Recovery Sub-committee - 10/08/2020

At a MEETING of the RECOVERY SUB-COMMITTEE held remotely at Dundee on 10th August, 2020.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

Unless marked thus *all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Bailie Macpherson and Councillor McCready declared non-financial interests in respect of Article IX by virtue of membership of the West End Christmas Committee.

II CONVENER OF CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

It was reported that Councillor Ross had resigned from the above position.

The Sub-Committee agreed that the vacancy be filled by Councillor Flynn.

III DEPUTE CONVENERS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

(a) CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

It was reported that Councillor Flynn had resigned from the above position.

The Sub-Committee agreed that the vacancy be filled by Councillor Rome.

(b) NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE

It was reported that Councillor Rome had resigned from the above position.

The Sub-Committee agreed that the vacancy be filled by Councillor Ross.

IV FOOD SAFETY SERVICE PLAN 2020/2021

There was submitted Report No 23-2020 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval of the revised Food Safety Service Plan.

The Sub-Committee:-

(i) approved the Food Safety Service Plan appended to the report; and

(ii) remitted the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to implement the Plan accordingly.

V CONTAMINATED LAND STRATEGY - SITE INVESTIGATION CONTRACTS

There was submitted Report No 139-2020 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval of the proposed on-going site investigation work associated with the Councils statutory contaminated land responsibilities and also updating the Sub-Committee on the projects undertaken in 2019/2020.

The Sub-Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the report in respect of the site investigations undertaken during 2019/2020; and

(ii) authorised the Head of Design and Property to instruct the required site investigation and remedial works up to the value of 70,000 in financial year 2020/2021, as outlined in section 4.3 of the report.

VI LOCAL FOOD GROWING STRATEGY

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Neighbourhood Services Committee of 7th January, 2020, there was submitted Report No 178-2020 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services proposing the implementation of the Local Food Growing Strategy (2020‑2025) as outlined within Appendix 1 of the report, and to progress the actions contained within the Plan.

The Sub-Committee:-

(i) approved the Local Food Growing Strategy; and

(ii) agreed that Dundee City Council notes that the coronavirus pandemic has made clear something that was evident prior to the crisis that too many people in Dundee do not have easy access to the appropriate amount of food. Dundee City Council is disappointed that the Good Food Nation Bill will not be brought forward by the Scottish Government in this term of the Scottish Parliament. Dundee City Council calls for the right to food to be incorporated into Scots Law and instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Government asking them to reconsider the decision not to progress the Good Food Nation Bill and asking that they legislate for the right to food. Notes the ongoing consultation on the Right to Food (Scotland) Bill proposed by Elaine Smith MSP and remits officers to prepare a response on behalf of the Council supporting the right to food in Scots Law.

VII PURCHASE OF WHEELED BINS AND EURO CONTAINERS

There was submitted Report No 179-2020 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking authorisation for the purchase of the annual quantity of replacement wheeled bins and Euro containers which were estimated to be required during 2020/2021.

The Sub-Committee approved the purchase of the bins and containers required through the Scotland Excel framework.

VIII EARLY RETIREMENT/VOLUNTARY REDUNDANCY

There was submitted Report No 188-2020 by the Executive Director of Corporate Services seeking agreement to changes in the Early Retirement/Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for the period 1st September, 2020 to 31st March, 2021. The revised Scheme would increase the level of benefits available thus making it more attractive. The revision would be time limited and subject to review. Employees leaving the organisation would do so ideally by the end of June, 2021 but longer periods might be considered to suit a workforce planning solution.

The Sub-Committee:-

(i) approved the changes in the Early Retirement/Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for the period 1st September, 2020 to 31st March, 2021, as detailed in the report;

(ii) remitted the Executive Director for Corporate Services and the Head of Human Resources to maximise the posts made available through VER and VR to create the optimum number of modern and graduate apprenticeships delivering an opportunity for the citys youth. Where possible, use of external funding should be maximised; and

(iii) agreed progress of the success of this scheme and staff movement should be reported quarterly to the Policy and Resources Committee.

