The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 24 February 2005 at 4.00 pm

Present:   Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Forbes, Gallacher, Hill, Hunter, McCabe, McCormick (M), McCormick (P), McKenzie, Mitchell, Moran, Nimmo, Roach, Robertson, Snoddy, Stewart, Tucker and White.

Chair:  Provost Rebecchi presided. 

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community Services, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Education Services, Head of Planning Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillor Fyfe.

Provost Rebecchi offered on behalf of the Council his condolences to Councillor McCormick on his recent bereavement.

Provost Rebecchi intimated his congratulations and appreciation of the Inverclyde Schools Choir’s performance, representing Inverclyde at the competition in Manchester.

Minutes of Meetings of

The Inverclyde Council, Committees and Sub-Committees

166

The Inverclyde Council - 2 December 2004

166

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi. 

It was agreed that Councillors Stewart and McCormick (P) be appointed as representatives to the National Association of Councillors (para 876).

167

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

167

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

168

Licensing & Registration Panel - 8 December 2004

168

Approved on the motion of Councillor Snoddy.

169

Best Value & Corporate Services Committee - Shortlisting Sub-Committee - 14 December 2004

169

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

170

Policy & Strategy Committee - 14 December 2004

170

It was noted that this minute was approved at the meeting of The Inverclyde Council on 16 December 2004.

171

Environment & Regeneration Committee - 16 December 2004

171

It was noted that this minute was approved at the meeting of The Inverclyde Council on 16 December 2004.

172

The Inverclyde Council - 16 December 2004

172

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi.

173

Standards Committee

173

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Provost Rebecchi. 

With regard to paragraph 897 (Arrangements for Surgeries), it was agreed that this item be placed on the agenda of the next Standards Committee meeting for further discussion and clarification.

174

Planning & Traffic Management Committee - 5 January 2005

174

Approved on the motion of Councillor Forbes.

175

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 10 January 2005

175

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

176

Best Value & Corporate Services Committee - Interview Sub-Committee - 11 January 2005

176

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

177

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - 11 January 2005

177

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Mitchell.  Councillor Mitchell seconded by Councillor Tucker moved with reference to paragraph 10 (Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 8) that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment Councillor Robertson seconded by Councillor McKenzie moved that (1) subject to the suspension of Standing Orders, the identified savings be retained within the Education Services Budget, that where possible, these be utilised in the current financial year with any balance being rolled over into the following financial year and that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to submit proposals for use of these monies as soon as possible and (2) that from these savings, each primary school and special needs school receive one off additional funding of £5,000 to be spent at the discretion of the Head Teacher in consultation with the School Board and that each secondary school receive one off additional funding of £10,000 to be spent at the discretion of the Head Teacher in consultation with the School Board.  On a vote 7 Members voted for the amendment and 11 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

178

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - Shortlisting Sub-Committee - 13 January 2005

178

Approved on the motion of Councillor Mitchell.

179

Community Committee - 13 January 2005

179

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Hunter with the exception of paragraph 35 (Better Neighbourhood Services Fund - Acceptance of Tenders).  It was agreed that the minute be corrected by substituting Pirie Contracts Ltd for Ashbury Contracts Ltd.

Decided:  that the minute as corrected be approved.

180

Health & Social Care Committee - 18 January 2005

180

Approved on the motion of Councillor Nimmo.

181

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - 19 January 2005

181

It was noted that this minute was approved at the special meeting of The Inverclyde Council on 20 January 2005.

182

Audit Committee - 20 January 2005

182

Approved on the motion of Councillor McCabe.

183

The Inverclyde Council - 20 January 2005

183

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi.

184

Environment & Regeneration Committee - 25 January 2005

184

Councillor Robertson declared an interest in respect of paragraph 75(1).  Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Forbes seconded by Councillor Gallacher. 

With reference to paragraph 75(1) (Inverkip Power Station site) Councillor Forbes seconded by Councillor Gallacher moved that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor McKenzie moved that the proposal for Inverkip Power Station site remain as recommended by the Head of Planning Services, that is identified as a Special Development Area.  On a vote 4 Members voted for the amendment and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.

With reference to paragraph 75(2) (Levan Farm (Phase lll)) Councillor Forbes seconded by Councillor Gallacher moved that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor McKenzie moved that the Head of Planning Services’ recommendation be accepted and that a report on Greenfield release be submitted to the next meeting of the Environment & Regeneration Committee.  On a vote 6 Members voted for the amendment and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.

With reference to paragraph 75(3) (Hill Farm, Inverkip), Councillor Forbes seconded by Councillor Gallacher moved that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As a first amendment, Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor McKenzie moved that approval be given to revert to the previous status quo with none of the additional fields being released.  As a further amendment, Councillor Roach seconded by Councillor McCormick moved that there be a 150m buffer zone around Everton Scout Camp as set out in the Final Draft Local Plan 2002.  On a vote being taken between the two amendments, 3 Members voted for the first amendment and 3 for the second amendment and there being equality of voting, the Provost exercised his casting vote in favour of the second amendment.  On a further vote being taken, 5 Members voted for the amendment (Roach/McCormick(P)) and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.`

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

185

Community Committee - 27 January 2005

185

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

186

Best Value & Corporate Services Committee - 27 January 2005

186

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

187

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - Interview Sub-Committee - 31 January 2005

187

Approved on the motion of Councillor Mitchell.

