The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 23 February 2006 at 4.00 pm

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

Chair:  Provost Rebecchi presided. 

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Director of  Community Services, Director of Education Services, Mr G Douglas (for Solicitor to the Council), Chief Financial Officer, Head of Planning Services, Head of Property Services and Head of Transportation & Roads Service.

Apologies:  Councillor Roach.

Ms Elaine Paterson

Members of the Council asked that their condolences be conveyed to Ms Elaine Paterson, Solicitor to the Council, following her recent bereavement.

Minutes of Meetings of

The Inverclyde Council, Committees and Sub-Committees

136

The Inverclyde Council - 1 December 2005

136

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi.

137

Planning & Traffic Management Committee - 7 December 2005

 137

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Forbes seconded by Councillor Fyfe.  Councillor Forbes seconded by Councillor Fyfe moved with reference to paragraph 933(b) (Erection of Four One and a Half Storey Detached Dwellinghouses:  Land to the West of Leven Road, Wemyss Bay (IC/05/325)) that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor Hunter seconded by Councillor McCormick (P) moved that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in his motion at the Committee.

On a vote, 7 Members voted for the amendment and 10 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

138

Environment & Regeneration Committee (Special) - 13 December 2005

138

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

139

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 14 December 2005

139

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

140

Licensing & Registration Panel - 14 December 2005

140

Approved on the motion of Councillor Gallacher.

141

Policy & Strategy Committee (Special) - 15 December 2005

141

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

142

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 19 December 2005

142

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

143

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee - 10 January  2006

143

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

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Mitchell seconded by Councillor White.  Councillor McCabe declared a personal interest in respect of paragraph 15 (Provision of Pre-school Education in Carsemeadow Nursery School:  Results of the Consultation Process) and left the meeting. Thereafter Councillor Mitchell seconded by Councillor White moved that the decision of the Committee at paragraph 15 be approved as minuted.  As an amendment, Councillor Robertson seconded by Councillor McKenzie moved that consideration be continued until detailed plans for improvements to the pre-5 pedestrian access, drop off points and car parking at Kilmacolm Primary School were submitted to the Committee.  On a vote, 5 Members voted for the amendment and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

(Councillor McCabe returned to the meeting at this point).

144

Planning & Traffic Management Committee - 11 January 2006

144

Approved on the motion of Councillor Forbes.

145

Community Committee - 12 January 2006

145

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor White seconded by Councillor Stewart.  Councillor White seconded by Councillor Stewart moved with reference to paragraph 27 (Kilmacolm New Community Centre Co Ltd (KNCC)) that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor Moran seconded by Councillor Robertson moved that the Ward Councillor and Convener of the Audit Committee be appointed to the Board of the Kilmacolm New Community Centre Co Ltd.  On a vote, 6 Members voted for the amendment and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

146

Health & Social Care Committee - 17 January 2006

146

Approved on the motion of Councillor Snoddy.

147

Licensing & Registration Panel - 18 January 2006

147

Approved on the motion of Councillor Snoddy.

148

Audit Committee - 19 January 2006

148

Approved on the motion of Councillor McCabe.

149

Environment & Regeneration Committee - 24 January 2006

149

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

150

Waste Strategy Sub-Committee - 26  January 2006

150

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

151

Best Value & Corporate Services Committee - 26 January 2006

151

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Snoddy seconded by Councillor Stewart.  Councillor Snoddy seconded by Councillor Stewart moved with reference to paragraph 103 (Birkmyre Park Pavilion) that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor McCormick (P) moved that Option 1 (Major Refurbishment of the existing Pavilion and Duchal Nursery continuing to occupy part of the premises but contributing a market rental for the space utilised) be adopted and that Officers be instructed to progress the appropriate actions as detailed in paragraph 8.8 of the report.  On a vote, 6 Members voted for the amendment and 11 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

152

The Inverclyde Council (Special) - 26 January 2006

152

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi.

153

Policy & Strategy Committee (Special) - 31 January 2006

153

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

154

The Inverclyde Council (Special) - 31 January 2006

154

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi.

155

Planning & Traffic Management Committee - 1 February 2006

155

Approved on the motion of Councillor Forbes.

156

Policy & Strategy Committee - 7 January 2006

156

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

157

The Inverclyde Council (Special) -  9 February 2006

157

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi.

158

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 13 February 2006

158

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

159

Audit Committee & Health & Social Care Committee - Changes in Representation

159

There was submitted a report dated 3 February 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council on a request received from the Secretary of the Labour Group that the Council consider making a number of changes to the membership of Committees.

Decided:

(1)   that Councillor Roach be replaced on the Audit Committee by Councillor Moran;  and

(2)   that Councillor Moran be replaced on the Health & Social Care Committee by Councillor Roach.

160

Greater Glasgow NHS Board - Appointment

160

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council advising of a request received from Greater Glasgow NHS Board that the Council nominate a serving Councillor to sit as a Non Executive Director Member from 1 April 2006.

