Policy And Resources Committee - 24/08/2015

At a MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th August, 2015.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost Bob DUNCAN

 

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

 

BAILIES

 

Willie SAWERS

Derek J SCOTT

Ian BORTHWICK

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Ken GUILD

Stewart HUNTER

Lesley BRENNAN

John ALEXANDER

Ken LYNN

Georgia CRUICKSHANK

Jimmy BLACK

Vari McDONALD

Tom FERGUSON

David BOWES

Gregor MURRAY

Brian GORDON

Bill CAMPBELL

Alan G ROSS

Richard McCREADY

Kevin CORDELL

Kevin KEENAN

Norma McGOVERN

Will DAWSON

Mohammed ASIF

Fraser MACPHERSON

 

Laurie BIDWELL

 

 

Councillor Ken GUILD, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd June, 2015 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

Councillor Hunter declared a non-financial interest in Article XII by virtue of being the Council's representative on the Ardler Village Trust.

 

II TAXI AND OTHER CIVIC GOVERNMENT LICENSING ENFORCEMENT

 

There was submitted Report No 267-2015 by the Head of Democratic and Legal Services providing information on a review of the arrangements for enforcement of taxi and other civic government licensing following the enactment of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) agreed that Council staff carry out the enforcement duties currently being carried out by Police Scotland with effect from 1st April, 2016;

 

(ii) agreed that two Civic Licensing Standards Officers be appointed to carry out these duties and the enforcement of all other licensing requirements under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (the 1982 Act);

 

(iii) agreed that these two officers also be appointed as Licensing Standards Officers under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 (the 2005 Act) bringing the number of such officers to four, these four officers eventually being multi-functional and remaining within the Environment Department; and

 

(iv) authorised the Director of Environment to proceed with recruitment and preparations of structures, pay scales, etc.

 

III REVENUE MONITORING

 

There was submitted Report No 273-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services providing an analysis of the 2015/2016 projected revenue outturn as at 30th June, 2015 monitored against the adjusted 2015/2016 Revenue Budget.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted that the overall General Fund 2015/2016 projected revenue outturn as at 30th June, 2015 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted 2015/2016 Revenue Budget;

 

(ii) noted that the Housing Revenue Account as at 30th June, 2015 was projecting a breakeven position against the adjusted HRA 2015/2016 Revenue Budget;

 

(iii) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services to take every reasonable action to ensure that the 2015/2016 revenue expenditure was below or in line with the adjusted Revenue Budget; and

 

(iv) instructed the Executive Director of Corporate Services, in conjunction with all members of the Council Management Team, to continue to monitor the Council's 2015/2016 projected revenue outturn.

 

IV RELIEF OF RATES - CHARITY RELIEF

 

There was submitted Report No 294-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

 

Applicant

Subjects

Home Start Dundee

3/2, 30 Whitehall Street

Dundee

Office

3/2, 30 Whitehall Street

Dundee

 

Forthill Sports Club

Fintry Place

Broughty Ferry

Dundee

Licensed Club

Fintry Place

Broughty Ferry

Dundee

 

Morag Brannan

t/a Scottish Bluebells Cheerleaders

c/o 25 Findowrie Place

Dundee

 

Hall

74 Brook Street

Dundee

British Heart Foundation

Retail Division

Crown House

Church Road

Claygate

Esher

Surrey

 

Shop

40 Murraygate

Dundee

Life Skills Care

1f Block C

Caledonian House

Greenmarket

Dundee

Office

1f Block C

Caledonian House

Greenmarket

Dundee

 

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed in the report.

 

V DUNDEE COMMUNITY REGENERATION FUND

 

There was submitted Report No 272-2015 by the Chief Executive relative to the above.

 

The Committee noted the Community Regeneration Fund allocations for 2015/2016 and approved the funding proposals contained in Section 5.2 of the report appended hereto.

 

VI ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCES

 

There was submitted Report No 237-2015 by the Chief Executive proposing that the Chief Executive be given the delegated authority to approve the attendance of members at certain conferences.

