Policy And Resources Committee - 13/06/2005

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th June 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

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

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th May 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REDESIGNATION AND REGRADING OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN223-2005, making reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 13 December 2004, where consideration and approval was given to an agenda note regarding Throughcare Service for Ex-prisoners - Establishment of Posts. Reference was also made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th October 2003, where consideration and approval was given to a report on the same subject.

It was reported that these agreed changes had led to a redefinition of the duties of the post of Hostel Manager, East Port House, currently graded PO3-6, 27,822 - 30,288.

The postholder would continue to have responsibility for the management of the residential unit, but the above changes had led to the expansion of the service that was provided and the post holder taking on additional responsibility for the development and management of the implementation of the accommodation and resettlement service within the Tayside Partnership area.

As a consequence of these additional higher level duties, the Committee agreed that the post be redesignated to Project Manager - Accommodation and Resettlement Services and be regraded from PO3-6, 27,822 - 30,288, to PO5-8, 29,541 - 31,860, having noted the financial implications.

II WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT AND REGRADING OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN224-2005 making reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th January 2003 wherein the Committee approved, inter alia, the establishment of a new post of Trade Waste Monitor grade Tech 2, currently 15,699 - 17,436, for an initial two-year period. It was reported that over this period, the post had proved to be a valuable source of departmental income generation, mainly by ensuring that payments were received from traders, and in light of this, the Head of Waste Management had requested the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) to review the status of and the job description for this post. The Committee approved the regrading of the post to Tech 3, 17,877 - 20,169 and agreed to make the post permanent, having noted the financial implications.

III HOUSING DEPARTMENT - DUNDEE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVICE PROJECT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN225-2005 making reference to Article V and II respectively of the minutes of meeting of the Housing and Personnel Committees of 18th April 2005, which approved the establishment of the Dundee Energy Efficiency Advice Project within the Housing Department and the establishment of a number of posts in the project.

It was reported that further funding had now been secured through the Community Regeneration Fund, and the Committees approval was sought to establish a temporary post of Benefits/Energy Adviser, graded AP2/3 (16,515 - 20,169), for a period of 3 years until 31st March 2008.

The Committee approved this proposal, having noted that this expenditure could be funded from the Community Regeneration Fund, and had no implications for the Housing Revenue Account.

The Committee further noted that there had been an error in Report No 202-2005 insofar as the grades of the posts of Energy Adviser and Temporary Energy Adviser were incorrectly stated as AP2, 15,699 - 17,436. The Committee noted that the correct grade was AP2/3, 15,699 - 20,169.

IV LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION OF FIXED TERM POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN226-2005, making reference to Article III of the minutes of meeting of the Leisure Services and Personnel and Management Services Committees of 18th October 1999, which established the post of Access Officer, grade AP4, currently 20,808 - 23,034, for a fixed term period which was subsequently extended.

It was reported that under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, the Council was required to undertake new duties in respect of core path planning, upholding access rights, the establishment of a local access forum and the promotion of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and to assist with this process, it was proposed to extend the post of Access Officer until 31st March 2008, and to confirm the present incumbent in post.

The Committee approved this proposal, having noted that the cost of this post in a full financial year was 26,553, inclusive of employers costs, which would be met from the Leisure and Arts Revenue budget.

V LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - YOUTH SPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN227-2005 making reference to the Article No XIII of the Personnel and Management Services Committee of 13th January 2003, wherein proposals to extend the post of the Youth Sport Officer were approved. In the light of securing Community Regeneration and sportscotland funding, the Committee agreed to approve:-

(a)the extension of the existing Youth Sport Officer post, graded AP3, 22,659 - 24,909, until 31st March 2008; and

(b)the establishment of an additional post of Youth Sport Officer, graded AP3, 22,659 - 24,909, to 31st March 2008 to service the Menzieshill/Lochee/Charleston and Beechwood community regeneration areas,

having noted that the cost of implementing the proposal would be met in total by confirmed funding from the Community Regeneration Fund, sportscotland, the Leisure and Arts Department and fee income.

