Policy And Resources Committee - 11/01/2010

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 11th January, 2010.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

 

 

 

Depute Lord Provost Ian BORTHWICK

 

 

 

BAILIES

 

Willie SAWERS

Helen WRIGHT

Roderick A J WALLACE

George REGAN

 

Derek J SCOTT

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Ken GUILD

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Mohammed ASIF

Jim BARRIE

Stewart HUNTER

Laurie BIDWELL

Jimmy BLACK

Ken LYNN

Tom FERGUSON

David BOWES

Craig MELVILLE

Brian GORDON

Andrew DAWSON

Christina ROBERTS

Richard McCREADY

Will DAWSON

Alan G ROSS

Donald HAY

Bob DUNCAN

Kevin KEENAN

Fraser MACPHERSON

 

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 7th December, 2009 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I MINUTE - IMPROVEMENT AND EFFICIENCY SUB-COMMITTEE - 17TH DECEMBER, 2009

 

The minute of meeting of the above Sub-Committee, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted for information and record purposes (Appendix).

 

II REVENUE MONITORING

 

There was submitted Report No 10-2010 by the Director of Finance providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2009/2010 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 30th November, 2009 monitored against the adjusted 2009/2010 Revenue Budget.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2009/2010 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 30th November, 2009 showed an overspend of 220,000 against the adjusted 2009/2010 Revenue Budget;

 

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 30th November, 2009 was projecting an underspend of 113,000 against the adjusted HRA 2009/2010 Revenue Budget;

 

(iii) instructed the Director of Finance to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2009/2010 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

 

(iv) instructed the Director of Finance in conjunction with all Chief Officers of the Council to continue to monitor the Council's 2009/2010 Projected Revenue Outturn.

 

III CAPITAL MONITORING 2009/2010

 

There was submitted Report No 5-2010 by the Director of Finance appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Expenditure Programme for 2009/2010.

 

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

IV FAIRER SCOTLAND FUND TRANSITION TO MAINSTREAM - BUDGETS FOR 2010/2011 TO 2012/2013

 

Councillors Duncan, Hunter, Ross, McCready and Bailie Wallace declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of being Council representatives on Dundee Leisure (Passport to Swimming).

 

Councillor Roberts declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of being a member of the Dighty Environmental Group and her husband was a driver for the group on a voluntary basis.

 

Councillor Lynn declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of being a member of the Discovery Credit Union.

 

Councillor Black and Councillor Asif declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of being Council representatives on Grey Lodge (Hilltown Childcare Initiative).

 

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 7th December, 2009, there was submitted Report No 19-2010 by the Assistant Chief Executive identifying budgets for the ongoing programme of projects to be funded through mainstreamed Fairer Scotland Fund resources and the required savings.

 

Councillor Guild, seconded by Councillor Duncan, moved that the Committee endorse the Dundee Partnership recommendations contained in Appendix I subject to the appeal process described in paragraph 4.3 of the report and that any successful appeals be reported back to Committee for information.

 

As an amendment, Councillor Keenan, seconded by Bailie Regan, moved that the Committee do not endorse the recommendations contained in Appendix I.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts, Ross, Hay, Bailies Sawers, Wallace, Scott and Lord Provost Letford (18); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Macpherson, Bailies Regan, Wright and Depute Lord Provost Borthwick (10) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

V COUNTER-FRAUD REPORT AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2009

 

There was submitted Report No 2-2010 by the Director of Finance informing elected members of the Revenue Division's Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit counter-fraud activity as at 30th September, 2009.

 

The Committee approved the terms of the report.

 

VI COMMUNITY USE OF GROVE ACADEMY AND ST PAULS ACADEMY

 

Councillors Duncan, Hunter, Ross, McCready and Bailie Wallace declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of being Council representatives on Dundee Leisure.

