Policy And Resources Committee - 10/03/2014
At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th March, 2014.
Present:-
Lord Provost Bob DUNCAN
|
Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS |
BAILIES
Willie SAWERS |
Derek J SCOTT |
|
COUNCILLORS
Ken GUILD |
Stewart HUNTER |
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 |
Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.
The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th February, 2014 was held as read.
Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.
I DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Councillor Black declared a non-financial interest in Article VI by virtue of a family member being employed by Craigowl Communities.
II DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND 2013/2014 AND 2014/2015
There was submitted Report No 120-2014 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.
The Committee approved the funding proposals contained in Section 5.2 of the report appended hereto.
III PROBLEM GAMBLING
There was submitted Report No 52-2014 by the Chief Executive suggesting actions which could be taken to tackle and heighten awareness of the social problems caused by gambling.
The Committee:-
(i) called on the Westminster Government to review the Gambling Act 2005 and return power to local government to allow the location and number of betting offices to be restricted, where appropriate, on grounds of overprovision;
(ii) called on the Westminster Government to introduce greater regulation and restriction of the advertising of all gambling establishments and sites;
(iii) called on the Scottish Government to press its Westminster counterpart to devolve control of location and number of betting offices back to local Councils, and to regulate and restrict advertising of all gambling establishments and sites;
(iv) called on the Scottish Government to review and revise the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997 to designate bookmakers a sui generis use;
(v) authorised and instructed the Chief Executive to implement a block on access to all gambling sites on all staff and publicly accessible Council computers;
(vi) remitted to the Chief Executive to consider and report back at a future date on what action the Council might take to improve the provision of local support for those who were addicted to gambling, or who were adversely affected by problem gambling on the part of a family member; and
(vii) referred the report to Dundee City Licensing Board and invited them to support the above recommendations.
IV REVENUE MONITORING
There was submitted Report No 139-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2013/2014 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st January, 2014 monitored against the adjusted 2013/2014 Revenue Budget.
The Committee:-
(i) noted the overall General Fund 2013/2014 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st January, 2014 was projecting an underspend of 50,000 against the adjusted 2013/2014 Revenue Budget;
(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st January, 2014 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2013/2014 Revenue Budget;
(iii) instructed the Director of Corporate Services to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2013/2014 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 2013/2014 Projected Revenue Outturn.
V CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING
There was submitted Report No 98-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Expenditure Programme for 2013/2014.
The Committee noted the contents of the report.
VI LITERACY DELIVERY PARTNERS 2014/2015
On a reference to Article XVII of the minute of meeting of the Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee of 25th April, 2011, and Article III of the minute of meeting of the Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee of 13th June, 2011, there was submitted Report No 119-2014 by the Director, Leisure and Communities detailing the request for an extension of Service Level Agreements with Dundee College and Craigowl Communities for the delivery of literacy support.
The Committee:-
(i) approved a six month extension of the Service Level Agreement with Craigowl Communities to deliver literacy services focused on employability for the period 1st April, 2014 to 30th September, 2014 at the level of 13,000; and
(ii) approved a six month extension of the Service Level Agreement with Dundee College to deliver literacy services focused on those wishing to progress to college for the period 1st April, 2014 to 30th September, 2014 at the level of 17,500.
VII YOUTH MUSIC INITIATIVE 2
After considering Agenda Note AN123-2014, the Committee agreed that a grant of 8,000 be made towards the cost of the Youth Music Initiative 2 which was being co-ordinated by Dundee and Angus College and would be delivered at the Gardyne Theatre.
VIII ST PAULS AND GROVE ACADEMY - RENTAL AGREEMENT FOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT
After considering Agenda Note AN124-2014 relative to offers for the provision, repair and maintenance of fitness equipment at St Paul's and Grove Academy for a four year period, the Committee agreed to accept the offer from DG Fitness & Leisure Ltd, Aberdeen amounting to 22,104 per annum.
IX TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2014/2015
There was submitted Report No 122-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services introducing the Dundee City Council Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2014/2015.
The Committee:-
(i) noted that in terms of the Treasury Policy Statement, the Director of Corporate Services was obliged to present the annual Treasury Management Strategy at the start of each financial year; and
(ii) approved the strategy proposed by the Director of Corporate Services for 2014/2015 as set out in the document "Treasury Management Strategy 2014/2015".
X HOUSING BENEFIT OVERPAYMENT RECOVERY POLICY
On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th May, 2005, there was submitted Report No 136-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services updating the previously approved Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Policy.
The Committee approved the revisions to the Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report, it being noted that the changes with regard to the weekly rates of deductions would come into effect from 1st April, 2014.
XI UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY DUNDEE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION - ADMISSION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME
There was submitted Report No 141-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services intimating that the University of Abertay Dundee Students' Association wished to gain admission to the Tayside Pension Fund.
The Committee approved the admission of two members of staff named by the University of Abertay Dundee Students' Association or on the cessation of employment by these members of staff, their permanent replacements.
XII COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2014
There was submitted Agenda Note AN126-2014 intimating that as part of Dundee's role as a host venue for the Commonwealth Games 2014, the Council required to purchase 20 feather banners at a cost, including shipping, of 2,365.76 and that the expenditure could be met from the unallocated balance in the Common Good Fund Revenue Budget 2013/2014.
In view of the timescales involved, it was noted that the expenditure involved had been approved by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Convener of the Policy and Resources Committee, Labour Group spokesperson, Conservative member, Liberal Democratic member and the Independent member.
Ken GUILD, Convener.
