Health Improvement Committee

Monday 24 November 2003 at 3.30 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Gallacher, McCabe, Mitchell, Moran, Nimmo, Robertson, Snoddy and Stewart.

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Head of Personnel Services and Ms L Brabender, Senior Solicitor.

With the exception of the decisions marked “C” which are open for confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for information only having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

   870

Implementing Proposals for Housing Stock Transfer

870

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the outcome of the Seminar in relation to housing stock transfer held on 11 November 2003 and chaired by the Convener of the Health Improvement Committee. 

Following discussion, Councillor Gallacher moved:

(1)   that the Housing Services Review Group be established on the basis set out in the report and that Councillors Nimmo and Snoddy be nominated to serve on the Group along with one Member of the Minority Groups;

(2)   that a Shadow Board be established as soon as this can be conveniently arranged, that 15 be the full membership of the Board and that it be recommended to The Inverclyde Council that Councillor Tucker, as Chairman, together with Councillors Mitchell, Hill and Forbes and a fifth Member to be nominated by the Minority Groups be appointed to the Board;

(3)   that the Council, recognising the link between Housing and Economic Regeneration, remit it to the Chief Executive and other Officers to consider and thereafter report on the possible advantages of the new organisation having powers relating to Economic Regeneration as well as Housing;

(4)   that the secondment of staff to support the new Shadow Board be remitted to the Chief Executive and the Director of Social Work & Housing Services but that the Head of Housing and Building Services be not included in the secondment arrangements in view of the very heavy workload and responsibilities to be carried out by him from now until any transfer takes place; that the Chief Executive second another senior and suitably qualified official of the Council to support the Shadow Board or if necessary advertise for a suitable person to fulfill this function; and

(5)   that the other recommendations contained in the report be remitted to the Chief Executive and the Director of Social Work & Housing Services for appropriate action.

Councillor McCabe moved as an amendment to (2), that the composition of the Shadow Board be 3 Members of the Majority Group and 2 Members of the Minority Groups to be nominated by The Inverclyde Council, and that the Chairman of the Shadow Board be selected by the other Members of the Board and as an amendment to (4), that the Head of Housing & Building Services be seconded to head the proposed new Not for Profit Housing Trust and that delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive and Director of Social Work & Housing Services to fill the resultant vacancy as appropriate.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried.  Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.

C

C

Decided: 

(1)   that the Housing Services Review Group be established on the basis set out in the report and that Councillors Nimmo and Snoddy be nominated to serve on the Group along with one Member of the Minority Groups (Councillor Moran);

(2)   that a Shadow Board be established as soon as this can be conveniently arranged, that 15 be the full membership of the Board and that it be recommended to The Inverclyde Council that Councillor Tucker, as Chairman, together with Councillors Mitchell, Hill and Forbes and a fifth Member to be nominated by the Minority Groups be appointed to the Board;

(3)   that the Council, recognising the link between Housing and Economic Regeneration remit it to the Chief Executive and other Officers to consider and thereafter report on the possible advantages of the new organisation having powers relating to Economic Regeneration as well as Housing;

(4)   that the secondment of staff to support the new Shadow Board be remitted to the Chief Executive and the Director of Social Work & Housing Services but that the Head of Housing and Building Services be not included in the secondment arrangements in view of the very heavy workload and responsibilities to be carried out by him from now until any transfer takes place; that the Chief Executive second another senior and suitably qualified official of the Council to support the Shadow Board or if necessary advertise for a suitable person to fulfill this function; and

(5)   that the other recommendations contained in the report be remitted to the Chief Executive and the Director of Social Work & Housing Services for appropriate action.

C

C

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider making the final resolution at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

   871

6, 8, 10 and 12 Garvald Street, Greenock

871

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the current position in respect of the proposed 6, 8, 10 and 12 Garvald Street, Greenock Housing Action Area for Demolition.

Councillor McCabe declared an interest in this item and took no part in its consideration or decision.

Decided:

(1)   that the report be noted; and

(2)   that it be recommended to The Inverclyde Council that the appropriate final resolution be made in relation to the 6, 8, 10 and 12 Garvald Street, Greenock Housing Action Area for Demolition.