Policy And Resources Committee - 13/02/2006

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th February 2006.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

 

 

 

BAILIES

 

C D P FARQUHAR

John CORRIGAN

Bruce D MACKIE

Helen WRIGHT

Neil I C POWRIE

Ian BORTHWICK

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Jill SHIMI

Fraser MACPHERSON

Christina ROBERTS

Kevin KEENAN

Helen DICK

Jim BARRIE

George REGAN

Nigel DON

Will DAWSON

Julia M STURROCK

Bob DUNCAN

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Fiona M GRANT

Richard BEATTIE

Roderick A J WALLACE

Christopher HIND

Andrew DAWSON

Charles A WEBSTER

Joe MORROW

Willie W SAWERS

Derek J SCOTT

 

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

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th January, 2006 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF PERSONNEL APPEALS SUB-COMMITTEE OF 30TH JANUARY, 2006

 

The minute of meeting of the Personnel Appeals Sub-Committee of 30th January, 2006, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted and noted.

 

II LEISURE AND COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT - ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

 

There was submitted Joint Report No 750-2005 by Director of Leisure and Communities and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval for the proposed organisational structure of the Leisure and Communities Department.

 

The Committee acceded to a request which had been received for a deputation to address the Committee in respect of the abovementioned item. After the deputation had stated its case, it was thanked for its attendance and withdrew.

 

Thereafter, the Committee agreed to approve in principle the recommendations detailed in the report, subject to further discussion, dialogue and negotiation with the Trade Unions.

 

III CORPORATE HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN

 

There was submitted Report No 95-2006 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval of the Corporate Health and Safety Plan for 2006 and 2007.

 

The Committee approved the Corporate Health and Safety Plan for 2006 and 2007 to ensure the continuous improvement of health and safety management within the Council and to support the Government's Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy and the Health and Safety Executive's programme "Fit for Work, Fit for Life and Fit for Tomorrow".

 

IV HOUSING DEPARTMENT - HOMELESS ASSESSMENT/STRATEGY TEAM - EXTENSION OF FIXED TERMS POSTS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN29-2006 whereby reference was made to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee, which approved the establishment of a number of posts for a period of 12 months in order to implement the homelessness provision of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

 

At further meetings on 10th March 2003, 9th February 2004 and 14th February 2005 (Articles VIII, VII and VI refer), the Committee approved the extension of these posts until 31st March 2006. It was reported that the Scottish Executive had now allocated further funding and the requirements of the service had been further reviewed.

 

The Committee therefore agreed to approve:

 

(i) the regrading of the post of Principal Housing Officer, graded PO 3-6 (27,822 - 30,632), to PO 1-4 (26,379 - 28,632) and the extension of this post until 31st March 2007;

 

(ii) the extension of the post of Senior Housing Officer, graded AP5 (23,739 25,857), until 31st March 2007;

 

(iii) the extension of the post of Housing Officer, graded AP3 (18,381 20,169), until 31st March 2007.

 

It was noted that the costs, including employers costs, would amount to 92,530 for the financial year 2006/07 and would be met from the specific grant awarded by the Scottish Executive.

 

V HOUSING DEPARTMENT - HOMELESS SERVICES UNIT - EXTENSION OF FIXED TERM POSTS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN30-2006 whereby reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 10th November 2003, wherein the Committee approved the establishment of a number of posts until 31st March 2006, in order to assist with the delivery of expanded legislative duties to homeless persons as contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

 

It was reported that the Scottish Executive had now allocated further funding and the requirements of the service had been further reviewed.

 

The Committee therefore agreed to approve the extension of the following posts in the Homeless Services Unit until 31st March 2007:-

 

(i) 1 post of Homeless Persons Officer, graded AP2 (16,51517,877);

 

(ii) 1 post of Housing Officer, graded AP 2 (16,51517,877); and

 

(iii) 1 post of Homelessness Advice and Development Officer, graded AP4 (20,808 23,034)

 

It was noted that the costs, including employers costs, of extending these posts would amount to 73,804 for the financial year 2006/07 and would be met from the specific grant awarded by the Scottish Executive.

 

VI HOUSING DEPARTMENT - ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR UNIT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN31-2006 whereby reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 17th October 2005, when the Committee agreed that the Dundee Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and the associated Local Outcome Agreements be forwarded to the Scottish Executive.

It was reported that the Scottish Executive had now agreed to fund the posts identified in the Local Outcome Agreement.

 

The Committee therefore agreed to approve the establishment of the following posts for a fixed term period until 31st March 2008:-

 

(i) 1 post of Surveillance Equipment Officer, graded AP3 (18,381 - 20,169);

 

(ii) 1 post of Community Intelligence Link Officer, graded AP3 (18,381 - 20,169);

 

(iii) 1 post of Educational and Development Officer, graded AP4 (20,808 - 23,034).

