City Development Committee - 26/06/2023

At a MEETING of the CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held remotely on 26th June, 2023.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Mark FLYNN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th May, 2023 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II DUNDEE ECONOMIC SUMMIT

This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Alexander who asked the Committee to agree that the Executive Director of City Development explore options for the return of the annual Dundee Economic summit, in conjunction with key partners such as Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, and report back to Committee with recommendations in early course.

The Committee agreed to Councillor Alexanders request.

III EVENTS STRATEGY

This item was placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Alexander who asked the Committee to agree, following the significant success of the city in hosting and attracting events, that the Executive Director of City Development bring forward a city-wide events strategy for approval by Committee by the Autumn of 2023.

The Committee agreed to Councillor Alexanders request.

IV DEVELOPMENT PLAN SCHEME 2023

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 31st October, 2022 (Report No 268-2022 refers), there was submitted Agenda Note AN20-2023 requesting that the Committee note that the Council was required to prepare a Development Plan Scheme and review this annually. The Development Plan Scheme set out the Authority's programme for preparing and reviewing its Local Development Plan and provided a timescale for the key stages in the Development Plan process. Authorities were required to include a Participation Statement describing the proposed format and methods of consultation with stakeholders that would take place to inform the preparation of the Local Development Plan.

The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, had introduced a new requirement that when preparing the Development Plan Scheme, Authorities must seek the views of and have regard to any views expressed by the public at large as to the content of the Participation Statement.

To fulfil this statutory duty, during Summer 2023, the Council would invite stakeholders to complete a short consultation survey to seek views on methods of engagement to be used in the review of the Dundee Local Development Plan 2019. The responses to the survey would inform the Participation Statement. The Dundee Local Development Plan Scheme 2023, including the Participation Statement, would be reported to Committee for approval in Autumn, 2023.

The Committee agreed the terms of the note.

V DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (VARIATION OF SCHOOL STREETS) ORDER 2023

On a reference to Article III of the minute of this Committee held on 31st October, 2022 (Report No 274-2022), there was submitted Agenda Note AN21-2023 instructing and authorising the preparation of an Order restricting vehicle access during school start and finish times at five primary school locations (Clepington Primary, Eastern Primary, Mill OMains Primary, St Ninian's RC Primary and St Pius RC Primary). This would provide safer routes to schools. 

The proposed Order was duly drafted and, during the statutory consultation period, no objections were received. 

The Order was duly advertised and seven objections were received.

The Committee agreed to make the Order despite the objections.

VI DIGHTY RESTORATION PROJECT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN22-2023 reporting that the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) had identified three lengths of the Dighty watercourse as having potential for restoration. These lengths of the Dighty watercourse were as described below:

(i) north of Harestane Road from Harestane House, 88 Harestane Road to Emmock Road;

(ii) east of Millburn Gardens and upstream of the Trottick Ponds; and

(iii) between Fintry Road and Baldovie Road.

The river restoration work would aim to deliver significant ecological improvements, enhance biodiversity, and expand the natural habitat of the Dighty whilst also creating a multi-use recreational area that was accessible to everyone in the community, providing multi-0sensory experiences and educational opportunities. The incorporation of other multiple benefits would also be considered as the project was developed.

SEPA had subsequently approached Dundee City Council to gauge if there would be interest in developing a Dighty river restoration project. Subject to a successful SEPA internal funding application, it was proposed that the SEPA Water Environment Fund would provide the primary funding for the project.

The project would assist with delivery of the Dundee City Council plans and policies: City Plan; Climate Action Plan, Greenspace/Green Networks, and Biodiversity Action Plan.

It was proposed that Dundee City Council lead the project with support from SEPA. Dundee City Council resource costs associated with the initial development of the project would be contained within the City Engineers existing Flood Risk Management Revenue Budget. Future phases of the project, including the development of the project brief, design development and construction, would be funded through a successful SEPA internal funding application to their Water Environment Fund. The project would be delivered over several years, with construction work expected to commence in 2028.

The Committee agreed that the City Engineer developed the project with support from SEPA and other partners.

VII DISCOVER WORK UPDATE

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of this Committee on 5th September, 2022 (Report No 206-2022 refers), there was submitted Report No 170-2023 by the Executive Director of City Development, providing an on performance of the Employability Pathway; progress with the Discover Work Strategy and update Action Plan, which responded to the Scottish Government and Local Governments ambition to transform Scotlands employability services through the No One Left Behind policy; and the proposed Challenge Fund approach for the redesign and co-commissioning of employability services from 1st April, 2024.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the significant and sustained level of performance of the Employability Pathway for the period 1st October, 2019 to 31st March, 2023;

(ii) to note the progress in delivering the Discover Work Strategy and Action Plan 2022/2027, including the service redesign process during 2023 and the proposed co-commissioning timetable for service implementation from 1st April, 2024;

(iii) to remit the Executive Director of Corporate Services and the Executive Director of City Development to finalise the commitment of employability funding following the redesign and co-commissioning process undertaken by the Discover Work Partnership; and

(iv) to remit the Executive Director of City Development to bring a further report to Committee in Summer 2024 on the outcome of the co-commissioning process and final performance of the current Employability Pathway programme.

