The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 29 March 2001 at 4.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Calvert, Campbell, Hunter, Jackson, McCabe, McCormick, McGhee, McGraw, Morrison (D), Morrison (M), Nimmo, O’Rourke, Robertson (A), Robertson (Y) and White.

Chair:  Provost Roach presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community and Protective Services, Director of Education Services, Director of Information Services, Director of Legal and Support Services, Head of Housing and Building Services, Head of Environmental and Consumer Services, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Planning Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillors Mitchell and Rebecchi.

Minutes of Meetings of

The Inverclyde Council, Committees and Sub-Committees

268

The Inverclyde Council - 15 February 2001

268

(Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

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

269

Education Services Committee - 20 February 2001

269

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

270

Licensing and Registration Panel - 22 February 2001

270

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

271

Social Work and Housing Committee - 27 February 2001

271

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

272

Corporate Business Committee - 1 March 2001

272

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

273

Economic Development Services Committee - 6 March 2001

273

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

274

Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee - 7 March 2001

274

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 237(e) (Erection of 8 Dwellinghouses: Thom Street/Old Inverkip Road, Greenock (IC/00/318)) that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Nimmo moved that planning permission be refused for the following reasons: (1) as the proposal would constitute overdevelopment on a corner site; (2) as the proposal would lead to undesirable traffic levels which would have an adverse effect on road safety; and (3) as the proposal is contrary to Local Plan policy Ld which reserves the site for a development of open space, primarily for passive and informal recreation.  On a vote, 7 Members voted for the amendment and 9 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

275

Community and Protective Services Committee - 8 March 2001

275

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

276

Finance and Audit Sub-Committee - 13 March 2001

276

Approved on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor O’Rourke.

277

Policy and Strategy Committee - 15 March 2001

277

Approved on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor O’Rourke.

The Provost being of the opinion that the undernoted item was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Council to consider its position with regard to the review of its maternity services, including those in Inverclyde, being carried out by Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospitals Trust.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

278

Argyll and Clyde Health Board - Review of Maternity Services

278

Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor Hunter moved as follows:-

“That the Council call upon Argyll and Clyde Health Board to retain full maternity facilities within the Rankin Maternity Unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and that the relevant bodies engaged in the review be so advised”.

Decided:  unanimously to support the motion.

279

West Dunbartonshire Council - Collapse of Chester Street Insurance Holdings

279

There was submitted a report dated 15 March 2001 by the Director of Legal and Support Services on a request from West Dunbartonshire Council that this Council consider its support for a motion in respect of its campaign following on the collapse of Chester Street Insurance Holdings which could significantly adversely affect compensation claims of current and future asbestos victims.

Decided:  that the request be supported and that the relevant bodies be so advised.

280

Standards in Public Life

280

There was submitted a report dated 16 March 2001 by the Chief Executive on the Ethical Standards in Public Life, Etc (Scotland) Act and appending for approval a response to the Scottish Executive consultation on the Draft Codes of Conduct for Members of Public Bodies and Councillors.

Decided: that the proposals detailed in Appendix 2 to the report be approved as the Council’s response to the Scottish Executive.

281

Authority to Sign Summary Warrants - Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

281

There was submitted a report dated 19 March 2001 by the Director of Legal and Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(b) to authorise a temporary amendment to the Scheme of Delegation to allow powers to be delegated to the Director of Legal and Support Services or, in her absence, the Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice) to sign Summary Warrants in respect of Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates until such time as a Proper Officer is appointed in terms of Section 95 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Noted

It was agreed in terms of Section 50A(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 two 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, and on the grounds that considerations of the item thereafter involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

Appendices to Minutes

282

Social Work and Housing Committee - 27 February 2001

282

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

283

Corporate Business Committee - 1 March 2001

283

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

The Provost being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Legal and Support Services was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Council to be advised of the use of the emergency powers procedure in accordance with Standing Orders.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

284

Late Tenders - Postal Dispute - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

284

There was submitted a report dated 27 March 2001 by the Director of Legal and Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(b) to suspend Standing Order 9.1 of the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts with respect to the tenders received in relation to the contracts for supply of unmetered electricity and coated and uncoated roadstone, following a recommendation from the Corporate Business Committee.

Noted