Environment Committee - 14/11/2011

At a MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th November, 2011.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Bob DUNCAN, Convener, in the Chair.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I TRADING OPERATIONS FINANCIAL OPERATIONS STATEMENT AND OPERATION PERFORMANCE FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER,2011

There was submitted Report No 473-2011 by the Directors of Finance and Environment appraising the Committee on the financial position and operational performance of trading operation within the Environment Department for the six months ended 30th September, 2011.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the current financial position and operational performance for trading operations; and

(ii) note that the trading operation should exceed the statutory requirement of break-even for the third year of the current three year rolling period which commenced at the start of financial year 2009/2010.

II ZERO WASTE SCOTLAND - LITTER CAMPAIGN

This item was withdrawn.

III PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS 2011/2012

There was submitted Agenda Note AN181-2011 advising the Committee that proposals to undertake playground improvements at a number of locations had been developed to address existing health and safety concerns and to enhance the amenity of these areas. The proposed measures would also help reduce the long-term future maintenance burden.

The Director of Finance advised that the above costs of 50,000 could be met from allowances for playground improvements within the Environment Department's Capital Budget 2011/2012.

The Committee approved the proposals detailed and authorised the Director of Environment to undertake these works.

IV PUBLIC OPEN SPACE IMPROVEMENTS 2011/2012

Bailie Wallace declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his position as Chair of Aberdour/Abernethy Road Residents' Group.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN176-2011 advising the Committee that proposals to undertake Public Open Space Improvements at a number of locations had been developed to address existing health and safety concerns and to enhance the amenity of these areas. The proposed measures would also help reduce the long-term future maintenance burden.

The Director of Finance advised that the above costs of 50,000 could be met from allowances for Public Open Spaces Improvements within the Environment Department's Capital Budget 2011/2012.

The Committee agreed to approve the proposals detailed and authorised the Director of Environment agreed to undertake these works.

V ADDITIONAL REFUSE DERIVED FUEL FROM ANGUS COUNCIL

Bailie Wallace declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his membership of the 'Good Neighbour' group within the vicinity of DERL.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN177-2011 advising the Committee that during optimum performance at the Dundee Energy Recycling Ltd (DERL) Energy-from-Waste Plant, Dundee City Council was able to direct all its non-recyclable residual waste there as fuel, however, at times, the plant still had a requirement for additional refuse derived fuel (RDF). Angus Council had requested to Dundee City Council to deliver some of their civic amenity waste during such periods. This would be on a trial basis to assess the benefits to all three parties. The material would be processed into RDF at Dundee City Council's Baldovie Plant and would then be provided to DERL.

The associated charges and conditions to each party would be as per the existing waste contract, plus an additional processing fee per tonne to Dundee City Council.

This arrangement would provide Dundee City Council and DERL with an additional income, would provide higher level of fuel-stick during optimum plant running, and would allow Angus Council to further reduce the amount of waste that they sent to landfill.

The Committee approved this arrangement.

Bob DUNCAN, Convener.