Policy And Resources Committee - 24/09/2007

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th September, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th September, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I EQUAL PAY STATEMENT

After considering Report No 464-2007 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) relative to the above, the Committee approved the Equal Pay Statement appended hereto.

II APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME - MITIE PFI LIMITED

There was submitted Agenda Note AN233-2007 intimating that an application had been made by Mitie PFI Limited, ("The Company"), 10 Perimeter Road, 8 Monarch Court, The Brooms, Emersons Green, Bristol and Perth and Kinross Council to have the staff transferring from Perth and Kinross Council to the Company, under that Council's Schools PPP Project, admitted as members of the Pension Scheme.

It was noted that Pensions Regulations provide for mandatory admission provided the relevant legal requirements were included in an appropriate admission agreement which included Perth and Kinross Council as a party. These requirements, including a bond/indemnity to cover the risk of insolvency on the part of the transferee were specified to ensure that the Fund was fully protected at all times following such transfers and mandatory admission to the Scheme.

It was further noted that both applicants had indicated that they would enter into an appropriate form of admission agreement and that, in these circumstances the Council, as administering authority for the Scheme, must admit to the Scheme the eligible employees of the Company, and also agree that the Council enter into an appropriate admission agreement with Perth and Kinross Council and the Company for these purposes.

The Committee approved accordingly.

III ANNUAL CONSUMER SURVEY 2007

There was submitted Report No 466-2007 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Community Planning) summarising the main findings from the 2007 Annual Consumer Survey.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the results contained in this report and agreed that the issues raised should continue to be addressed as part of the Council's commitment to continuous improvement; and

(ii) authorised officers to publish the report on the Council's website and distribute copies to partner organisations and representative bodies as part of the Council's commitment to Public Performance Reporting.

IV DUNDEE PARTNERSHIP EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME FUND ALLOCATION 2007/2008

There was submitted Report No 487-2007 by the Director of Economic Development relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the process for allocating grants through the Assessment Panel established by the Employability Group of the Dundee Partnership;

(ii) endorsed the recommendation to mirror the Community Regeneration Fund processes in the management of the Employability Programme Fund; and

(iii) endorsed the funding proposals contained in Section 4 of the report and shown below.

V NUCLEAR FREE LOCAL AUTHORITIES AGM AND JOINT UK/IRISH COUNCILS CONFERENCE ON NUCLEAR HAZARDS

It was reported that the above AGM and Conference would be held in Dublin on 6th and 7th December, 2007.

Councillor Keenan, seconded by Bailie Wright, moved that Bailie Regan be authorised to attend.

As an amendment, Councillor Guild, seconded by Councillor Duncan, moved that Councillor Sawers be authorised to attend.

On a division, there voted for the motion, Lord Provost Letford, Bailies Regan, Wright, Wallace, Scott and Borthwick and Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Morrow, Macpherson, Dick and Hay (16); and for the amendment - Bailie Sawers and Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Duncan, Hunter, Lynn and Roberts (10) - whereupon the motion was declared carried and Bailie Regan was authorised to attend, at an estimated cost excluding travel and subsistence of 150.

VI DUNDEE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 2007/2008

After considering Report No 501-2007 by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) relative to the above, the Committee approved a revenue grant for Dundee Citizens' Advice Bureau of 109,000 for the financial year 2007/2008.

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 defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

VII PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN234-2007 proposing that an employee of the Personnel Department (ER03/07) be retired with effect from 1st September, 2008 in the interest of efficiency of the service in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998. The employee would 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 14th March, 2005.

The Committee approved the proposal and in addition, approved the redesignation and regrading of the post of Personnel Manager to Head of Personnel as detailed in the note.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.

APPENDIX I

DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

EQUAL PAY POLICY

POLICY STATEMENT

Dundee City Council is an equal opportunities employer and recognises the need to achieve equality for all citizens and employees. The Council is committed to ensuring that all employees are treated equally irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, marital status, domestic circumstances, gender, sexuality or transsexualism, age, class, ethical or religious belief, basic skills, disability or trade union activity. Central to this commitment is the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.

With this in mind the Council will operate a pay system which is fair and transparent, and will work with the recognised trade unions to ensure that this commitment is met.

POLICY OBJECTIVES

The Council will:-

7                     examine existing pay practices to ensure that unfair, unjust or unlawful practices are eliminated

7                     provide training and guidance for those involved in determining pay

7                     inform employees of how their grades are determined

7                     respond to grievances on equal pay as a priority

7                     carry out regular monitoring of pay and grading structure

REVIEW

Progress reports on the implementation of this policy and the results of monitoring will be published annually, as part of the arrangements for reporting on the Council's Race, Disability and Gender Equality Schemes.