Policy And Resources Committee - 24/06/2019

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th June, 2019.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 3rd June, 2019 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Flynn declared a non-financial interest in Article IV by virtue of being a member of UNITE the Union.

II CAREER PATHWAYS FOR TEACHERS

This item was withdrawn.

III SUPPORTED BUS SERVICES

The Committee acceded to requests for deputations to address the Committee relative to this matter. After the deputations had stated their cases and answered questions from members of the Committee, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

It was reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Bailie Macpherson.

Bailie Macpherson, seconded by Councillor McCready, moved that:-

Committee notes that the recommendation in Report 71-2019 approved by this Committee on 21st February, 2019 that would see Bus Service 204 end on 10th August, 2019, has resulted in considerable public concern from the communities the service serves.

Committee therefore agrees that the service should be continued and retendered, with the service to commence from 10th August, 2019, to ensure continuity of provision.

Officers are instructed to bring forward proposals for funding this, to be agreed by elected members at the Recess Sub-Committee.

As an amendment, the Convener, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved the direct negative.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Cruickshank, McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Marra, Richardson, Hay, Scott and Duncan, Bailies Keenan, Wright and Macpherson (12); and for the amendment - the Convener, Councillors Cordell, Dawson, Flynn, Hunter, Lynn, Rendall, Rome, Ross, Short and Smith, Bailies Roberts and Sawers, Depute Lord Provost Campbell and Lord Provost Borthwick (15) - whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

IV NEGOTIATIONS WITH TRADE UNIONS

The Committee agreed to suspend Standing Order 39(1) to enable consideration to be given to this item of business.

The Committee acceded to a request for deputations to address the Committee relative to this matter. After the deputations had stated their cases and answered questions from members of the Committee, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

It was reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Bailie Keenan.

The Committee:-

(i) resolved that Dundee City Council valued its workforce and believed that the workforce was key to the success of the Council;

(ii) agreed that the Managing Workforce Change Policy set out in Report 68-2019 approved by the Committee on 18th February, 2019 be rescinded; and

(iii) noted that the Committee supported collective bargaining and that any changes to policy or major changes to the terms and conditions of the workforce could only take place after full consultation with the workforce and their trade unions and, where such significant changes were proposed, only after such negotiations had been reported to the Council for democratic approval.

V CLIMATE CHANGE - PROGRESS REPORT AND NEXT STEPS

The Committee acceded to requests for deputations to address the Committee relative to this item of business. After the deputations had stated their cases and answered questions from members of the Committee, they were thanked for their attendance and withdrew.

There was submitted Report No 207-2019 by the Executive Director of City Development informing the Committee of the recent recommendations made by the UK Committee on Climate Change and subsequent decision by the Scottish Government to amend the Scottish Climate Change Bill that would set a target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for Scotland by 2045. The report also highlighted the preparation of a consultative draft Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Dundee that would represent the city's response to tackling climate change.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the Scottish Government's proposed changes to the Climate Change Bill that would require local authorities to act in accordance with increased targets for reducing climate changing emissions;

(ii) remitted the Executive Director of City Development to finalise the consultative draft SECAP, carry out a period of public consultation and report back within six months with a finalised plan;

(iii) requested that the Chair of the Dundee Partnership write to city partners to seek their commitment to the delivery of the SECAP;

(iv) noted that the Council had agreed to develop a carbon budget and that the Executive Director of City Development and Executive Director of Corporate Services would bring back a report to Committee in 2020 recommending a way forward and highlighting the resources required;

(v) recognised the serious and accelerating environmental, social and economic challenges faced by climate change and declared a climate emergency;

(vi) agreed a science-based target of working towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 or sooner for Dundee, in line with the proposed Scottish Government target, and agreed that this target be used as a basis for the long-term ambition of the SECAP;

(vii) remitted the Chief Executive to write to both the UK Government and Scottish Government to seek financial support for the Council's response to the climate emergency;

(viii) remitted the Chief Executive of Dundee City Council to write to the Scottish Government to seek Dundee's inclusion in "The Big Climate Change Conversation" events set to take place to encourage communities, businesses and the public sector to talk about what action we could all take;

(ix) noted the Council's commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and requested the Executive Director of City Development to report back regularly on our progress;

(x) agreed, in principle, to support the establishment of a Climate Change Citizens' Assembly in Dundee;

(xi) remitted officers to engage with the Dundee Partnership, relevant professionals and organisations, including those already supporting citizens' assemblies elsewhere, to determine best practice and the most appropriate vehicle for delivery; and

(xii) remitted officers to include such a body in future public consultations on policies related to climate change.

VI COUNCIL PLAN 2017/2022 PROGRESS REPORT

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th December, 2017, there was submitted Report No 198-2019 by the Chief Executive providing the Committee with the second progress report on the Council Plan 2017/2022.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the progress being made on the Council Plan 2017/2022 as appended to the report;

(ii) approved the inclusion of the new performance indicators and actions listed in paragraph 4.13 of the report; and

(iii) remitted the report to the Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

VII DUNDEE CITY PLAN ANNUAL REPORT 2018/2019

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th September, 2017, there was submitted Report No 223-2019 by the Chief Executive providing the Committee with the second Dundee Partnership City Plan Annual Report for 2018/2019.

The Committee endorsed the City Plan Annual Progress Report appended to the report.

VIII DUNDEE FAIRNESS ACTION PLAN/CHILD POVERTY LOCAL ACTION PLAN 2019/2022

On references to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th November, 2016 and Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 7th January, 2019, there was submitted Report No 234-2019 by the Chief Executive presenting a revised Fairness/Child Poverty Action Report and Plan for Dundee to 2022.

The Committee approved the report.

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.

IX DATA CENTRE UPGRADE

On a reference to Article XXI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd April, 2019, there was submitted Agenda Note AN49-2019 relative to the above.

The Committee approved the contents of the Agenda Note.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.