The Inverclyde Council

Wednesday 30 May 2001 at 4.00 pm

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

Chair:  Provost Roach presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Education Services, Director of Legal and Support Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Interim Director of Finance, Head of Accountancy Services and Mr H McNeilly, Managing Solicitor.

Apologies:  Councillors Mitchell, Nimmo and Robertson (Y).

The Provost, being of the opinion that the undernoted item was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Council to be advised of the position at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

518

Serious Assault on Member of Staff

518

The Provost advised that he had been extremely shocked and concerned to learn of a serious assault that morning on a member of staff in the course of his normal duties which had resulted in his being taken to hospital with serious injuries.  It was his understanding that the Police were currently carrying out investigations into the assault.  The Members and Officers present agreed to pass on their good wishes to the member of staff and his family together with their hopes for a speedy recovery.

519

Controller of Audit - Progress Report SR2001/1

519

There was submitted report dated 23 May 2001 by the Chief Executive requesting the Committee to (1) consider the progress report on Inverclyde Council by the Controller of Audit to the Accounts Commission (SR2001/1) following the assessment of progress against the action plan carried out by the Council's external auditors, Messrs PriceWaterhouseCoopers, dated January 2001 and (2) agree a response to the Accounts Commission.  (Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business.)

Decided:  on the motion of Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor O'Rourke that the response of Inverclyde Council to the report by the Controller of Audit (SR2001/1) be as set out in the Appendix to the Chief Executive's report of 23 May 2001 subject to amendment under the section entitled "Finance Services Staffing" by substitution of Capital and Exchequer Manager for Service Accountancy Manager.