Policy And Resources Committee - 18/05/2015

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th May, 2015.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost Bob DUNCAN

 

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

 

BAILIES

 

Willie SAWERS

Helen WRIGHT

Ian BORTHWICK

 

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 27th April, 2015 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

Councillor Hunter declared a non-financial interest in Article III by virtue of being the Council's representative on the Ardler Trust.

 

II MOBILE TELEPHONY CONTRACT

 

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of the meeting of this Committee of 20th May 2013, wherein the Committee approved Report No 207-2013 with respect to the associated tender from EE for the Councils mobile telephony contract. The tender was for a contract period of two years and included an option to extend for a further year. It was proposed that the Council extend the existing contract with EE by a further year which would generate a saving of approximately 20,000 on the current annual spend.

 

The Committee approved accordingly.

 

III DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND

 

There was submitted Report No 193-2015 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

 

The Committee noted that allocations to the Community Regeneration Fund for 2015/2016 and approved the funding proposals contained in Section 5 of the report appended hereto.

 

IV IMPROVING SERVICES THROUGH LISTENING TO CUSTOMERS AND SERVICE USERS

 

There was submitted Report No 128-2015 by the Chief Executive highlighting some of the improvements which had been made to Council services as a result of listening to the views of customers and service users over the past year.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the contents of the report and agreed that similar reports should continue to be submitted annually; and

 

(ii) agreed that departments be encouraged to maintain their efforts to listen to and respond to feedback from customers and to identify any further customers who should be consulted with a view to achieving service improvements.

 

V COUNTER-FRAUD REPORT

 

There was submitted Report No 185-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services updating the Committee on the Revenue Divisions Counter Fraud activity as at 31st March, 2015.

 

The Committee approved the report.

 

VI BALDRAGON ACADEMY REPLACEMENT

 

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th February, 2015, there was submitted Report No 135-2015 by the Chief Executive and Director of City Development updating the Committee on recent developments relating to the project to replace Baldragon Academy.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the contents of the report;

 

(ii) noted that there would be no increase in capital costs to the Council;

 

(iii) approved an increase in the total level of advance payments and early commitment of expenditure prior to Financial Close from 2.5m to 5m; and

 

(iv) agreed:-

 

(a) that the Council should enter into, deliver and perform the agreement for the design, build, finance and maintenance of the new Baldragon Academy (the DBFM Agreement) and the supporting Project Documents (as defined below);

 

(b) that David Robert Martin, Chief Executive, Roger William Hunter Mennie, Head of Democratic and Legal Services and Kenneth James McKaig, Legal Manager, be authorised, as Proper Officers for the purposes of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995, and as Proper Officers for the purpose of the issue of certificates under and in terms of the Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997 and the Local Authorities (Contracts) (Scotland) Regulations 1997, to finalise and sign, on behalf of the Council, the DBFM Agreement, the Funders Direct Agreement, the Collateral Agreements, the Independent Tester Contract, the Insurance Proceeds Account Agreement (such as defined in the DBFM Agreement), the Certificate pursuant to the Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997 in respect of the project, any arrangements that may be necessary associated with payment and banking arrangements and any additional or ancillary documents required in relation to the project (the Project Documents); and

 

(c) that those persons identified in paragraph (iv)(b) above be authorised to consider and agree any amendments proposed to the Project Documents after the date of this meeting in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and the Director of City Development.

 

VII AUTISM DEVELOPMENTS

 

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Social Work and Health Committee of 25th November, 2013, there was submitted Report No 192-2015 by the Director of Social Work and Director of Education relative to the above.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the progress made in developing support for children and adults with autism and their carers; and

 

(ii) remitted to the Director of Social Work and the Director of Education to present a joint Dundee Autism and Learning Disability Strategic and Commissioning Statement for consideration of relevant Committees in the near future.

 

VIII LOCAL SCRUTINY PLAN 2015/2016

 

There was submitted Report No 171-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with a summary of the Local Scrutiny Plan 2015/2016 that was recently issued by Audit Scotland on behalf of the various regulatory inspection bodies responsible for scrutinising the services provided by the Council.

 

The Committee noted the information contained within the report and the Local Scrutiny Plan 2015/2016 appended thereto.

 

IX PUBLIC PROCUREMENT: A CONSULTATION ON CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT RULES IN SCOTLAND

 

There was submitted Report No 198-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the content of the report, which was submitted as part of a joint response being provided to Scottish Government by Tayside Procurement Consortium, on behalf of Dundee City Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Angus Council and Tayside Contracts; and

 

(ii) approved the submission of the response on behalf of Dundee City Council.

 

X REVIEW OF SUPPORT STAFF IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

 

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 18th May, 2015, there was submitted Report No 162-2015 by the Director of Education and Director of Corporate Services.

