Policy And Resources Committee - 07/12/2015

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 7th December, 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 9th November, 2015 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

No declarations of interest were made.

 

II DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND

 

There was submitted Report No 438-2015 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

 

The Committee noted the Community Regeneration Fund allocations for 2015/2016 and approved the funding proposals contained in Section 5.2 of the report appended hereto.

 

III LOCHEE COMMUNITY MINI HUB

 

There was submitted Report No 437-2015 by the Executive Director of Children and Families Services outlining the need for community facilities in central Lochee and setting out the proposals for establishing a community hub in Lochee High Street by 1st August, 2016.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the progress of the Lochee Mini-Hub Steering Group to date in developing the plan for the mini-hub including engagement with the community around Lochee;

 

(ii) approved the Lochee Mini-Hub Steering Group moving to develop the proposals and entering into detailed cost and tender submissions from Environment Department Construction Services; and

 

(iii) noted the appointment of Dundee Voluntary Action as managing organisation for the Mini-Hub and authorised the Lochee Mini-Hub Steering Group to define and clarify the roles and responsibilities of that role.

 

IV OUR PEOPLE STRATEGY

 

There was submitted Report No 446-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services seeking approval to implement the 'Our People Strategy' 2015-2018.

 

The Committee approved the implementation of the 'Our People Strategy' as a key part of the Council's commitment to the workforce which would underpin the immediate priorities for 2016/2017 noted below:-

 

(i) implementation of the C4 - Change Programme projects;

 

(ii) reviewing terms and conditions of employment in consultation with the trade unions and ensuring a fair pay and grading structure;

 

(iii) ensuring that the Integrated Joint Board was supported, thus ensuring the Council meet the requirements of Health and Social Care Integration;

 

(iv) increasing the numbers of young people under 25 in our workforce;

 

(v) the People Charter be adopted to support our workforce to understand their rights and also responsibilities;

 

(vi) the four key themes of Equality, Diversity and Fairness; Enhancing our Leadership; Managing our People and Developing our People as outlined in the strategy be adopted and action plans and performance targets developed to monitor our progress; and

 

(vii) the Head of Human Resources and Business Support be authorised to lead, deliver and report on the progress of the implementation of the Our People Strategy.

 

V STREET CLEANING AND OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT REVIEW

 

There was submitted Report No 439-2015 by the Director of Environment and Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services updating the Committee on the conclusions of the Changing for the Future 4's transformation change programme review of street cleaning and open space management.

 

Councillor Guild, seconded by Lord Provost Duncan, moved that the Committee:-

 

(i) notes the contents of this report and the service changes proposed; and

 

(ii) instructs the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to commence detailed consultation with the workforce and trade unions on the implementation of these changes.

 

As an amendment, Councillor McCready, seconded by Councillor Keenan, moved that the Committee:-

 

(i) instructs the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to commence detailed consultation with the public of Dundee about their views on the future of street cleaning and open space management in Dundee;

 

(ii) further instructs the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to carry out a full consultation with the workforce and trade unions before any changes are brought forward to Committee with regard to street cleaning and open space management in Dundee; and

 

(iii) no action is taken until a further report is presented to the Policy and Resources Committee which reflects the outcomes of such consultations.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Melville, Murray, Ross, Macpherson, Bailies Sawers and Scott and Lord Provost Duncan and Depute Lord Provost Roberts (18); and for the amendment - Councillors Kennan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern and Bailies Wright and Borthwick (11) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

VI CAPITAL MONITORING

 

There was submitted Report No 441-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services appraising elected members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan.

 

The Committee noted the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Plan 2016-2021.

 

VII FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC POUND

 

There was submitted Report No 425-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services updating the Council's guidance on funding external bodies and Following the Public Pound.

 

The Committee approved the updated guidance and associated appendices.

 

VIII RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

 

There was submitted Report No 436-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

 

Applicant

Subjects

 

Includem

Discovery House

2.6 Gemini Crescent

Dundee

 

Office

Discovery House

2.6 Gemini Crescent

Dundee

Dundee Food Bank

Unit 24

Mid Wynd

Dundee

 

Workshop

Unit 24

Mid Wynd

Dundee

 

Neon (North East of North) Ltd

Unit 6

Vision at Seabraes

20 Greenmarket

Dundee

 

Office

Unit 6

Vision at Seabraes

20 Greenmarket

Dundee

 

Aberlour Child Care Trust

Unit H Market Mews

Broughty Ferry

Dundee

Office

Unit H Market Mews

Broughty Ferry

Dundee

 

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed in the report.

