City Development Committee - 28/09/2009

At a MEETING of the CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 28th September, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Will DAWSON, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th August, 2009 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

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

There was submitted Report No 393-2009 by the Director of City Development and the Director of Housing 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:-

(a) note the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Study; and

(b) agree that the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Study be considered as one of the sources of data to inform the preparation of the Strategic and Local Development Plans and the Local Housing Strategy including the Strategic Housing Investment Plan.

II DISABLED PERSONS PARKING PLACES (SCOTLAND) ACT 2009

There was submitted Report No 443-2009 by the Director of City Development advising the Committee of the new Act and the duties imposed upon local authorities to promote proper use of parking spaces that were designated or provided for use only by disabled persons' vehicles by the promotion of orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to make them enforceable.

The Committee agreed to note the procedures and timescales defined within the Act for the undernoted duties which would identify necessary disabled street parking places and disabled off-street parking places with the aim of changing their status from advisory to enforceable:-

(a) the initial duties of the Council and the procedures for dealing with requests from qualifying persons with regard to the making of a disabled street parking order in respect of a street parking space;

(b) the initial duties of the Council with regard to disabled off-street parking orders;

(c) the procedures in relation to the making of orders in relation to disabled off-street parking spaces within public parking provision associated with new development;

(d) the ongoing duties with regard to disabled off-street parking orders;

(e) the duty to keep under review the continuing provision of each disabled street parking space which is the subject of an order; and

(f) the requirement to prepare and publish an annual report on the performance of the Council in relation to parking places for disabled persons' vehicles, a copy of which would be sent to the Scottish Ministers.

III CYCLING ACTION PLAN FOR SCOTLAND (CAPS)

There was submitted Report No 440-2009 by the Director of City Development outlining the purpose, content and proposals contained within the Scottish Government's 'Cycling Action Plan for Scotland' and Dundee City Council's response thereto.

The Committee agreed to note the purpose, content and proposals contained within the consultation and endorsed Dundee City Council's response as contained within Appendix 1 to the report.

IV WINTER MAINTENANCE POLICY AND LEVEL OF SERVICE 2009/2010

There was submitted Agenda Note AN198-2009, making reference to Article III of the Planning and Transport Committee of 11th September, 2006, whereby the policy and level of service for winter 2006/2007 was approved. It was reported that the same policy and level of service was approved in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009.

The Committee agreed that the same policy and level of service be adopted for 2009/2010.

V PROPOSED NEW STREET NAME

There was submitted Agenda Note AN199-2009 detailing the undernoted proposed new street name:-

The Committee approved accordingly.

VI TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION FUND - LOCHEE - APPROVAL OF PROJECTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN200-2009, making reference to Article XII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th August, 2009, wherein the Committee authorised the Chief Executive in consultation with the Convener, Opposition Spokespersons and Lochee Ward Elected Members to approve the final list of projects to be met from the 2m Town Centre Regeneration Fund grant awarded for Lochee.

It was reported that the Chief Executive (Designate) had approved the list of policy projects in consultation with members, and the Director of City Development would now proceed to expedite the implementation of these projects to ensure that the 2m expenditure is incurred before the Scottish Government deadline of 31st March, 2010.

The Committee noted accordingly.

VII ROAD HUMPS (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 1998 - HIGH STREET, LOCHEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN201-2009, making reference to the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th June, 2009, wherein the Committee approved the introduction of traffic calming and speed tables in High Street, Lochee as a key element to the regeneration of the High Street and the successful Town Centre Regeneration Fund bid.

It was reported that during the statutory consultation and public notice period, nine comments/letters of objection plus one petition had been received. The petition, plus four letters of objection, were in respect of the proposed direction of the one-way traffic flow and were therefore not relevant to the introduction of traffic calming and speed tables.

The Committee therefore authorised the scheme for the introduction of traffic calming and speed tables in High Street, Lochee.

VIII ONE WAY TRAFFIC ORDER AND WAITING RESTRICTIONS FOR LOCHEE HIGH STREET

There was submitted Agenda Note AN202-2009, making reference to Article II of the meeting of this Committee of 8th June, 2009, wherein it was resolved to promote a Traffic Order to secure one-way traffic northwards in Lochee High Street as a medium-term measure until the recreation of "Bank Street".

It was reported that following this, concerns were expressed by traders in Lochee High Street regarding the direction of one-way traffic proposed. As a result, further consideration had been given to the preferred direction of one-way traffic in Lochee High Street, including the extent and cost of physical works at junctions to facilitate one-way flow in either direction. These investigations had concluded that whilst the location and nature of works differed depending on the option chosen, there was no significant difference in cost.

