The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 21 June 2001 at 4.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Calvert, Campbell, Hunter, McCabe, McCormick, McGhee, McGraw, Moody, Morrison (D), Morrison (M), Rebecchi and Robertson (A).

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, Mr G Douglas (for Director of Legal and Support Services), Mr D Robin (for Director of Social Work & Housing Services), Acting Director of Finance, Head of Economic Development Service, Head of Property Services and Head of Transportation & Roads Service.

Apologies:  Councillors Jackson, Mitchell, Nimmo, O'Rourke and Robertson (Y).

Minutes of Meetings of

The Inverclyde Council, Committees and Sub-Committees

568

The Inverclyde Council - 10 May 2001

568

Approved on the motion of Provost Roach seconded by Councillor Morrison (M).

569

Education Services Committee - 15 May 2001

569

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

570

Licensing and Registration Panel - 17 May 2001

570

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

571

Policy and Strategy/Corporate Business Committees:  Shortlisting Sub-Committee - 17 May 2001

571

Approved by Councillor Blair and noted as a true record.

572

Social Work and Housing Committee - 22 May 2001

572

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

573

Corporate Business Committee - 24 May 2001

573

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor McCormick seconded by Councillor Morrison (M), subject to the suspension of Standing Orders to amend the minute at paragraph 498, to grant a lease of the ground at Muirdykes Avenue, Port Glasgow for a period of 20 years instead of 15 years as set down in the minute.

Decided:

(1)   that Standing Orders be suspended to amend the minute at paragraph 498 to grant the lease of ground at Muirdykes Avenue, Port Glasgow for a period of 20 years;  and

(2)   that the minute be otherwise approved.

    574

Economic Development Services Committee - 29 May 2001

574

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

    575

Personnel (Appeals and Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 30 May 2001

575

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

    576

The Inverclyde Council (Special) - 30 May 2001

576

Approved on the motion of Provost Roach seconded by Councillor Morrison (M).

    577

Community and Protective Services Committee - 31 May 2001

577

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

    578

Finance and Audit Sub-Committee - 5 June 2001

578

Approved on the motion of Councillor Rebecchi seconded by Councillor Calvert.

    579

Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee - 6 June 2001

579

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

    580

Policy and Strategy Committee - 7 June 2001

580

Approved on the motion of Councillor Morrison (M) seconded by Councillor McGhee.

    581

Policy and Strategy/Corporate Business Committees:  Interview Sub-Committee - 13 June 2001

581

Approved by Councillor McCormick and noted as a true record.

    582

Finance and Audit Sub-Committee (Special) - 14 June 2001

582

Approved on the motion of Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor Calvert.

    583

Appointment of Director of Finance

583

There was submitted a report dated 15 June 2001 by the Chief Executive requesting the Council to homologate the decision taken after the informal consultation described in the report to advertise the post of Director of Finance.  It was noted that the shortleeting and interview had taken place and a formal confirmation of acceptance of appointment was expected shortly.

Decided:  that the decision to create a post of Director of Finance be homologated and the position regarding the appointment be noted.

    584

Certified Annual Accounts for Year Ended 31 March 2000

584

There was submitted a report dated 1 June 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the Certified Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2000 in terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Decided:  that the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2000 be noted and signed.

    585

The Inverclyde Council:  Draft Abstract of Accounts for Year Ended 31 March 2001

585

Noted

    586

Resignation of Elected Member:  Councillor Moody

586

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising that Councillor John Moody had intimated his resignation as the Councillor for Ward 4 following the meeting of the Council on 21 June 2001 and advising of the proposed arrangements for a by-election to fill the vacancy on 6 September 2001.

Decided:

(1)   that the resignation of Councillor Moody be noted and arrangements for the by-election be approved;  and

(2)   that the best wishes of the Council be extended to Councillor Moody.

    587

West Dunbartonshire Council - Relocation of 51 Brigade to Edinburgh

587

There was submitted a report dated 22 May 2001 advising of a request from West Dunbartonshire Council that Inverclyde Council support its motion disapproving of plans to relocate the headquarters of the sole regional brigade for Scotland, 51 Brigade, from the Highlands to Edinburgh.