188

Environment & Regeneration Committee - 31 January 2005

188

It was noted that this minute was approved at the special meeting of The Inverclyde Council on 31 January 2005.

189

The Inverclyde Council - 31 January 2005

189

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi.

190

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - Interview Sub-Committee - 2 February 2005

190

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Mitchell with the exception of the Chairperson.  It was agreed that Councillor Robertson, not Councillor Mitchell had chaired the meeting.

Decided:  that the minute as corrected be approved.

191

Planning & Traffic Management Committee - 2 February 2005

191

Approved on the motion of Councillor Forbes.

192

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 3 February 2005

192

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

193

Best Value & Corporate Services Committee - 7 February 2005

193

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

194

Policy & Strategy Committee - 8 February 2005

194

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Hill.  With reference to paragraph 137 (Remit from Best Value & Corporate Services Committee - Future Provision of ICT Services) Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Hill moved that the decision as minuted be approved.  As an amendment Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor Robertson moved that it be remitted to the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee to continue consideration of the matter to a further meeting and that a report be submitted detailing the responses to the questions submitted and formally exploring the further options of a public partnership arrangement and that the report also include the advice given by the Chief Executive and the monitoring officer on the duty of Best Value.  On a vote 7 Members voted for the amendment and 11 for the motion which was declared carried.

The Chief Executive repeated the advice he had given to the Best Value and Corporate Services Committee, namely, that the Council must consider their duty of Best Value and that when considering opportunities for improvement, a fair and open approach must be taken when evaluating alternative forms of service delivery from whatever the section and that current policies and approaches must be challenged explicitly and justified if actioned.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

195

Licensing & Registration Panel - 9 February 2005

195

Approved on the motion of Councillor Snoddy.

196

The Inverclyde Council - 10 February 2005

196

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi.

It was noted that with regard to paragraph 160 that this referred only to paragraph 142 as an extract of the Minute of the Policy & Strategy Committee on 8 February 2005.

197

Grants Sub-Committee - 17 February 2005

197

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

198

Environment & Regeneration Committee - 17 February 2005

198

Approved on the motion of Councillor Forbes.

199

Appointment to Outside Body - Inverclyde Children’s Panel Advisory Committee

199

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising that Mrs Anne Deighan was willing to be considered for the appointment to the Council’s vacancy on the Inverclyde Children’s Panel Advisory Committee.

Decided: 

(1)      that the appointment be agreed;  and

(2)      that a report be submitted to the Policy & Strategy Committee setting out for consideration possible procedures for appointments to outside bodies.

200

Polling Scheme - General Election:  Inverclyde Constituency

200

There was submitted a report dated February 2005 by the Chief Executive as Returning Officer advising of a scheme showing polling places and polling stations that would be required at a General Election.

Decided:

(1)      that the polling scheme be approved and that the Returning Officer in consultation with the appropriate Elected Member(s) be authorised to amend it as necessary in the event of premises becoming unavailable prior to the election;  and

(2)      that the reassignment of polling places as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report be noted.

The Provost being of the opinion that the undernoted report was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow Members to be advised at the earliest opportunity of the updated position in relation to progress by NHS Argyll & Clyde in taking the revised Clinical Strategy forward.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

201

NHS Argyll & Clyde Clinical Strategy

201

There was submitted a report by Mr T Keenan, Social Work Services, advising of the updated position in relation to progress by NHS Argyll & Clyde in taking the revised Clinical Strategy forward.

Noted

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.

Appendices to Minutes

202

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 6 December 2004

202

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

203

Best Value & Corporate Services Committee - Shortlisting Sub-Committee - 14 December 2004

203

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

204

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 10 January 2005

204

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

205

Best Value & Corporate Services Committee - Interview Sub-Committee - 11 January 2005

205

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

206

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - Shortlisting Sub-Committee - 13 January 2005

206

Approved on the motion of Councillor Mitchell.

207

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - Shortlisting Sub-Committee - 13 January 2005

207

Approved on the motion of Councillor Mitchell.

208

Health & Social Care Committee - 18 January 2005

208

Approved on the motion of Councillor Nimmo.

209

Environment & Regeneration Committee - 25 January 2005

209

Approved on the motion of Councillor Forbes.

210

Community Committee - 27 January 2005

210

Approved on the motion of Councillor Hunter.

211

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - Interview Sub-Committee - 31 January 2005

211

Approved on the motion of Councillor Mitchell.

212

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - Interview Sub-Committee - 2 February 2005

212

Approved on the motion of Councillor Robertson.

213

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 3 February 2005

213

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.