City Development Committee - 15/08/2005

At a MEETING of the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th August, 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor MORROW, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th June, 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I GLOBAL DIGITAL CITIES NETWORK

The Director of Economic Development submitted Report No 479-2005 informing the Committee of progress with the Global Digital Cities Network and seeking agreement for participation in the 2005 general meeting.

The Committee agreed that Dundee City Council participate in the sixth annual meeting of the Network in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in November and that the Council be represented by the Convener and the Director of Economic Development or their nominees.

II DUNDEE AIRPORT

(a) REPLACEMENT OF PAPI LAMPS

The Director of Economic Development submitted Report No 464-2005 giving details of offers received for the replacement of the above lamps.

The Committee agreed to accept the lower offer by Edward Dewhurst Ltd, Preston, amounting to 31,665.

(b) REPLACEMENT OF CLOUDBASE MEASURING EQUIPMENT

The Director of Economic Development submitted Report No 465-2005 giving details of an offer from the specialist company, Met Engineering Ltd, to supply, install and commission the above equipment.

The Committee agreed to accept the offer amounting to 22,333, together with an estimated sum of 4,000 for formation of a platform for the unit and installation of electrical supplies by a separate contract.

(c) EXTENSION TO GROUND IMPROVEMENT WORK

Reference was made to Article III(b) of the minute of meeting of this Committee on 14th June, 2004 which approved the letting of a contract to D M Carnegie of Steelstrath, Laurencekirk, at a maximum value of 21,000 for various works to improve the grassland environment at Dundee Airport. This work was important because improvements to grass quality were an aid to controlling bird activity at the airport and improvements to drainage facilitated emergency vehicle access to all parts of the airport.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN317-2005 advising that the works carried out so far identified additional wet areas within the airport grassland which should be rectified to ease both ground maintenance and emergency vehicle movement.

The Committee agreed to extend the contract with D M Carnegie by a further 10,000 in 2005-2006 to allow further rubble drains to be installed within the airport grassland, together with other ground grading and improvement measures.

III TENDERS RECEIVED

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 477-2005 giving details of the sole offer received to carry out the servicing and maintenance of kilns at various City Council properties.

The Committee agreed to accept the offer by Alisdair Kettles, Milnathort, amounting to 9,030 together with an allowance of 903 for professional services making a total expenditure of 9,933.

IV INVESTIGATORY WORKS AT CITY SQUARE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN318-2005 advising that the Director of Economic Development had requested the City Engineer to undertake a review of the existing condition of City Square and to recommend a future course of action to improve/upgrade the structure. To complete the review it would be necessary to undertake some trial works in relation to water penetration and steel work protection.

The Committee authorised the appointment of specialist contractors to undertake these trial works at a probable cost of 31,500 inclusive of fees, after which a comprehensive report would be brought back to the Committee with recommendations on future actions together with budget costs.

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.

V COMMERCIAL LEASES

There was submitted and approved Report No 462-2005 by the Director of Economic Development detailing commercial leases in respect of the undernoted premises;-

Unit 2 Foundry Lane

0.13 Hectares, Cheviot Crescent

211 Hilltown.

VI RENT REVIEWS

There was submitted and approved Report No 463-2005 by the Director of Economic Development detailing the review of rent in respect of the undernoted premises.

Shop - 88 Dunholm Road

Shop - 14-16 St. Giles Terrace

Shop - 31 Craigowan Road

Shop - 5/7 Teviotdale Avenue

Shop - 593 Charleston Drive

Workshop - Unit 9, Faraday Street, Dryburgh Industrial Estate

Shop - 8-10 Brownhill Road

Shop - 78-86 Dunholm Road

Shop - 70 Ballindean Road.

VII ADDKNOWLEDGE LIMITED - FUNDING PROPOSAL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN319-2005 requesting approval for a grant towards the development of the business plan and prospectus of the above company.

The Committee agreed to the grant on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

VIII CYLACEL LIMITED - DUNDEE TECHNOPOLE

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th December, 1998 there was submitted Agenda Note AN320-2005 requesting alterations to the rental conditions of the above company under the existing lease.

The Committee agreed to the addition to the existing rental as detailed in the Agenda Note and remitted to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to conclude the necessary legal formalities.

IX SCOTTISH WATER PREMISES - RIVERSIDE DRIVE

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of the Recess Sub-Committee of 19th July 2004, there was submitted Agenda Note AN321-2005 advising that an adjustment to the area to be purchased by the City Council was required.

The Committee approved accordingly,.

X 0.0054 HECTARE SITE, REAR OF FORMER TRINITY CHURCH, VICTORIA ROAD

There was submitted Agenda Note AN322-2005 advising that an application had been received from an interested company to purchase the above area of ground.

It was reported for the information of the Committee that after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons of the Other Groups, the Director of Economic Development had agreed to the terms and conditions detailed in the note and the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) had been requested to conclude the sale.

XI EXCAMBION OF SITES, HERONS LANE/JAMES STREET

There was submitted Agenda Note AN323-2005 detailing a provisional agreement reached with interested parties for the above excambion of ground.

The Committee agreed to the excambion on the terms and conditions detailed in the agenda note.

JOE MORROW, Convener.