 

Councillor Guild, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved that the Committee:-

 

(i) approve the list of annual conferences detailed in the report which are the most important and useful for members to attend;

 

(ii) delegate authority to the Chief Executive to approve attendance at these events, and at one-off events of particular relevance/importance to the Council, by one member from the Administration and one member from the Opposition; and

 

(iii) ask members who attend approved conferences to share learning from the event with colleagues.

 

As an amendment, Bailie Scott, seconded by Councillor Macpherson, moved:-

 

The Policy and Resources Committee does not accept the recommendations of Report 237-2015 and agrees that the attendance of elected members at conferences or one-off events should remain within the remit of the relevant Council Committee.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Murray, Ross, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts and Bailie Sawers (15); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern, Macpherson, Bailies Borthwick and Scott (12) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

VII DRAFT GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN

 

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th February, 2015, there was submitted Report No 271-2015 by the Chief Executive reporting back on the assessment of the Council's draft Gaelic Language Plan.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) noted the changes being proposed as a result of Bord na Gaidhligs assessment of the Councils draft Gaelic Language Plan as outlined in paragraph 4.3 of the report; and

 

(ii) agreed that the revised draft Plan appended to the report be submitted for formal approval by the Bord in September, 2015.

 

VIII REVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR V & A

 

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th January, 2015, there was submitted Report No 296-2015 by the Chief Executive reporting to members on the outcome of the independent review of the construction project for the V & A.

 

Councillor Guild, seconded by the Lord Provost, moved that the Committee:-

 

(i) consider the conclusions and recommendations in John McClellands review of the construction project for the V & A Museum of Design Dundee;

 

(ii) accept the recommendations in the review and authorise the Chief Executive to implement them;

 

(iii) note that comprehensive reports will be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee at key stages of the construction project through to practical completion; and

 

(iv) agree that the Council provides copies of the review report to partner organisations, funders and Audit Scotland for their interest.

 

As an amendment, Councillor Keenan, seconded by Councillor McCready, moved approval of the above together with the undernoted.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) instructs the Leader of the Council to apologise to the people of Dundee for the cost increases and the lack of openness and transparency on this project; and

 

(ii) instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Education and Culture Committee of the Scottish Parliament asking them to conduct an inquiry which will look at the role of all the partners in this project.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Murray, Ross, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts and Bailie Sawers (15); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern, Macpherson, Bailies Borthwick and Scott (12) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

IX CAPITAL PLAN 2016-2021 - GENERAL SERVICES AND HOUSING HRA

 

There was submitted Report No 279-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) approved the Council's General Services and Housing HRA Capital Plan for 2016‑2021;

 

(ii) noted the gross capital expenditure investment of 391m over the next five years;

 

(iii) noted the updated position for the 2015/2016 projected capital expenditure programme as at 30th June, 2015; and

 

(iv) approved the Prudential Indicators for the Capital Plan 2016-2021 as shown in Appendix 2 of the report and noted that these Indicators demonstrated that the Capital Plan 2016-2021 was affordable, prudent and sustainable.

 

X RECONSTRUCTION OF DUNDEE RAIL STATION CONCOURSE

 

On a reference to Article XV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th May, 2013, there was submitted Report No 298-2015 by the Executive Director of City Development advising members of the outcome of the tender process for the construction contract for the Dundee Rail Station Concourse.

 

Councillor Guild, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved that the Committee:-

 

(i) note the progress made in bringing forward this transformational project for the city;

 

(ii) authorise acceptance of the tender by Balfour Beatty at a total amount of 28,052,809.18; and

 

(iii) agree to the establishment of a Project Board to oversee the delivery of the redeveloped station concourse with four members from the Administration, two members from the major Opposition and two other members.

