Environment Committee - 11/02/2013

At a MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 11th February, 2013.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Craig MELVILLE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th January 2013 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 19-2013 by City Engineer detailing a tender received in respect of Birkhill Cemetery Nordlea Extension - Phase 1A and 1B.

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Tayside Contracts in the sum of 241,846.24, to which required to be added allowances of 30,153.76 for contingencies, 150,000 for four public utilities, 58,000 for professional fees and 2,000 for CDM Co-ordinator, giving a total expenditure of 482,000.

III AIR QUALITY MONITORING UPDATE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN15-2013 advising the Committee that Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 places a statutory requirement on local authorities to monitor and manage air quality within their areas. The initial scope of Dundee City Council's air quality monitoring and action management strategy was set out in its Air Quality Management Area Order (Committee Report 108/2006 - Environment Committee 20th February, 2006 refers). An annual update and progress report were provided within the 2012 Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment and Air Quality Action Plan progress report, copies of these documents had been provided to the Leader of the Labour Group, Bailie Borthwick, Bailie Scott and Councillor Macpherson. These reports had been submitted to the Scottish Government and SEPA as statutory consultees and both had confirmed their agreement to their contents.

Actions arising from the above would include:-

- Continuing with the work of the Council's Corporate Air Quality Steering Group to allow a joint approach in providing air quality improvements via road infrastructure alterations, the use of green fleet and implementation of staff travel plans;

- Further detailed air quality monitoring where air quality breaches have occurred, including the north-west arterial corridor and Seagate; and

- Varying the monitoring requirements of the existing AQMA Order to include the hourly mean objective for nitrogen dioxide to allow more detailed information to be gathered.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the agenda note and approve the variation to the AQMA Order to incorporate reference to recording hourly mean information.

IV ASH DIEBACK

There was submitted Agenda Note AN16-2013 advising the Committee that ash dieback was found in the UK in 2012. Following a rapid survey, 291 cases had been identified across the country with 26 cases found in Scotland. The disease, Chalara fraxinea, had been confirmed in nurseries, new plantings and on well established trees. Although no cases had been found in Dundee yet, there was evidence of infection in newly planted woodland in Angus and Fife. With the proximity of infections, it would be likely that C. fraxinea would be found in Dundee over the coming year.

At the end of October, 2012, the UK Government imposed an import and movement ban on Ash Trees throughout the UK. It had been practice for many years for the Council to use locally sourced Ash trees, which had avoided cases of infection thus far. Although the disease was known to affect all Ash trees, it is anticipated the disease would affect young trees in the short-term.

The UK Government published a C. Fraxinea control plan in December, 2012. Forestry Commission Scotland are to produce an action plan, developed within the framework of the UK plan, later in the year, possibly April. The situation would continue to be monitored within the city and once the Forestry Commission Action Plan is received, a report on the implications for Dundee City Council would be brought back to committee. Committee is asked to note the contents of this report.

V RENAMING OF CAIRD PARK STADIUM

There was submitted Agenda Note AN17-2013 advising the Committee of the sad passing of Ronnie McIntosh. Ronnie inspired generations of youngsters in Dundee to get involved with sport and was a strong advocate for improved sports facilities in the city. He was a life member of Hawkhill Harriers serving for many years on their management committee and played a major role in organising numerous events for the club. Ronnie also sat on the Management Committee of Dundee City Disability Sports.

Despite undergoing a kidney transplant and losing both legs and being fitted with prosthetic replacements, his indomitable spirit ensured that his infectious enthusiasm and dedication to the sport of athletics continued unabated. In 2011, he won the Disabled Athlete of the Year Award at the Sunday Mail and sportscotland Sports Awards and, in 2012, he proudly received the honour of being invited to carry the Olympic Torch through part of the city in recognition of his contribution to sport.

In addition to his contribution to athletics, Ronnie worked tirelessly for charity raising thousands of pounds and acting as a strong advocate for organ donation.

In recognition of his achievements and outstanding contribution to athletics in the city, it is proposed that the Caird Park Stadium is renamed The Ronnie McIntosh Athletics Stadium.

The Committee approved the proposals accordingly.

Craig MELVILLE, Convener.