Noted

    588

Renfrewshire Council - Retention of All Housing Capital Receipts

588

There was submitted a report dated 22 May 2001 by the Director of Legal and Support Services on a request from Renfrewshire Council that Inverclyde Council consider support for its campaign to allow local authorities to retain all housing capital receipts to permit necessary investment in Council housing.

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

    589

West Lothian Council - Maintenance of Roads, Footpaths and Lighting

589

There was submitted a report dated 12 June 2001 by the Director of Legal and Support Services advising that a request had been received from West Lothian Council that all Scottish local authorities write to the Scottish Executive for the provision of additional financial resources for the improvement of local roads, footpaths and street lighting.

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

    590

Resolution:  Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Burnhead Street/Corlic Street, Greenock

590

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal and Support Services relative to the making of the Traffic Regulation Order - Burnhead Street/Corlic Street, Greenock in terms of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and associated Regulations.  It was noted that the making of the Order had been recommended for approval by the Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee on 6 June 2001.

Resolved on the motion of Councillor McGhee seconded by Councillor McCormick that "THE INVERCLYDE COUNCIL, incorporated under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, RESOLVE TO MAKE as they HEREBY MAKE a Resolution under Sections 1(1), 2(1) and (2) and Part III of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to restrict sections of Burnhead Street and Corlic Street to one way, all as detailed in a copy of the Order forming a supplement to the principal minute hereof", and that the Head of Transportation and Roads Service and the Director of Legal and Support Services be authorised to take all necessary action in connection therewith.

    591

Resolution:  Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Auchenbothie Rail Bridge, Kilmacolm

591

There was submitted a report dated 7 June 2001 by the Director of Legal and Support Services relative to the making of the Traffic Regulation Order - Auchenbothie Rail Bridge, Kilmacolm 10 Tonne Weight Restriction in terms of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and associated Regulations.  It was noted that the making of the Order had been recommended for approval by the Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee on 6 June 2001.

Resolved on the motion of Councillor McGhee seconded by Councillor McCormick that "THE INVERCLYDE COUNCIL, incorporated under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, RESOLVE TO MAKE as they HEREBY MAKE a Resolution under Section 1(1), 2(1) to (3) and Part III of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to introduce a 10= tonne weight restriction on Auchenbothie Rail Bridge, Kilmacolm, all as detailed in a copy of the Order forming a supplement to the principal minute hereof", and that the Head of Transportation and Roads Service and the Director of Legal and Support Services be authorised to take all necessary action in connection therewith.

    592

Standing Orders Relating to Contracts

592

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal and Support Services requesting the Council to consider adopting a revised set of Standing Orders Relating to Contracts.  It was noted that new Orders should be considered by the Policy and Strategy Committee but following consultation under Standing Order 66(b) it was agreed to refer the proposed new Standing Orders Relating to Contracts direct to the Council for consideration.

Resolved on the motion of Provost Roach seconded by Councillor Morrison (M) that "THE INVERCLYDE COUNCIL, incorporated under the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, under the powers conferred to them by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and the said Act of 1994, RESOLVE TO ADOPT as they HEREBY ADOPT the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts, a copy of which forms an Appendix to the principal minute hereof", and that with effect from the date of this Resolution videlicet 21 June 2001.

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 item 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 consideration of the item thereafter involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 8 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

Appendices to Minutes

    593

Social Work and Housing Committee - 22 May 2001

593

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

    594

Corporate Business Committee - 24 May 2001

594

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

    595

Personnel (Appeals and Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 30 May 2001

595

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

    596

Policy and Strategy Committee - 7 June 2001

596

Approved on the motion of Councillor Morrison (M) seconded by Councillor McGhee.

The Provost, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Chief Executive was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Council to be advised of the latest position in respect of Greenock Morton and of a request received from the Consortium.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

    597

Greenock Morton

597

There was submitted a report dated 18 June 2001 by the Chief Executive advising of the latest position regarding Greenock Morton and requesting the Council to consider a request from the Consortium for assistance with their proposals to acquire the Football Club, including all assets.  Councillor Blair declared an interest in this item and took no part in its consideration or decision.  Following discussion, the Council agreed the proposals submitted, all as detailed in the Appendix.