Dundee City Council - 08/06/2009

At a MEETING of the DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL held at Dundee on 8th June, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

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

I MINUTES

The undernoted minutes were submitted and noted.

1 Minute of Licensing Committee dated 7th May, 2009.

2 Minute of City Council dated 11th May, 2009.

ESTABLISHMENT OF SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

On the reading of Article II of the minute relative to the above, Councillor Guild, seconded by Councillor Duncan, moved a change in respect of paragraph (iii) of the minute to now read "in accordance with paragraph 4.3(c) of the report, the Convener will be the leader of the Major Opposition Group and the next largest Opposition Group is invited to nominate a representative to fill the position of Depute Convener of the Scrutiny Committee".

As an amendment, Councillor Keenan, seconded by Councillor McCready, moved a change to paragraph 4.3(c) of the report to read "invite the Major Opposition Group to nominate a representative to fill the position of Convener and invite the next largest Opposition Group to nominate a representative to fill the position of Depute Convener of the Scrutiny Committee".

On a division, there voted for the motion - Lord Provost Letford, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Ross, Hay, Bailies Sawers, Wallace and Scott (17); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Macpherson, Dick, Bailies Regan and Wright and Depute Lord Provost Borthwick (11) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

3 Minute of Education Committee dated 11th May, 2009.

4 Minute of City Development Committee dated 11th May, 2009.

5 Minute of Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee dated 11th May, 2009.

6 Minute of Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee dated 11th May, 2009.

7 Minute of Social Work and Health Committee dated 11th May, 2009.

8 Minute of Policy and Resources Committee dated 11th May, 2009.

9 Minute of Development Quality Committee dated 11th May, 2009.

10 Minute of Licensing Board dated 21st May, 2009.

11 Minute of Hearing of Licensing Board dated 21st May, 2009.

II PROTOCOL - COMMENCEMENT OF COUNCIL MEETINGS

It was reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Keenan.

Councillor Keenan, seconded by Bailie Wright, moved that the Mace be brought in and the Lord Provost be announced at the commencement of meetings of the Council as has occurred for the last eight years. Whether members wish to stand for the Mace/Lord Provost should be left to personal choice. However, the preference would be for members to stand.

As an amendment, Councillor Guild, seconded by Councillor Duncan, moved the status quo that it be left to the Administration and the Lord Provost to decide on protocol. At present, the Mace is brought in before the meeting and the Lord Provost is announced at the commencement of the meeting. Whether members wish to stand for the Lord Provost is left to personal choice.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Macpherson, Dick and Bailies Regan, Wright, Wallace, Scott and Depute Lord Provost Borthwick (14); and for the amendment - Lord Provost Letford, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Ross and Bailie Sawers (14) - whereupon there being an parity of votes, the Lord Provost gave his casting vote in favour of the amendment.

III NHS TAYSIDE BOARD

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of the City Council of 30th March, 2009, wherein Councillor Barrie was nominated to serve on the above.

It was reported that Councillor Barrie had declined to be the Council's representative and therefore instructions were requested on the filling of this vacancy.

Councillor Will Dawson, seconded by Councillor Fordyce, moved that Councillor Lynn be appointed.

As an amendment, Councillor McCready, seconded by Councillor Keenan, moved that Councillor Guild be appointed.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Lord Provost Letford, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Ross, Bailie Sawers and Depute Lord Provost Borthwick (15); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Macpherson, Dick, Bailies Regan, Wright, Wallace and Scott (13) ‑ whereupon the motion was declared carried and Councillor Lynn was appointed.

IV JOINT ARRANGEMENTS - MEMBERSHIP

Reference was made to Article VI of the minute of meeting of the City Council of 30th March, 2009, wherein the Council approved the SNP membership on the undernoted bodies and the allocation to opposition groups.

It was reported that the undernoted opposition members had been appointed.

Tay Road Bridge Joint Board - Councillors Asif, Ferguson and Bailie Wallace

Tayside Contracts Joint Committee - Bailie Regan, Councillor Ferguson and Bailie Wallace

Tayside Fire and Rescue Board - Bailie Wright, Councillor McCready and Bailie Wallace

Tayside Joint Police Board - Bailie Regan, Bailie Wright and Bailie Wallace

Tayside Valuation Joint Board - Bailie Regan, Councillor Ferguson and Bailie Wallace

Councillor Wallace, seconded by Councillor Macpherson, moved that the appointments listed be noted and that substitutes for members of Opposition Groups be made from any Opposition Group.

As an amendment, Councillor Guild, seconded by Councillor Duncan, moved that in the event of members of the City Council being unable to attend, substitutes may only be made from the appointed members' own political group and in the event of members being unable to find substitutes from their own political group, the places will be filled by members of this Council's Administration.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Macpherson, Dick, Bailies Regan, Wright, Wallace, Scott and Depute Lord Provost Borthwick (14); and for the amendment - Lord Provost Letford, Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Ross and Bailie Sawers (14) - whereupon there being an parity of votes, the Lord Provost gave his casting vote in favour of the amendment.

The Lord Provost agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter or urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

V AUNG SAN SUU KYI

Councillor Macpherson declared a non-financial interest in this matter by virtue of being a member of Amnesty International.

After hearing Mr Chris Reid from Amnesty International and Mr Iain Luke from Burma Campaign relative to the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon for allegedly breaking the terms of her house arrest, the Council agreed to continue to support the campaign for her release from house arrest to enable her to take part in elections and to restore democracy to Burma.

Lord Provost John R LETFORD, Convener.