Neighbourhood Services Committee - 23/04/2018

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd April, 2018.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin CORDELL, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th December, 2017 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 AN24-2018 whereby reference was made to the Cemetery Headstone Inspection and Testing Programme.  Significant progress had been made in the last few years in both the recording and making safe headstones within cemeteries, however there was still significant work to be done.

Headstones were checked by the staff from Neighbourhood Services and any stones which required attention and were below 1.5 metres in height, were made safe by the staff.  However, for headstones over 1.5 metres, a specialist contract was required to make dangerous headstones safe and carry out restoration works as required.

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th November, 2017 where it was agreed to accept a tender through the Councils Procurement Team and appoint Vermicom Ltd to carry out this specialist work.  The tender was for a two year period with an optional year and hence it was proposed to award Vermicom Ltd a further tranche of work to the maximum value of 50,000 for 2018/2019.

It was also recommended that Construction Division be awarded the works for the creation of concrete plinths and associated works at Birkhill, Pitkerro Grove and Balgay cemeteries to host new memorial headstones at a total cost of 20,000.

The Committee approved these works noting that the Executive Director of Corporate Services advised that the total capital improvements of 70,000 could be met from allowances for cemeteries within the Service Provision Section of the General Services Capital Plan 2018-2023.  It was anticipated that the project would be complete by 31st March, 2019.

III LOCHEE PARK BOWLING GREEN

There was submitted Agenda Note AN25-2018 advising the Committee that an opportunity for the development of a redundant bowling green at Lochee Park had arisen.  This would run alongside the other existing bowling green.  Officers had been approached by an established growing group based in Lochee, in partnership with the James Hutton Institute based in Invergowrie, who wished to establish a community growing project.  The local community regeneration area and Ancrum Road Primary would bring additional partners and beneficiaries to the project.

Consultation with users of the existing green, the Friends of Balgay and the local Communities Officer had resulted in positive feedback.

It was proposed that approval be given for the group to develop the redundant bowling green into a community garden, with a view to supporting them towards a lease, in 2019.  This would enable the group to make use of this years growing season.  It was further proposed to review the progress of the initiative and report on the findings to the Committee towards the end of the year.  There were no significant financial implications arising through this development although any resources that would be required would be contained within the existing Neighbourhood Services budget.

The Committee approved the proposals accordingly.

IV PURCHASE OF BINS AND EURO CONTAINER HOUSINGS

There was submitted Report No 105-2018 by Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking authorisation for the purchase of glass recycling housing units as part of grant monies awarded by Zero Waste Scotland.

The Committee noted that due to the requirement that the capital grant had to be spent and goods received by 31st March, 2018, the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services had been authorised to purchase the goods outlined in the report via the Scotland Excel Recycle and Refuse Containers 0117 framework via consultation with the Convener of Neighbourhood Services Committee, Labour Group spokesperson, Conservative spokesperson, Liberal Democrat spokesperson and the Lord Provost.

V SMART CITIES - SMART WASTE - DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 25-2018 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking to gain Committee approval for the purchase and supply of equipment for the Councils Smart Waste Project.

The Committee noted that approval had been given for the purchase of bin sensors, solar-powered compactor bins, electric pedestrian cleaners, smart phones, in-vehicle tablets and all associated subscription, telemetry licences and maintenance costs as detailed on the attached sheets by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Convener of Neighbourhood Services Committee, Labour Group spokesperson, Conservative spokesperson, Liberal Democrat spokesperson and the Lord Provost, in view of the timescales involved.

VI EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION - HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMME FOR SCOTLAND -2018/2019 PROGRAMME

There was submitted Report No 111-2018 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for further external wall insulation projects as part of the 2018/2019 Capital programme.

The Committee agreed that approval be given for the projects detailed below:-

VII PURCHASE OF WHEELED BINS AND EURO CONTAINERS

There was submitted Report No 229-2018 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for the purchase of the annual quantity of replacement wheeled bins and containers which are estimated to be required during 2018/2019.

The Committee approved the purchase of the following estimated quantities through the Scotland Excel framework:-

VIII STREET CLEANING AND OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT

There was submitted Report No 121-2018 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services updating the Committee on the current position in relation to Street Scene and Open Space Maintenance.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Alexander, moved that the report be agreed.

As an amendment, Councillor Gordon, seconded by Councillor Marra, moved that paragraph 2.1 of the report be amended to read:-

"It is recommended that the Committee has a moratorium on the cuts to Street Cleaning and Open Space Management due to the disquiet of the residents about the general state of the streets and stockpiling of rubbish against the Eurobins."

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Depute Lord Provost Campbell, Bailies Roberts and Sawers and Councillors Alexander, Dawson, Flynn, Hunter, Lynn, Murray, Rendall, Ross and Short (13);  and for the amendment - Bailies Keenan, Wright, Scott and Macpherson and Councillors Cruickshank, Gordon, McCready, Malone, Marra, Richardson, Hay, Scott and Duncan (13) - Lord Provost Borthwick and Councillor Smith being absent when the vote was taken - there being a parity of votes, the Convener used his casting vote in favour of the motion - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED BY HEAD OF ENVIRONMENT

There was submitted Report No 122-2018 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services detailing tenders received requesting decisions thereon:-

(a)                    GILLES PARK, MULTI-USE GAMES AREA

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Hawthorn Heights Ltd in the sum of 49,390, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 5,000, giving a total expenditure of 54,390.

(b)                    GILLES PARK MULTI-USE GAMES AREA LIGHTING

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer from Tayside Contracts in the sum of 14,390.

(c)                    MIDDLETON WOODS FOOTPATH RESTORATION

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer from Neighbourhood Services in the sum of 23,190.

(d)                    ARKLAY TERRACE COMMUNITY GROWING AREA

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer from Neighbourhood Services in the sum of 30,000.

X MILL O MAINS PAVILION

It was reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Gordon who asked the Committee to agree to replace the Mill OMains Pavillion with a new build.

The Committee acceded to a request for a deputation to address the Committee relative to this matter.  After the deputation had stated their case they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

The Committee agreed that Dundee City Council recognised the value of local service provision in the Mill O'Mains area and surrounding communities.

Accordingly, the Committee remitted officers to carry out a full options appraisal on the need for a new build community facility in Mill O'Mains.  This would include full consultation with members of the community, and would examine any opportunities presented for the best use of existing Council premises within the local area and investigate the capital and revenue implications of all options considered.

Kevin CORDELL, Convener.