THURSDAY 7 OCTOBER 1999 - 4.00 pm

 

Present:-  Provost Roach, Councillors Calvert, Robertson (A), Morrison (D), Morrison (M), McCabe, O’Rourke, Jackson, McGhee, Nimmo, Robertson (Y), Mulholland, McCormick, Rebecchi, Blair, White and Campbell, Provost Roach in the Chair.

 

In attendance:-  The Chief Executive, the Depute Chief Executive, the Director of Education Services, Mr H McNeilly (for the Director of Legal and Support Services), the Director of Resource Services, the Director of Social Work and Housing Services, the Director of Central Services, the Director of Information Services, the Head of Trading Standards, the Head of Planning Services, the Head of Property Services and the Chief Environmental Services Officer.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Moody, Mitchell and Hunter.

 

MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF

THE INVERCLYDE COUNCIL, COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES

 

   975      THE INVERCLYDE COUNCIL - 19 AUGUST 1999                                                                            975

 

APPROVED on the motion of Provost Roach seconded by Councillor Jackson.

 

   976      EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE - 31 AUGUST 1999                                                             976

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor Robertson (A) seconded by Councillor McCabe.

 

   977      PLANNING AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE - 1 SEPTEMBER 1999              977

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor McGhee seconded by Councillor McCormick.

 

   978      LICENSING AND REGISTRATION PANEL - 2 SEPTEMBER 1999                                                  978

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor Morrison (D) seconded by Councillor McCormick.

 

   979      SOCIAL WORK AND HOUSING COMMITTEE - 7 SEPTEMBER 1999                                           979

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor O’Rourke seconded by Councillor Morrison (D).

 

   980      CORPORATE BUSINESS COMMITTEE - 9 SEPTEMBER 1999                                                        980

 

Approval of the minute was moved by Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor Morrison (M), subject to suspension of Standing Orders, to allow the proposed lease of an area of roof at Prospecthill Court, Greenock detailed at Paragraph 914 to be referred back to the Corporate Business Committee for further consideration.

DECIDED:

(a)  That Standing Orders be suspended to allow the proposed lease of an area of roof at Prospecthill Court, Greenock detailed at Paragraph 914 to be referred back to the Corporate Business Committee for further consideration;  and

(b)  That the minute otherwise be approved.

Councillor Nimmo seconded by Councillor Blair moved that the debate relative to Paragraph 910 (Rankin Park, Greenock) which was subject to confirmation by the Council and details of which were set out in the appendix to the minute be heard in public.

As an amendment, Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor Robertson (Y) moved that the debate relative to Paragraph 910 be heard in private.

Councillors Nimmo, Blair and Rebecchi requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the vote be taken as a roll call vote and this was agreed.

On a vote, Councillors Calvert, Nimmo, Rebecchi, Blair, White and Campbell voted for the motion and Provost Roach, Councillors Robertson (A), Morrison (D), Morrison (M), McCabe, O’Rourke, Jackson, McGhee, Robertson (Y), Mulholland and McCormick voted in favour of the amendment which was declared carried.

DECIDED:  That the debate relative to Paragraph 910 (Rankin Park, Greenock) be heard in private.

 

   981      LICENSING AND REGISTRATION PANEL (SPECIAL) - 13 SEPTEMBER 1999                             981

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor McCormick seconded by Councillor Rebecchi.

 

   982      ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE - 14 SEPTEMBER 1999                           982

 

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor McGhee seconded by Councillor McCormick.

Councillor McGhee seconded by Councillor McCormick moved with reference to Paragraph 932 (Pelican Crossing - Shore Street, Gourock) that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.

As an amendment, Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor White moved that it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to submit a report on the matter with a view to dealing with and diminishing the road traffic hazards at the Larkfield junction.  On a vote, 5 Members voted for the amendment and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.

DECIDED: That the minute be approved.

 

   983      POLICY AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE (SPECIAL) - 15 SEPTEMBER 1999                                 983

 

Minute approved at the special meeting of The Inverclyde Council on 23 September 1999.

 

   984      COMMUNITY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE - 16 SEPTEMBER 1999                   984

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor Morrison (M) seconded by Councillor McCormick.

