City Development Committee - 24/08/2009

At a MEETING of the CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th August, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Will DAWSON, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 1st July, 2009 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ASSESSING HOUSING NEED, DEMAND AND AFFORDABILITY IN THE GREATER DUNDEE AREA

There was submitted Joint Report No 393-2009 by the Director of Housing and Director of City Development, advising the Committee of the findings of the Housing Need, Demand and Affordability in the Greater Dundee Housing Market Area Study carried out by Housing Consultants, Craigforth/Newhaven Research.

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this item.

II ROAD SAFETY PROGRESS REPORT 2009

There was submitted Report No 386-2009 by the Director of City Development advising the Committee of the progress made in reducing road accident casualties in Dundee, and advising that the Scottish Government had established new road safety targets for 2015 and 2020.

The Committee agreed to note:-

(a) the progress made in reducing road accident casualties towards the 2010 national reduction targets; and

(b) that the Scottish Government had set new road safety targets for 2015 and 2020 through its recently published Road Safety Framework "Go Safe on Scotland's Roads - it's Everyone's Responsibility".

III ROAD SAFETY SCHEMES - IMPLEMENTATION 2009/2010

There was submitted Report No 384-2009 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for a programme of road safety measures to be implemented at various locations in the City.

The Committee approved the implementation of the Road Safety Schemes as set out in Appendix A to the report.

IV WINTER LIGHT NIGHT

There was submitted Report No 404-2009 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for a winter light night event on Friday, 27th November, 2009 as part of the One City, Many Discoveries campaign, and as this year's pre-Christmas event.

The Committee agreed:-

(a) to hold a winter light night as this year's pre-Christmas event;

(b) to note that external funding had been applied for to augment this proposal; and

(c) that a report be submitted after the event considering its feasibility for future years.

V HILLSIDE TERRACE, DUNDEE - STOPPING-UP

There was submitted Report No 361-2009 by the Director of City Development considering the necessity to stop-up a short length of Hillside Terrace utilising the powers of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

The Committee approved the preparation of a Stopping-Up Order to stop-up a short length of Hillside Terrace to accommodate a new development following planning consent and utilising the powers of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

VI DUNDEE CENTRAL WATERFRONT - A92 TRADES LANE JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN170-2009 making reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th June, 2009, wherein the City Engineer was authorised to agree an appropriate form of contract and allocation of costs with Transport Scotland/BEAR Scotland Ltd for the reconstruction of Trades Lane Junction as part of a trunk road contract to be procured by Transport Scotland which included road reconstruction work on the trunk road from Trades Lane to Greendykes Road. The Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) was also authorised to agree and enter a Minute of Agreement with Transport Scotland for the delivery and payment of this project.

It was reported that Transport Scotland received competitive tenders on 29th July, 2009 for these works and due to the limited timescales available, approval was given by the Director of City Development, following consultation with the Convener and spokespersons of the other Groups to proceed with the Trades Lane Junction improvement works on the basis of the lowest submitted tender. The estimated total cost of the Trades Lane Junction improvement project based on the lowest submitted competitive tender was 1,376,816.06.

The Committee noted accordingly.

VII PLANNING APPLICATION - CONSULTATION FROM ANGUS COUNCIL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN171-2009 advising that Angus Council had consulted the City Council regarding a planning application received recently in respect of a 127 ha site in agricultural use at Wellbank near Dundee. The application was submitted by Forbes of Kingennie and incorporated proposals for 160 residential plots, an 18 hole golf course, a golf academy, a golf clubhouse and a hotel spa and lodges.

It was reported that the Director of City Development was of the view that the housing element of the planning application in question (160 plots) was of a scale which would have a prejudicial impact on the implementation of the Dundee Western Gateway and that, as a result, was not in conformity with the Dundee and Angus Structure Plan.

The Committee therefore authorised the Director of City Development to submit an objection to Angus Council regarding this planning application on the grounds of its non-conformity with the Structure Plan.

VIII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (VARIATION OF WAITING RESTRICTIONS) ORDER 2009

There was submitted Agenda Note AN172-2009 making reference to Article XIV of the minute of meeting of the Planning and Transport Committee of 8th September, 2008 which authorised the preparation of an Order introducing further measures to vary the provisions of numerous existing Waiting Restrictions Orders affecting Dundee.

It was reported that the proposed Order was duly drafted and during the statutory consultation period, one objection was received from Broughty Ferry Traders' Association. Thereafter, the Order was duly advertised and 21 objections and one petition were received.

Following consultation with the objectors in respect of Lawrence Street, Broughty Ferry, it was recommended that the proposal to convert the existing no daytime waiting to no waiting at any time on the east side of Lawrence Street and the proposed no waiting at any time on the north side of Brook Street be dropped from this Order. It was further recommended that proposals in respect of Dundee Road be deleted from the Order as the road safety implications were minimal.

The Committee agreed to make the Order subject to the above mentioned amendments.

