Environment Committee - 09/02/2015

At a MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th February, 2015.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Craig MELVILLE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th January, 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II WHITFIELD GREEN PLAY AREA IMPROVEMENTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN9-2015 whereby reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee of 7th December, 2009, which approved the adoption of the Dundee Partnership Outdoor Play and Youth Area Strategy as a framework for the management of Dundees outdoor play and youth area provision. This strategy identified gaps in the equipped play provision in East Whitfield and identified Whitfield as an area for strategic targeted improvements.

In conjunction with the Whitfield Development Group, design proposals had been finalised for the improvement of Whitfield Green Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play. The design and specification was developed by the Council in partnership with the Group. The Council had also agreed a lease with the Group, for the use of the ground.

Tenders had been sought for the supply and construction of the various improvements to the existing play area within Whitfield as part of the regeneration of Whitfield. Tenders had been obtained through the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) Portal by the Corporate Procurement Team for the works to be undertaken on behalf of the Whitfield Development Group.

Competitive tenders were sought via an open tender procedure through the Public Contracts Scotland portal for carrying out the works on behalf of the Whitfield Development Group. The lowest tender offer from T & N Gilmartin (Contractors) Ltd had been further value engineered to bring it within the project budget and a revised offer of 248,456 received.

In addition, allowances of 3,544 for professional fees were to be made, giving an overall project cost of 252,000. Following a successful funding application to the Big Lottery by the Whitfield Development Group, the Group were awarded a grant of 250,000 (inclusive of VAT). The contract works and legal costs would be funded entirely through the lottery funding and the above offer, inclusive of VAT, had been agreed with the Big Lottery Fund.

It was noted that in-kind support had been provided by the Environment Department for the design and management of the project. In addition to this in-kind support, an allowance of 2,000 for the payment of CDM co-ordinator fees was required from Dundee City Council.

The Director of Corporate Services advised that the above contribution could be met from allowances within the Capital Plan 2014/2015 for Environmental Improvements Parks and Open Spaces.

The Committee noted the progress made to date, authorised the letting of the above contract on behalf of the Whitfield Development Group and approved the contributions from Dundee City Council to the project.

III ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - ENFORCEMENT POLICY REVIEW

There was submitted Report No 48-2015 by the Director of Environment seeking approval for the adoption of the updated departmental Enforcement Policy and the required changes to Standing Orders to accommodate recent legislative changes.

The Committee approved the revised Enforcement Policy and remitted the Head of Democratic and Legal Services to make appropriate amendments to Standing Orders.

IV STRATEGIC FOREST PLAN

There was submitted Report No 49-2015 by the Director of Environment seeking approval of the Strategic Forest Plan 2015-2020.

The Committee noted the content of the Strategic Forest Plan 2015-2020 and approved the plan for consultation with key stakeholders.

V SUPPLY OF PLANT AND VEHICLES 2014/2015

There was submitted Report No 50-2015 by the Director of Environment seeking approval for the purchase and lease of plant and vehicles as required by Dundee City Council to ensure ongoing operational efficiency and to support the delivery of front-line services.

The Committee noted the content of the report and approved the purchase and lease of the plant and vehicles detailed in Appendices 1 and 2.

VI SUPPLY OF SPECIALIST COMMUNAL RECYCLING CONTAINERS AND EQUIPMENT

There was submitted Report No 51-2015 by the Director of Environment seeking approval for the purchase of specialist communal recycling containers and equipment for the initial phases of the Improvement and Expansion of Domestic Recycling Services.

The Committee noted the content of the report and approved the purchase of the specialist products detailed in Appendix 1.

VII TAYSIDE JOINT HEALTH PROTECTION PLAN 2014/2016

There was submitted Report No 52-2015 by the Director of Environment advising the Committee that as part of its duties under the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008, NHS Tayside had prepared a draft Tayside Joint Public Health Protection Plan for 2014/2016, in consultation with Angus, Dundee City and Perth and Kinross Councils. This Plan provided an overview of health protection priorities, provision and preparedness within Tayside.

This report sought Committee approval of the Tayside Joint Health Protection Plan 2014/2016 (JHPP) and a commitment by the Council to address the priorities outlined in the Plan.

The Committee agreed the content of the Plan and gave a commitment on behalf of Dundee City Council to work with NHS Tayside, Perth and Kinross and Angus Councils to work with NHS Tayside, Perth and Kinross and Angus Councils to address the priorities identified in the Plan.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 11-2015 by the City Engineer detailing a tender received from Tayside Contracts in respect of Caird Park Golf Course Drainage Improvements in the sum of 97,989.29 to which required to be added allowances of 9,900 for site investigation and drainage survey, 7,900 for a feasibility study, 5,410.71 for contingencies and 11,600 for professional fees amounting to 34,810.71, giving a total of 132,800.

The Committee agreed to accept this offer.

Craig MELVILLE, Convener.