   985      FINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE - 21 SEPTEMBER 1999                                                                       985

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor Robertson (Y).

 

   986      POLICY AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE - 23 SEPTEMBER 1999                                                    986

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor Robertson (Y).

 

   987      THE INVERCLYDE COUNCIL (SPECIAL) - 23 SEPTEMBER 1999                                                  987

 

APPROVED on the motion of Provost Roach seconded by Councillor Jackson.

 

   988      PLANNING AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE - 6 OCTOBER 1999                  988

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor McGhee, seconded by Councillor McCormick subject to clarification that Condition 10 of Paragraph 970(e) (Formation of Short-term Quarry: Harelaw, by Port Glasgow (IC/98/93)) included a requirement to provide wheel covers for the vehicles used in connection with the development as a means of controlling dust.

 

   989      ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF TEACHER AND PARENT REPRESENTATIVES                 989

TO EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 29 September 1999 by the Director of Legal and Support Services on the outcome of elections held for the purpose of appointing a teacher representative and a parent representative to the Education Services Committee.

DECIDED:  That the Committee note the appointment of Mr Duncan Anderson as teacher representative and Mrs Patricia Purdie as parent representative to the Education Services Committee.

 

   990      CHILDREN’S PANEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE                                                                               990

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 30 September 1999 by the Director of Legal and Support Services intimating the resignation of Mr Samuel McEwan, one of the Council’s representatives on the Children’s Panel Advisory Committee, and advising that at present, as part of the process of appointment of persons by the Scottish Executive to the Advisory Committee, the Council had advertised for expressions of interest in such an appointment.  It was suggested that the Council could consider nominating a replacement for Mr McEwan from persons intimating an interest as part of this process.

DECIDED:  That the position be noted meantime.

 

   991      RENFREWSHIRE VALUATION JOINT BOARD - SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS                                   991

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 22 September 1999 by the Director of Legal and Support Services requesting the Council to consider the appointment of substitute members to the Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board in terms of the Valuation Joint Boards (Scotland) Order 1995.

DECIDED on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor Calvert that the four substitute members to the Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board be nominated from the Liberal Democrat Members by the Leader of the Minority Groups.

 

   992      EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MEMBERS’ NETWORK                                                                          992

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 27 September 1999 by the Director of Legal and Support Services advising that an invitation had been received from COSLA for Inverclyde Council to nominate a Member to join the Equal Opportunities Members’ Network.

DECIDED on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor Mulholland that Councillor Robertson (Y) be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Equal Opportunities Members’ Network and that Councillor Robertson’s substitute be Councillor Morrison (M).

 

   993      WEST OF SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGY SERVICE JOINT COMMITTEE                                      993

 

SUBMITTED:  Report by the Depute Chief Executive requesting the Committee to appoint a representative and substitute to the West of Scotland Archaeology Service Joint Committee.

DECIDED on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor Mulholland that Councillor McGhee be appointed as the Council’s representative on the West of Scotland Archaeology Service Joint Committee and that the substitute Member be appointed by the Leader of the Minority Groups.

 

   994      CLYDE MUIRSHIEL PARK JOINT COMMITTEE - SUBSTITUTE MEMBER                                   994

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 30 September 1999 by the Director of Legal and Support Services requesting the Committee to consider the appointment of a second substitute Member to the Clyde Muirshiel Park Joint Committee arising from the resignation of Councillor McGhee.

DECIDED on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor Mulholland that Councillors McCormick and Hunter be appointed as Substitute Members to the Clyde Muirshiel Park Joint Committee in place of Councillors McGhee and Morrison (M).

 

   995      RESOLUTION:  PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER - ON-STREET                               995

PARKING PLACES (WITHOUT CHARGES) ORDER NO 2 1999

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 22 September 1999 by the Director of Legal and Support Services relative to the making of the Traffic Regulation Order - On-Street Parking Places (Without Charges) Order No 2 1999 in terms of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and associated Regulations.  It was noted that the making of the Order had been approved by the Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee on 6 October 1999.

