Community Safety And Public Protection Committee - 13/11/2017

At a MEETING of the COMMUNITY SAFETY AND PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th November, 2017.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Alan ROSS, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th October, 2017 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II NATIONAL LOW EMISSION FRAMEWORK OPTIONS: LEZ STATUS UPDATE

There was submitted Report No 352-2017 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services and Executive Director of City Development providing information for the Committee as instructed (reference Article III of this Committee of 21st August, 2017) on the process and implications for Dundee City Council seeking the status of Scotlands first Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

The Committee noted the content of the report and remitted the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services and the Executive Director of City Development to take forward the actions detailed in Section 4.4 of the report.

III TRANSPORT SCOTLAND - BUILDING SCOTLANDS LOW EMISSION ZONES - A CONSULTATION

There was submitted Report No 353-2017 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services and Executive Director of City Development seeking approval for the Council's proposed response to the Transport Scotland consultation entitled Building Scotland's Low Emission Zones.

The Committee approved the response appended to the report and remitted the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to submit this to the Scottish Government accordingly.

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

IV VAT - POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES IN SCOTLAND

As elected members were aware, the Chancellor of the Exchequer would be publishing the Westminster Government's Autumn Budget on Wednesday, 22nd November, 2017.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Rendall, moved that Dundee City Council call upon the UK Government to waive the VAT levy currently imposed upon both Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue and to refund all monies previously charged since the formation of these national services. Dundee City Council agrees that this would achieve fairness and equity across the United Kingdom and does not feel it is necessary for Scottish services to face 35 million of VAT costs when all other services in the UK do not. We agree that these monies would be better used protecting our local communities.

The Convener further moved:-

That Dundee City Council notes that Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were set up in such a way that they are liable to pay VAT, and understands that since 2012 the amount paid is in the region of 140 million.

Dundee City Council call upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to exempt Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from VAT in the Budget announced on 22nd November, 2017 and further calls on the Chancellor to reimburse the 140 million to these hard pressed services.

Dundee City Council note with concern the comments of the local Commander of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at the last meeting of this Committee, that he could not offer guarantees for any of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service services within Dundee due to the expectation of further cuts.

Dundee City Council resolves to instruct the Leader of the Administration to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer demanding that Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are exempted from VAT in the future and that the 140 million charged for VAT to Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service be reimbursed to these organisations.

As an amendment, Councillor McCready, seconded by Bailie Wright, moved that:-

Dundee City Council further resolves to instruct the Leader of the Administration to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution demanding that finance is made available in the Scottish Budget to protect Police and Fire Services in Dundee. The Leader of the Administration should also write to the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Board demanding guarantees that there will be no closure of facilities by either Police Scotland or the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Dundee.

be added at the end

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Borthwick, Depute Lord Provost Campbell, Bailies Roberts and Sawers and Councillor Alexander, Cordell, Dawson, Flynn, Hunter, Lynn, Murray, Rendall, Short and Smith (15); and for the amendment - Bailies Keenan, Wright, Scott and Macpherson and Councillors Cruickshank, Gordon, McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Marra, Richardson, Hay, Scott and Duncan (14) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

Alan ROSS, Convener.