Policy And Resources Committee - 10/02/2003

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th February, 2003.

 

Present:-

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

Willie W SAWERS

Dave BEATTIE

George de GERNIER

Joe FITZPATRICK

C D P FARQUHAR

Helen WRIGHT

Allan PETRIE

Fraser MACPHERSON

Betty WARD

George REGAN

Jim BARRIE

Jill SHIMI

Bruce D MACKIE

Julia M STURROCK

Neil I C POWRIE

Roderick A J WALLACE

Neil GLEN

Ian BORTHWICK

Kenneth J N GUILD

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Robin PRESSWOOD

Derek J SCOTT

Fiona M GRANT

Richard BEATTIE

John CORRIGAN

David BOWES

 

 

Mervyn J ROLFE

 

Lord Provost LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13 January 2003 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - THROUGHCARE AND AFTERCARE STRATEGY

 

There was submitted Joint Report No 788-2002 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and Director of Social Work seeking formal approval of the Council's Throughcare and Aftercare Strategy and the steps that would need to be taken to implement the Strategy.

 

The Committee approved the establishment of the following posts:-

 

(a) one post of Senior Officer (Throughcare and Aftercare), graded PO7-10, 28,187 - 30,323;

 

(b) one post of Resource Worker, graded SCP27-35, 18,878 - 23,930; and

 

(c) one post of Clerical Assistant, graded GS1/2, 9,680 - 12,899.

 

II FAST TRACK CHILDREN'S HEARINGS FOR PERSISTENT OFFENDERS - STAFFING

 

There was submitted Report No 50-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services advising members that Dundee had been selected to pilot a scheme of Fast Track Children's Hearings for persistent young offenders and seeking approval to establish new posts that would be required by the Council to service this initiative.

 

The Committee approved the establishment of the following posts:-

 

(a) a temporary post of Resource Worker (CHOICE Project) for a period of two years, graded SCP27-35 (18,878 - 23,930) in the Social Work Department;

 

(b) a temporary post of Residential Resource Worker (Community Support Team) for a period of two years, graded SCP31-37 (21,536 - 25, 241) in the Social Work Department;

 

(c) a temporary post of Administrative Assistant for a period of two years, graded AP3 (16,673 - 18,296) in the Social Work Department;

 

(d) a temporary post of Senior Clerical Assistant for a period of two years, graded GS3 (13,124 - 13,664) in the Social Work Department; and

 

(e) a temporary post of Clerical Assistant for a period of two years, graded GS1/2 (9,680 - 12,899) in the Support Services Department.

 

III SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

 

There was submitted Joint Report No 60-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and Director of Social Work seeking approval for changes to the Social Work Department's senior management structure.

 

The Committee approved the following proposals:-

 

(a) the establishment of one additional post of Manager, Strategy and Performance, graded SCP69-72, (53,975 - 57,872);

 

(b) the establishment of one additional post of Service Development Manager, Community Care, graded PO15-18, (33,983 - 36,377); and

 

(c) the deletion of the post of Section Leader, Contracts, graded PO11-14, (31,004 - 33,224).

 

IV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOME CARE SERVICES - PRACTICAL SERVICESUPPORTS

 

There was submitted Joint Report No 79-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and Director of Social Work outlining proposals for the development of practical support services for older people and other vulnerable adults who require assistance to carry out household maintenance tasks to be able to remain in their own home.

 

The Committee approved the establishment of the following posts:-

 

(a) eight Practical Support Workers, 30 hours per week, MW3 (5.36 per hour); and

 

(b) one Home Care Organiser, AP3 (16,673 - 18,296).

 

Councillor Borthwick declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereof.

 

V SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REVISED STAFFING TO ASSIST WITH HOSPITAL DISCHARGEARRANGEMENTS

 

There was submitted Joint Report No 113-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and Director of Social Work seeking the agreement of Committee to revise staffing arrangements for the process of assessment and service provision for people leaving hospital.

 

The Committee approved the establishment of:-

 

(a) three posts of Social Care Organiser, graded SCP27-30, (18,878 - 20,897);

 

(b) four posts of Care Manager, graded AP4/5+1, (18,878 - 23,930), for a temporary period of 12 months;

 

(c) four hundred Social Care Officer hours, SCP16-23, (13,976 - 16,673); and

 

(d) one post of Clerical Assistant, graded GS1/2, (9,680 - 12,899).

 

Councillor Borthwick declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereof.

VI SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - COMMUNITY ALARM SERVICE

 

There was submitted Joint Report No 78-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and Director of Social Work reviewing the staffing of the Community Alarm Service.

 

The Committee approved:-

 

(a) the re-designation of the post of Social Care Officer, residential grade, SCP16-23 (13,976 - 16,673) to Community Alarm Worker with no change of grade;

 

(b) the re-designation of a post Home Care Organiser graded AP3 (16,673 - 18,296) to Community Alarm Organiser with no change of grade;

 

(c) the establishment of 28.8 Community Alarm Workers' hours per week residential grade SCP16-23 (13,976 - 16,673);

 

(d) The establishment of a post of Community Alarm Organiser graded AP3 (16,673 - 18,296; and

 

(e) the extension of a part-time (18.5 hrs), to full-time Clerical Assistant graded GS1/2 (9,680 - 12,899).

