City Development Committee - 13/06/2005

At a MEETING of the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th June, 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor MORROW, 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 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2005-2007

The Director of Economic Development submitted Report No 341-2005 requesting approval for the draft Economic Development Plan for the period 2005-2007.

The Committee approved the draft Plan and agreed that it be taken forward for design, print and distribution.

II ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN 2003-2007  ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR2004-2005

On a reference to Article I(a) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th June, 2004, the Director of Economic Development submitted Report No 352-2005 informing the Committee of Departmental performance during the year 2004-2005.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

III CONFERENCE CENTRE FEASIBILITY STUDY FINDINGS

The Director of Economic Development and the Director of Leisure and Arts submitted Joint Report No 377-2005 informing the Committee of the findings of the consultancy study and seeking approval for certain proposed actions resulting from the study.

The Committee:-

(a) noted the contents of the report;

(b) remitted to the Director of Economic Development to ensure that an enhanced local Convention Bureau was a key part of the local Partnership Agreement with VisitScotland (to be operational post 1st April 2006); and

(c) remitted to the Director of Leisure and Arts to examine the feasibility of making improvements to conference-related facilities at the Caird Hall complex.

IV ACQUISITION OF AN AIRCRAFT DE-ICING VEHICLE FOR DUNDEE AIRPORT

The Director of Economic Development submitted Report No 355-2005 requesting approval for the acceptance of an offer for the supply of an aircraft de-icing vehicle for Dundee Airport.

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from the specialised supplier, Falcon Airside Services and Technologies Limited, Exeter to supply a vehicle at a cost of 54,653.

V WEST PIER, BROUGHTY FERRY  REPAIR WORKS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN221-2005 advising that the annual inspection of the West Pier at Broughty Ferry had revealed essential repair works needed to the decking and handrails to the slipway and temporary measures had been taken to secure the slipway from public access pending permanent works being carried out.

It was reported for the information of the Committee that in view of the timescales involved, the sole offer by Torith Limited amounting to 35,130 to carry out the above works had been accepted by the Director of Economic Development after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons of the Other Groups.

VI DUNDEE AIRPORT  BAGGAGE CARTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN222-2005 reporting that the existing baggage carts at Dundee Airport required to be upgraded and six good quality used units had been purchased from Airgate Engineering, Dungannon, Northern Ireland at a cost of 8,150 plus VAT.

The Committee approved the purchase which had been funded through Revenue Budgets and agreed the transfer of this expenditure to the Capital Programme as there was sufficient capital provision within the Airport Capital Plan.

VII DUNDEE AIRPORT  SELF PROPELLED CONVEYOR BELT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN233-2005.

It was reported for the information of the Committee that the Director of Economic Development, after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons of the Other Groups, had agreed to accept an offer of 11,550 to supply the above equipment by the specialist company, Falcon Airside Services and Technologies Limited, Exeter in view of an urgent requirement in terms of Health and Safety Practice.

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

VIII COMMERCIAL LEASES

There was submitted and approved Report No 366-2005 by the Director of Economic Development detailing commercial leases in respect of the undernoted premises:-

Units 25-26 Mid Wynd

6 West Port

17 Dock Street

167 Strathmartine Road

135 Kingsway East

0.14 Hectares, Beryl Street

13 Mauchline Avenue

22 Craigie Avenue

Unit A, 207 Strathmartine Road

IX RENT REVIEWS

There was submitted and approved Report No 367-2005 by the Director of Economic Development detailing the review of rent in respect of the undernoted premises:-

Weavers Coffee Shop, Wellgate Central Library

Site for Public House, Balfield Road

10/12 Huntly Square

Unit 5 Old Glamis Road Industrial Estate

Shop at 2 Marshall Street, Lochee

Shop at 26 Dryburgh Street

X INCUBATOR 2, DUNDEE TECHNOPOLE  UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE

Reference was made to Article XII of the minute of meeting of the Recess Sub-Committee of 5th August, 2002, wherein the Sub-Committee approved the sale of an 0.78 acre site at Dundee Technopole to an interested party for the construction of an Incubator Unit tenanted by the University of Dundee. There was submitted Agenda Note AN234-2005 advising the Committee of discussions and negotiations regarding the above Unit.

The Committee approved a revenue contribution to the University of Dundee on the terms and conditions detailed and remitted to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to conclude the necessary legal formalities.

JOE MORROW, Convener.