Policy And Resources Committee - 14/01/2002

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th January, 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Lord Provost LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th December 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE OF 3RD DECEMBER 2001

The minute of meeting of the above Sub-Committee, a copy of which is appended hereto (Appendix I) was submitted for information.

II PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT CAREER GRADE AND STAFFING STRUCTURE

There was submitted Joint Report No. 754-2001 by the Directors of Planning & Transportation and Personnel reporting on proposed changes to the career grade structure for the Planning and Transportation Department and to the staffing structure of the City Engineer's and Roads and Transportation Divisions.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) approve the proposed new career grade structure;

(b) approve the proposed new staffing structure within the City Engineer's Division; and

(c)approve the proposed new staffing structure within the Roads and Transportation Division.

III HOUSING DEPARTMENT - PRIVATE SECTOR GRANT UNIT AND HOUSING ACTION AREA SECTION - REVIEW OF ESTABLISHMENT

It was reported that this item had been withdrawn in order to allow time for further discussions with the Trade Unions.

IV DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - REDESIGNATION AND REGRADING OF POST

It was reported that due to significant investment in the Department's IT infrastructure, there was a requirement for a dedicated post to actively drive and advance E Government in line with the Council's ICT Strategy. In contrast, this investment would result in a reduced requirement for Word Processing services. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to approve the redesignation of one post of Senior Keyboard Operator to Information Assistant, and that this post be regraded from GS3 (12,624 - 13,164) to AP1 (13,164 - 14,118).

It was noted that the cost of this recommendation would amount to 95 in the current financial year, which can be met from the surpluses generated by Dundee Contract Services Department and in a full financial year, the maximum increase would be 1,159 for which provision would require to be made in the Revenue Estimates.

V HOUSING DEPARTMENT - REGRADING OF POST

It was reported that this item had been withdrawn in order to allow time for further discussions with the Trade Unions.

VI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST

Reference was made to the minute of meeting of the Economic Development Committee of 12th November, 2001 wherein the Committee noted the establishment of a Film Commission to promote the Tayside area as a destination for film, video, still photography and television projects. The Committee agreed to approve the establishment of one post of Film Liaison Officer, grade AP5 (21,036 - 22,959) for a fixed term period for the duration of the project until 31st December, 2004.

It was noted that the costs, including employer costs, for the above post amount to 6,325 for the financial year 2001/02 and 25,659 for the full financial year, these costs to be met by ERDF funding and contributions by the four partners (Dundee City Council, Angus Council, Perth and Kinross Council and Scottish Enterprise). Dundee City Council's contribution would amount to 1,059 and 4,326 for the financial year 2001/02 and a full financial year respectively.

It was reported that the Convener had agreed that the undernoted items be considered in terms of Standing Order 52(3)(b) in view of the timescales involved.

VII ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT AND CHANGES TO THE ESTABLISHMENT

The Committee approved the early retiral of an employee (ER1/02), Technician, in the Economic Development Department in the interests of the efficiency of the service, with effect from 9th January, 2002, which retirement would be in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998 and would be without enhancements.

The Committee noted the savings which would result from this early retiral as reported by the Director of Personnel and Management Services.

In light of this early retirement, the Committee, on the recommendation of the Director of Economic Development and the Director of Personnel and Management Services approved the deletion of one post of Technician, AP1-4 (13,164 - 20,397) and noted that further proposals in relation to minor changes to the establishment of the Economic Development Department would be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee.

VIII USE OF FUNDING TO ASSIST IMPLEMENTATION OF HOMELESSNESS SECTIONS - HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2001

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee on 17th December, 2001, there was submitted Joint Report No. 823-2001 by the Director of Housing and Director of Personnel and Management Services seeking approval to utilise funding allocated to the Housing Department, in line with the Scottish Executive's recent Interim Guidance, for the first phase of implementation of homelessness provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

The Committee approved the establishment of the following posts for a fixed term period of 12 months;

(a)one post of Principal Housing Officer (Homelessness Assessment Strategy Team), graded PO3-6 (24,741 - 26,979);

(b)one post of Senior Housing Officer (Homelessness Assessment Strategy Team), graded AP5 (21,036 - 22,959); and

(c)one post of Housing Officer (Homelessness Assessment Strategy Team), graded AP3 (16,173 - 17,796).

LORD PROVOST JOHN R LETFORD, Convener.