Policy And Resources Committee - 09/01/2006

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th January, 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

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

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th December, 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SUBSTANCE MISUSE POLICY

This item was deferred to enable further consideration to be given to the definition of "Licensed Premises", and to allow any members with further observations to contact the Assistant Chief Executive (Management).

II SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REVISED STAFFING ESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Report No 537-2005 by the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) outlining and seeking approval for changes to the structure of the Social Work Department and providing details of changes in reporting relationships.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the proposed organisational structure as outlined in Appendix 1 to the Report;

(ii) approve the establishment and deletion of posts as outlined in Appendix 1 to the Report; and

(iii) approve the redesignation of posts as outlined in Appendix 2 to the Report

III SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN4-2006 whereby reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee of 24th October 2005 wherein a report on the Introduction of ViSOR (The Violent and Sex Offenders Register) was approved.

In order to implement the use of ViSOR, the Committee agreed to approve the establishment of one Senior Clerical Assistant post, graded GS3, 14,466 - 15,063, having noted that the implications of these proposals would amount to 18,065 in a full financial year, inclusive of employer's costs and would be fully funded from ring fenced funding provided by the Scottish Executive.

IV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN12-2005 advising that Dundee City Council Social Work Department was working in partnership with NHS Tayside to resettle long stay patients from Strathmartine Hospital to the community, and In recognition of the work required to assess, monitor and review individuals who had already moved out of hospital and those who will move out in 2006/2007, NHS Tayside had agreed to fund one full time Care Manager post in Dundee.

The Committee therefore agreed to establish one post of Care Manager, grade AP4/5+1, 20,808-26,379, within the Care Management Team (Learning Disabilities), having noted that the cost of this proposal would be 30,273 in a full financial year and would be met through resource transfer from Tayside NHS Board.

V SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REGRADING OF POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN5-2006 advising that at the request of the Director of Social Work, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) had reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the post of Mental Health Officer.

The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 was implemented on 1st October 2005. This legislation had increased the responsibilities of Mental Health Officers particularly in relation to compulsory measures of care and treatment. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to approve the regrading of 4 posts of Mental Health Officer from AP4/5+1, 20,808 - 26,379 to PO1‑4, 26,379 - 28,632, having noted that this proposal would cost 13,200 in a full financial year, inclusive of employer's costs and would be met from the Social Work Department revenue budget which included resources of 320,000 to enable the local authority to meet its new duties under the Act.

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 item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as detailed in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

VI HOUSING DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIRAL

The Committee approved the early retiral of an employee (ER12/05) within the Housing Department, with effect from 1 April 2006, in the interests of the efficiency of the service in accordance with the Local Government Pensions Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998. It was noted that the employee would also receive enhanced benefits in accordance with the Local Government (Discretionary Payments and Injury Benefits) (Scotland) Regulations 1998 (as amended) and in accordance with the decision of the Personnel Committee of 14 March 2005.

The Committee noted savings which would result from this early retiral as reported by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance).

Lord Provost JOHN R LETFORD, Convener