 

IX HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION

 

On a reference to Article XIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th March, 2015 there was submitted Report No 442-2015 by the Head of Service Strategy, Integration, Performance and Support Services updating members of the Committee on how arrangements for the integration of health and social care were progressing in Dundee.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted that the Order to establish the Integration Joint Board came into force on Sunday, 3rd October, 2015;

 

(ii) noted that the Integration Joint Board must be fully operational by 1st April, 2016;

 

(iii) noted that on adopting its strategic plan the Integration Joint Board assumed responsibility for all the functions delegated in paragraph 4.3.1 to 4.3.2 of the report;

 

(iv) noted that the Chief Officer and Chief Finance Officer had been appointed;

 

(v) noted how the operational framework for the Integration Joint Board was being developed as outlined in paragraphs 4.6.1 to 4.6.9 of the report;

 

(vi) agreed that the Chief Executive in co-operation with the Chief Officer of the Integration Joint Board should instigate arrangements to progress the implementation of the cohorting and matching arrangements for the Heads of Service as indicated in paragraph 4.6.9 of the report; and

 

(vii) agreed that the Chief Officer of the Integration Joint Board bring the Integration Joint Board Annual Performance report along with the Strategic and Commissioning Plan and all required and additional periodic reviews of the Strategic and Commissioning Plan to the Council.

 

X APPOINTMENTS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN206-2015 regarding the undernoted appointments:-

 

(a) INDEPENDENT CONVENER - ADULT SUPPORT AND PROTECTION COMMITTEE

 

It was reported that the current Independent Chair of the Adult Support and Protection Committee, Mr Colin McCashey and the Chief Executive had, by mutual consent as noted in the original contract in October, 2013, agreed to a continuation of Mr McCashey in the role of Convener for a further period, not exceeding the end of October, 2017.

 

The Committee noted accordingly.

 

(b) INDEPENDENT CHAIR - CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION COMMITTEE

 

It was reported that Mrs Norma Ritchie had been recommended to take up the position of Independent Chair of the Child Care and Protection Committee for a period of two years from November, 2015. Members of the Committee were advised that a representative group of service users were involved in the selection process and there was a multi-discipline involvement on the selection panel.

 

The Committee approved accordingly.

 

XI DATA PROTECTION POLICY

 

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Scrutiny Committee of 23rd September, 2015 and after considering Report No 444-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services, the Committee approved the updated Data Protection Policy appended to the report and agreed that the policy be placed on the Council's internet/intranet sites.

 

 

 

 

Ken GUILD, Convener.

 

APPENDIX

 

Applicant

Description of Project

Forum Decision Amount

 

Hearing Voices Network

To provide electrical works and equipment and shelving for the cafe used by the group. Approximately 90 people will benefit each year, mainly those with mental illness who attend for support but also other vulnerable adults.

 

3,244

Our Ladys RC Primary School

To purchase resources and employ an art tutor to work with pupils to create artwork on the wall inside the play area at Alexander Street. This will make the area more attractive to play in.

 

433

Boomerang Community Centre

To replace an unsafe, decommissioned boiler to operate the heating system at Kemback Street with a new boiler that is 40% more efficient. A wide range of groups and people from the local community will benefit.

 

12,000

Mill OMains Pavilion

Contribution towards costs of a series of Christmas events at the Mill OMains Pavilion. Approximately 200 local people will participate.

 

350

Soul Garden

To continue provision of free meals for those in need at Ormiston Lounge following a successful twelve week pilot. This will benefit approximately 425 local people between December and March.

 

1,000

Kirkton Sheltered

Housing Complex

To replace the crockery and other kitchen items at the Complex. This will benefit 80 residents and visitors who already use the complex regularly and also encourage additional social activities to be arranged.

 

740

Coffee Break Crafts Womens Group

To buy craft materials that will enable this new group to develop skills around craft making. The group currently has twelve members and is looking to expand.

 

500

Garry Place Sheltered Housing Complex

To purchase new chairs and storage cupboards to replace items that are around thirty years old. Approximately seventy residents and visitors will benefit on a regular basis.

2,500