RESOLVED on the motion of Councillor McGhee seconded by Councillor Morrison (M) that “THE INVERCLYDE COUNCIL incorporated under the Local Government Etc (Scotland) Act 1994, RESOLVE TO MAKE as they HEREBY MAKE a Resolution under Section 32(1) and Part III of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to introduce the Traffic Regulation Order - On-Street Parking Places (Without Charges) Order No 2 1999 to restrict parking within designated parking bays to disabled drivers only at the locations in Port Glasgow and Greenock detailed in the Schedule incorporated in the Order, a copy of which forms a supplement to the principal minute hereof” and that the Head of Transportation and Roads and the Director of Central Services be authorised to take all necessary action in connection therewith.

 

   996      RESOLUTION:  EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS                                                                    996

 

On the motion of the Provost it was agreed unanimously that, in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, the public and press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that consideration of the following item involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act, the nature of which is set out in the minute of the Committee which considered each respective item in the appendix to the minute, and on the grounds that consideration of the item thereafter involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

 

APPENDICES TO MINUTES

 

   997      SOCIAL WORK AND HOUSING COMMITTEE - 7 SEPTEMBER 1999                                           997

 

Approval of the appendix to the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor O’Rourke seconded by Councillor Morrison (D).

Councillor O’Rourke seconded by Councillor Morrison (D) moved with reference to Paragraph 893 (18-20 Mearns Street, Greenock) that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor Nimmo seconded by Councillor Campbell moved that (a) the Council not proceed with the Housing Action Area for Improvement and declare a Housing Action Area for Demolition in respect of 18-20 Mearns Street, Greenock and (b) remit it to the Chief Executive to report on how the Council arrived at the current position and the information made available to Members on costs and to write to the Secretary of State on the role of Scottish Office officials and other involved agencies in the matter.  On a vote, 6 Members voted for the amendment and 11 for the motion which was declared carried.

DECIDED:  That the appendix to the minute be approved.

 

   998      CORPORATE BUSINESS COMMITTEE - 9 SEPTEMBER 1999                                                        998

 

Approval of the appendix to the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor Morrison (M).

Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor Morrison (M) moved with reference to Paragraph 910 (Rankin Park, Greenock) that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor Nimmo seconded by Councillor Blair moved that the offer from Buckingham Properties (Scotland) Ltd be rejected and that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to investigate sources of funding for alternative leisure developments at Rankin Park, Greenock, the site to be retained in the Council’s ownership.

Councillors Nimmo, Rebecchi and Blair requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the vote be taken as a roll call vote and this was agreed.  On a vote, Provost Roach, Councillors Robertson (A), Morrison (D), Morrison (M), McCabe, O’Rourke, Jackson, McGhee, Robertson (Y), Mulholland and McCormick voted in favour of the motion and Councillors Nimmo, Rebecchi, Blair, White and Campbell voted in favour of the amendment.  The motion was declared carried.

Following the vote, Councillor Blair proposed that attention should be given to the terms and conditions of sale with a view to the Council’s securing a share of the development value and this was discussed.

The meeting was adjourned at 6.05 pm and re-convened at 6.35 pm.

DECIDED:  That the decision at Paragraph 910 (Rankin Park, Greenock) be amended to read as follows:

“That it be remitted to the Chief Executive and the Director of Legal and Support Services to conclude missives with Buckingham Properties (Scotland) Ltd on suitable terms and conditions including profit-share on the development and the appropriate title conditions to safeguard a predominantly leisure theme.”

DECIDED:  That the appendix to the minute, as amended at Paragraph 910, be approved.

 

   999      LICENSING AND REGISTRATION PANEL - 13 SEPTEMBER 1999                                                999

 

APPROVED on the motion by Councillor McCormick seconded by Councillor Rebecchi.

 

1000      POLICY AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE - 23 SEPTEMBER 1999                                                  1000

 

APPROVED on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor Robertson (Y).

 

1001      ASHTON ESPLANADE, GOUROCK - REPAIRS TO SEA WALL                                                   1001

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 23 September 1999 by the Director of Legal and Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(b) to approve an increase of £75,000 in the Capital Allocation to allow repairs to the sea wall at Ashton Esplanade, Gourock to proceed as soon as possible.

NOTED