Policy And Resources Committee - 10/12/2012

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th December, 2012.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost Bob DUNCAN

 

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

 

BAILIES

 

Willie SAWERS

Helen WRIGHT

Derek J SCOTT

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Ken GUILD

Ken LYNN

Laurie BIDWELL

John ALEXANDER

Vari McDONALD

Lesley BRENNAN

Jimmy BLACK

Craig MELVILLE

Georgia CRUICKSHANK

David BOWES

Gregor MURRAY

Tom FERGUSON

Bill CAMPBELL

Alan G ROSS

Brian GORDON

Kevin CORDELL

Kevin KEENAN

Richard McCREADY

Will DAWSON

Mohammed ASIF

Norma McGOVERN

Stewart HUNTER

 

Fraser MACPHERSON

 

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th November, 2012 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

II REVENUE MONITORING

 

There was submitted Report No 473-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2012/2013 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st October, 2012 monitored against the adjusted 2012/2013 Revenue Budget.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2012/2013 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st October, 2012 showed an overspend of 1,100,000 against the adjusted 2012/2013 Revenue Budget;

 

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st October, 2012 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2012/2013 Revenue Budget;

 

(iii) instructed the Director of Corporate Services to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2012/2013 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

 

(iv) instructed the Director of Corporate Services, in conjunction with all Chief Officers of the Council, to continue to monitor the Council's 2012/2013 Projected Revenue Outturn.

 

III CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING

 

There was submitted Report No 457-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Expenditure Programme for 2012/2013.

 

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

IV DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND

 

There was submitted Report No 479-2012 by the Chief Executive relative to the above. The Committee approved the funding process and the proposals contained in Section 5.2 of the report appended hereto (Appendix I).

 

V WELFARE REFORM

 

There was submitted Report No 438-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services updating members of the work being undertaken by the Council to mitigate the risks and prepare individuals for the Welfare Reform changes.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the update on the work streams which had been identified to assist in preparing for the Welfare Reform changes;

 

(ii) noted the progress which was underway in communicating the changes to claimants and landlords;

 

(iii) noted that quarterly updates would be provided to this Committee on the progress of the Welfare Reform Group for the next 12 months and thereafter reviewed;

 

(iv) noted the implications in terms of increased debt, potential homelessness and demand for advice service from various departments; and

 

(v) noted that a seminar would be arranged in the new year for elected members on Welfare Reform.

 

VI ENERGY MANAGEMENT POLICY 2012/2020

 

Reference was made to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee on 27th April, 2009, wherein the Committee approved the Carbon Management Plan which was designed to deliver the Council's commitment to carbon management and its plans to play a significant part in achieving the national objective of developing a low-carbon economy.

 

After considering Report No 470-2012 by the Director of City Development, the Committee approved the revised Energy Management Policy appended thereto.

 

VII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL ACCOUNTS 2011/2012

 

(a) AUDITED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

 

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 464-2012).

 

(b) EXTERNAL AUDITOR'S REPORT

 

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 465-2012).

 

(c) EXTERNAL AUDITOR'S REPORT - RESPONSE FROM DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

 

There was submitted Report No 466-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services in response to the report by the Council's External Auditor on the audit of Dundee City Council for the year to 31st March, 2012.

 

The Committee endorsed the report as this Council's formal response to the External Auditor's report and noted the completed Action Plan appended to the report.

 

VIII TAYSIDE SUPERANNUATION FUNDS 2011/2012

 

(a) AUDITED STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE TAYSIDE SUPERANNUATION FUNDS

 

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 480-2012).

 

(b) EXTERNAL AUDITOR'S ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT

 

The above report was submitted and noted (Report No 481-2012).

 

(c) TAYSIDE SUPERANNUATION FUNDS 2011/2012 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT

 

There was submitted Report No 482-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services in response to the report by the Council's External Auditor on the audit of Tayside Superannuation Funds for the year to 31st March, 2012.

 

The Committee noted the contents of the External Auditor's Annual Audit Report and, in particular, that KPMG LLP had issued an unqualified audit opinion.

