Policy And Resources Committee - 18/08/2003

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th August 2003.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Lord Provost LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th June, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - SUPPORT STAFF IN SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 513-2003 by the Director of Education and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) advising the Committee of school support staffing issues arising from the "Time for Teaching" joint study, undertaken by the Accounts Commission and HM Inspectors of Schools, and the agreement "A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century" (The Agreement), which followed the McCrone Report and making recommendations on addressing workload implications in primary schools as a result of the improved security arrangements and the increased use of IT applications in the delivery of administrative systems and provision of management information.

The Committee agreed that:-

(a) the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) and the Director of Education be instructed to undertake a full review of school support staffing entitlements to address the issues set out in section 6 of the report and report back to this Committee with a strategy for addressing the resource issues which would arise from such a review;

(b) the allocation of clerical support to primary schools be increased as set out in Appendix A to the report to ensure that there were two members of clerical staff available throughout the pupil day; and

(c) the grade of clerical assistant posts in schools be revised from GS1, currently 10,068 - 12,789, to GS1/2, currently 10,068 - 13,416, pro rata.

II SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE SERVICE - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS

There was submitted Report No 470-2003 by the Director of Social Work and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking authority to establish two posts to enable effective strategic and procedural planning for the introduction of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

The Committee approved the establishment of the undernoted posts:-

?                                             1 post of Senior Planning Officer (Mental Health), graded PO7-10, 29,313 - 31,316; and

?                                             1 post of part-time (18.5 hours) Clerical Assistant, graded GS1/2, 10,068 - 13,416, fixed term until 31st August, 2006.

III SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS - LEARNING DISABILITY SERVICES, DUNDEECOMMUNITY LIVING

There was submitted Report No 355-2003 by the Director of Social Work and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval for the establishment of additional posts within the Dundee Community Living Service.

The Committee approved:-

(a) the redesignation and regrading of seven Social Care Officer posts, residential grade SCP16-23, 14,535 - 17,340, to Senior Social Care Officer, SCP27-30, 19,632 - 21,732;

(b) the establishment of 3.5 WTE (132 hours a week) Social Care Officer posts, residential grade SCP16-23, 14,535 - 17,340; and

(c) the establishment of a post of Assistant Manager, residential grade SCP31-34, 22,398 - 24,396.

IV FINANCE DEPARTMENT - INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICE - REVIEW OF THE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

There was submitted Report No 495-2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking authority to change the organisational structure of the Internal Audit Service in order to fulfil the increasing demands for professional services being placed upon the section.

The Committee agreed that:-

(a) the internal audit career grade be revised, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report; and

(b) two posts of Internal Auditor, graded AP1/PO6, 14,211 - 28,578 be established.

V LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - REVIEW OF WILDLIFE CENTRE AND AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

There was submitted Report No 512-2003 by the Director of Leisure and Arts and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) advising the Committee of the findings and recommendations emanating from a review of the Wildlife Centre and Agriculture Staffing structures in the Leisure and Arts Department.

The Committee approved:-

(a) the deletion of the post of Chargehand Agricultural Assistant, graded MW2 (5.4 per hour);

(b) the deletion of the post of Agricultural Assistant, graded MW2 (5.4 per hour);

(c) the establishment of three posts of Keeper, graded MW3 (5.6 per hour);

(d) the regrading of the current Chargehand Keeper post from MW3 to MW4 (5.8 per hour) to reflect the additional responsibility which would include the Gamekeeper; and

(e) the implementation of a new rota system, as outlined in Appendix IV to the report, to deliver sufficient cover at peak visitor times at weekends thus maximising customer experience and ensuring that animal welfare is not compromised.

VI SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - THE ELMS - MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN355-2003 making reference to Articles II and VIII of the minutes of meetings of the Social Work and Education Committees of 16th June 2003 wherein there was approved a report on an Inspection of the Care Arrangements and Education in the Secure Unit, which included a recommendation that proposals for changes to the social work management structure at The Elms were to be made.

The Committee agreed that the post of Senior Officer, PO7-10 (29,313 - 31,536), and the two posts of Residential Resource Manager (Secure), Residential Grade SCP37-40 (26,250 - 28,578) and Residential Resource Manager (Close Support Unit) Residential Grade SCP37-40 (26,250 - 28,578) be deleted and that two new posts be created, namely a Manager (The Elms), Residential Grade SCP43-46 (30,786 - 32,991), to act as Head of Home, and a Depute Manager (The Elms), Residential Grade SCP39-42 (27,873 - 30,060).

