Policy And Resources Committee - 24/10/2005

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th October 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jill SHIMI, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th October 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DEPUTATION - AUNG SAN SUU KYI: 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOUSE ARREST IN RANGOON, BURMA

Councillor Macpherson declared a non-financial interest by virtue of being a member of Amnesty International.

It was reported that a request had been received from the Local Amnesty International Group for a deputation to be heard in support of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Committee agreed to accede to the request and after they had stated their case and answered questions from the Committee they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

Thereafter the Committee agreed to write to:-

(i)                                          The Burmese Ambassador on behalf of Amnesty International and the Citizens of Dundee asking for the early release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

(ii)                                         Aung San Suu Kyi in support of her, and

(iii)                                       Local MP's, MSP's and MEPs highlighting the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi.

II DUNDEE FURNITURE PROJECT

Councillor Sturrock declared a non-financial interest by virtue of being the Council representative on the Dundee Furniture Project.

There was submitted Report No 633-2005 by the Head of Waste Management informing the Committee of the current financial situation facing the Dundee Furniture Project and seeking approval for a way forward.

The Committee agreed that:-

(i)                                          the Dundee Furniture Project be advised that the Council's contribution during the current financial year would be 50,000. This would consist of 25,000 from Waste Management, 15,000 from Housing and 10,000 from Social Work,

(ii)                                         during 2006/07, the Waste Management Departments contribution would remain at 25,000, and the Housing and Social Work Departments would enter into Service Level Agreements with the Project to provide additional income,

(iii)                                       negotiations would take place with the Furniture Project to set income generation targets for 2006/07, and that the Council would guarantee to underwrite any budget deficit occurring during 2006/07 up to a maximum of 81,900, and

(iv)                                        during 2007/08, the Council's contribution would reduce to the current level of a grant of 25,000 plus whatever income was generated from Service Level Agreements with the Housing and Social Work Departments, and be further reduced in future years.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

III NUCLEAR FREE LOCAL AUTHORITIES - A.G.M. AND ANNUAL POLICY MEETING

It was reported that the above A.G.M. and Annual Policy Briefing would be held in Manchester on 3rd and 4th November 2005.

The Committee approved the attendance of Councillor Regan, at an estimated cost excluding travel and subsistence of 75.

JILL SHIMI, Convener.