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN10-2010 intimating that a series of meetings had been held with representatives of the Board of Dundee Leisure and the Departments of Education and Leisure and Communities of Dundee City Council. Agreement had been reached under which Dundee Leisure would programme community use of the new leisure facilities at Grove Academy. By the nature of the design of the new Grove, the school did not envisage any conflict of usage or requirements for breaks in the programme of usage proposed by Dundee Leisure.

 

By mutual agreement, the proposed start date for use of the facilities would be April 2010 including the swimming pool and dry facilities with the exception of the dance studios which Dundee Leisure would take possession of from January 2010 to allow a block booking from BERA. The facilities included the pool, fitness suite, large sports hall and the two lesser sports halls or dance studios.

 

An Operational Protocol had been agreed, in principle, between the Education Department and Dundee Leisure. There were ongoing discussions between Dundee Leisure and the Education Department and also Robertsons FM in relation to the specific arrangements for the operation of the facility.

 

The Committee approved the outcome of these negotiations which should result in a significant enhancement in the access for Dundee citizens, particularly in the Broughty Ferry area of the City, to high quality leisure fitness and sports facilities.

 

In addition, it was noted that in terms of the existing arrangements within St Paul's, these were reviewed after the initial six months and were found to be operating satisfactorily.

 

VII V & A PROJECT

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN11-2010 intimating for the information of the Committee that following consultation with the Convener of the Policy and Resources Committee and spokespersons from the Labour Group, Conservative Group and Liberal Democratic Group regarding the company which would take forward the V & A Project, the Chief Executive was authorised to sign the Memorandum and Articles of Association on behalf of the Council in order that the Council could become a member of the of the company along with the other partners in the Project - the University of Dundee, Scottish Enterprise, the University of Abertay, Dundee and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

 

The Committee noted accordingly.

 

VIII EDUCATION CONCORDAT COMMITMENTS ON CLASS SIZES AND FREE SCHOOL MEALS

 

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 10th January, 2010, there was submitted Report No 26-2010 by the Director of Education addressing the Concordat agreements on class sizes and free school meals.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the content of the report;

 

(ii) approved the proposals to ensure progress was made towards achieving a maximum class size of 18 for children in P1 to P3;

 

(iii) approved the proposal to establish breakfast clubs in those primary schools currently without that facility; and

 

(iv) noted that proposals in the report would be submitted to COSLA who had requested this information from all Councils.

 

IX GROVE ACADEMY (CENTENARY BUILDING) SPORTS HALL - COMMUNITY USE

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN14-2010 advising that following discussions with the Education and Leisure and Communities Departments and the Chief Executive, it was proposed that the Sports Hall and associated changing areas now be included within the overall refurbishment project for the former Grove Academy.

 

It was considered desirable to carry out alterations which would facilitate the use of the Sports Hall by Grove Academy for sports periods, special occasions and large events as well as providing use for the community. The works required would allow the use of the building by school and community groups whilst maintaining the integrity and security of the remainder of the building for the other Council client users. The works would include alterations to the existing changing rooms and toilets to provide direct and controlled access. This would require work to the existing doors and security systems to ensure compatibility and interface between the differing security and access needs.

 

The estimated total cost of this work (including professional fees etc) was 80,000 and approval was sought to develop and include this work within the offer currently being negotiated with Dundee Contract Services. This cost would be contained within the draft Capital Plan which was currently being prepared and would be considered by this Committee in February 2010.

 

The Committee approved accordingly.

 

In addition, the Committee noted that the Director of Leisure and Communities would negotiate with the Education Department, Dundee Leisure and other community bodies to agree the use of this facility.

 

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 paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

X EARLY RETIREMENT

 

After considering Agenda Note AN12-2010, the Committee approved the retiral of a teacher (ER10/09) on the grounds of efficiency of the service with effect from 31st March, 2010, in accordance with the Teachers (Compensation for Premature Retirement and Redundancy) (Scotland) Regulations 1996.

 

 

 

 

Ken GUILD, Convener.