IX REVIEW OF FUNDING FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND FESTIVE EVENTS

The Sub-Committee acceded to requests for deputations to address the Sub-Committee relative to this item. After the deputations had stated their cases and answered questions from members of the Sub-Committee they were thanked for attendance and withdrew.

There was submitted Report No 176-2020 by the Executive Director of City Development seeking approval to refocus the existing budget for Christmas trees, lights and decorations across the city to develop an enhanced city centre offer comprising improved decorations and a programme of activities over the festive trading period. Outside of the city centre, it was proposed that the Council no longer provided Christmas trees and decorations, but allocated a budget towards an enhanced Festive Fund that would support communities across Dundee to provide trees, decorations and activities during the festive period.

The Convener, seconded by Bailie Sawers, moved that the Sub-Committee:-

(i) approve the proposed funding for Christmas lights in the city centre as set out in the report;

(ii) agree the establishment of a Festive Fund as set out in the report and remits the Executive Director of Corporate Services to agree an approach that allowed local community organisations to apply for funding contributions towards Christmas lights and/or festive activities in their areas;

(iii) remit the Executive Director of City Development to focus on the city centre offer and approved funding as set out in the report for a programme of festive events to create a vibrant and exciting destination and supporting the retail and hospitality sectors at this critically important time; and

(iv) remit the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to explore for future years, the planting of trees in community locations which can be decorated as Christmas trees as a sustainable alternative to providing cut trees.

As an amendment, Councillor McCready, seconded by Councillor Cruickshank, moved that the Sub‑Committee:-

(i) approve the proposed funding for Christmas lights in the city centre as set out in the report;

(ii) agree for 2020 that each ward will receive a Christmas tree or other appropriate decorations and that a working group be set up to look at community Christmas celebrations in future years. The working group to include appropriate officers and representatives of all political groups on the council. This recognises that 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone in the city and that the council needs to do everything it can to support local shops and businesses and also bring enjoyment to communities across the city;

(iii) remits the Executive Director of City Development to focus on the city centre offer and approves funding as set out in the report for a programme of festive events to create a vibrant and exciting destination and supporting the retail and hospitality sectors at this critically important time; and

(iv) remits the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to explore for future years, the planting of trees in community locations which can be decorated as Christmas trees as a sustainable alternative to providing cut trees.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Depute Lord Provost Campbell, Bailie Sawers and Councillors Short, Lynn, Rome and Flynn (7); and for the amendment - Bailie Keenan and Councillors McCready, Cruickshank and Malone (4), Bailies Scott and Macpherson declining to vote - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

As a further amendment, Bailie Scott, seconded by Bailie Macpherson, moved:-

(i) that there should be an increase in the spend to improve the Christmas offering in the city centre but that it shouldnt be to the detriment of district shopping centres;

(ii) to remit officers to liaise with the groups involved with the provision of Christmas lights, decorations and trees at current locations outwith the city centre to agree what level of funding would be required to allow a continued Christmas offering at these locations; and

(iii) to remit officers to identify how any shortfall in funding can be met and thereafter report back to the Sub-Committee.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Depute Lord Provost Campbell, Bailie Sawers and Councillors Short, Lynn, Rome and Flynn (7); and for the amendment - Bailies Scott and Macpherson (2) - Bailie Keenan and Councillors McCready, Cruickshank and Malone declining to vote - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

As a further amendment, Bailie Macpherson, seconded by Bailie Scott, moved that the Sub‑Committee:-

(i) note the content of Report No 176-2020; and

(ii) determine to take no action on the recommendations therein; and

(iii) instruct officers to prepare a tender report based on existing arrangements for Christmas lights, as outlined in the report approved by City Development Committee on 9th September, 2019 (Report 264-2019) for approval at a future meeting of the City Development Committee.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Depute Lord Provost Campbell, Bailie Sawers and Councillors Short, Lynn, Rome and Flynn (7); and for the amendment - Bailies Macpherson and Scott (2) - Bailie Keenan and Councillors McCready, Cruickshank and Malone declining to vote - whereupon the motion was declared carried and became the finding of the meeting.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.