Policy And Resources Committee - 12/11/2007

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 12th November, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd October, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE

The minute of meeting of the Personnel Appeals Sub-Committee of 29th October, 2007, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted for information and record purposes.

II COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND SMALL GRANTS ALLOCATIONS

Councillor Keenan declared a non-financial interest in Ardler Village Trust by virtue of being the Council representative on the Trust.

There was submitted Report No 572-2007 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Community Planning) and Director of Leisure and Communities relative to the above.

The Committee noted the process for allocating small grants through the Local Community Regeneration Forum as agreed by the Dundee Partnership and endorsed the funding proposals detailed below.

III REVENUE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 576-2007 by the Head of Finance providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2007/2008 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 30th September, 2007 monitored against the adjusted 2007/2008 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2007/2008 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 30th September, 2007 showed an overspend of 527,000 against the adjusted 2007/2008 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account was projecting an underspend of 388,000 against the adjusted HRA 2007/2008 Revenue Budget;

(iii) instructed the Head of Finance to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2007/2008 Revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

(iv) instructed the Head of Finance in conjunction with all Chief Officers of the Council to continue to monitor the Council's 2007/2008 Projected Revenue Outturn.

IV CAPITAL MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 546-2007 by the Head of Finance appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Expenditure programme for 2007/2008.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

V SAFEGUARDERS - FEES

After considering Agenda Note AN270-2007, the Committee noted the fees detailed below which had been introduced with effect from 1st April, 2007.

Fees - Appointments by Hearing

(a) Fixed Appointment Fee - 219.40

Fixed Appointment Fee - Second and subsequent children

109.70 per child (living separately from first child)

54.85 per child (living together with first child)

(b) Fixed Attendance Fee - 109.70

(c) Fixed Fee for Reports - Continued Hearings

109.70 (written report) 54.85 (oral report)

54.85 (written report) 27.43 (oral report) - Second and subsequent children

Fees - Appointments by Sheriff

(a) Fixed Appointment Fee - 219.40 (entering proceedings as a party)

Fixed Appointment Fee - 54.85 (not entering proceedings as a party)

Fixed Appointment Fee - Second and subsequent children

109.70 per child (living separately from first child)

54.85 per child (living together with first child)

(b) Fixed Attendance Fee - 109.70 per day regardless of the number of children involved (entering as a party only)

(c) Fixed Fee for Continued Diets - 54.85 (entering as a party only)

VI LEASED CAR MILEAGE RATES

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Personnel Committee of 16th February, 2004, wherein it was agreed that the Inland Revenue Advisory Fuel Rates be adopted by the Council in respect of employees with leased cars, and that the rates in force each 1st April be applied for the whole of that financial year.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN271-2007 intimating that since then, HM Revenue and Customs had reduced the Advisory Fuel Rates on dates other than 1st April, which had resulted in a profit element between the date of change and the following 1st April, and consequent tax implications for employees.

In order to avoid this happening again, it was proposed that the Council apply any change to the mileage rate paid to employees from the date HM Revenue and Customs make a change to Advisory Fuel Rates.

The Committee approved accordingly.

VII INLAND REVENUE AUTHORISED MILEAGE RATES

Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of the Personnel Committee of 13th December, 2004 and to Article VII of its meeting of 10th January, 2005, wherein it was agreed that the Inland Revenue Authorised Mileage Rates be adopted by the Council in respect of the Casual User Car Allowance Scheme and for those employees who use motorcycles on Council business, and that the rates in force each 1st April be applied for the whole of the financial year.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN273-2007 intimating in order to avoid potential tax implications, it was proposed that the Authorised Mileage Rates be changed on a date other than 1st April, and that the Council apply any change to the mileage rate paid to employees from the date HM Revenue and Customs make a change to Authorised Mileage Rates.

The Committee approved accordingly.

VIII IMPLEMENTATION OF SINGLE STATUS

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 27th August, 2007, there was submitted Report No 578-2007 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) intimating that in view of the very tight timescales, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) sought and obtained the approval of the Depute Convener of the Policy and Resources Committee to the changes outlined in this report and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) also consulted the major opposition group.

The Committee agreed that the changes outlined in Section 5 of this report be noted.

IX DUNDEE'S OUTDOOR ACCESS STRATEGY - ACTION PLAN UPDATE 2007

After considering Report No 575-2007 by the Director of Leisure and Communities updating the Committee on the progress of Dundee's Outdoor Access Strategy Action Plan, the Committee approved the plan appended thereto subject to the undernoted amendment.

Page 12 F3.2 Delete "All Primary Schools to receive cycle parking facilities and Grove Academy to receive 50 cycle lockers".

Insert "City Council Primary Schools to receive cycle parking facilities. 50 cycle lockers to be allocated to one or more High Schools".

X ANNUAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT 2006/2007

There was submitted Report No 579-2007 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) and the Council's Health and Safety Co-ordinator relative to the above.

The Committee approved the report which would help promote the management of health and safety across the Council and provide information regarding the further development of health and safety management throughout the Council.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.