 

The Committee, as far as its interest was concerned, approved the undernoted:-

 

(i) to implement a revised formula for the allocation of identified support staff in secondary schools as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report. The formula took account of factors which reflected staff time required to support work in schools ie pupil roll, stage and deprivation. Allocations would be reviewed on a three yearly basis or when staff changes occur;

 

(ii) that a new post with a specific job description and training plan be created to enable flexibility within schools. This would be a generic post of Secondary School Support Assistant (SSSA) and would encompass duties currently undertaken by Senior Clerical Officers, Clerical Officers, General Assistants and Auxiliaries. The implementation process must ensure staff with appropriate skills were matched to schools requirements. It was proposed to move to all posts being a maximum of 200 days per annum. This would mean current General Assistants and Auxiliaries could increase from 195 to 200 days per annum if they wished with Senior Clerical Officers and Clerical Officers remaining on their current contracted hours unless they wished to reduce from 205 to 200 days. Admin Officers would also be given the opportunity to reduce to 200 days per annum if they wished;

 

(iii) that the hierarchal structure within schools be revised with all Senior and Clerical Officer posts becoming SSSA. Early discussion would take place with the staff group affected to minimise the impact of this change;

 

(iv) that the tasks and processes in schools be reviewed to ensure efficient and effective use of resources;

 

(v) that in line with the principles of Devolved School Management, the budget for the current Senior Clerical Officer and Clerical Officer posts which became SSSA posts be transferred from Corporate Services to Education; and

 

(vi) to review the allocation of School Technicians across the city and prepare a separate report.

 

XI AN OVERVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SCOTLAND 2015

 

There was submitted Report No 172-2015 by the Director of Corporate Services providing elected members with a summary of the above national report that had been undertaken by Audit Scotland on behalf of the Accounts Commission together with details of a number of improved actions that were planned to be implemented as a result of the review of the reports findings.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the key findings and issues arising from the Audit Scotland overview report; and

 

(ii) noted the completed self-assessment and Action Plan in Appendix 1 of the report.

 

 

 

 

Ken GUILD, Convener.

 

 

APPENDIX

 

Applicant

Description of Project

Forum Decision Amount

 

Powrie Place Sheltered Housing Gardening Club

To obtain equipment and resources to allow the residents to redevelop the garden area at the Sheltered Housing, in partnership with the Maxwell Centre and also contribute towards the cost of a pool table.

 

3,010

Nae Limits 60+ Association

To enable Nae Limits to host the annual fun day, in partnership with other local groups. The fun day has become a much loved annual event and Nae Limits have agreed to lead organising this.

 

3,599

One World Centre

To deliver a creative arts programme which will offer long term engagement with over sixty young people and cover a range of world citizenship educational themes.

 

7,100

Pure Media UK

Funding towards a range of resources that will support the Bringing up Baby groups activities throughout 2015/2016, plus contribute towards trips for group members. Overall approximately seventy young parents will benefit during the year.

 

1,800

Fairfield Sports and

Leisure Hub

To contribute towards the cost of a mower that will be used to maintain pitches and surrounding grounds, and as part of pitch maintenance courses for volunteers. Approximately 40 sports groups are affiliated with the Hub.

 

3,199

Craigiebank Association

To contribute towards the cost of a community fun day within the Craigie area. Approximately 350 people are expected to participate.

 

1,500

Dundee Sporting Club

To purchase training equipment for six youth teams (including a girls team) and for mini kickers football for under 5s. Approximately 85 children and young people aged between 3 and 17 will benefit.

 

1,500

Volunteer Centre Dundee

To contribute to start up costs to enable the introduction of Timebank in East End area. Approximately thirty members are expected to join within the first year.

 

4,355

Douglas Festival Association

To contribute towards the cost of community fun day within the Douglas area. Approximately 450 people are expected to participate.

 

1,500

Menzieshill Gardening Group

To enable the eleven group members to visit gardens in Forfar, Pitlochry and Fife and bring back new skills and ideas for use around the community centre.

 

364

Connect Mum

To fund the set up and running costs for this new mums group. 10 to 15 mums are expected to take part in regular activities throughout the year.

 

1,500

 

Action on Hearing Loss Scotland

To help with salary costs for Project Co-ordinator who will support local residents to make better use of their hearing aids, cope with their hearing loss, and reduce isolation through home visits.

 

5,000

Active Schools

To provide a range of free, extra-curricular sport and physical activities at six local schools, for approximately 270 children from the Lochee Ward.

 

3,600

MOM Pavilion

To contribute toward the cost of an American-themed summer fun day for approximately 400 local residents.

 

1,500

Dundee Healthy Living Initiative

To purchase training kitchen furniture that will be installed at The Crescent that can be used in classes to help improve the cooking skills of approximately 120 local people each year.

 

366

St Marys Over 55s Club

Contribution towards coach hire and entrance fees for a summer outing for 35 older people.

 

525

St Marys Bluebells

To cover costs of coach hire and entrance fees for a summer outing for 26 older people.

 

463

Ardler Village Trust

To contribute towards the cost of the Ardler Fun Day 2015. Approximately 500 local residents are expected to participate.

 

1,500

Ardler Village Trust

To part fund the preparation, printing and distribution of the Ardler Village News, which will be distributed to 1,200 households and reach approximately 3,000 people.

 

1,200

Strathmartine Church Summer Club

To purchase arts and crafts materials and healthy snacks for approximately 50 children taking part in a summer club. In addition, the group will host a barbecue and take children on an outing to Monikie Park.

 

325

Harris Academy

To deliver a range of evening activities for a girls group from Harris Academy that will reduce risk taking behaviour. This is additional to work currently being carried out in the school with approximately 15 girls.

 

916

School Community Support Service

Contribution towards provision of a week of family fun activities to targeted families during the summer holidays, and a further three days during the October holidays. Approximately sixty families will take part in total.

1,200