Policy And Resources Committee - 12/02/2009

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 12th February, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie George REGAN, Depute Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th February, 2009 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I CAPITAL PLAN 2009/2012 - GENERAL SERVICES

There was submitted Report No 32-2009 by the Head of Finance relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the Council's General Services Capital Plan for 2009/2012;

(ii) noted the position for the 2008/2009 projected capital expenditure programme as at 31st December, 2008;

(iii) approved the Prudential Indicators for the Capital Plan 2009/2012 as shown in Appendix 1 of the report and noted that these Indicators demonstrated that the Capital Plan 2009/2012 was affordable and prudent.

II REVENUE BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX 2009/2010

Reference was made to Article XI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th January, 2009.

The Committee had before them the following:-

(i) Provisional Revenue Budget 2009/2012;

(ii) Review of Charges 2009/2010;

(iii) Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2009/2010 - Report No 104-2009 by the Head of Finance; and

(iv) Letter dated 5th February, 2009 by the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) regarding restrictions in voting in terms of Section 112 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1992.

After considering Report No 104-2009 by the Head of Finance the Committee:-

(i) approved the contents of the Provisional 2009/2012 Revenue Budget Volume and the 2009/2010 Review of Charges document;

(ii) approved the various savings reports summarised in the Appendix to this minute (Appendix I) which would enable a Council Tax freeze to be achieved in 2009/2010; and

(iii) approved the calculation of the 2009/2010 Council Tax as shown in the Appendix to this minute (Appendix II), with the 2009/2010 Band D Council Tax being frozen at 1,211.

George REGAN, Depute Convener.

Revenue Budget 2009/2010 - Budget Savings

APPENDIX I

(i) PROPOSAL TO CONVERT SIX PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO ANNUAL LEAVE

The Committee agreed that the current six public holidays outwith the Christmas and New Year public holidays be converted into annual leave entitlement and be implemented sensitively.

(ii) PLANNING AND TRANSPORT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS FUNCTIONS

The Committee agreed that the current Planning and Transport and Economic Development Departments functions be brought together under a new department to be named City Development Department.

(iii) PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL BUS SERVICE SUPPORT

The Committee agreed to the withdrawal of local bus service subsidy to Service 51 and subsidised Saturday and Sunday Services as itemised in the Appendix to the report.

(iv) GARDEN MAINTENANCE SCHEME

The Committee agreed that:-

(i) annual remedial works carried out within gardens owned by housing associations and private individuals be charged at cost, it being noted that this would result in an estimated annual saving of 50,000 to the garden maintenance budget;

(ii) the use of the Disability Living Allowance as the criteria for qualification be removed and replaced with a requirement for undergoing an independent medical assessment; and

(iii) the current age threshold be raised from 70 years to 75 years resulting in potential savings of 4,000 per annum in year 1, rising to 20,000 per annum after five years.

(v) REVENUE BUDGET 2009/2010 - THIRD PARTY PAYMENTS AND GRANTS

The Committee agreed that savings in third party payments/grants proposed in paragraph 4.2 of the report be accepted for inclusion as part of the 2009/2010 Revenue Budget.

(vi) RE-ORGANISATION CARDBOARD AND PAPER DISPOSAL OPERATION

The Committee agreed that:-

(i) the contents of this report be approved;

(ii) the Head of Waste Management be remitted to negotiate a contract with Stirling Fibre Ltd for the recycling of all paper and cardboard collected within the City; and

(iii) it be remitted to the Head of Waste Management to facilitate a phased closure of Marchbanks Recycling Plant and, where appropriate, the transfer of operations and staff to alternative sites within the Department.

(vii) REVENUE BUDGET 2009/2012: CONTRACT CAR HIRE SUBSIDY

The Committee agreed that the contents of this report be approved and that the employer's maximum monthly subsidy under the Contract Car Hire Scheme be reduced by 10% all as set out in paragraph 4.3 of the report, it being noted that this change in subsidy would be effective from 12th February, 2009.

(viii) PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO TAXICARD SCHEME

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to amend the current taxicard subsidy from 2.50 per journey to 2.00 per journey; and

(ii) to amend the current taxicard scheme eligibility to exclude new applications from existing disabled Blue Badge holders.

Revenue Budget and Council Tax Calculation 2009/2010

APPENDIX II

2009/2010 Council Tax Per Band