City Development Committee - 23/06/2014

At a MEETING of the CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd June, 2014.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Will DAWSON, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th May, 2014 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II 20MPH SPEED LIMITS IN RESIDENTIAL STREETS

On a reference to Agenda Note AN176-2014, it was reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Macpherson, who asked the Committee to consider introducing 20mph speed limits in residential streets.

There was also submitted Report No 273-2014 by the Director of City Development, giving background information on the implications of the proposal.

The Committee acceded to a request which had been received for a deputation to address the Committee in support of the proposal. After the deputation had stated its case and answered questions from the Committee, it was thanked for its attendance and withdrew.

Thereafter, Councillor Macpherson, seconded by Councillor Brennan, moved that the Committee:-

(i) note Report No 273-2014 by the Director of City Development on 20mph speed limits but not concur with the conclusions in Paragraph 4 of the report; and

(ii) note that:-

- 20mph zones and 20mph limits significantly decrease the risk of being injured in a collision;

- lowering the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph can reduce child accidents by up to 70%; and

- half of people who are hit by a car at 30mph will die and only 10% of people hit by a car at 20mph will die.

(iii) believes lower speed limits will make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and car users alike and will encourage people to walk and cycle with the consequential benefits for health and quality of life; and

(iv) for the development of a policy on the implementation of 20mph zones and limits, and, as a first step, the Director of City Development is instructed within the next six months, to consult widely with community councils, tenants and residents associations, other representative community organisations and the public across all eight local Community Planning Partnership areas to discuss their views of where 20mph limits would be appropriate and would be of benefit to residential amenity and road safety in each community. The Director of City Development is thereafter instructed to bring a report to Committee on the outcomes of such a consultation exercise, with a view to thereafter considering commencement of a phased programme of introducing 20mph limits on residential roads from 2015/2016 onwards, giving due consideration to the revenue and capital and enforcement implications of such a programme.

As an amendment, the Convener, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved that the City Council continue the policy relating to 20mph speed limits as detailed in the Directors report.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailies Wright, Borthwick and Scott, and Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern and Macpherson (13); and for the amendment - the Convener, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts, Bailie Sawers and Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Cordell, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Melville and Murray (14) - whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

III ROAD SAFETY PROGRESS REPORT

There was submitted Report No 227-2014 by the Director of City Development advising the Committee of the progress made in reducing road accident casualties in Dundee.

The Committee noted the progress made in reducing road accident casualties on the local road network, toward the Scottish Government road safety targets for 2015 and 2020.

IV ROAD SAFETY SCHEMES - IMPLEMENTATION 2014/2015

There was submitted Report No 231-2014 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for a programme of road safety measures to be implemented at various locations in the city.

The Committee approved the implementation of the Road Safety Schemes as set out in Appendix B to the report.

V SCOTTISH ROAD SAFETY CAMERA REVIEW CONSULTATION

There was submitted Report No 233-2014 by the Director of City Development outlining the purpose, content and proposals contained within Transport Scotlands Scottish Road Safety Camera Review Consultation document.

The Committee noted the purpose, content and proposals contained within the consultation and endorsed Dundee City Councils response contained within Appendix A to the report.

VI GARDENING LEAVE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN171-2014, making reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd April, 2013 which remitted the Director of City Development and the Director of Environment to identify a suitable site to accommodate the charity, Gardening Leave, within the city. Gardening Leave was established in 2007 and seeks to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of serving and ex-service personnel using horticultural therapy within a safer environment. The charity is developing horticultural therapy initiatives throughout the UK and is keen to locate in Dundee.

It was reported that negotiations have been ongoing in relation to the ground of the former bowling greens within Dudhope Park including the associated building.

The existing building contains a small operational base used by the Environment Department as well as public toilets. The operational requirements of the Environment Department are being transferred as part of the Departments rationalisation programme of operational properties and will, therefore, become surplus to requirements. The public toilets at this location are in need of upgrading in-line with similar upgrading of toilets undertaken within other public parks and it was recommended that an alternative location be identified for public toilets within the park.

