The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 23 November 2000 at 4.00 pm

Present:   Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Campbell, Hunter, McCabe, McCormick, McGhee, McGraw, Mitchell, Moody, Morrison (D), Morrison (M), Nimmo, O'Rourke, Rebecchi, Robertson (A), Robertson (Y) and White.

Chair:  Provost Roach presided.

In attendance:    Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Director of Education Services, Director of Information Services, Director of Legal & Support Services,  Director of Resource Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Head of Planning Services, Head of Property Services and Support Services Manager.

Apologies:  Councillor Jackson.

1022

Presentation by Strathclyde Fire Brigade

1022

The Council heard a presentation within the Emergency Planning Room by Mr J Ord, Firemaster, accompanied by D Kennedy, Depute Firemaster, Mr P Robinson,  Assistant Firemaster, Hazel Goodwin, Chief Accountant and Mr R Scott, Station Officer on the subject of Community Safety.  The representatives answered a number of questions raised by Members after which they were thanked for their attendance and departed from the meeting.

The meeting reconvened within the Council Chambers at 4.30 pm.

1023

Councillor Alex Calvert

1023

Prior to the commencement of business, the Council observed one minute's silence as a mark of respect following the recent death of Councillor Alex Calvert.  The Provost paid tribute to Councillor Calvert's service as a Councillor.

1024

Appointments to Committees and Outside Bodies

1024

Decided:   On the motion of Councillor O'Rourke seconded by Councillor Mitchell:-

(1)   that no action be taken to fill the vacancies of Vice-Convener of the Education Services Committee and the Community and Protective Services Committee;  and

(2)   that Councillor Campbell be appointed as Vice-Convener of the Education Services (Appeals) Sub-Committee.

Minutes of Meetings of

The Inverclyde Council, Committees and Sub-Committees

1025

The Inverclyde Council - 5 October 2000

1025

Approved on the motion of Provost Roach seconded by Councillor O'Rourke.

1026

Education Services Committee - 10 October 2000

1026

Approved on the motion of Councillor Robertson (A) seconded by Councillor O'Rourke.

1027

Licensing and Registration Panel - 12 October 2000

1027

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

1028

Social Work and Housing Committee - 17 October 2000

1028

Approved on the motion of Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor Morrison (D).

1029

Corporate Business Committee - 19 October 2000

1029

Approved on the motion of Councillor Robertson (Y) seconded by Councillor McCabe.

1030

Economic Development Services Committee - 24 October 2000

1030

Approved on the motion of Councillor McCormick seconded by Councillor Robertson (Y).

1031

Community and Protective Services Committee - 26 October 2000

1031

Approved on the motion of Councillor Morrison (M) seconded by Councillor O'Rourke.

1032

Finance and Audit Sub-Committee - 31 October 2000

1032

Approved on the motion of Councillor O'Rourke seconded by Councillor Robertson (Y).

1033

Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee - 1 November 2000

1033

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 977 (Hydro House, West Glen Road, Kilmacolm) that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report by the Head of Planning Services.  As an amendment, Councillor Morrison (M) seconded by Councillor Campbell moved that planning permission be refused (1) as the proposals would have an adverse effect on the level of amenity currently enjoyed; (2) as the proposals would have an adverse effect on the environment of the sensitive site; and (3) as the proposals would have a detrimental effect on the flora and fauna associated with the site.  On a vote, 4 Members voted for the motion and 13 for the amendment which was declared carried.’

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

1034

Policy and Strategy Committee - 2 November 2000

1034

Approved on the motion of Councillor O'Rourke seconded by Councillor Robertson (Y).

With reference to paragraph 992 (Role of the District Valuer), reference was made to the vacancy left with regard to representation on the Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board following the decease of Councillor Calvert.

Decided:  that the vacancy be filled by a Member nominated by the Leader of the Minority Groups.

1035

Education Services - Shortlisting Sub-Committee - 6 November 2000

1035

Approved on the motion of Councillor Robertson (A) seconded by Councillor Campbell.

1036

Social Work and Housing Committee (Special) - 9 November 2000

1036

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

The Provost being of the opinion that the undernoted minute of the Policy and Strategy Committee was relevant, competent and urgent, moved his consideration to allow the Council, if in agreement, to approve the decisions taken by the Committee.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

1037

Policy and Strategy Committee - 23 November 2000

1037

Approved on the motion of Councillor O'Rourke seconded by Councillor Morrison (M).

1038

West Dunbartonshire Council - Retention of Organs by Health Boards without Permission

1038

There was submitted a report dated 9 November 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising the Council of a motion by West Dunbartonshire Council expressing its disapproval of the policy of Health Trusts of retaining organs without having obtained consent from next of kin or the patients themselves.  The Council was asked to indicate its support for this motion.

Decided:  that Inverclyde Council support the motion passed by West Dunbartonshire Council and that the Director of Legal & Support Services intimate the Council's support.

The Provost being of the opinion that the undernoted item was relevant, competent and urgent, authorised its consideration to allow the Council to be advised of the up-to-date position relating to the conduct of Council business.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

1039

UNISON:  Industrial Action

1039

The Chief Executive advised of the decision by COSLA to implement its pay award; of the decision by UNISON to extend the application of selective industrial action to staff within Housing Benefit Section and Committee Services and of the decision of the parties to the dispute to use the conciliation machinery.

Decided:  that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Depute Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Minority Groups to make all necessary and desirable arrangements for the discharge of the Council's business in response to the extended industrial action.

It was agreed in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended that the public and press be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that consideration of the following items involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as detailed in the Minute of the relevant Committee or Sub-Committee.

Appendices to Minutes

1040

Social Work and Housing Committee - 17 October 2000

1040

Approved on the motion of Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor Morrison (D).

1041

Corporate Business Committee - 19 October 2000

1041

Approval of the Appendix to the minute as a correct record, subject to the substitution of Councillor Blair for Councillor Nimmo as the mover of the amendment at paragraph 939 (Resource Services - Finance Services:  Review of Establishment) was moved by Councillor Robertson (Y) seconded by Councillor McCabe.

Councillor Robertson (Y) seconded by Councillor McCabe moved that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.

As an amendment, Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Nimmo moved (1) that no action be taken on the consideration of any restructuring or regrading of staff at present until a report is issued by the External Auditor or another experienced, neutral third party, (2) that a special joint meeting of the Corporate Business Committee and Policy and Strategy Committee be convened to deliberate the outcome of that report and (3) that, before a joint meeting, a report be submitted by the Corporate Management Team to the Committee on the merits of the restructure.

Councillors O'Rourke, Blair and McGhee 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, McGhee, Robertson (Y), McCormick and Hunter voted in favour of the motion and Councillors Moody, Nimmo, McGraw, Rebecchi, Mitchell, Blair, White and Campbell voted in favour of the amendment.

The motion was declared carried.

Decided:  that the Appendix to the minute be approved.

1042

Community and Protective Services Committee - 26 October 2000

1042

Approved on the motion of Councillor Morrison (M) seconded by Councillor O'Rourke.

1043

Education Services Committee - Shortlisting Sub-Committee - 6 November 2000

1043

Approved on the motion of Councillor Robertson (A) seconded by Councillor Campbell.