VI EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS - BUSINESS SUPPORT WORKERS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN228-2005, advising that Out of School Care was an area of growth in the childcare sector, actively supported in Dundee by the Early Years and Childcare Team within the Education Department and that within Dundee, the Local Childcare Partnership was currently funding an independent Business Adviser to train and assist club supervisors to set up a business model. It was reported that following a successful bid to the New Opportunities Quality Childcare Fund, funding had been secured by the Education Department which would allow this advisory role to be expanded to all clubs within the city.

The Committee agreed to establish 2 posts of Business Support Worker, grade AP3, 18,381 - 20,169 pro rata for 20 hours per week on a 3 year fixed term basis, having noted that the financial implications arising from this proposal, inclusive of employers costs, are 16,029 in the current financial year and 24,840 in a full financial year, which would be met from the monies received from the New Opportunities Quality Childcare Fund.

VII PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN229-2005, making reference to Article XII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th February 2005, wherein the Committee agreed to the establishment of a dedicated post to co-ordinate the day to day management of the Central Waterfront and Stobswell Projects.

It was reported that the grade and responsibilities of this temporary post had been the subject of further review and the Committee was now requested to approve the redesignation of the post of Project Co-ordinator and the regrading of the post to PO15-18, 37,461 - 40,098. This post would be established for a fixed term up to 31st May 2008. However, the Committee noted that, depending on future funding, it was probable that the duration of this post would be extended in due course and that in that event, a further recommendation would be submitted to this Committee. Furthermore, it was proposed to fill this post by advertising it as a secondment opportunity within the Planning and Transportation Department.

The Committee noted that, in view of their strategic importance to the City, the Director of Planning and Transportation would continue to lead the development of these projects.

The Committee approved this proposal, having noted that the cost of this post would be in 46,789 in 2005/06, 49,066 in 2006/07, and 51,472 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.

VIII CORPORATE PLANNING DEPARTMENT - DUNDEE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS PROTECTION COMMITTEE -REVIEW OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN230-2005, advising that the Assistant Chief Executive (Community Planning) had requested that the post of Clerical Assistant, Dundee Child Protection Committee, be reviewed following changes to the duties and responsibilities of the post.

The Committee agreed to approve the recommendation that the post of Clerical Assistant, Dundee Child Protection Committee, graded GS1/2 (10,671 - 14,220) be redesignated Senior Clerical Assistant, Child Protection Committee, and regraded to GS3 (14,466 - 15,063), having noted that the cost of the above regrading would be 310 in a full financial year and would be funded from Changing Children's Services Fund monies, from the Scottish Executive.

IX FINANCE DEPARTMENT - INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT SECTION - CHANGES TO ESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN232-2005 advising the Committee of the responsibilities and the additional work which would be placed on the Council as a result of the Civil Contingencies Bill.

It was reported that having considered these additional responsibilities, the Chief Executive was of the opinion that these should be allocated to a senior officer and it was proposed that the existing Principal Insurance and Risk Management Officer who is based in the Finance Department should be requested to assume responsibility for these additional higher level tasks.

Accordingly, the Committee agreed to redesignate the post of Principal Insurance and Risk Management Officer to Risk and Business Continuity Manager and to regrade this post from PO15-18, 37,461 - 40,098, to SCP53-56, 40,998 - 43,947.

It was reported that as a result of this additional workload, it would be necessary for several existing insurance and risk management duties to be delegated to other officers in the section. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to regrade the post of Insurance and Risk Management Officer from AP5, 23,739 - 25,857, to PO1-4, 26,379 - 28,632; and the post of Senior Administrative Assistant from AP3, 18,381 - 20,169, to AP4, 20,808 - 23,034, to reflect the additional higher level duties falling to these officers, having noted the financial implications.

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 the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

X SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN231-2005 seeking agreement for the early retiral of a Clerical Assistant/Bar Officer within the Support Services Department, with effect from 30th June 2005 in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998.

The Committee approved this proposal, having noted the financial implications.

LORD PROVOST John R Letford, Convener.