Neighbourhood Services Committee - 13/11/2017

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 13th November, 2017.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin CORDELL, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th October, 2017 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II CEMETERY HEADSTONE SAFETY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN94-2017 whereby reference was made to the cemetery headstone inspection and testing programme. Significant progress had been made in the last few years in both the recording of and making safe headstones within cemeteries. A full record of the condition of the stones had been recorded on the Council database and any unstable stones up to 1m height were dealt with during the inspection process. Stones taller than 1.5m were sub-contracted to a specialist contractor to make safe.

A programme of actions over a number of years, including the application of minimum standards relating to foundations, limiting the size of headstones, introducing a memorial mason registration scheme and a small grant scheme to assist individuals to repair their headstones, had all contributed to reducing the risks in cemeteries. However, there were still isolated problems of unstable headstones within cemeteries and there was a need from a health and safety perspective to continue the inspection and action programme.

It was therefore proposed to continue the works to foundations and making safe of these stones.

Following a tender process via the Councils procurement team, only one compliant bid was received. It was therefore recommended that the tender for the stones in excess of 1.5m height be awarded to a specialist contractor Vermicom Ltd, with a maximum budget spend of 40,000. It was also recommended that Construction Services be awarded the works for the creation of concrete plinths to host new memorial headstones at a total cost of 30,000.

The Committee approved these works and authorised the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to undertake these works, with the exception of any specialist works that would require to be undertaken separately. The Executive Director of Corporate Services advised that the total capital improvement of 70,000 would be met from allowances for Cemeteries within the Service Provision Section of the General Services Capital Plan 2018-2023. It is anticipated the project would be completed by 31st March, 2018.

III EMPTY HOMES OFFICER PROJECT - UPDATE REPORT

With reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 9th May, 2015, there was submitted Report No 341-2017 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services updating the Committee on the progress of the shared service project between Dundee City Council and Angus Council.

The Committee noted the ongoing progress and successful outcomes achieved by this project.

The Committee also noted the proposal to extend funding of the Empty Homes Officer post from December, 2017 until March, 2019 and that the proposal had been approved by Angus Council.

lV PRIVATE LANDLORD SUPPORT OFFICER PROJECT - UPDATE REPORT

There was submitted Report No 344-2017 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services updating the Committee on the progress of the Private Landlord Support Officer (PLSO) project in its second year.

The Committee noted the successful outcomes and increasing interest in this project.

The Committee also noted the proposal to consider options to continue with the project beyond December, 2017 when the partnership agreement with The Oak Foundation and Shelter Scotland ends.

V PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS - MENZIESHILL PLAY TRAIL AND BALGARTHNO ROAD

There was submitted Report No 382-2017 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking Committee approval for playground improvements as part of the 2017/2018 programme.

The Committee approved the projects below:-

VI SCOTTISH MATERIALS BROKERAGE SERVICE - COLLABORATIVE GLASS CONTRACT

There was submitted Report No 380-2017 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services advising the Committee of the progress of the proposed partnership between the Scottish Materials Brokerage Services (Scottish Procurement), Dundee City Council and other Scottish Local Authorities in the award of a two year bespoke collaborative contract for the reprocessing of glass; and seeking approval to sign the Business Case, which would allow Scottish Procurement to proceed to tender stage.

The Committee agreed to authorise the Head of Democratic and Legal Services to sign the Business Case, agreeing to participate in the pending commercial agreement in order to progress to the next stage.

Kevin CORDELL, Convener.