Policy And Resources Committee - 14/04/2008

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th April, 2008.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin KEENAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th March, 2008 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY SUB-COMMITTEE

The minute of meeting of the Best Value Performance and Efficiency Sub-Committee of 21st March, 2008, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted for information and record purposes.

II RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

There was submitted Report No 226-2008 by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) seeking authorisation to grant charity relief on the undernoted non-domestic properties.

The Committee approved accordingly.

III ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SCOTLAND - DUNDEE FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE

After considering Agenda Note AN71-2008, the Committee agreed that a grant of 1,321 be made in respect of the hire of the Caird Hall complex and ancillary costs on 1st November, 2008 for the Dundee Festival of Remembrance.

IV DUNDEE EAST LOCAL COMMUNITY PLAN - RIVERFRONT SUB-AREA - "A VISION FOR BROUGHTY FERRY"

There was submitted Report No 159-2008 by the Director of Leisure and Communities and Director of Planning and Transportation appraising Committee of a community initiative and progress in respect of that part of the emerging Dundee East Local Community Plan which specifically related to the Riverfront area.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the content of the report 'A Vision for Broughty Ferry';

(ii) remitted to the Local Community Planning Partnership to consider the 'Vision for Broughty Ferry' in the preparation of the Local Community Plan for the Broughty Ferry (Dundee East) area 2008/2011; and

(iii) expressed its thanks to the author group for the time, effort and expertise in preparing the Vision document.

V CLIMATE CHANGE FRAMEWORK AND ACTION PLAN

Bailie Regan declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of being the Council's representative on Solar Cities Scotland.

Bailies Regan and Scott and Councillor Roberts declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of being the Council's representatives on Sustain Dundee.

There was submitted Report No 219-2008 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Community Planning) proposing a strategic framework and action plan for the Council's response to climate change.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the draft Climate Change Framework 2008/2015 and Action Plan 2008/2011 which was appended to the report;

(ii) instructed all departments to support the actions set out in the document and ensure that resources, where appropriate, were allocated to specific tasks; and

(iii) remitted to the Assistant Chief Executive (Community Planning) to report back with an annual summary of the Council's climate change activities and to produce a detailed report on progress in 2011, along with a recommended action plan for the period 2011/2015.

VI CORPORATE PROCUREMENT STRATEGY - SCOTLAND EXCEL

There was submitted Report No 229-2008 by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) seeking the Committee's agreement to the City Council becoming a member of Scotland Excel, the local government centre of excellence for procurement.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed that the Council become a member of Scotland Excel for three years from 1st April, 2008;

(ii) remitted to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to finalise and sign a three year agreement with Scotland Excel; and

(iii) remitted to the City Council to appoint a representative to serve on the Scotland Excel Joint Committee.

VII FAIRER SCOTLAND FUND - COMMUNITY REGENERATION FORUM - ALLOCATIONS 2008/2010

There was submitted Report No 218-2008 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Community Planning) relative to the above.

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

VIII NATIONAL ENTITLEMENT CARD - E-PURSE

There was submitted Report No 223-2008 by the Chief Executive seeking the Committee's approval to undertake a pilot on behalf of the National Entitlement Card that seeks to trial an electronic purse on the smartcard for use in commercial retail outlets and transport operations.

The Committee agreed to the trial in Dundee and supported the use of an electronic purse for self-service transactions in Council owned establishments where relevant.

IX SCOTTISH CHURCHES INDUSTRIAL MISSION

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the City Council of 3rd April, 1996, wherein the City Council approved the appointment of the Reverend Erik Cramb as Industrial Chaplain to the Council. Consideration was given to Agenda Note AN72-2008, whereby reference was made to the request from the Scottish Churches Industrial Mission asking the Council to consider making a contribution to the Trust which supported the Industrial Chaplain.

The Industrial Chaplain (now the Reverend Maudeen MacDougall) was continuing to provide a very valuable and worthwhile service to the Council's employees and members and, accordingly, it was recommended that a contribution of 500 be made.

The Committee approved accordingly.

X HOSPITAL FUND AND JOHNSTON BEQUEST

There was submitted Report No 214-2008 by the Head of Finance advising the Committee of the initial income likely to be available in 2008/2009 from the above funds for distribution to pensioners in financial need.

The Committee approved the annual payment of 60 and the issue of one application form per Elected Member in order that they may identify appropriate constituents within their ward for receipt of a pension from the above funds.

XI PROPOSED MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK - ALLAN STREET

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of the Planning and Transport Committee of 14th April, 2008, there was submitted Report No 201-2008 by the Director of Planning and Transportation, outlining proposals to design and construct a multi-storey car parking facility at Allan Street to replace the current surface level parking facility which would be lost due to the redevelopment proposals at the site.

The Committee as far as its interest was concerned, approved the provision of a circa 500 space, secure multi-storey car park including infrastructure for a single 7,000 sq ft retail unit to be completed to coincide with the opening of the new Olympia leisure facility.

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, 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

XII LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AFFECTING THE RECOVERY OF DEBTS OWED TO THE REVENUES DIVISION

There was submitted Report No 217-2008 by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) regarding legislative changes affecting the recovery of debts owed to the Revenues Division.

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed in the report regarding the recovery of debts.

XIII PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO DYKES OF GRAY ROAD

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of the Planning and Transport Committee of 14th April, 2008, there was submitted Report No 206-2008 by the Director of Planning and Transportation outlining proposals to improve the road infrastructure in the Western Gateway at Dykes of Gray Road, in order to accommodate the strategic physical Western Village development and the proposed new housing.

The Committee agreed:-

(a) to approve the delivery of a road improvement scheme at Dykes of Gray Road through a partnership with Tayside Contracts and to incorporate within the adjacent design and construction phase the improved service infrastructure necessary to service the proposed developments; and

(b) to authorise the Director of Planning and Transportation to seek agreements under Section 31 and Section 48 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, these agreements to be between the roads authority and adjacent land owners for the purposes of the road improvements and associated drainage.

Kevin KEENAN, Convener.