Policy And Resources Committee - 19/06/2000

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th June, 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Julia STURROCK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th June was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I CAPITAL BUDGET 2000/01 AND FINANCIAL PLAN 2001/03

After considering Report No 410-2000 by the Director of Finance the Committee approved the Capital Budget 2000/2001 and Financial Plan 2001/2003.

II DISTRICT COURT ROOF REPAIRS

After considering Report No 372-2000 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing the offers received for the above works, the Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer being that from Resin Polymer Applications Ltd, Broxburn for the sum of 15,399.80 together with the undernoted allowances.

Several Works 15,399.80

Allowances 2,845.00

TOTAL 18,244.80

III ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES - FINTRY COMMUNITY NURSERY

This item was withdrawn.

The Convener agreed that items IV to IX be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 51(3)(b) in view of the timescales involved.

IV REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES

(a) Baldovan

(b) Ballumbie

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th January, 2000, there were submitted Report Nos. 431-2000 and 432-2000 by the Director of Corporate Planning updating members on the current situation in regard to the Council's request for a review of the administrative boundaries and the outcome of a meeting between officers of the Council and representatives of the Local Government Boundary Committee for Scotland.

Councillor Sturrock seconded by Councillor Farquhar moved that the Committee supports further applications to the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland seeking a review of the areas of Baldovan and Ballumbie as outlined within the reports for eventual inclusion in the City's boundary.

As an amendment, Councillor Sawers, seconded by Councillor FitzPatrick, moved that the applications be not supported.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Lord Provost Wright, Councillors Sturrock, de Gernier, Letford, Ward, Shimi, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Kemp, Glenn, Rolfe, Mackie and Scott (14); and for the amendment Councillors Richard Beattie, Dawson, Sawers, FitzPatrick, Petrie, Guild, Corrigan, Dave Beattie, Fordyce, Bowes, Wallace and Borthwick (12) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

V COUNCIL PLAN 1999/2002 - PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVING TARGETS

There was submitted Report No 433-2000 by the Director of Corporate Planning advising members of progress towards meeting the targets set out in the Council Plan 1999/2000.

The Committee approved the undernoted recommendations.

(i) to note the contents of the report, in particular the appended tables which detail progress to date on the targets set out in the Council Plan;

(ii) to remit the Director of Corporate Planning to continue to monitor progress on these targets and report to Committee on an annual basis; and

(iii) to agree that, as part of the commitment to Public Performance Reporting, information on progress towards the targets be added to the copy of the Council Plan which appears on the Council website, and copies of this report be made available to partner organisations and local groups on request.

VII INCREASE IN WATER CHARGES - INTRODUCTION OF REBATES/BENEFITS

There was submitted a letter dated 7 June, 2000 from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities regarding the large increase in water charges and in particular suggesting that the Convention take a co-ordinating role in addressing the resultant financial hardship.

The Committee noted accordingly.

VIII CONSULTATION PAPER ON CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THE WATER INDUSTRY

There was submitted Report No 434-2000 by the Director of Corporate Planning advising members of a Consultation Paper issued by the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland.

The Committee approved the undernoted recommendations.

(i) to welcome the proposals contained in the Consultation Paper 'First Steps in Ensuring Improved Customer Service'; and

(ii) to note that the Consultation Paper does not directly address the issue of water charges, but take the opportunity in the Council's response to comment that the interests of consumers, particularly those on low incomes, should be fully taken into consideration as part of the Commissioner's Strategic Review of Charges.

IX CORPORATE PLANNING DIVISION - SERVICE PLAN PERFORMANCE

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th October, 1999 there was submitted Report No 438-2000 by the Director of Corporate Planning updating members on performance achieved against baseline and targets contained in the Corporate Planning Division Service Plan.

The Committee noted the position.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the 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 1 of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

X CAPITAL FUNDING FOR FORENSIC MORTUARY

There was submitted Report No 429-2000 by the Director of Finance seeking Committee approval to transfer the recently announced 1.7m specific capital allocations to Tayside Joint Police Board in order to facilitate the provision of a new Forensic Mortuary in Dundee.

The Committee agreed to transfer the allocation to Tayside Joint Police Board subject to the Director of Support Services concluding a legal agreement with Tayside Joint Police Board concerning the future use of the building to be purchased for this purpose.

JULIA STURROCK, Convener.