Environment Committee - 23/04/2012

At a MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd April, 2012.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Bob DUNCAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th February, 2012 was held as read.

Items marked thus * stand delegated.

I TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 132-2012 by the City Engineer detailing tenders received for Riverside Landfill Gas Management - North East Corner in respect of the provision of a monitoring trench at the North East Boundary of Riverside Landfill Site to manage and monitor landfill gas in compliance with the Riverside closure and aftercare plan as agreed with SEPA.

The Committee agreed that as part of a partnership project approved by the Chief Executive, the following offer be accepted from Dundee City Council, Environment Department, Construction Division, in the sum of 85,355, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 5,000 for contingencies, and 6,500 for professional fees, giving a total expenditure of 96,855.

II HOWFF GRAVEYARD - WALL REMEDIAL WORKS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN61-2012 advising the Committee that, following an inspection of the Barrack Street high level boundary wall to the Howff Graveyard, the City Engineer had recommended various remedial works to improve the long-term condition of the wall and to deal with some immediate safety concerns. The remedial works would comprise:-

- Taking down and rebuilding the gate pillar at entrance, including the provision of a new system to stabilise pillar by tying into existing wall;

- Removal of vegetation from sections of walls; and

- Removal and replacement of loose stone and repainting of walls utilising the appropriate materials.

The wall was Class A listed and advice from the Council's conservation officer had been obtained in the specification of the works.

III ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT - CONTINUATION OF THE SCAMBUSTER TEAM 2012/2013

There was submitted Agenda Note AN62-2012, whereby reference was made to Committee Reports 287-2008 and 59-2009 which outlined the arrangements for staff in the national Scambuster Team, currently located within the Trading Standards section of the Environment Department. These staff provided a cross boundary enforcement service that supplemented mainstream local authority Trading Standards services, in particular to tackle national scams, frauds and other criminal activities. There was no cost to Dundee City Council for these staff, however, the administration of the associated budget was being transferred from the Department of Business Innovation and Skills to COSLA from April, 2012.

COSLA were also to carry out a review of how best to deliver services such as national rogue traders, scambusters and illegal money lending. The results of this review were expected to be reported towards the end of 2012.

Members noted the continued operation in 2012/2013 of the Scambusters Team within the Environment Department at no cost to the Council. The outcome of the review would be reported once concluded.

Bob DUNCAN, Convener.