Policy And Resources Committee - 18/04/2005

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th April 2005.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Lord Provost John R LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th March 2005 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE OF 21ST MARCH 2005

The minute of meeting of the Personnel Appeals Sub-Committee of 21st March 2004, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted and noted.

II HOUSING DEPARTMENT - DUNDEE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVICE PROJECT (DEEAP)

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 18th April 2005 there was submitted Report No 202-2005 by the Director of Housing and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval for Dundee City Council to assume responsibility for Dundee Energy Efficiency Advice Project and employ the existing staff.

The Committee approved:-

(i) the establishment of a post of Senior Energy Adviser, graded AP5, 23,739 - 25,857;

(ii) the establishment of a post of Energy Adviser graded, AP2, 16,515 - 17,877; and

(iii) the establishment of a temporary post of Energy Adviser, graded AP2, 16,515 - 17,877.

III HOUSING DEPARTMENT - HOUSING REPAIRS CENTRE - STAFFING STRUCTURE

There was submitted Report No 138-2005 by the Director of Housing and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) advising the Committee of the progress of the operation of the Housing Repairs Centre and seeking approval of a revised staffing structure.

The Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(i) the deletion of three temporary posts of Contact Services Adviser, graded GS3/AP2 (14,052 - 17,364);

(ii) the establishment of one post of Contact Services Adviser, graded GS3/AP2 (14,052 - 17,364); and

(iii) recruitment to the post of Contact Services Adviser be restricted to those members of staff currently occupying the temporary posts.

IV PERFORMANCE INSPECTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SOCIAL WORK SERVICES

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee of 18th April 2005, there was submitted Report No 245-2005 by the Director of Social Work and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) advising members on the key findings and recommendations arising from the inspection of criminal justice social work services within the Tayside Partnership by the Social Work Services Inspectorate in September 2004 and seeking approval to establish a new post of Service Manager.

The Committee noted the terms of the report and approved the establishment of a post of Service Manager, graded PO15-18, 37,461 - 40,098.

V MODERNISING GOVERNMENT FUND 3

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee of 18th April 2005, there was submitted Report No 216-2005 by the Chief Executive and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) advising of the Council's award of 1,165,750 from the Modernising Government Fund, the projects being funded and the posts required.

The Committee approved the establishment of the following posts:-

VI EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - PROVISION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS WITH AUTISTIC SPECTRUMDISORDER

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of the Education Committee of 18th April 2005, there was submitted Report No 194-2005 by the Director of Education and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) highlighting the increase in the number of young children diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the steps taken by the Education Department to continue to make appropriate provision for these children.

The Committee agreed to establish three posts of Classroom Assistant (SEN), graded SCP10-15, 13,167 - 14,631) pro rata.

VII PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN150-2005 making reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of the Planning and Transportation Committee of 2nd December 2002 wherein the Committee approved a report regarding the potential for the Decriminalisation of Parking Enforcement (DPE) in Dundee. Further reference was made to Article II of this Committee of 6th March 2004 which established the initial staffing structure for the Car Park operations in order to implement and operate the DPE arrangements with effect from 1st April 2004.

It was reported that DPE had been in operation for one year and, following a review of the required level of enforcement within the City, the Committee agreed to approve the establishment of six additional posts of Parking Attendant, graded GS3, 14,468 - 15,062, to meet the increased demand having noted that the financial implications of implementing this proposal would be 106,428 in a full financial year and would be met from the additional income associated with DPE.

VIII HOUSING DEPARTMENT - REDESIGNATION AND REGRADING OF POST

There was submitted Agenda Note AN174-2005 making reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th January 2005 wherein the Committee approved a report on the Review of Housing Department Management Structure which, among many other issues, had led to a redefinition of the duties of the post of Team Leader, Anti-Social Behaviour Team, currently graded PO1-4, 26,379 - 28,632.

The Director of Housing had decided that in addition to the current responsibility for anti-social behaviour service delivery and policy development, the postholder would assume immediate responsibility for managing the Housing Support Team, Special Needs Unit and Applications Section and as a consequence of these additional higher level duties, it was recommended that the post be redesignated to Principal Officer (Services) and be regraded to PO5-8, 29,541 - 31,860.

The Committee approved this redesignation, having noted that the cost would be 1,130 in the 2005/06 financial year rising eventually to 4,030 in a full financial year, both figures being inclusive of employer's costs and these additional costs would be met from the Housing Revenue Account.

It was reported that the Convener had agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

IX SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DIVISION - REDESIGNATION ANDREGRADING OF POSTS

There was submitted an Agenda Note AN179-2005 making reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th January, 2005, wherein the Committee approved a report reviewing the staffing structure of the Architectural Services Division.

One of the recommendations approved by Committee had been the establishment of four temporary posts of Project Manager for a period of three years at a grade of PO7-10, currently 31,068 - 33,423.

It was reported that having regard to the major capital projects about to be commenced (ie Gardynes Lane, St John's High School, McManus Galleries) and other possible future major projects, the City Architectural Services Officer and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) had reconsidered the situation and had concluded that two of the four Project Manager posts referred to above should be redesignated and regraded to reflect the higher level responsibilities arising from these major projects.

Accordingly, the Committee agreed that two temporary posts of Project Manager be redesignated to Senior Project Manager and be regraded to PO11-14, 34,173 - 36,624 and further agreed that the City Architectural Services Officer reserved the right to make appointments to these posts according to the schedule for each project. It was also noted that given the wide variety and number of projects to be undertaken, it was possible that the Committee may be asked, in due course, to approve extensions to these posts.

LORD PROVOST JOHN R LETFORD, Convener.