 

As an amendment, Councillor McCready, seconded by Councillor Keenan, moved:-

 

Given Dundee City Council's clear and unequivocal opposition to blacklisting and given evidence of Balfour Beatty's involvement in blacklisting that, the Chief Executive writes to Balfour Beatty outlining the Council's position and requests evidence from Balfour Beatty which shows that they are going to take remedial action and which demonstrates that they will not be operating a blacklist on this project and that any response is reported back to a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - Councillors Guild, Alexander, Black, Bowes, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Murray, Ross, Macpherson, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts and Bailies Sawers and Scott (16); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern (9) - Councillor Campbell being absent when the vote was taken and Councillor Borthwick declining to vote - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

XI REGIONAL PERFORMANCE CENTRE FOR SPORT

 

There was submitted Report No 299-2015 by the Executive Director of City Development advising on progress towards the development of a Regional Performance Centre for Sport at Caird Park.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) agreed the facilities to be provided and noted the proposed site layout for the development of the centre at the eastern end of Caird Park;

(ii) remitted to officers to proceed with the necessary detailed design work, apply for all necessary consents and seek tenders for its construction and report on these to Committee in due course;

(iii) agreed that a business plan be finalised in partnership with the Board of Leisure and Culture Dundee and that they be requested to undertake the management of the centre once the building works had been completed; and

(iv) agreed to the establishment of a Project Board to oversee the delivery of the project comprising four members from the Administration, two from the major Opposition and two other members.

 

XII DUNDEE COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2015-2018

 

There was submitted Report No 251-2015 by the Director, Leisure and Communities relative to the above.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) approved the Dundee Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategy 2015‑2018;

(ii) recognised the important contribution from partner agencies in the development of the CLD Strategy; and

 

(iii) agreed the role/remit of the CLD Strategic Partnership in implementing, monitoring and evaluating the impact of the CLD Strategy (as shown in Appendix 4 to the report).

 

XIII EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE

 

There was submitted Report No 270-2015 by the Chief Executive relative to the above. It was reported that, in view of the timescales involved, the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Depute Convener of Policy and Resources, Labour Group spokesperson, Conservative member, Liberal Democratic member and Independent member had agreed:-

 

(i) to note the success of Dundees Employment Recruitment Incentive to date in supporting young people into sustainable employment opportunities;

 

(ii) to acknowledge the contribution of the scheme in growing local small businesses; and

 

(iii) to approve the implementation of the revised scheme to bring an additional 130 job opportunities for young people from 1st July, 2015 to 31st March, 2016.

 

The Committee noted accordingly.

 

XIV TELEPHONY SYSTEM MAINTENANCE CONTRACT

 

There was submitted Report No 293-2015 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) approved the outcome of the Tender Evaluation to procure a Telephone System Maintenance Contract for a three year period with the option to extend for a further year;

 

(ii) agreed the annual expenditure described in paragraph 3 of the report for a three year period with the option to extend for a further year; and

 

(iii) approved the purchase of services from Capita IT Enterprise Services as the best value choice for their Telephony System Maintenance Contract.

 

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 item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

 

XV HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION

 

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director of Corporate Services relative to the above.

 

The Committee approved the recommendations detailed therein.

 

 

 

 

Ken GUILD, Convener.

 

APPENDIX

 

 

Applicant

Description of Project

Forum Decision Amount

Maxwelltown Information Centre

To fund a Garden Project Worker who will facilitate local school visits and activities including gardening and outreach sessions, all linking in with the Curriculum for Excellence. At least 100 pupils are expected to participate.

 

11,441

Environment Department

To upgrade and improve the Heritage Trail, footpaths and the wildlife and landscape of the Dundee Law. A digital/physical interpretation initiative will inform visitors about the cultural heritage of The Law.

 

20,000

East End Panto Group

To contribute toward the cost of performances of the 2015 community pantomime. Four performances will be put on for audiences of up to 100.

 

1,145

Craigiebank Sheltered Housing

To fund an art tutor who will deliver a twelve session arts and crafts course for ten sheltered housing residents. This continues activity previously funded through Reshaping Care for Older People.

 

840

Timex Group

To purchase a range of equipment that will enable the group to better promote its activities in recording and publicising the 45 year history of the Timex Corporation in Dundee.

 

261

Leisure & Culture Dundee

To part fund coaching and let costs for a week long Active Bairns sports camp during the October holiday period with 48 spaces available for young people each day.