VIII GREEN TRANSPORT HUB AND SPOKES PROJECT

There was submitted Report No 173-2023 by the Executive Director of City Development, describing the procurement and tendering process proposed for the Green Transport Hub and Spokes project which had recently secured Levelling-Up Fund support and seeking authority to progress the design and tender process and subsequently procure the works through the SCAPE Scotland Construction Framework with McLaughlin and Harvey Building and Civil Engineers.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to approve the procurement of the Pre-construction Services through the SCAPE Framework with McLaughlin and Harvey Building and Civil Engineers; and

(ii) to note that the final tender prices for enabling and construction works would be brought back to Committee for approval in due course.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED BY HEAD OF DESIGN AND PROPERTY

There was submitted Report No 171-2023 by the Executive Director of City Development, detailing tenders received and requesting decisions thereon.

(a) DENS ROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL - BOILER REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept the tender from Scan Building Services Ltd in the sum of 205,258.91, together with allowances of 27,200, giving a total expenditure of 231,458.91.

(b) VARIOUS PPP PRIMARY SCHOOLS - WIFI INSTALLATION

The Committee agreed to accept the tender from Robertson Facilities Management in the sum of 13,733.50, together with allowances of 5,500, giving a total expenditure of 19,233.50.

(c) VARIOUS PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOLS - WIFI INSTALLATION

The Committee agreed to accept the tender from North SV Ltd in the sum of 42,036.62, together with allowances of 8,500, giving a total expenditure of 50,536.62.

(d) VARIOUS PROPERTIES - SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE OF AUTOMATIC ACCESS BARRIERS

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from IC Fire and Security in the sum of 51,325, together with allowances of 5,000, giving a total expenditure of 56,325.

(e) MENZIESHILL HOUSE - INSTALLATION OF SWING DOORS

The Committee agreed to accept the tender from Construction Services in the sum of 5,337.42, together with allowances of 2,650, giving a total expenditure of 7,987.42.

(f) 101 WHITFIELD DRIVE DEMOLITION

The Committee agreed to accept the tender with the highest ranking for cost and quality from Chris Wright and Sons Ltd in the sum of 34,450, together with allowances of 20,000, giving a total expenditure of 54,450.

(g) MSCP GREENMARKET AND MSCP OLYMPIA - NEW ACCESS AND CYCLE PARKING

The Committee agreed to accept the tender with the highest ranking for cost and quality from Dundee Plant Ltd in the sum of 62,043.26, together with allowances of 18,000, giving a total expenditure of 80,043.26.

(h) MARCHBANKS DEPOT WEIGHBRIDGE OFFICE AND WASHBAY BUILDING DEMOLITION

The Committee agreed to accept the tender with the highest ranking for cost and quality from Chris Wright and Sons Ltd in the sum of 12,560, together with allowances of 13,940, giving a total expenditure of 26,500.

(i) BARNHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL - NEW BIN STORE

The Committee agreed to accept the tender with the highest ranking for cost and quality from Dundee Plant Ltd in the sum of 33,464.59, together with allowances of 10,000, giving a total expenditure of 43,464.59.

(j) ST PETER AND PAULS PRIMARY SCHOOL - FORMER TOILET BLOCK STABILISATION WORKS

The Committee agreed to accept the tender with the highest ranking for cost and quality from Dundee Plant Ltd in the sum of 35,933.38, together with allowances of 9,000, giving a total expenditure of 44,933.38.

(k) GRAY STREET SUBWAY

The Committee agreed to accept the tender with the highest score for cost and quality from Chemcem in the sum of 47,795, together with allowances of 10,000, giving a total expenditure of 57,795.

(l) BROUGHTY FERRY - MONIFIETH ACTIVE TRAVEL - PUBLIC ART

The Committee agreed to accept the tender with the highest score for cost and quality for the Dundee City Council location from Lee J Simmons in the sum of 100,000, together with allowances of 35,000, giving a total expenditure of 135,000.

(m) BROUGHTY FERRY - MONIFIETH ACTIVE TRAVEL - LANDSCAPE WORKS

The Committee agreed to approve the budget estimate from Neighbourhood Services in the sum of 75,000, together with allowances of 60,000, giving a total expenditure of 135,000.

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 items of business on the grounds they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

X COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

There was submitted Report No 139-2023 by the Executive Director of City Development, seeking approval for commercial property development as detailed in the report.

The Committee approved the recommendations as detailed in the report.

XI COMMERCIAL LEASE

There was submitted Report No 169-2023 by the Executive Director of City Development seeking approval for commercial lease renewal as detailed in the report.

The Committee approved the recommendations as detailed in the report.

Mark FLYNN, Convener.