Policy And Resources Committee - 10/03/2014

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th March, 2014.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th February, 2014 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Councillor Black declared a non-financial interest in Article VI by virtue of a family member being employed by Craigowl Communities.

II DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND 2013/2014 AND 2014/2015

There was submitted Report No 120-2014 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

The Committee approved the funding proposals contained in Section 5.2 of the report appended hereto.

III PROBLEM GAMBLING

There was submitted Report No 52-2014 by the Chief Executive suggesting actions which could be taken to tackle and heighten awareness of the social problems caused by gambling.

The Committee:-

(i) called on the Westminster Government to review the Gambling Act 2005 and return power to local government to allow the location and number of betting offices to be restricted, where appropriate, on grounds of overprovision;

(ii) called on the Westminster Government to introduce greater regulation and restriction of the advertising of all gambling establishments and sites;

(iii) called on the Scottish Government to press its Westminster counterpart to devolve control of location and number of betting offices back to local Councils, and to regulate and restrict advertising of all gambling establishments and sites;

(iv) called on the Scottish Government to review and revise the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997 to designate bookmakers a sui generis use;

(v) authorised and instructed the Chief Executive to implement a block on access to all gambling sites on all staff and publicly accessible Council computers;

(vi) remitted to the Chief Executive to consider and report back at a future date on what action the Council might take to improve the provision of local support for those who were addicted to gambling, or who were adversely affected by problem gambling on the part of a family member; and

(vii) referred the report to Dundee City Licensing Board and invited them to support the above recommendations.

IV REVENUE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 139-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2013/2014 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st January, 2014 monitored against the adjusted 2013/2014 Revenue Budget.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the overall General Fund 2013/2014 Projected Revenue Outturn as at 31st January, 2014 was projecting an underspend of 50,000 against the adjusted 2013/2014 Revenue Budget;

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 31st January, 2014 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2013/2014 Revenue Budget;

(iii) instructed the Director of Corporate Services to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2013/2014 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

(iv) instructed the Director of Corporate Services, in conjunction with all Chief Officers of the Council, to continue to monitor the Council's 2013/2014 Projected Revenue Outturn.

V CAPITAL EXPENDITURE MONITORING

There was submitted Report No 98-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services appraising members of the latest position regarding the Council's Capital Expenditure Programme for 2013/2014.

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

VI LITERACY DELIVERY PARTNERS 2014/2015

On a reference to Article XVII of the minute of meeting of the Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee of 25th April, 2011, and Article III of the minute of meeting of the Leisure, Arts and Communities Committee of 13th June, 2011, there was submitted Report No 119-2014 by the Director, Leisure and Communities detailing the request for an extension of Service Level Agreements with Dundee College and Craigowl Communities for the delivery of literacy support.

The Committee:-

(i) approved a six month extension of the Service Level Agreement with Craigowl Communities to deliver literacy services focused on employability for the period 1st April, 2014 to 30th September, 2014 at the level of 13,000; and

(ii) approved a six month extension of the Service Level Agreement with Dundee College to deliver literacy services focused on those wishing to progress to college for the period 1st April, 2014 to 30th September, 2014 at the level of 17,500.

VII YOUTH MUSIC INITIATIVE 2

After considering Agenda Note AN123-2014, the Committee agreed that a grant of 8,000 be made towards the cost of the Youth Music Initiative 2 which was being co-ordinated by Dundee and Angus College and would be delivered at the Gardyne Theatre.

VIII ST PAULS AND GROVE ACADEMY - RENTAL AGREEMENT FOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT

After considering Agenda Note AN124-2014 relative to offers for the provision, repair and maintenance of fitness equipment at St Paul's and Grove Academy for a four year period, the Committee agreed to accept the offer from DG Fitness & Leisure Ltd, Aberdeen amounting to 22,104 per annum.

IX TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2014/2015

There was submitted Report No 122-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services introducing the Dundee City Council Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2014/2015.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that in terms of the Treasury Policy Statement, the Director of Corporate Services was obliged to present the annual Treasury Management Strategy at the start of each financial year; and

(ii) approved the strategy proposed by the Director of Corporate Services for 2014/2015 as set out in the document "Treasury Management Strategy 2014/2015".

X HOUSING BENEFIT OVERPAYMENT RECOVERY POLICY

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th May, 2005, there was submitted Report No 136-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services updating the previously approved Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Policy.

The Committee approved the revisions to the Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report, it being noted that the changes with regard to the weekly rates of deductions would come into effect from 1st April, 2014.

XI UNIVERSITY OF ABERTAY DUNDEE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION - ADMISSION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME

There was submitted Report No 141-2014 by the Director of Corporate Services intimating that the University of Abertay Dundee Students' Association wished to gain admission to the Tayside Pension Fund.

The Committee approved the admission of two members of staff named by the University of Abertay Dundee Students' Association or on the cessation of employment by these members of staff, their permanent replacements.

XII COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2014

There was submitted Agenda Note AN126-2014 intimating that as part of Dundee's role as a host venue for the Commonwealth Games 2014, the Council required to purchase 20 feather banners at a cost, including shipping, of 2,365.76 and that the expenditure could be met from the unallocated balance in the Common Good Fund Revenue Budget 2013/2014.

In view of the timescales involved, it was noted that the expenditure involved had been approved by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Convener of the Policy and Resources Committee, Labour Group spokesperson, Conservative member, Liberal Democratic member and the Independent member.

Ken GUILD, Convener.

APPENDIX I