Policy And Resources Committee - 14/09/2009

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th September, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th August, 2009 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTE - SUPERANNUATION INVESTMENT SUB-COMMITTEE

The minute of meeting of the above Sub-Committee of 17th August, 2009, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted for information and record purposes.

II REVENUE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 426-2009 by the Head of Finance providing the Committee with an analysis of the 2009/2010 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st July, 2009 monitored against the adjusted 2009/2010 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2009/2010 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st July, 2009 showed an overspend of 17,000 against the adjusted 2009/2010 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st July, 2009 was projecting an overspend of 111,000 against the adjusted HRA 2009/2010 Revenue Budget;

(iii) instructed the Head of Finance to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2009/2010 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

(iv) instructed the Head of Finance in conjunction with all Chief Officers of the Council to continue to monitor the Council's 2009/2010 Projected Revenue Outturn.

III CAPITAL MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 433-2009 by the Head of Finance appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Expenditure Programme for 2009/2010.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

IV DRUGS AND ALCOHOL MISUSE AND THE IMPACT ON THE CITY

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th August, 2009, the Committee approved the undernoted resolution.

"This Committee recognises the serious impact substance misuse is having on individuals, families and communities across Dundee. Dundee City Council is committed to tackling in partnership the effects of this increasing problem. It therefore seeks:-

(a) a report from the Alcohol and Drug Partnership by the end of December 2009 which sets out a plan for effectively tackling the misuse of drugs and alcohol in Dundee;

(b) a report from the Chief Executive by the end of December 2009 estimating what additional funding would be required for the removal of specific Drug and Alcohol services waiting lists; and

(c) a report from the Chief Executive by the end of December 2009 detailing those Council services where misuse of drugs and alcohol have an effect on service delivery giving examples of the additional work involved."

V FAIRER SCOTLAND FUND COMMUNITY REGENERATION FORUM ALLOCATION 2008/2010

There was submitted Report No 442-2009 by the Assistant Chief Executive relative to the above.

The Committee noted the process for allocating grants through the Local Community Regeneration Forums as agreed by the Dundee Partnership and endorsed the funding proposals detailed below.

VI REDUCTION OF ON-STREET PROSTITUTION

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th January, 2008, there was submitted Report No 400-2009 by Neil Gunn, Head of Community Learning and Development and Colin McKay, Acting Divisional Commander, Tayside Police, Co-Chairpersons, Dundee Community Safety Partnership relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) remitted to the Director of Leisure and Communities to enter into Service Level Agreements between Dundee City Council and Action for Children and Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre; and

(ii) authorised the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to execute protocols for the exchange of data with other members of the inter-agency group involved with the project as was necessary in order for Dundee City Council to meet its obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998.

VII CONSULTATION BY SCOTTISH MINISTERS ON REDUCING THE TERMS OF CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS WITHIN THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND)ACT 2002 (FOISA)

There was submitted Report No 455-2009 by the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) seeking views on the Scottish Government's proposal to amend FOISA to require older information held by Scottish Public Authorities to be made available at an earlier date than at present.

The Committee agreed to support the proposals.

VIII ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN214-2009 intimating that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Bailie Scott.

Bailie Scott, seconded by Bailie Wallace, moved approval of the undernoted.

(i) All proposed changes to the establishment should be reported to the Policy and Resources Committee for approval. Recruitment of temporary staff for periods not exceeding twelve months to remain delegated to the Chief Executive.

(ii) Instruct the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to make any necessary changes to Standing Orders, Schemes of Delegation etc.

As an amendment, Councillor Guild, seconded by Bailie Sawers moved the status quo.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Bailies Regan, Wright, Wallace and Scott (11); and for the amendment - Councillors Guild, Barrie, Black, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts, Ross, Bailie Sawers and Lord Provost Letford (14) - whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

IX OUTSIDE BODIES - ELECTED MEMBER REPRESENTATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN215-2009 intimating that having been approached by the Clerks to the respective Joint Boards and Joint Committees, there was a requirement to make appointments to Sub-Committees and Forums as indicated and having regard to political balance, the Committee approved the undernoted:-

TAYSIDE JOINT POLICE BOARD

TAYSIDE FIRE AND RESCUE BOARD

TAYSIDE VALUATION JOINT BOARD

TAYSIDE CONTRACTS JOINT COMMITTEE

X POLICY ON FLEXIBLE RETIREMENT

After considering Report No 327-2009 by the Head of Personnel relative to the above, the Committee approved the policy on flexible retirement appended to the report.

Ken GUILD, Convener.