Policy And Resources Committee - 10/02/2003

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th February, 2003.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Julia STURROCK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th January, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I BEST VALUE SUB-COMMITTEE

The minute of meeting of the Best Value Sub Committee of 20th January, 2003 a copy of which is appended hereto was submitted for information and record purposes.

II CORPORATE PLANNING

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th September, 2002 there was submitted Report No. 34-2003 by the Director of Corporate Planning setting out a framework for developing the next Council Plan, Service Planning and Best Value for 2003-2007.

The Committee:-

(a) authorised the Director of Corporate Planning to commence a consultation process for the next Corporate Plan for presentation to the Council by September 2003.

(b) remitted to Directors to develop their Department's strategic priorities to be included in new Service Plans for final approval after the local elections in 2003.

(c) remitted to the Corporate Planning Manager and the Director of Finance to issue guidance on Service Plan requirements by March 2003.

(d) remitted to the Director of Corporate Planning to integrate a new Best Value Plan into the Council Plan 2003-2007.

III SUPPLY OF IT EQUIPMENT GCAT

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th December, 2002 there was submitted Report No. 144-2003 by the Head of Information Technology detailing I.T. equipment purchased under the GCAT Government Procurement Scheme.

The Committee:-

(a) noted the I.T. purchases amounting to 164,769 detailed in appendix 1 to the report for the period 31st October, 2002 to 24 January 2003.

(b) approved ongoing engineering maintenance costs of 13,013 per annum for the above purchases.

IV PARTNERING GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

There was submitted Report No. 148-2003 by the City Architectural Services Officer providing Elected Members with information on the Partnering Guidelines for Construction Contracts.

The Committee approved the Guidelines and agreed that these be used as standard procedures for any partnering contract procured by the City Council.

In addition it was agreed that the Guidelines be placed on the Intranet and be updated electronically on a regular basis by the City Architectural Services Officer as and when new procedures were agreed or the existing procedures were amended.

V TAYSIDE HOUSE FLOOR 1 NEW COMPUTER ROOM

There was submitted Report No. 149-2003 by the City Architectural Services Officer and the Head of Information Technology seeking approval for alterations to form a secure computer room with all associated mechanical and electrical installations.

The Committee approved the alterations and services installations to floor 1 at a total cost of 65,000 including an allowance for professional fees and remitted to the City Architectural Services Officer to obtain tenders for these works and for the Director of Support Services in conjunction with the Head of Information Technology to accept the tender recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer.

VI SCHEDULE OF RATES - EXTENSION OF CONTRACT

After considering Agenda Note AN62-2003 it was noted that there was a Repairs Service Working Group currently reviewing the existing repairs services carried out by Dundee Contract Services and therefore the existing Housing and Non-Housing Term Contracts (Schedules of Rates) would be extended for a further year from 1st April, 2003 at the same rates as the current year.

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 DEPUTATION - IRAQ

The Committee agreed to hear a deputation from Ms Edith Constable, Dundee Coalition for Justice Not War, and after she had stated her case and answered questions from the Committee she was thanked for her attendance and withdrew.

Thereafter, the Committee approved the undernoted:-

"1. The Council considers that a pre-emptive attack on Iraq is neither necessary nor justified and that it would produce incalculable risks to international peace and stability;

2. The Council further considers that British participation in such an attack would be likely to have seriously damaging effects on Dundee's social and economic welfare and to endanger the safety of its citizens;

3. The Council accordingly calls upon Her Majesty's Government not to commit British Forces to a pre-emptive attack on Iraq;

4. The Council instructs the Chief Executive

(a) to make copies of this resolution available at Council premises throughout the City in a form that will allow Dundee citizens to signify whether they support or oppose the resolution;

(b) to report to the Policy and Resources Committee the number of citizens who have signified their support for or opposition to the resolution;

(c) to take such measures as he deems necessary to publicise the Council's action in this matter; and

5. The Council further instructs the Chief Executive to write to all other local authorities in Scotland, informing them of the Council's action in this matter and asking them whether they will consider taking similar action."

JULIA STURROCK, Convener

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