Policy And Resources Committee - 14/09/2015

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th September, 2015.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th August, 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II POVERTY ALLIANCE: STICK YOUR LABELS CAMPAIGN

There was submitted Agenda Note AN174-2015 intimating that the Poverty Alliance was the national anti-poverty network in Scotland and had offered valuable advice to the Dundee Fairness Commission and to local efforts to tackle the causes and consequences of poverty in Dundee.

As part of its national campaign to combat stigma, the Poverty Alliance had invited Dundee City Council and the Dundee Partnership to sign up to the national "Stick Your Labels" campaign, which aimed to tackle negative attitudes and challenge stereotypes about people experiencing poverty.

The Committee agreed to sign up to the "Stick Your Labels" campaign and that this be reported to the Dundee Fairness Commission meeting on 29th September, 2015 which would take evidence from the Poverty Alliance on the best way to tackle stigma in the city. A full report on the action to be taken in support of the campaign would be presented to this Committee on 9th November, 2015.

III ABOLITION OF THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRACTED OUT RATES

There was submitted Report No 345-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services informing the Committee of the impact of the UK Government's decision to abolish National Insurance contracted out rates for employees and employers.

The Committee noted the significant impact that this change would have on both the City Council as an employer and on individual employees themselves.

In addition, it was agreed that officers bring back a further report within two months detailing the impact these changes would have on individuals within the Council's wage banding scales. The report should also give the Committee an indication of the finance required to mitigate the effect on individual earnings within these wage bandings.

IV DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND 2015/2016

There was submitted Report No 322-2015 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

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

V ADULT LEARNING FUND (GRANTS TO ADULT EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS)

After considering Report No 300-2015 by the Director, Leisure and Communities relative to the above, the Committee approved a grant of 3,000 to the Broughty Ferry Education and Recreation Association and 2,750 to the Stobswell Adult Learning Association to assist in the administration and running costs of the programme of evening learning opportunities for the adult community in and around Broughty Ferry and Stobswell.

VI LITERACY DELIVERY PARTNERS 2015/2016

There was submitted Report No 301-2015 by the Director, Leisure and Communities proposing the extension of the Service Level Agreement with Dundee and Angus College relative to the above.

The Committee agreed to continue the current Service Level Agreement with Dundee and Angus College for the delivery of literacy services focused on people with literacy needs who wished to progress to college for the period 30th September, 2015 - 31st March, 2016 at a cost of 17,500.

VII LOCAL COMMUNITY PLAN MONITORING 2014/2015

There was submitted Report No 324-2015 by the Director, Leisure and Communities presenting the findings from the annual output monitoring exercise of Local Community Plans for the period 1st April, 2014 to 31st March, 2015.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) recognise the significant level of progress made in terms of outputs achieved by Local Community Planning Partnerships for each area;

(ii) recognise the high level of collaboration, co-operation and support between Dundee City Council, partner agencies and community stakeholders in the implementation of Local Community Plans;

(iii) work with public, private and voluntary sector agencies in partnership with local communities to address the long term aspirations, needs and issues identified in each Local Community Plan; and

(iv) support the development of a consultation and engagement process to undertake an Impact Assessment of the current Local Community Plans in 2016.

VIII COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2014/2015

There was submitted Report No 283-2015 by the Director, Leisure and Communities bringing to the Committee's attention the progress and achievements of the Community Learning and Development Service for the period 2014/2015 and recognising the important contribution that Community Learning and Development had to play in the delivery of public services.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the range of work undertaken by CLD teams during the period 2014/2015;

(ii) acknowledged the contribution of the Councils CLD work to:-

- Improving the life chances for people of all ages, through learning, personal development and active citizenship.

- Building stronger more resilient, supportive, influential and inclusive communities; and

(iii) noted that from 2016, the CLD functions would transfer into the new Neighbourhood Services Department, which would have an important role to play in early intervention and prevention and to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Dundee.

IX DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN DUNDEE

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th November, 2012, there was submitted Report No 307-2015 by the Director, Leisure and Communities summarising the outcome of the work done to deliver the Social Enterprise Development Strategy and Action Plan for the period November, 2012 to November, 2014.

The Committee noted the current position and progress made in partnership with Dundee Social Enterprise Network and endorsed the Action Plan for 2015-2017.

X CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

There was submitted Report No 325-2015 by the Executive Director of Children and Families relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the challenges and developments in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation;

(ii) noted the Child Care and Protection Committee Action Plan appended to the report;

(iii) endorsed the progress being made in the implementation of the local action plan; and

(iv) instructed the Executive Director of Children and Families to provide an update on the Action Plan in 12 months' time.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted items be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

XI SYRIAN VULNERABLE PERSONS RELOCATION SCHEME

The Committee agreed to hear a deputation in support of the above from Ms Jayne Kelly on behalf of Dundee Refugee Support and Ms Maggie Chapman on behalf of Dundee Welcomes Refugees and AMINA Muslim Women's Resource Centre and after they had stated their case and answered questions from elected members they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

There was submitted Report No 347-2015 by the Chief Executive seeking the Committee's approval for Dundee City Council to express an interest in participating in the UK Government's Syrian and Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the contents of the report; and

(ii) approved the establishment of a project team and reporting arrangements to co‑ordinate Dundee City Council's involvement in the scheme.

XII REPLACEMENT OF BALDRAGON ACADEMY - ADVANCE WORKS (ENERGY CENTRE)

Reference was made to Article VI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th May, 2015, wherein the Committee approved an increase in the total level of advance payments and early commitment of expenditure on Baldragon Academy prior to financial close to 5m.

It was reported that Scottish Futures Trust were continuing to work with the Scottish Government and HM Treasury to confirm the amendments that would be required to be made to the Hub DBFM structure to reinforce the private sector accounting classification of hub DBFM projects and therefore, at this stage, it was still unclear when financial close for Baldragon Academy would be achieved.

The Committee were reminded that the energy centre was to be procured as part of the Baldragon Contract but would also provide heating and hot water for the adjacent Sidlaw View/Jessie Porter development. To avoid any delay in the opening of Sidlaw View Primary School and Jessie Porter Nursery School in October 2016, work on the energy centre would require to commence in September, 2015 in advance of the Baldragon Contract being placed.

Accordingly, the Committee's approval was sought to issue a letter of intent to Hubco, whereby Dundee City Council would initially fund the energy centre phase of work with the costs being reimbursed by Hubco following financial close of the Baldragon Contract.

The works and cost of the advance works and constructed energy centre was estimated to be no more than 1.5m.

The Committee approved accordingly.

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

XIII DEVELOPER INTEREST IN SITE 5, DUNDEE WATERFRONT PROJECT

After considering Agenda Note AN180-2015 relative to the above, the Committee approved the recommendation detailed therein.

Ken GUILD, Convener.

APPENDIX