The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 14 February 2002 at 4.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Calvert, Campbell, Hill, Hunter, Jackson, McCabe, McCormick, McGhee, McGraw, Mitchell, 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, Mr J Sutherland (for Director of Education Services), Director of Finance Services, Director of Information Services, Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Head of Economic Development Service, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillor Blair.

Minutes of Meetings of

The Inverclyde Council, Committees and Sub-Committees

    134

The Inverclyde Council - 6 December 2001

134

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

    135

Licensing & Registration Panel (Special) - 11 December 2001

135

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

    136

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 18 December 2001

136

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

    137

Education Services Committee - 8 January 2002

137

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

    138

Planning & Traffic Management Sub-Committee - 9 January 2002

138

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

    139

Licensing & Registration Panel - 10 January 2002

139

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

    140

Social Work & Housing Committee - 15 January 2002

140

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

    141

Corporate Business Committee - 17 January 2002

141

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

    142

Economic Development Services Committee - 22 January 2002

142

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

    143

Social Work & Housing Committee (Special) - 24 January 2002

143

It was noted that this minute had been approved at the special meeting of The Inverclyde Council on 24 January 2002.

    144

Community & Protective Services Committee - 24 January 2002

144

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

    145

The Inverclyde Council (Special) - 24 January 2002

145

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

    146

Finance & Audit Sub-Committee - 29 January 2002

146

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

    147

Policy & Strategy Committee - 31 January 2002

147

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

    148

Planning & Traffic Management Sub-Committee - 6 February 2002

148

Approved on the motion of Councillor McGhee seconded by Councillor McCormick subject to the suspension of Standing Orders relative to paragraph 122(d) (Demolition of Former Nurses' Accommodation and Erection of Individual Villa Dwellings with Integrated Garage Provision at the former Bridge of Weir Hospital, Torr Road, Bridge of Weir) to amend the reasons for conditions 4 and 7 to "to accord with the Design Brief".

    149

Policy and Strategy Committee (Special) - 12 February 2002

149

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor O'Rourke.  Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor O'Rourke moved that the decision of the Committee as minuted at paragraph 133 (Revenue Budget 2002/2003 Onwards) be approved subject to the addition at paragraph (6) of the decision of Councillor McGhee as a member of the Policy Review Group.  As an amendment, Councillor Mitchell seconded by Councillor Hill moved as an amendment to paragraph (4) of the decision that it be recommended to The Inverclyde Council that the level of "Band D" Council Tax for 2002/2003 be fixed at £1,072 with the additional revenue generated to be spent equally on roads (with the purpose of dealing with potholes), voluntary organisations and schools' DMR budgets.  On a vote, 7 Members voted for the amendment and 11 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

The Provost, being of the opinion that the undernoted item was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Council to fulfil the statutory requirement for the fixing of the Council Tax for 2002/2003.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

    150

Council Tax 2002/2003

150

Arising from the foregoing paragraph, Councillor Jackson seconded by Councillor O'Rourke moved that the Council resolve to fix the "Band D" Council Tax at £1,062 and that the indicative increase for 2003/2004 be 5%.

Decided:  that the "Band D" Council Tax be fixed at £1,062 for 2002/2003 and that the indicative increase for 2003/2004 be 5%.

    151

Angus Council - Legislation to End Retail Sale of Fireworks to the General Public

151

There was submitted a report dated 8 January 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from Angus Council that this Council consider its support for a resolution to end the retail sale of fireworks to the general public and to regulate those bodies organising public firework displays.

Decided:  that the request by Angus Council and the action by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities relative to the issues raised be noted.

    152

West Dunbartonshire Council - Compensation for Asbestos Victims and their Families

152

There was submitted a report dated 8 January 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from West Dunbartonshire Council that this Council consider its support for a motion condemning the actions of Federal Mogul in dealing with claims for compensation from asbestos victims and their families.

Decided:  that the request be supported and that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to advise the relevant bodies.

    153

Peter Stanton Memorial Trust:  Appointment of Outside Trustees

153

There was submitted a report dated 31 January 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services seeking the appointment of three Trustees nominated by disabled groups within Inverclyde to serve on the Peter Stanton Memorial Trust until its annual meeting in February 2006.

Decided:

(1)  that it be agreed to appoint Mr Robert T E McCaughey, Mrs S W Stanton and Mrs E L Gowans to serve on the Peter Stanton Memorial Trust until its annual meeting in February 2006;  and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to submit a further report on the appointment of Trustees in terms of the Trust Deed.

    154

Children's Panel Advisory Committee

154

There was submitted a report dated 6 February 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of a vacancy on the Children's Panel Advisory Committee and requesting the Council to consider whether it wished to fill the vacancy.

Decided:  that the vacancy on the Children's Panel Advisory Committee be noted and that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to seek nominations and to report thereon in due course.

    155

Fifth Periodical Review of Parliamentary Constituencies - Scotland Provisional Recommendation - Statutory Consultation

155

There was submitted a report dated 7 February 2002 by the Chief Executive seeking the Council's views in respect of the provisional proposals published by the Boundary Commission for Scotland on the review of parliamentary constituencies.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Chief Executive to advise the Boundary Commission for Scotland of the Council's unanimous support for the provisional recommendation for a single parliamentary constituency for the Inverclyde Council area and that the Council be represented at any hearing which may take place to confirm that support.

    156

Resolution:  Proposed Stopping-up Order - Kelburn Terrace, Port Glasgow

156

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services relative to the making of the Stopping-up Order - Kelburn Terrace, Port Glasgow in terms of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.  It was noted that the making of the Order had been recommended for approval by the Planning & Traffic Management Sub-Committee on 6 February 2002.

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 68(1) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to permit the stopping-up of Kelburn Terrace, Port Glasgow, all as detailed in a copy of the Order forming a supplement to the principal minute hereof", and that the Head of Transportation & Roads Service and the Director of Legal & Support Services be authorised to take all necessary action in connection therewith.

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 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 two items 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

    157

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 18 December 2001

157

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

    158

Education Services Committee - 8 January 2002

158

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

    159

Social Work & Housing Committee - 15 January 2002

159

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

    160

Corporate Business Committee - 17 January 2002

160

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

    161

Community & Protective Services Committee - 24 January 2002

161

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

    162

Policy & Strategy Committee - 31 January 2002

162

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

    163

Extension to Invervision - Kilmacolm CCTV - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

163

There was submitted a report dated January 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(b) to progress the project to extend Invervision to Kilmacolm and to instruct contractors for the installation, transmission and power works.

Noted

    164

Roof Contract Phase 1, Port Glasgow - Award of Contract - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

164

There was submitted a report dated 25 January 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(b) relative to the award of the contract comprising Phase 1 of the re-roofing works in Port Glasgow.

Noted