Policy And Resources Committee - 11/12/2000

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 11th December, 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Julia STURROCK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th November 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DUNDEE HEALTHY LIVING CENTRE INITIATIVE

There was submitted Report No. 674-2000 by the Director of Corporate Planning seeking approval for a funding bid to be made in respect of the above initiative.

The Committee approved the submissions of a bid to the New Opportunities Fund by the Healthy Dundee Alliance to develop a Healthy Living Centre initiative in Dundee as detailed in Section 7 of the report.

II MODERNISING THE COMPLAINTS SYSTEM - CONSULTATION ON PUBLIC SECTOR OMBUDSMAN IN SCOTLAND

There was submitted Report No. 765-2000 seeking approval for a proposed response to the Scottish Executive's consultation document "Modernising the Complaints System - Consultation on Public Sector Ombudsman in Scotland".

The Committee approved the report and agreed that it be forwarded to the Scottish Executive as this Council's response to the Consultation Paper.

III LOCAL AGENDA 21 WORKING GROUP

It was reported that Councillor Rolfe had resigned as Chair and member of the above Group.

Councillor Shimi, seconded by Councillor Farquhar, moved that Councillor Glen be appointed Chair.

As an amendment, Councillor FitzPatrick, seconded by Councillor Sawers, moved that Councillor Barrie be appointed Chair.

On a division, there voted for Councillor Glen - Lord Provost Wright, Councillors Sturrock, de Gernier, Letford, Ward, Shimi, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Luke, Glen, Rolfe, Wallace and Scott (14); and for Councillor Barrie - Councillors Richard Beattie, Barrie, Dawson, Sawers, Fitzpatrick, Guild, Corrigan, Dave Beattie, Bowes and Borthwick (10) - whereupon Councillor Glen was appointed.

In addition, it was agreed that Councillor Regan be appointed to the vacancy on the Working Group.

IV AFFORDABILITY OF WATER AND SEWERAGE CHARGES - ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLDS

There was submitted Report No. 763-2000 by the Director of Finance providing a response to a Consultation Paper issued by the Scottish Executive which proposed the introduction of a transitional scheme to limit the amount paid in water and sewerage charges for those in receipt of Council Tax Benefit.

The Committee agreed that a copy of this report be forwarded to the Scottish Executive as this Council's response to the Consultation Paper and in particular to:-

(i) re-affirm the Council's call to broaden the scope of Council Tax benefit and examine the option of mutualisation; and

(ii) propose that the ceiling for the amount within the transitional scheme to be paid on water and sewerage charges be set at the lower end of the scale at 180 or below.

JULIA STURROCK, Convener.