26,250 - 28,578);

Senior Housing Officer, graded AP5 (22,398 - 24,396);

Housing Officer, graded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029);

Clerical Officer, graded GS3 (13,650 - 14,211);

having noted that all costs would be met from the specific grant awarded by the Scottish Executive.

VII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - FIELDWORK CARE AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES - STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN37-2005 whereby reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th December, 2003 wherein approval was given for the payment of the equivalent of two additional increments to appropriately qualified staff carrying out key duties in relation to mental health, child protection and practice teaching on an interim basis pending the outcome of a review of fieldwork care and assessment services.

It was reported that as a result of continuing this review, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) and Director of Social Work had requested approval to extend interim payment arrangements until the end of June 2005, pending the outcome of the review,

The Committee approved accordingly, having noted that the anticipated additional costs of the interim payments for a further period were 16,000. These costs would be met from the Social Work Revenue Budget.

VIII CORPORATE PLANNING DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION TO FIXED TERM POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN38-2005 whereby reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th September, 2001, whereby approval was given for the establishment of a post of Health Improvement Officer funded by the Scottish Executive, Tayside Health Board and the City Council for a period of 3 years. The post was filled by the secondment of an employee from Health.

It was reported that funding had now been secured for a further 3 years and NHS Tayside had agreed to continue with the secondment for this period.

Accordingly, the Committee approved a 3 year extension to the fixed term post of Health Improvement Officer, graded AP5/PO1 having noted that funding had been secured to January 2008 and the Council's contribution would be 7,500 over this period.

IX WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN39-2005 whereby reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Environmental Services and Sustainability Committee of 21st June, 2004, which considered a report on the National Waste Strategy - Projects Planned for Implementation in Dundee 2004/05. It was reported that a grant had been successfully obtained from the Scottish Executive Strategic Waste Fund for assistance in meeting the national waste diversion and recycling targets.

In order to assist this initiative being taken forward, the Committee agreed to approve the establishment of one part time (20 hour) post of Commercial and Recycling Assistant, graded Tech 1, 14,466 - 15,405 pro-rata, having noted that the financial implications associated with this report would be met in full from the Strategic Waste Fund.

X SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DIVISION - APPLICATIONS FOR REGRADING

There was submitted Agenda Note AN40-2005 advising that in accordance with the agreed procedure, two Architectural Technicians in the Architectural Service Division of the Support Services Department had submitted applications that their posts should be regraded from Tech 5, 23,058 - 25,116, to PO1-4, 25,623 - 27,813, and redesignated to Senior Architectural Technician.

It was reported that following a review of the duties and responsibilities of the posts, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) confirmed that the application had been substantiated and recommended that the post be regraded to PO1-4, 25,623 - 27,813, and redesignated to Senior Architectural Technician.

The Committee approved accordingly.

XI EDUCATION DEPARTMENT  REGRADING OF POST OF STOREMAN/DRIVER SUPERVISOR

There was submitted Agenda Note AN41-2005 advising that the Director of Education had requested that the post of Storeman/Driver Supervisor (Manual Worker Grade 5, plus chargehand allowance, 12,847) be examined, due to the extensive supervisory role now carried out following the retiral of a supervisor. The remit of the post now covered stores, school meals deliveries and the supervision of vehicles and employees for Special Educational Needs pupil transportation.

Following a review of the duties and responsibilities of the post, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) recommended that the post should be regraded to AP1, 14,631 - 15,654.

The Committee approved accordingly, having noted that the cost of the proposal would be 200 in the current financial year and 3,400 in a full financial year, both figures being inclusive of employers costs, and would be contained within the department's Revenue Budget.

XII PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN59-2005, making reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 11 February 2005, wherein the Committee approved a report on the Establishment of a Central Waterfront Partnership.

With the establishment of this partnership to develop the Central Waterfront and the mechanism to manage the regeneration of Stobswell, there was a need to establish a dedicated post to lead the day to day management of these projects.

Accordingly, the Committee approved the establishment of a post of Project Director, grade SCP53-56, 39,822 - 42,687, for a fixed term up to 31 March 2008. The Committee noted that, depending on future funding, it was probable that the duration of the post would be extended in due course, and in that event, a further recommendation would be submitted to this Committee.

It was further reported that it was proposed to fill this post by advertising it as a secondment opportunity within the Planning and Transportation Department.

The Committee approved accordingly, having noted that the cost of this post would be 52,662 in 2005/06, 53,954 in 2006/07, and 55,248 in 2007/08, all figures being inclusive of employer's costs and these costs would be funded from a combination of Cities Growth Fund monies allocated by the Scottish Executive and a contribution from Communities Scotland.

XIII HOUSING DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION TO FIXED TERM POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN63-2005, making reference to Article VI of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, of 9 June 2003, wherein the Committee noted amongst other initiatives, the intention that specialised anti-social behaviour teams be established at community level.

Reference was also made to the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 15 December 2003, which approved funding to finance proposals aimed at improving the environment of the St Mary's Estate.

It was reported that part of the funding from these initiatives had been used to employ 3 Temporary Project Officers, graded AP2, 16,041 - 17,364, from June 2004, and that following a review of these posts approval was sought to extend the 3 posts of Project Officer, graded AP2, 16,041 - 17,364, until 30 June 2007.

The Committee approved this proposal, having noted that this expenditure could be met from the Scottish Executive funding to tackle Anti Social Behaviour.

LORD PROVOST John R LETFORD, Convener.

APPENDIX I