 

IX COMMON GOOD FUND

 

There was submitted Report No 388-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services providing details of the Council's Common Good Fund Revenue Budget for 2012/2013 and making recommendations regarding the distribution of funds for the financial year.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) approved the Common Good Fund 2012/2013 Revenue Budget as detailed in Appendix A of the report; and

 

(ii) agreed the following funding proposals from the Common Good Fund for 2012/2013:-

 

Tay Sail Training Association

20,000

Winter Nights at the Zoo

20,000

Unicorn Preservation Trust

10,000

 

In addition, the Committee agreed that the Dundee Food Bank be given funding of 25,000 from the Common Good Fund for 2012/2013.

 

X REPLACEMENT OF CIVIC CARS

 

On a reference to Article XV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th November, 2012 and after considering Agenda Note AN211-2012, Councillor Guild, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved that the Council enter into a three year lease arrangement on the undernoted basis:-

 

TS1

Jaguar XF 2.2

6,439.68 per annum

Civic Car

VW Caravelle 2.0

6,223.56 per annum

 

As an amendment, Bailie Scott, seconded by Councillor Macpherson, moved approval of the undernoted:-

 

(i) Replace TS1 with the Jaguar XF 2.2 (3 year lease);

 

(ii) No replacement for the civic car. The lease on the Volvo S80 to be terminated at the end of the current monthly lease period.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Melville, Murray, Ross, Bailie Sawers, Lord Provost Duncan and Depute Lord Provost Roberts (16); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern, Macpherson, Bailies Wright and Scott (11) - Councillor Asif being absent when the vote was taken - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

As a further amendment, Councillor Bidwell, seconded by Councillor Keenan, moved:-

 

Effective from the use of the replacement civic cars, the usage of each of these vehicles will be recorded. A mileage equivalent rate will be added to the published expenses of elected members who have been passengers. This will not however apply to the use of these vehicles by the Lord Provost and her/his Deputes undertaking official Council duties.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Melville, Murray, Ross, Macpherson, Bailies Sawers, Scott, Lord Provost Duncan and Depute Lord Provost Roberts (18); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern and Bailie Wright (9) - Councillor Asif being absent when the vote was taken - whereupon the motion was declared carried and became the finding of the meeting.

 

The Convener agreed that Article XI be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

 

XI REMPLOY

 

After considering Agenda Note AN212-2012, the Committee noted, with extreme concern, the decision announced on 6th December to close the Remploy factory in Dundee.

 

The Committee agreed to set up an Action Group to be chaired by the Lord Provost in response to this announcement. Elected members from the City Council (2 Administration, 2 Labour, 1 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat, 1 Independent), the City's two MPs, the City's two MSPs, the North East List MSPs, a representative of Remploy Management and a representative of Remploy staff be invited to join the Action Group and the first meeting of the Action Group would take place as soon as possible.

 

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 item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

XII RELIEF OF NON-DOMESTIC RATES ON THE GROUNDS OF HARDSHIP (HARDSHIP RELIEF)

 

There was submitted Report No 467-2012 by the Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

 

The Committee approved the recommendation detailed therein.

 

 

 

 

Ken GUILD, Convener.

 

APPENDIX

 

Applicant

Description of Project

Forum Decision Amount

 

Environment Department

To enable improvements to the area between Kincaldrum Place and St Salvador's Church. Tree beds will be cleared of dead trees and replanted and the area grassed over. Six vandalised park benches will also be replaced with more durable metal benches.

 

3,816

50+ Elderly and Disabled Group

To contribute towards entertainment and travel cost for a Christmas event for 28 group members, many of whom have limited mobility.

 

325

Joan Bartlett House

To contribute towards two festive season events for 45 older residents in supported accommodation.

 

310

DEAP Ltd

To buy and install a new kitchen to enhance existing healthy living sessions within the Next Steps project. The project works with approximately 40 young people per year.

 

6,284

Friends of Stobsmuir Ponds

To purchase and install a new notice board plus a contribution towards the cost of a new bench for Stobsmuir Ponds.

 

1,959

City Development

To demolish a disused store building on Langlands Street and clear the derelict land to provide a safer and more attractive route to Albert Street.

 

18,000

Environment Department

To fund a programme of tree planting in Whitfield, which will develop 1.5 hectares of green space. Fifty trees will also be transplanted from an area marked for future housing development to other green space in Whitfield.

 

8,661

Environment Department

To contribute towards development of a community play space on the Whitfield Green. This will incorporate seating, a football pitch, a BMX ramp and some play equipment.

 

27,000