 

Councillor Borthwick declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereof.

 

VII SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF COUNCIL OFFICERS' TEAM

 

This item was withdrawn.

 

VIII NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - RESTRUCTURING OF STAFFING RESOURCES -SUPPORT SERVICES SECTION

 

There was submitted Joint Report No 81-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and Director of Neighbourhood Resources and Development seeking to amend the Support Services Section staffing structure to reflect the new roles and responsibilities of certain posts within Support Services as a result of recently approved Staffing Reviews, increasing numbers of externally funded projects and to assist the integration of the Finance and Administrative teams within Support Services.

 

The Committee approved the following:-

 

(a) the regrading of the post Assistant Administration Officer, from AP4 (18,878 - 20,897) to AP5 (21,536 - 23,459);

 

(b) the deletion of one full-time post Administrative/Finance Assistant, graded AP1 (13,664 - 14,618);

 

(c) the establishment of one full-time post Senior Administrative/Finance Assistant, graded AP2 (14,984 - 16,217);

 

(d) the reduction in hours of the post Senior Clerical Assistant, GS3 (13,124 - 13,664), from full-time to 20 hours (7,094 - 7,286); and

 

(e) the redesignation of the post Administration Assistant and Finance Assistant to Administration/Finance Assistant.

 

IX FINANCE DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF PENSIONS SECTION CONTRIBUTIONS TEAM

 

There was submitted Report No 51-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and Director of Finance seeking to identify the staffing and resources required to ensure the efficient and timeous processing of the Team's current and foreseeable future workload.

The Committee agreed that:-

 

(a) one temporary Clerical Assistant post, graded GS1/2 (9,680 - 12,899, be deleted and that one post of Clerical Assistant, graded GS1/3 (9,680 - 13,664), be established;

 

(b) three additional posts of Pensions Assistant, graded GS3/AP1 (13,124 - 14,618), be established; and

 

(c) the Pensions Section examine the potential of using Workflow to streamline paper based systems across the section.

 

X FINANCE DEPARTMENT - REVENUES DIVISION - REVIEW OF STAFFING - VERIFICATION FRAMEWORK

 

There was submitted Joint Report No 137-2003 by the Director of Personnel and Management Services and Director of Finance.

 

The Personnel and Management Services Committee agreed to approve the changes to the establishment as outlined in the Appendix to the report.

 

XI SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS (OUTREACH WORKERS)

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN46-2003 whereby reference was made to Article V of the Policy and Resources Committee of 11th March, 2002, wherein the Committee noted the establishment of the Changing Children's Services Fund and instructed the Chief Executive to ensure that proposals for the use of these monies were developed and included within Dundee Children's Services Plan.

 

In this connection, the need to improve access to family support services to those communities in Dundee who do not have a local Child and Family Centre was identified. The Committee therefore approved the establishment of two posts of Outreach Workers graded SCP27-35 (18,878 - 23,930), for a period of two years, having noted that the costs of establishing these posts would be 52,250 in a full financial year and would be met from the Changing Children's Services Fund.

 

XII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POST OF CLERICAL ASSISTANT INCHILDREN'S SERVICES

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN47-2003, whereby reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 10th September, 2001, relative to Better Neighbourhood Services. The Committee agreed to approve the establishment of a post of Clerical Assistant graded GS1/2 (9,680 - 12,899) for a fixed term until 31st March, 2005, to provide financial, clerical and word processing support to staff in the 'Support for Young People' project, having noted that this post would be funded from the Scottish Executive's Better Neighbourhood Services Fund,.

 

XIII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REDESIGNATION OF POST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN48-2003, whereby the Committee was asked to approve the redesignation of the post of Manager of Out-of-Hours Services graded PO3-6 to Senior Co-ordinator, Out-of-Hours Service to better reflect the duties and responsibilities of the post with no change to grade.

 

The Committee approved accordingly.

XIV FINANCE DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF PART TIME CLERICAL ASSISTANT POST (SALES LEDGERTEAM)

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN49-2003 advising that the Director of Finance had reviewed the staffing requirements of the Sales Ledger Team, and due to the increase in work in this section, requested that the Committee approve the establishment of a part time Clerical Assistant post (20 hours), GS1/3 (9,680 - 13,664).

 

The Committee approved the establishment of this post, having noted that the costs, including employer's costs would amount to 8,805 in a full financial year and would be met from the existing departmental revenue budget.

 

XV EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF CLERICAL SUPPORT STAFF IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN50-2003 whereby reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th June, 2002, wherein the Committee approved the establishment of a post of Senior Clerical Officer, grade GS3 in each secondary school (10 schools).

 

The Committee agreed to the establishment of an additional post of Senior Clerical Officer, grade GS3 (13,124 - 13,664 pro-rata) at Kingspark Special School having noted that as with the secondary school posts, recruitment would be restricted to current staff within the school with the resultant vacancy being deleted.

 

XVI PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN89-2003, seeking approval for the early retirement of an IS/IT Support Officer (ER1/03) in the Planning and Transportation Department, in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998 with effect from 11 May 2003.

 

The Committee approved the request, having noted that there would be net savings of 2,284 in year one, 3,097 in years 2 to 5, and from year 6 onwards, 6,505.

 

 

 

 

LORD PROVOST LETFORD, Convener.