Given the clear strength of feeling amongst traders that one-way flow from a north to south direction was preferred, it was recommended that a Traffic Order be promoted to implement this.

The Committee noted the implications of this proposal and agreed that the relevant Traffic Regulation Order be varied to effect these changes.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 427-2009 by the City Engineer detailing tenders received in respect of the demolition of St Saviour's School.

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Dem-Master Demolition, in the sum of 182,880.62, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 125,730.38, giving a total of 308,611.

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

X TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 468-2009 by the City Engineer detailing an offer from Tayside Contracts as part of a Partnering Project in respect of Lochee High Street Environmental Improvements, in the sum of 1,395,330.

The Committee approved acceptance of this offer, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 204,670, giving a total of 1,600,000.

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.

XI COMMERCIAL LEASES

There was submitted and noted Report No 449-2009 by the Director of City Development detailing commercial leases in respect of the undernoted premises:-

60 Dura Street

Unit 6 Alexander Street

Ground at Balgarthno Terrace

Units D and J, 207 Strathmartine Road

Unit 8 Miln Street

0.01 Ha at Monymusk Park

1.558 Ha at Old Craigie Road

135 Kingsway East

XII RENT REVIEWS

There was submitted and noted Report No 4502-009 by the Director of City Development detailing rent reviews in respect of the undernoted premises:-

24 to 26 Victoria Street

3 Teviotdale Avenue

10 West Port

XIII PROPOSED GRANTING OF DEED OF SERVITUDE AT McKINNON CENTRE, BROOK STREET, BROUGHTY FERRY

There was submitted Report No 451-2009 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for a Deed of Servitude over the access road at the McKinnon Centre, Brook Street, Broughty Ferry.

The Committee approved the request on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

XIV SALE OF LAND AT ABERLADY CRESCENT

There was submitted Report No 471-2009 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for the sale of a site extending to 5.34 hectares or thereby at Aberlady Crescent, Whitfield.

The Committee approved the proposed sale of the site on the terns and conditions detailed in the report.

XV 78 DURA STREET, DUNDEE - TRIDENT (E) LTD

There was submitted Agenda Note AN203-2009, making reference to Article VI of the minute of meeting of the Economic Development Committee of 22nd September, 2008, wherein the Committee approved the tenancy of 78 Dura Street, Dundee on terms and conditions reported therein.

It was reported that due to unforeseen problems restricting the tenant's use of the property provisional agreement had been reached for a change to the rental agreement.

The Committee approved accordingly.

XVI DOVETAIL ENTERPRISES, DUNSINANE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN204-2009 advising that a site extending to 4.6 acres at Dunsinane Avenue, Dundee had been sold to Dovetail Enterprises Ltd by way of a Feu Contract which required that it (and the buildings erected on it) be used to provide employment, industrial training and assessment for blind and partially sighted persons, blind disabled and disabled ex-servicemen and women and other disabled persons by the establishment and maintenance of workshops, factories and training and assessment centres.

It was reported that Dovetail Enterprises Ltd had requested that permission be granted to allow a lease of part of the premises.

The Committee noted that after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons for the other groups the Director of City Development had approved this request on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

XVII BHARATIYA ASHRAM, DUDHOPE ARTS CENTRE, ST MARYS PLACE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN205-2009, making reference to Article XI of the meeting of the Leisure and Arts Services Committee of 21st March, 2005 and Article VI of the meeting of the City Development Committee held on 1st July, 2009.

It was reported for the information of the Committee that the Director of City Development had approved a change to the rental agreement after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons for the other groups.

XVIII RENEWAL OF TENANCY - GROUND TO EAST OF BALFIELD ROAD, EXTENDING TO 1.558 HA KNOWN AS GLENESK PARK

There was submitted Agenda Note AN206-2009 advising that the current lease of the ground extending to 1.558 ha known as Glenesk Park was due to expire on 27th November, 2009, and agreement had been reached with the tenant for a lease renewal on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

The Committee noted that after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons for the other groups the Director of City Development had approved the foregoing.

XIX ASSIGNATION OF LEASES: 24 ST GILES TERRACE AND 14-16 ST GILES TERRACE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN207-2009 advising the Committee of a request received for consent to exchange premises in respect of the above by way of assignation of the respective leases.

It was reported that after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons for the other groups the Director of City Development had approved the foregoing.

The Committee noted accordingly.

Will DAWSON, Convener.