Policy And Resources Committee - 17/04/2000

At a MEETING of the FINANCE COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 17th April 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor George REGAN, Convener in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus* items stand delegated.

I RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

There was submitted Report No. 222-2000 by the Director of Finance seeking authorisation to grant Charity Relief on non domestic properties. The Committee approved the undernoted applications:-

II CONFERENCE - LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE - OPTIONS FOR REFORM

It was reported that the Scottish Local Government Information Unit was organising the above Conference in Edinburgh on 17th May 2000.

The Committee authorised the attendance of one member of the Majority Group, one member of the Major Opposition Group and one member of the Minority Group at an estimated cost, excluding travel and subsistence of 112 per delegate.

III HOSPITAL FUND AND JOHNSTON BEQUEST

There was submitted Report No. 261-2000 by the Director of Finance advising the Committee of additional income likely to be available in 2000/2001 from the above fund for distribution to pensioners in financial need.

The Committee approved the issue of one application form per elected member in order that they identify appropriate constituents within their Ward for receipt of a pension from the above funds.

IV FINANCE DEPARTMENT - REVENUES DIVISION CONSULTANCY

There was submitted Report No. 273-2000 relative to the above.

The Committee remitted to the Director of Finance to commission a report from Barony Group Limited with regard to the operation of the Council Tax Billing and Collection and Benefit Administration as undertaken by the Revenues Division at a cost not exceeding 45,380.

V GRANTS

(a)ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SCOTLAND - DUNDEE FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE

A grant of 675 be made in respect of the cost of hiring the Caird Hall complex on 4th November 2000.

(b)DUNDEE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

After considering Report No. 295-2000 by the Director of Finance the Committee approved a Revenue Grant for Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau of 101,850 for the financial year 2000/2001.

VI INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

There was submitted Report No. 293-2000 by the Director of Finance providing an overview of the proposed insured/self insured and risk management arrangements for the financial year 2000/2001.

The Committee approved the insurance programme, self funding arrangements, claims handling procedures and risk management strategy as detailed in the report.

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

VII TELEPHONE ALLOWANCES

The Committee agreed that allowances for telephone expenses be revised by 2.2% in line with inflation bringing the revised allowance for 2000-2001 to 288, it being noted that members can only claim a telephone allowance if they had a telephone in their home which was accessible by the public and therefore an ex-directory number did not satisfy this requirement.

GEORGE REGAN, Convener