City Development Committee - 24/01/2022

At a MEETING of the CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held remotely on 24th January, 2022.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Mark FLYNN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 6th December, 2021 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Rome declared a non-financial interest in respect of Article V by virtue of a relative attending one of the premises.

Councillor Short declared a non-financial interest in respect of Article VII by virtue of being a member of the Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Reach Community Engagement Board.

II SUSPENSION OF PARKING CHARGES IN SEVEN WEST END CAR PARKS

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

Bailie Macpherson, seconded by Councillor Duncan, moved the undernoted:-

In light of current Scottish Government recommendation to work from home, where possible, in light of the Covid-19 situation, Committee instructs officers to suspend car parking charges in the following seven car parks with immediate effect:-

Roseangle, Pennycook Lane, Millers Wynd, Ryehill Lane, Mid Wynd, Union Street North and Bellfield Street North.

Committee further agrees that this should be reviewed by this Committee when the Scottish Government recommendation to work from home, where possible, is lifted, and the loss of income should be met from the General Contingencies Fund.

As an amendment, the Convener, seconded by Councillor Rome, moved to take no action.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailies Keenan, Wright, Scott and Macpherson and Councillors Cruickshank, McCready, McIrvine, Malone, Marra, Richardson, Hay, Scott and Duncan (13); and for the amendment - the Convener, Lord Provost Borthwick, Depute Lord Provost Campbell, Bailies Roberts and Sawers and Councillors Alexander, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Rendall, Rome, Short, Smith, Murray and Ross (15) - whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

III CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982 - STREET NAMES - HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - FORMER ROSEBANK PRIMARY SCHOOL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN1-2022 advising of the results of the consultation for a new street name at a housing development at the former Rosebank Primary School.

The Committee approved the undernoted street name:-

Rose Street.

IV NEWS ROADS - ROAD CONSTRUCTION CONSENTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN2-2022 where reference was made to Article VI of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 27th April, 2009 delegating the grant of road construction consents to the Executive Director of City Development with the proviso that any consents granted be reported to the City Development Committee as soon as practicable thereafter.

The undernoted applications had been submitted and the Executive Director of City Development had approved the applications, subject to conditions which had been agreed with the applicants:

The Committee noted accordingly.

V SCHOOL STREETS - PART TIME PROHIBITION OF DRIVING

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th January, 2021, there was submitted Report No 10-2022 by the Executive Director of City Development providing an update on the proposed School Streets programme and seeking approval to begin a consultation on the introduction of restricting vehicle access during school start and finish times at five further primary school locations. This would provide safer routes to schools utilising the powers of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

The Committee approved the promotion of a Part Time Prohibition of Driving Order to prohibit vehicles from driving over the lengths of road detailed in Appendix 1 of the report during school start and finish times.

VI ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE RELOCATION AND UPGRADES

There was submitted Report No 21-2022 by the Executive Director of City Development seeking approval for the procurement of electric vehicle charging infrastructure upgrade and relocation work.

The Committee approved the procurement of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure as detailed in the report.

VII PROPOSED LIFE SCIENCES INNOVATION DISTRICT

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

There was submitted Report No 23-2022 by the Executive Director of City Development proposing the creation of a Life Sciences Innovation District to accelerate growth in the life sciences sector, building on recent investments through the Tay Cities Region Deal. The proposal would build on research excellence in the Dundee region and would facilitate the creation of both higher value research functions and professional/technical roles.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the significant growth potential of the life sciences sector in the region;

(ii) delegated the Executive Director of City Development to agree a joint marketing and development agreement and governance arrangement with the University of Dundee, Scottish Enterprise and private sector landowners to market land and property assets within the proposed Innovation District;

(iii) remitted the Executive Director of City Development to explore external funding opportunities as detailed within the report; and

(iv) remitted the Head of Planning and Economic Development to consider how the planning system could support the aims of the proposed Life Sciences Innovation District.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED BY HEAD OF DESIGN AND PROPERTY

There was submitted Report No 11-2022 by the Head of Design and Property detailing a tender received and requesting a decision thereon:-

BALDRAGON ACADEMY - MINOR INTERNAL WORKS

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Robertson Facilities Management in the sum of 43,000, together with allowances of 10,000, giving a total expenditure of 53,000.

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 SALE OF LAND

There was submitted Report No 27-2022 by the Executive Director of City Development seeking approval for the sale of land.

The Committee agreed the sale on the terms and conditions outlined in the report.

Mark FLYNN, Convener.