The Committee approved the principle of transferring the former bowling greens and associated building at Dudhope Park and remitted the Director of City Development, in consultation with the Legal Manager, to enter into lease negotiations with the charity for the site, details of the provisional agreement to be reported to a future Committee. In addition, the Committee noted that the Director of City Development would bring back proposals for the relocation and upgrading of the public toilets within the park.

VII TRAFFIC ORDERS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN179-2014 relative to the undernoted Traffic Orders:-

(a) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (HIGH STREET, LOCHEE, DUNDEE) (ONE-WAY ORDER) 2014

The Committee acceded to a request for a deputation to address the Committee relative to objections to the proposed Traffic Order. After the deputation had stated its case and answered questions from members of the Committee it was thanked for its attendance and withdrew.

Thereafter, reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 27th January, 2014, wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to reverse an existing section of one-way traffic restriction in High Street, Lochee.

It was reported that the proposed Order was duly drafted and, during the statutory consultation period, no objections were received. The Order was then duly advertised and there was one objection which had been withdrawn. A petition containing 140 signatures was also received.

The Committee agreed to make the Order despite the objections.

(b) DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (BANK STREET, LOCHEE, DUNDEE) (VARIATION OF WAITING RESTRICTIONS) ORDER 2014

Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th November, 2013, wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to vary waiting restrictions at Bank Street, Lochee.

It was reported that the proposed Order was duly drafted and, during the statutory consultation period, no objections were received.

Thereafter, the Order was duly advertised and there were objections.

The Committee therefore agreed to make the Order as advertised.

VIII PROPOSALS TO REVISE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OF THE TAXICARD SCHEME

There was submitted Report No 250-2014 by the Director of City Development setting out proposals to make a minor change to the eligibility criteria of the Taxicard Scheme.

The Committee approved the change to the eligibility criteria that would allow Blue Badge holders to become members of the Taxicard Scheme, as detailed in the report.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ARCHITECT

There was submitted Report No 232-2014 by the City Architect detailing tenders received in respect of the undernoted projects:-

(a) CRAIGIEBARNS PRIMARY SCHOOL - RENEWAL OF SPORTS FLOOR TO GYMNASIUM

There was submitted details of a negotiated offer from the Environment Department (Construction Services) in the sum of 23,566.56, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 3,606, giving a total expenditure of 27,172.56.

(b) MILLS OBSERVATORY REFURBISHMENT

There was submitted details of a negotiated offer from the Environment Department (Construction Services) in the sum of 34,753.58, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 5,317, giving a total expenditure of 40,070.58.

X TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 213-2014 by the City Engineer detailing tenders received in respect of the undernoted projects:-

(a) 3 TRADES LANE - DEMOLITION

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Gowrie Contracts Ltd, in the sum of 61,915, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 25,150, giving a total expenditure of 87,065.

(b) RIVERSIDE DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee agreed to accept an offer from Tayside Contracts as part of a partnering project, in the sum of 589,000, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 171,000, giving a total expenditure of 760,000.

(c) GELLATLY STREET - MSCP - CONCRETE REPAIRS AND WATERPROOFING RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from USL Structure Care, in the sum of 353,363.98, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 65,500, giving a total expenditure of 418,863.98.

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

XI COMMERCIAL LEASES

There was submitted Report No 234-2014 by the Director of City Development detailing commercial leases in respect of the undernoted properties:-

Unit 10, Miln Street, Dundee

21-23 Haldane Avenue, Dundee

Library, The Crescent, 71 Lothian Crescent, Dundee

16 City Square, Dundee

Morgan Academy School House, Forfar Road, Dundee

Dens Road Primary School, School House, Dens Road, Dundee

Unit 11, Faraday Street, Dundee

Unit 8, Mid Wynd Industrial Estate, Dundee

Block C, East Wing, 101 Whitfield Drive, Dundee

217 Hilltown, Dundee

Unit 7, Alexander Street, Dundee

Room 3, 2nd Floor, 61 Reform Street, Dundee

Unit 19, Mid Wynd Industrial Estate, Dundee

The Committee noted and approved accordingly.