 

It was noted that the costs, including employers costs, of establishing these posts would amount to 72,803 and 77,049 for the financial years 2006/07 and 2007/08 respectively and would be met from additional funding awarded by the Scottish Executive.

 

VII SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REDESIGNATION OF POST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN32-2006 whereby reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th February 2005, which approved the establishment of one post of Social Worker, graded AP4/5+1 (20,808 - 26,379), to assist with the implementation of the Intensive Support and Monitoring Service within the Childrens Hearing System.

 

In order to reflect the requirements of the post more closely, the Committee approved the redesignation of the post of Social Worker to Resource Worker, with no change of grade.

 

VIII ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION OF FIXED TERM POSTS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN35-2006, making reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of the Recess Sub-Committee of 13th July 1998, wherein the Committee approved a report on "Developing the Business Base in Community Regeneration Areas", which included a recommendation to establish two posts of Temporary Project Officers, graded AP5 (23,739-25,857) in the Economic Development Department.

 

Reference was also made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee dated 10 December 2001 wherein approval was given to extend the duration of these posts to 31 December 2005.

 

It was reported that the project had been successful in developing demand for business start up services and had developed to the point where a senior project worker was required, in particular, to provide leadership and direction to the project in the light of the developing social economy agenda.

 

The Committee therefore agreed to further extend the two posts of Project Officer until 31st March 2008 and also to establish one fixed term Senior Project Officer post, graded PO1-4 (26,379-28,632) until 31st March 2008, having noted the financial implications.

 

IX ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - WORKING FOR FAMILIES FUND - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN36-2006 whereby reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st June 2004, which approved the temporary establishment of a Working for Families Co‑ordinator, graded AP5, 23,739 - 25,857, until 31st March 2006, and to the subsequent deletion of that post at the meeting of the Personnel Committee of 18th October 2004 (Article VII refers), due to a decision being taken that the strategic elements of the post should be delivered by a Senior Policy Officer within the Economic Development Department.

 

The Committee approved the establishment of one post of Temporary Working for Families Project Development Officer, graded PO1-4, 26,379 - 28,632 until 31st March 2008 to ensure the delivery of projects aimed at supporting parents pathways to employment, and to enable the Senior Policy Officer, who had been undertaking the tasks at present along with existing duties, to return to normal activities, having noted the financial implications.

 

X SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TRADING STANDARDS - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN33-2006 advising that the Scottish Executive had announced a funding package of 6.1 million for local authorities in Scotland to enforce the provisions of the smoking prohibition legislation. The funding was to be awarded over a period of three years, part of which was intended to enable each authority to employ Enforcement Officers.

 

In light of this, the Committee approved the establishment of two posts of Enforcement Officer - Smoking Prohibition, grade Tech 3, 17,877 - 20,169, for a fixed term until 31st March 2008, having noted that the costs would be 61,649, in a full financial year, inclusive of employer's costs and would be met from the additional funding provided by the Scottish Executive.

 

XI SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TRADING STANDARDS - REGRADING OF POSTS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN50-2006 advising that following a request by the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards, a review of the duties and responsibilities of two senior posts within the Division had been undertaken. As a result of this review, the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) had recommended that:-

 

7                                             the post of Corporate Food Safety Adviser, currently PO8-11, 31,860 - 34,173, be redesignated Corporate Food Safety and Tobacco Control Officer and regraded PO11-14, 34,173 - 36,624; the postholder would take a lead role in the enforcement of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 together with a continuing leading role in all corporate environmental health matters; and

 

7                                             the post of Senior Environmental Health Officer, currently PO8-11, be redesignated Policy and Strategy Officer and regraded PO11-14; the postholder would have responsibility for the co-ordination of the Council's involvement with the Foods Standards Agency (Scotland) and the Health and Safety Commission.

 

The Committee approved accordingly, having noted that the cost of these changes would be 4,278, inclusive of employer's costs and could be met from resources identified in the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Department's provisional Revenue Budget for 2006/07.

 

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as detailed in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

XII CORPORATE PLANNING DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN63-2006, advising that the Scottish Executive had allocated 900,000 for the years 2006/07 and 2007/08 to the Dundee Partnership to implement an action plan which tackled financial inclusion in the city and that Dundee City Council, as the Dundee Partnership's accountable body, had agreed to co-ordinate this project.

 

In light of this, the Committee agreed to establish one post of Financial Inclusion Co-ordinator, graded PO1-4, 26,379-26,632, for a fixed period of two years, having noted that the cost of this proposal would be 35,542 inclusive of employer's costs, in a full financial year and would be fully funded from ring fenced funding provided by the Scottish Executive.

 

XIII SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN34-2006 recommending the early retirement of ER1/06 in the Support Services Department.

 

The Committee approved the early retirement as detailed in the report with effect from 31st August 2006 in accordance with the Local Government Pension (Scotland) Regulations 1998, and having noted the financial implications.

 

 

 

 

LORD PROVOST John R LETFORD, Convener.