City Development Committee - 07/12/2009

At a MEETING of the CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 7th December, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Will DAWSON, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ALLOCATION OF SCOTTISH CIVIL SERVICE JOBS TO DUNDEE

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th August, 2009, there was submitted Report No 494-2009 by the Director of City Development relative to the allocation of Scottish Civil Service jobs to Dundee.

The Committee noted the contents of the report and remitted to the Chief Executive to write to the two constituency members for the Scottish Parliament Dundee constituencies and to all regional Scottish Parliament members for North East Scotland, highlighting the City Council's desire to see the relocation of, and a greater allocation of, Scottish Civil Service posts to the City and seeking their support for this.

II UNIT RATE CONTRACT FOR GEOCHEMICAL SAMPLING, ON-SITE TESTING AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS IN RELATION TO GROUNDINVESTIGATIONS - DECEMBER 2009 - MARCH 2012

There was submitted Agenda Note AN242-2009, making reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on 24th August, 2009, whereby the use of the Ground Investigation Unit Rate Contract was approved, and to Article II of the Environmental and Consumer Protection Committee on 17th September, 2001, whereby the strategy for contaminated land was agreed.

It was reported that as part of this strategy the City Engineer had recommended that a Unit Rate Contract be utilised to obtain rates from a number of specialist contractors experienced in contaminated land site investigation and tenders for the Unit Rate Contract for Geochemical Sampling, On-Site Geochemical Testing and Laboratory Geochemical Analysis in relation to Ground Investigations for the period December 2009 to March 2012 had been submitted by the undernoted specialist service providers.

-          Derwentside Environmental Testing Services Ltd, Consett, Co Durham

-          Envirolab, Sandpits Business Park, Mottram Road, Hyde

-          Scientific Analysis Laboratories, East Kilbride, Glasgow

-          Terra Tek Ltd, Moor Lane, Wilton, Wilton, Birmingham

The Committee authorised the use of the most favourable tender on a project by project basis for any future geochemical sampling, testing and laboratory analysis work in relation to ground investigations.

III PROPOSED AMENDMENT REGULATIONS TO THE TRAFFIC SIGNS REGULATIONS AND GENERAL DIRECTIONS 2002

There was submitted Agenda Note AN243-2009 advising that the Department for Transport had published a consultation document on proposed amendment regulations to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 designed primarily to reduce the number of traffic signs needing special authorisation, by prescribing signs that had come into common use since the current regulations came into force in 2003. There were also regulations for the use of portable pedestrian crossing equipment at roadworks and other locations. The regulations had also required updates as several British Standards had been superseded.

It was reported that the Director of City Development was generally satisfied with the proposed changes and particularly welcomed that Direction 41 allowed the use of self-righting bollards and had responded accordingly to the Department for Transport.

The Committee noted the above.

IV DEVELOPMENT WEST OF BERWICK DRIVE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN244-2009 requesting Committee approval to change the street name of "The Junipers" which was originally approved by Committee on 12th January, 2009, to "Inveresk Gardens", in order to allow the continuation of the existing "castle" theme in the area west of Berwick Drive.

The Committee approved accordingly.

V TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN245-2009 relative to the undernoted Tree Preservation Orders.

(a) 07/2009 - GROUND AT REDHOLME, GARDYNE ROAD, BROUGHTY FERRY, DUNDEE

It was reported that on 17th September, 2009, the Council had made a provisional Tree Preservation Order on the above mentioned site, in order to protect the trees from future development of the site and to protect the arboreal amenity of the area.

No objections had been received to this Tree Preservation Order.

(b) 06/2009 - GROUND AT NORTH GRANGE FARM, ARBROATH ROAD, DUNDEE

It was reported that on 17th September, 2009, the Council had made a provisional Tree Preservation Order on the above mentioned site, in order to protect the trees from future development of the site and to protect the arboreal amenity of the area.

No objections had been received to this Tree Preservation Order.

(c) 05/2009 - 45 SEAFIELD ROAD, BROUGHTY FERRY

This item was withdrawn.

The Committee authorised the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) and the Director of City Development to undertake the necessary procedures and confirm the Tree Preservation Orders detailed at (a) and (b) above.

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.

VI COMMERCIAL LEASES

There was submitted and noted Report No 530-2009 by the Director of City Development, giving details of commercial leases in respect of the undernoted premises:-

Office C, Market Mews

67 Hilltown

65 Hilltown

VII RENT REVIEWS

There was submitted and noted Report No 531-2009 by the Director of City Development, giving details of rent reviews in respect of the undernoted properties:-

16 West Port

100 Caldrum Street

Unit 5, Miln Street

8 Crichton Street

VIII PROPOSED SALE OF GROUND AT MIDMILL ROAD

There was submitted Report No 532-2009 by the Director of City Development, seeking approval for the sale of ground at Midmill Road.

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

IX PROPOSED SALE OF GROUND AT BRIDGEND STREET

There was submitted Report No 533-2009 by the Director of City Development, seeking approval for the sale of ground at Bridgend Street.

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

X PROPOSED SALE OF LAND AT 9-13 DURA STREET AND 53 ERSKINE STREET

There was submitted Report No 561-2009 by the Director of City Development, seeking approval for the sale of ground at 9-13 Dura Street/53 Erskine Street.

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

XI ASSIGNATION OF UNIT 1, 266-278 BROOK STREET, BROUGHTY FERRY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN246-2009 relative to a request for an assignation of lease in respect of premises at 266-278 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry.

It was reported that after consultation with the Convener and the Opposition Spokespersons, the assignation and variation of the above lease was approved, on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

The Committee noted accordingly.

XII SALE OF GARDEN GROUND ADJACENT TO MID COTTAGE, DRUMSTURDY ROAD

There was submitted Agenda Note AN247-2009, advising that agreement had been reached to sell an area of ground adjacent to Mid Cottage, Drumsturdy Road on terms and conditions detailed in the note.

The Committee noted that this matter had been previously approved as an urgent matter after consultation with the Convener and Opposition Spokespersons.

XIII ACQUISITION OF 31 WELLINGTON SQUARE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN248-2009, making reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee held on 18th October, 2004, wherein the Committee agreed that a number of residential properties be demolished, and remitted to the Director of City Development to enter repurchasing negotiations with the respective owners.

It was reported that after advice received from the District Valuer and after consultation with the Convener and the Opposition Spokespersons, the purchase of the heritable interest of 31 Wellington Square, on the terms and conditions detailed in the note, was approved.

The Committee noted accordingly.

XIV GROUND AT ORLEANS PLACE SHOPPING CENTRE, MENZIESHILL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN249-2009, making reference to Article XVI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th August, 2009, wherein the Committee approved the assignation of the sub-lease of Unit 4, Orleans Place Shopping Centre.

It was reported that a further request had been received for permission to assign the sub-lease of Unit 4.

It was reported for the information of members that, after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons for the other Groups, the foregoing was approved on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

The Committee noted accordingly.

Will DAWSON, Convener.