IX POLICY ON ALLOCATION OF DISABLED PARKING BAYS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN173-2009 advising that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Macpherson.

Councillor Macpherson, seconded by Councillor Dick, moved that the Committee instruct the Director of City Development to prepare a report to be considered by this Committee, the report to outline current policy in terms of the allocation of disabled parking bays in terms of qualifying criteria, and to also consider extending the qualifying criteria to persons with Blue Badges where there is no vehicle registered at their address but that it can be shown to the satisfaction of the authority that a non-resident carer regularly assists the Blue Badge holder with car travel and this necessitates parking close to the Blue Badge holder's residence.

As an amendment, the Convener, seconded by Councillor Melville, moved that the Committee not agree to a report until such time as the Director has had further details of the measures contained in the forthcoming Act, whereupon he would bring a report back to Committee.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailies Regan and Wright and Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Macpherson and Dick and Depute Lord Provost Borthwick (11); and for the amendment - the Convener, Bailies Sawers, Wallace and Scott and Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts, Ross and Hay and Lord Provost Letford (18) - whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

X CIVIL SERVICE POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN174-2009 advising that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Macpherson.

The Committee agreed to instruct the Director of City Development to prepare a report on the actions and procedures of his Department during the past five years to press Dundee's case for the allocation of further Scottish Government Civil Service posts to Dundee, including an overview of the success of these actions and procedures in terms of additional posts secured during the period.

XI ROAD MAINTENANCE BACKLOG

There was submitted Agenda Note AN175-2009 advising that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Bailie Scott.

Bailie Scott, seconded by Bailie Regan, moved that the Committee instruct the Director of City Development to prepare a report within two months to update the Committee on the current maintenance backlog for footways and carriageways along with options of measures that could be undertaken locally to improve the situation, and what funding would be required to eradicate the backlog, details of the backlog to be provided to the Scottish Government with a request for additional funding.

As an amendment, the Convener, seconded by Councillor Guild, moved that the Committee not agree to a report at this time as any additional spending on options and measure to eradicate the maintenance backlog would have to come from existing budgets which should be specified at the annual budget meeting.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailies Regan, Wright, Wallace and Scott and Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Macpherson and Dick and Depute Lord Provost Borthwick (14); and for the amendment - the Convener, Bailie Sawers and Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts and Ross and Lord Provost Letford (15) - whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

It was reported that the Convener had agreed that the undernoted item XII be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

XII TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION FUND - LOCHEE - OFFER OF GRANT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN189-2009 advising that officers, in consultation with elected members, had submitted a bid to the Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund, based on the district centre of Lochee and that a grant of 2.0m towards capital investment had been awarded.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the offer of grant;

(ii) remit appropriate officers to bring forward proposals to prioritise projects in line with the reduced offer; and

(iii) in light of the restricted timescales, authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Convener, Opposition spokespersons and ward members, to approve an adjusted list of priorities.

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

XIII COMMERCIAL LEASES

There was submitted Report No 391-2009 by the Director of City Development detailing commercial leases in respect of the undernoted premises:-

Two Timber Huts and Training Compound, Camperdown Park

6 West Port

2 Marybank Lane

Unit 5 Alexander Street

Advance Factory Unit Number 12A Miln Street

Advance Factory Unit Number 9 Miln Street

213 Hilltown

Unit 11 Mid Wynd

85m2 ground adjacent to 4 West Wynd

Unit 4 Slessor Court, Claverhouse

XIV RENT REVIEWS

There was submitted Report No 392-2009 by the Director of City Development detailing rent reviews in respect of the undernoted premises:-

12B/14 Peddie Street

Unit 6 Marybank Lane

17 Dock Street

Floor 7 (Part) City House

13 Shore Terrace

61 Hilltown

XV SITE AT RIVERSIDE DRIVE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN176-2009 making reference to Article XV of the Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee of 20th June, 2005, wherein the Committee approved the lease of a site on Riverside Drive to Riverside Railway Carriage Ltd.

It was reported that Riverside Railway Carriage Ltd had applied for an amendment to the terms of its lease, and the Committee approved this on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

XVI GROUND AT ORLEANS PLACE SHOPPING CENTRE, MENZIESHILL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN177-2009 advising that after consultation with the Convener and spokespersons for the other Groups, the Director of City Development had approved the sub‑lease of Units 4 and 5 in the above Shopping Centre on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

XVII MAINS CASTLE, CAIRD PARK

There was submitted Agenda Note AN178-2009 making reference to Article VIII of the Leisure and Arts Services Committee of 20th November, 2006 and Article IV of the Economic Development Committee of 14th April, 2008.

The Committee approved an arrangement to restructure the rent, on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

XVIII LABORATORY 1, JAMES LINDSAY PLACE, DUNDEE TECHNOPOLE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN179-2009 advising that after consultation with the Convener and spokespersons for the other Groups, the Director of City Development had approved the proposals detailed in the note.

Will DAWSON, Convener.