Environment Committee - 08/06/2015

At a MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 8th June, 2015.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Craig MELVILLE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th May, 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II CEMETERY HEADSTONE SAFETY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN148-2015, whereby reference was made to Article VII of the Environment Committee of 29th October 2012, when a pilot scheme of utilising spare capacity within the Construction Division of the Environment Department to undertake inspection testing and making safe of stones was agreed.

The pilot had performed well over the last three years and significant progress had been made. Approximately 85% of headstones had been inspected and the condition of the stones had been recorded in the Council database and any dangerous stones up to 1.5 metres were dealt with during the inspection process. Dangerous larger stones were sub-contracted to a specialist contractor to make safe. A key benefit of the scheme was to properly record the condition of headstones and by dealing with dangerous stones during the inspection process the risk in the cemeteries had been reduced. The scheme had therefore been successful. However there was still an ongoing problem of dangerous headstones within cemeteries and there was a need from a health and safety perspective to continue the inspection and action programme.

It was proposed to continue this current approach and accept the offer from the Construction Division of the Environment Department to undertake the inspection, testing, recording and making safe of stones up to approximately 1.5m in height. It was intended that, where possible, such headstones would be made safe on a more permanent basis. Any headstones in excess of 1.5m would be referred to the specialist contractor who would be appointed using 'Quick Quote' under the Council's E-procurement system.

The Committee approved the above works and authorised that the Director of Environment undertake these works. The Director of Corporate Services advised that the capital improvement works of 60,000 could be met through allowances within the Environment Department's Capital Plan 2015/2016.

III CONTAMINATED LAND STRATEGY - SITE INVESTIGATION CONTRACTS

There was submitted Report No 228-2015 by the Director of Environment seeking approval for the on-going site investigation work associated with the Councils statutory contaminated land responsibilities and updating the Committee on the projects undertaken in 2014/2015.

The Committee noted the content of the report and authorised the City Engineer to instruct the required site investigation works up to the value of 100,000 in financial, year 2015/2016, through the existing Unit Rate Contract.

IV SUPPLY OF VEHICLES AND PLANT 2015/2016

There was submitted Report No 214-2015 by the Director of Environment seeking approval for the purchase of vehicles and plant as required by the Environment Department to maintain operational efficiency.

The Committee approved the purchase of the vehicles and plant listed in Appendix 1, at a total cost of 504,522.

V AIR QUALITY UPDATING AND SCREENING REPORT

There was submitted Report No 227-2015 by the Director of Environment advising the Committee of the results of the 2014 air quality monitoring data and three yearly screening assessment, and on the progress being made to improve air quality within the city via the corporate Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP).

The Committee noted the content of the report and remitted the Director of Environment to continue progressing with the implementation of the measures and actions detailed within the AQAP.

Craig MELVILLE, Convener.