XII PROPOSED SALE OF LAND ADJACENT TO 9 DUDHOPE GARDENS, DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 225-2014 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for sale of ground at the above address.

The Committee approved the sale on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

XIII PROPOSED SALE OF LAND ADJACENT TO 7 HAWICK DRIVE, DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 217-2014 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for sale of ground at the above address.

The Committee approved the sale on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

XIV PHASE 2 DEVELOPMENT, SUMMERFIELD AVENUE, WHITFIELD

There was submitted Report No 272-2014 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for sale of ground at the above address.

The Committee approved the sale on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

XV PROPOSED EXCAMBION OF GROUND

There was submitted Report No 260-2014 by the Director of City Development seeking approval for the excambion of the Mark Henderson Centre, Ann Street from Signpost International and the former Whitfield Child and Family Centre, Lothian Crescent from Dundee City Council.

The Committee approved the proposed excambion on the terms and conditions details in the report.

XVI 10J MULL TERRACE AND 1G LISMORE TERRACE, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN172-2014, making reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th June, 2010, wherein the Committee approved the promotion of Compulsory Purchase Orders in respect of 16J Mull Terrace and 1G Lismore Terrace, Dundee to facilitate the regeneration of Mill OMains. The two properties were subsequently acquired by Compulsory Purchase Order.

It was reported that, after advice from the District Valuer, statutory compensation had now been agreed with the owners of 16J Mull Terrace and 1G Lismore Terrace.

It was reported that the foregoing was approved by the Director of City Development in view of the timescales involved, in consultation with the Convener, Labour Group Spokesperson, Bailie Borthwick, Bailie Scott and Councillor Macpherson, on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

The Committee noted accordingly.

XVII REPURCHASE OF 9B HEBRIDES DRIVE, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN173-2014, making reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 22nd April, 2013, wherein the Committee agreed that a number of residential properties could be demolished to facilitate the regeneration of Mill OMains and the Director of City Development was remitted to enter into repurchasing negotiations with the respective owners of the properties.

It was reported that, after advice from the District Valuer, agreement was reached to purchase the heritable interest of 9B Hebrides Drive, Dundee.

It was reported that the foregoing was approved by the Director of City Development in view of the timescales involved, in consultation with the Convener, Labour Group Spokesperson, Bailie Borthwick, Bailie Scott and Councillor Macpherson, on the terms and conditions detailed in the note.

The Committee noted accordingly.

XVIII DISCHARGE OF STANDARD SECURITY TO FACILITATE REDEVELOPMENT OF HIGH MILL AT VERDANT WORKS, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN175-2014, advising that Dundee Industrial Heritage Ltd had been successful in obtaining a grant from the Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund. It was proposed that the grant be secured by a First Ranking Standard Security over Verdant Works.

The Council and National Heritage Memorial Fund gave grants to Dundee Industrial Heritage in 1994 to renovate and restore Verdant Works, a project that was completed some time ago. These grants were secured by Dundee Industrial Heritage granting a Standard Security to the Council and to the National Heritage Memorial Fund respectively per Verdant Works. Neither of the two Standard Securities had priority over the other.

Dundee Industrial Heritage have requested that the Standard Security in favour of the Council be discharged to fulfil the National Heritage Memorial Funds requirement to have a First Ranking Security.

It was reported for the information of the Committee that the foregoing was approved by the Director of City Development in view of the timescales involved, in consultation with the Convener, Labour Group Spokesperson, Bailie Borthwick, Bailie Scott and Councillor Macpherson.

The Committee noted accordingly.

Will DAWSON, Convener.