 

1,148

Broughty Ferry Traders' Association

For hire of the Maltbury Stage and marquee tent for use at Broughty Ferry Christmas Lights Event which is attended by over 2,000 people each year.

 

465

Community Regeneration Team

Purchase of ICT Equipment including a laptop and projector that will be available for use by local community groups during talks, presentations and other events.

 

972

Grove Academy

To contribute towards the Life to the Full Project which will work with S3 pupils on topics including; healthy relationships, safe use of social media and confidence in making their own decisions. Approximately 350 young people will benefit.

 

3,000

Grove Academy

Contribution towards the cost of installation of WiFi hubs at the Grove Academy. These hubs will enhance the learning experience of pupils and also be made available for use by community groups accessing the school premises.

 

3,500

Menzieshill Community Photography Group

To purchase resources for the group to enable them to promote their activities with other groups at the Menzieshill Community Centre and collaborate on a wider photographic project to highlight these. Approximately 40 people are expected to participate.

 

1,055

 

Little Stars Toddler Group

To purchase a shed for storage of toys, and flag poles to promote the group. This will benefit the 35 children and 27 adults involved in the group plus any new members.

 

708

Menzieshill Art and

Craft Group

To pay for transport costs that will enable twelve group members to attend the annual Craft Exhibition at the SECC.

 

155

St Marys Community Cafe

To cover the cost of provision of hot and cold food at the weekly cafe. Community members are able access additional support services relating to financial inclusion, health, mental health, etc. Approximately 40 people attend each week at present and this is expected to grow.

 

2,000

Lochee Community Group

To provide yoga classes in two local community venues over a thirty week period. Approximately 10-15 people are expected to attend each session.

 

3,000

Yusuf Youth Initiative

To fund a pilot project involving the Yusuf Youth Initiative and the DCC Youth Team, that will link with a range of local youth groups. Outreach work will culminate in over 150 young people participating in four cultural integration events.

 

3,050

Active Bairns

To provide a week long programme of sports and physical activities at the Lynch Sports Centre during the October Holidays for up to 48 children.

 

1,948

Yusuf Youth Initiative

To continue local outreach work for 28 weeks and fund four youth integration events for 70 young people and 10 curry kitchens catering for up to 30 people each session. Four 5 week budget cooking courses for 6-8 people will also be delivered and training materials produced for ten presentations in schools/community groups. Overall approximately 1,000 people will be involved/more informed.

 

8,860

Morgan Academy

To fund the continuation of the Breakfast Club five days a week for approximately 30 pupils. Attending the breakfast club helps pupils to more fully participate in learning through not being hungry during morning classes.

 

2,700

Longhaugh Sheltered Housing

To fund transport for three day trips for 29 elderly people. These will help to improve their mental wellbeing through providing an enjoyable social experience and break from routine.

 

700

Mill OMains Pavilion

Funding for six programmes of dog training sessions plus Flyball equipment that will be used to help up to 72 local children to train their dogs and also have the opportunity to take part in flyball competitions.

 

1,557

Environment Department

To contribute towards Phase 1 of the development of a Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play (NEAP) at Fintry Park. This will be accessible by up to 1,500 local children and young people.

 

38,000

Dalclaverhouse Community Improvement Group

To enable repairs of communal footpaths which will benefit all residents and visitors to the area. These will also improve access to Trottick Ponds and nearby cycle paths.

 

7,006

 

St Marys Fun Day Planning Group

To fund a range of activities and entertainment for the Community Fun Day on 5th September, 2015. Approximately 500 local residents are expected to participate.

 

2,369

NCR/AFC Caird Park Community Sports Hub

To purchase strips, lease of ground and changing facilities, coaching qualifications and equipment.

60 people.

 

1,756

Adult Learning Team

To carry out work in the Kirkton and St Marys area with pre‑school children, minibus hire/fuel, country ranger, hospitality, resources, booster seats for children.

24 people.

 

650

Roly Poly

To purchase resources and material for the group.

10 people.

 

84