VII EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - APPLICATION FOR REGRADING

There was submitted Agenda Note AN356-2003 advising that, in accordance with the agreed procedure, a Technical Assistant based in the Development Service of the Education Department had submitted an application that the post be regraded and that, following a review of the duties and responsibilities of the post, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) confirmed that the application has been substantiated and recommended that the post be regraded from GS2, currently 12,789 - 13,416, to Tech 2, currently 14,811 - 16,449.

The Committee approved the regrading and agreed to redesignate the post to Technical Resource Officer.

VIII LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - CHANGES TO ESTABLISHMENT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN357-2003 making reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th October 2001 wherein the Committee approved an amendment to the organisational structure of the Leisure and Arts Department; in particular, the posts which Dundee City Council employs on behalf of Tayside Sports Development Group which is now known as Sport Tayside.

It was reported that the regional partnership of Sport Tayside had undertaken a review as the existing posts had now been established for two years and the remit and responsibilities of officers had developed over this period.

The Committee approved the following undernoted recommendations with effect from 1st October 2003:-

(a) Sports Administrator, graded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029), be redesignated Sport Tayside Administration Officer;

(b) Athletics Development Officer, graded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029), be redesignated Sport Tayside Athletics Development Officer and regraded AP4 (19,632 - 21,732);

(c) Basketball Development Officer, graded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029), be redesignated Sport Tayside Basketball Development Officer and regraded AP4 (19,632 - 21,732);

(d) Women?s Football Development Officer, graded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029), be redesignated Sport Tayside Girl?s/Women?s Football Development Officer and regraded AP4 (19,632 - 21,732);

(e) Hockey Development Officer, graded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029), be redesignated Sport Tayside Hockey Development Officer and regraded AP4 (19,632 - 21,732); and

(f) Sports Specific Development Officer, graded AP3 (17,340 - 19,029), be redesignated Sport Tayside Development Officer and regraded AP4 (19,632 - 21,732).

IX RENEWAL OF ADVERTISING CONTRACT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN358-2003 making reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th February 2000, which agreed to appoint TMP Worldwide as the Council's advertising agency for a maximum period of three years.

It was reported that a detailed review of the advertising requirements had been carried out and agencies had been invited to bid for the work specified by the Council, which covered both recruitment and classified advertising.

The Committee agreed that Rileys be offered the contract for a minimum of two years, with the option to extend to three at the end of the two year period, having noted that the annual value of the contract was currently in the region of 11,600.

X WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT (5/03)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN359-2003 seeking approval for the early retirement on the grounds of the efficiency of the service, of the Recycling Supervisor, with effect from 30th September 2003 in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 1998 and with maximum enhancement, in accordance with the Local Government (Discretionary Payment and Injury Benefits) (Scotland) Regulations 1998.

The Committee approved the early retirement, having noted the costs and savings involved.

XI CORPORATE PLANNING DEPARTMENT - REDESIGNATION AND REGRADING OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN360-2003 advising that the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) had reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the post of Research and Information Assistant and recommended that, to recognise the range and level of duties and responsibilities being undertaken, the post should be redesignated Corporate Planning Officer and regraded from AP4, 19,632 - 21,732, to PO1-4, 24,888 - 27,015.

The Committee approved accordingly, having noted that the cost of implementing these recommendations would be 2,370, inclusive of employer's costs, in the current financial year, and 3,790, inclusive of employer's costs, in a full financial year.

XII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REDESIGNATION AND REGRADING OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN361-2003 seeking approval for redesignation of the vacant post of Business and Quality Manager to Senior Officer, Business and Quality, and the regrading of this post from PO3-6 (26,250 - 28,578) to PO7-10 (29,313 - 31,536), to reflect the current duties and responsibilities of this post.

The Committee approved accordingly, having noted that the cost of implementing this proposal would be 1,840, including employer's costs, in the current financial year.

XIII EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF TEMPORARY POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN390-2003 making reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 18th August 2003 wherein the Committee considered a report on the Scottish School Travel Advisory Report and Funding for School Travel Co-ordinators by the Director of Education.

The Committee agreed to establish a temporary post of School Travel Co-ordinator, grade AP4, 19,632 - 21,732.

The Committee resolved, under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting in order that the undernoted item of business be considered in private on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 5 and 6 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

XIV SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WITH PROFOUND AND MULTIPLEDISABILITIES

There was submitted Report No 486-2003 by the Director of Social Work and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval for an increase in the staffing complement of the White Top Centre in order that the Centre can accommodate young people with profound and multiple disabilities who will leave Kings Park School in July 2003.

The Committee agreed to approve:-

(a) the establishment of four 30 hour posts of Social Care Officer, SCP16-23, 14,535 - 17,340; and

(b) the establishment of one 18.5 hour post of Driver, graded MW3, 10,734.

JOHN R LETFORD, Convener.