Environment Committee - 10/12/2012

At a MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th December, 2012.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Craig MELVILLE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th November, 2012 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The following declaration of interest was made:-

Councillor Macpherson declared a non-financial interest in Article III by virtue of his assistance with Western Cemetery Association for the Cremated Remains project.

II ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN

There was submitted Report No 476-2012 by the Director of Environment detailing the Environment Department Service Plan 2012 to 2017 appended to the report.

The Committee approved the Environment Department Service Plan 2012 to 2017.

III CEMETERY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN201-2012 detailing proposals for minor infrastructure improvements at the Howff and Western Cemeteries.

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Environment Committee of 23rd April, 2012, when an initial programme of works was approved to improve the condition of the boundary wall at the Howff Graveyard. It was proposed to carry out works on the remaining length of the boundary wall and railings with the works to include:-

- removal of vegetation from sections of walls;

- re-pointing of walls utilising the appropriate materials; and

- re-paint gate and railings.

The work would help reduce further damage to the existing walls and copings.

Reference was also made to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of the Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee of 9th May, 2011 regarding the information of a cremated remains area within the Western Cemetery. It was now proposed to install a monumental plinth within this area to accommodate the installation of memorial plaques associated with the burial of cremated remains.

An offer had been received from the Construction Services Division of 60,495 to undertake all of the above defined works. The Director of Corporate Services advised that these costs could be met from allowances within the Environment Department's Capital Budget for 2012/2013.

The Committee agreed the proposed improvements be approved and that the Director of Environment be instructed to undertake the works.

IV TRADING OPERATIONS FINANCIAL OPERATING STATEMENT AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER,2012

There was submitted Joint Report No 425-2012 by the Directors of Corporate Services and Environment appraising the Committee on the financial position and operational performance of trading operation within the Environment Department for the six months ended 30th September, 2012.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the current financial position and operational performance for trading operations; and

(ii) note that the trading operation should exceed the statutory requirement of break-even for the third year of the current three year rolling period which commenced at the start of the financial year 2010/2011.

Craig MELVILLE, Convener.