Environment Committee - 25/08/2014

At a MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th August, 2014.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Craig MELVILLE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th June, 2014 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II PURCHASE OF DRAINAGE VEHICLE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN190-2014 advising the Committee that, following a review of the Corporate Fleet Section's vehicle replacement programme, it was identified that the drainage vehicle and its specialist equipment was beyond economic repair.

The specialised drainage equipment/vehicle would be operated by the department's construction section and would be fully utilised with schedules and emergency work. The equipment would consist of a heavy duty water hose using a riopulse pulsator system powered by a 40 HP engine which would be remotely controlled by the operator. This would allow multiple drains to be unblocked at one location whilst reducing operational time and labour costs.

The two items to be purchased would be a Ford Transit Van from A M Philip, Forfar and a drainage jetter unit from City Jet Ltd, Glasgow. Both would be purchased using the appropriate Scotland Excel procurement framework.

The Director of Corporate Services advised that the overall cost of replacing the vehicle and equipment of 40,810 could be met from allowances within the Capital Budget - Vehicle Fleet - Purchase of Vehicles and Equipment for 2014/2015.

The Committee approved the purchase of the vehicle accordingly.

III CRAIGOWL/DOWNFIELD SCHOOLS - DRAINAGE WORKS TO PLAYING FIELDS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN191-2014 advising the Committee that the grass playing areas at Craigowl and Downfield Primary Schools had experienced drainage problems over the last few years. The consequences of this had been that grass growth had been poor and the grass areas had not been fully available for sports and general use.

Site investigation confirmed that the source of the problem was the lack of a formal drainage system. In order to resolve this matter, it was proposed to introduce a new formal drainage system within the playing fields of both schools. In addition, works would be undertaken to the defective areas grass including cultivation of the soil and over-seeding with grass. Two offers had been received from specialist sub-contractors to undertake the drainage improvements, with the most favourable offer of 33,757.80 from Meiklem Drainage and Groundworks, Kelty. The total cost of the works was estimated to be 39,900.

It was proposed to undertake these works during the summer school holidays. This would reduce any disruption to the operation of the schools whilst allowing the optimum period for a rapid recovery of the grass areas. Hence there was a need to seek early approval for the works.

The Director of Corporate Services advised that the above costs could be met from allowances in the Council's 2014/2015 Revenue Budget.

It was recommended that the Director of Environment be instructed to implement the proposed works during the school holidays.

In view of the timescales involved, this note was approved by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Convener of the Policy and Resources Committee, Labour Group spokesperson, Conservative member, Liberal Democrat member and the Independent member.

IV FIELDS IN TRUST - QUEEN ELIZABETH FIELD CHALLENGE AND CENTENARY FIELDS

There was submitted Report No 318-2014 by Director of Environment seeking approval from the Committee for the nomination of various Council owned parks and open spaces as Fields in Trust Queen Elizabeth Challenge Fields or Centenary Fields.

The Committee approved the nomination of:-

- Dawson Park and Camperdown Park as Queen Elizabeth Challenge Fields; and

- The Law as a Centenary Field.

The Committee also agreed that the Director of Environment and Head of Democratic and Legal Services enter into discussions with Fields in Trust to ensure the necessary legal agreements would be completed.

Craig MELVILLE, Convener.