Environment Committee - 19/08/2013

At a MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th August, 2013.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost Bob DUNCAN

 

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

 

BAILIES

 

Willie SAWERS

Helen WRIGHT

Ian BORTHWICK

 

Derek J SCOTT

 

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Ken GUILD

Stewart HUNTER

Lesley BRENNAN

John ALEXANDER

Ken LYNN

Georgia CRUICKSHANK

Jimmy BLACK

Vari McDONALD

Tom FERGUSON

David BOWES

Craig MELVILLE

Brian GORDON

Bill CAMPBELL

Gregor MURRAY

Richard McCREADY

Kevin CORDELL

Kevin KEENAN

Norma McGOVERN

Will DAWSON

Mohammed ASIF

Fraser MACPHERSON

 

Laurie BIDWELL

 

 

Councillor Craig MELVILLE, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th June, 2013 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

No declarations of interest were made.

 

II SUPPLY OF PLANT AND VEHICLES 2013/2014

 

There was submitted Report No 323-2013 by the Director of Environment seeking approval for the purchase of plant and vehicles as required by the Environment Department, Social Work Department and Leisure and Culture Dundee Trust to maintain operational efficiency.

 

The Committee approved the purchase of the plant and vehicles listed in Appendix 1 to the report, at a total cost of 741,448.

 

III MAGDALEN GREEN PLAY AREA IMPROVEMENTS

 

Councillors McCready and Macpherson declared non-financial interests in this item by virtue of their membership of the Friends of Magdalen Green group.

 

There was submitted Report No 328-2013 by the Director of Environment seeking approval for improvement works identified to Magdalen Green Play Area and the allocation of partial funding for these works.

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

(i) remit the Director to work in partnership with the Friends of Magdalen Green in seeking external funding and progressing play improvements for the Green; and

 

(ii) authorise a contribution of up to 10,000 from Dundee City Council towards the improvement programme.

 

IV CEMETERY HEADSTONE SAFETY

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN87-2013, whereby reference was made to the ongoing problem of dangerous headstones within cemeteries and to the approach taken to make such stones safe including the inspection process, identification of headstone owner and treatment of stones where no owner could be traced. In the past, inspections had been undertaken by Environment Department staff and steps were taken to make the headstones safe temporarily by propping the stones or laying them flat on the ground.

 

It was proposed to continue the successful pilot scheme which was introduced in 2012/2013 which utilised capacity within the Construction Division of the Environment Department to undertake the inspection, testing, recording and making safe of stones up to approximately 1.5m in height. It was intended that, where possible, such headstones would be made safe on a more permanent basis. Any headstones in excess of 1.5m would be referred to the specialist contractor who would be appointed using "Quick Quote" under the Council's E-procurement system.

 

The Committee approved the extension to the pilot utilising resources within the Construction Division of the Environment Department.

 

The Director of Corporate Services advised that the capital improvement works of 60,000 could be met through allowances within the Environment Department's Capital Plan 2013/2014.

 

V STOBSMUIR PARK PLAYGROUND SAFETY FENCING

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN88-2013 advising the Committee that as part of an ongoing programme of improvements to Stobsmuir Park, it was proposed to erect a fence encompassing the play area thus preventing young children from running onto either Pitkerro Road or Stobsmuir Road.

 

It was proposed to refurbish and re-use existing panels of fencing reclaimed from other sites. It was recommended that the proposed improvements be approved and that the Director of Environment be instructed to undertake these works.

 

The Director of Corporate Services advised that the capital improvement works of 17,495 could be met from allowances within the Environment Department's Capital Budget 2013/2014.

 

The Committee approved accordingly.

 

 

 

 

Craig MELVILLE, Convener.