APPENDIX I
Applicant |
Description of Project |
Forum Decision Amount |
Active Schools Dundee |
To provide free extra curricular sport and physical activities for approximately 150 children and young people in the Coldside area.
|
4,760 |
LACD - Leisure & Sports |
To provide sport sessions in four local primary schools. Seven sessions will be accessed by approximately 115 young people per week over a 35 week period.
|
7,871 |
Harris Academy |
To purchase a camcorder, initially to enable a group of thirteen pupils on the Autistic Spectrum to make an autobiographical film, but also for additional projects by the Enhanced Provision Youth Achievement Group.
|
750 |
St Ninians Stay & Play |
To purchase an outdoor shed for secure storage of the playgroups equipment.
|
500 |
LACD - Leisure & Sports |
To provide sport sessions in three local primary schools. Four sessions will be accessed by approximately 51 young people per week over a 35 week period.
|
3,508 |
Housing Department |
To purchase and install a trip rail to prevent illegal parking on a grassed area off Pitkerro Road and improve community safety.
|
7,000 |
63rd Craigiebank Brownies |
To subsidise places and travel for 65 local girls to attend three events in the Brownies 100 year celebrations.
|
680 |
Active Schools Dundee |
To provide free extra curricular activities at lunch time and after school for girls and to provide 30 places on a holiday transition programme for girls moving from P7 to S1.
|
1,880 |
Under 12s Project |
To provide a programme of activities during school holidays. 104 sessions and six family trips are planned across Easter, Summer, October and Christmas holidays.
|
7,966 |
Action on Hearing Loss Scotland |
To expand and develop the Hear to Help project in the Lochee area, through contributing towards the Project Co‑ordinator salary. The project assists people with maintaining their hearing aid equipment, assisting them to remain in communication with other people.
|
5,000 |
Community Family Support Project |
To continue the weekly Childrens Laughter Clubs and Family Clubs in Lochee and Charleston, benefitting 55 children and their parents.
|
17,805 |
LACD - Leisure & Sports |
To provide staffing for football and athletics programmes for 94 local children and young people. Seven sessions will be held each week over a 35 week period.
|
5,707 |
West Youth Project |
This will enable the Youth Team to deliver a range of youth work activities for approximately 120 young people aged 10‑18 in the Lochee Ward.
|
23,896 |
Active Schools Dundee |
To provide free extra curricular sport and physical activities for approximately 200 children and young people in the Lochee area.
|
3,500 |
Talking Newspaper for the Blind |
To cover room rental costs for a year to enable the project to provide, free of charge, news of local and national interest, on tape monthly, to 200 visually impaired people in Dundee (approximately 60% of those receiving the newspaper reside in the Maryfield Ward).
|
1,200 |
Adult Learning Team |
To continue the Picnics in the Park with eleven family fun days in Baxter's Park during school holidays plus two in-service days. Each brings together around 75 local people plus agencies/organisations working in the area.
|
3,456 |
Boomerang Parent and Toddlers |
To purchase four toddler tables and 24 chairs for use by the 40 children attending the Boomerang Parent and Toddlers group.
|
782 |
LACD - Leisure and Sports |
To provide staffing for football and athletics programmes for 47 local children and young people. Three sessions will be held each week over a 35 week period.
|
2,730 |
Link-Up Whitfield |
Contribution towards kitchen equipment which will support the operation of a lunch club in the Whitfield area for approximately 40-50 people each fortnight.
|
599 |
Mill OMains Pavilion |
To purchase of a cooker for the building that will be used for catering at events, childrens cookery activities and informal cooking classes.
|
305 |
Mill OMains Pavilion |
To support the cost of creating a recycling/upcycling sewing project through purchase of three sewing machines and four tutored sessions for twelve people.
|
584 |
Finlarig 61 Club |
To fund delivery of a weekly armchair aerobics class for approximately 50 residents of Servite sheltered housing in Fintry.
|
437 |
Finmill Centre LMG |
To carry out electrical works as part of the development of a fitness/toning suite in the Finmill centre.
|
500 |
Mill OMains Pavilion |
To support a year long programme of childrens activities (age 5-11) and youth work (age 12+) in Mill OMains, including arts and crafts, sport and games. Approximately 35 young people are expected to take part.
|
10,176 |
Community Family Support Project |
To continue the weekly Childrens Laughter Clubs and Family Clubs in Fintry, benefitting 55 children and their parents.
|
17,805 |
Dundee Active Schools |
To support staffing of free extra curricular sport and physical activities for approximately 120 children and young people in the North East area. A P7-S1 transition programme for 20 young people is also supported. |
3,445 |
Finmill Centre LMG |
To contribute to a weekly programme of childrens work (age 5-9) during 36 weeks of term time and a four week holiday programme during summer and autumn holidays. Each programme will have 16 spaces available.
|
3,812 |
Ormiston, Inveresk and Salton Residents' Association
|
To deliver a twice weekly youth club in the Ormiston Lounge for approximately 60 children and young people each week. |
4,840 |
St Pauls RC Academy |
To support a lunch time, drop in football programme for approximately 200 young people each week. This will also help reduce any annoyance caused by pupils hanging around in the local area during lunch times.
|
8,747 |
Baldragon Academy |
To support a programme of lunchtime and after school activities for approximately 160 pupils each week, and encourage wider involvement in sports competitions.
|
4,350 |
Dundee Active Schools |
To provide free extra curricular sport and physical activities for approximately 275 children and young people in the Strathmartine area.
|
4,900 |
Dundee West Youth Work Team |
To enable the Youth Work Team to deliver a range of youth work activities in the Strathmartine Ward for approximately 140 young people.
|
25,000 |
LACD - Leisure and Sports |
To provide staffing for football, athletics and multi-sports programmes for 121 local children and young people. Five sessions will be held each week over a 35 week period.
|
6,229 |
Kick-it, Kick Off |
To provide an all day positive experience for 14 Looked After and Accommodated Children/Young People from the Strathmartine Ward who are engaged with the learning centre.
|
537 |