Following discussion, Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Stewart moved that Councillor Fyfe be appointed to sit as a Non Executive Director Member of Greater Glasgow NHS Board.  As an amendment, Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor McCormick (P) moved that Councillor Roach be so appointed.  On a vote, 6 Members voted for the amendment and 11 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that Councillor Fyfe be appointed to sit as a Non Executive Director Member of Greater Glasgow NHS Board.

161

Peter Stanton Memorial Trust - Appointment of Outside Trustees

161

There was submitted a report dated 14 February 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council seeking the Council’s appointment of outside Trustees for the Peter Stanton Memorial Trust.

Decided:   that approval be given to the appointment of Mrs E L Gowans, Ms M McEleney and Mrs M Clark as Trustees for the Peter Stanton Memorial Trust to serve on the Trust until its annual meeting in February 2010.

162

Participation in Collaborative Buying - Standing Orders Relating to Contracts

162

There was submitted a report dated 15 February 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council recommending that the Standing Orders relating to Contracts be amended to take account of the decision of the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee on 26 January 2006 (para 86) to approve the extension of the principle of Collaborative Buying and to the Council’s participation with other local authorities and public sector bodies in the use of the mechanism to achieve Best Value.  The report advised that the Policy & Strategy Committee on 7 February 2006 (para 120) had approved the request from the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee and had recommended the necessary changes to the Standing Orders relating to Contracts.Ó

Decided:

(1)   that in terms of Section 56 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Council approve arrangements for the provision of goods and services required for Inverclyde Council being carried out by any other local authority being a member of the Authorities Buying Consortium and the Council's participation and provision of goods and services for other such local authorities all furthering the principle of Collaborative Buying;  and

(2)   that the application of the Standing Orders relating to Contracts be amended and extended as follows:

(a)   the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to instruct acceptance of tenders on behalf of the Council by another local authority, or to accept tenders issued by another local authority, or to adopt an existing contract between another local authority or public sector body and a supplier to take advantage of Collaborative Buying always provided that best value and value for money are evident in the terms of the contract;  and

(b)   the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to extend the application of the Standing Orders relating to Contracts to contracts issued on behalf of Inverclyde Council and other local authorities or public sector bodies and to take all necessary action in connection therewith.

163

Fair Trade “Town” Status

163

There was submitted a report dated 6 February 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council on a recommendation from the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee of 26 January 2006 (para 100) that the Council make a resolution announcing its intention to achieve Fair Trade “Town” Status.

Resolved on the motion of Councillor Snoddy seconded by Councillor Stewart that the Council adopt all measures necessary to achieve Fair Trade “Town” Status for the local government area of Inverclyde and that it be remitted to the Chief Financial Officer and other relevant Officers to take all necessary action in connection therewith.

164

Provisional Tree Preservation Order - Shambala, Cloch Road, Gourock

164

There was submitted a report by the Solicitor to the Council advising that the Environment & Regeneration Committee at its meeting on 24 January 2006 (para 65) had agreed to recommend the confirmation of a Provisional Tree Preservation Order at Shambala, Cloch Road, Gourock.

Resolved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe seconded by Councillor Forbes that “THE INVERCLYDE COUNCIL, as Planning Authority in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Section 163 of the Town & Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, RESOLVE TO CONFIRM as they HEREBY CONFIRM “The Inverclyde Council” (Shambala, Cloch Road, Gourock) (First) Tree Preservation Order No. IC20;  all as specified in the Provisional Order forming a supplement to the principal minute hereof” and that the Head of Planning Services and the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to take all necessary action in connection therewith.

165

Support for the Glasgow City Council Commonwealth Games Bid 2014

165

There was submitted a report dated 15 February 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting the Council to consider whether it would wish to support the campaign promoted by Glasgow City Council for the 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid.ê

Decided:  that Inverclyde Council support the campaign promoted by Glasgow City Council for the 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid.

The Provost being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Solicitor to the Council was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow Members to consider the change to the representation by the Roman Catholic Church on the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

166

Appointment of Roman Catholic Church Representative to the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee

166

There was submitted a report dated 23 February 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council advising of the nomination of Rev Michael McMahon, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Bishopton as the representative of the Paisley Diocese on the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee, as a direct replacement for Rev Thomas Boyle who had now taken up other duties.

(Councillor Forbes left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided: 

(1)   that approval be given to the nomination of Rev Michael McMahon to serve as the Roman Catholic Church representative on the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee;  and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Education Services to write to Rev Thomas Boyle to thank him for his 10 years of service to the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee and to convey the Council’s best wishes for the future.

Appendices to Minutes

167

Environment & Regeneration Committee (Special) - 13 December 2005

167

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

168

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 14 December 2005

168

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

169

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 19 December 2005

169

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

170

Environment & Regeneration Committee - 24 January 2006

170

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

171

Policy & Strategy Committee (Special) - 31  January 2006

171

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

172

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee - 13 February 2006

172

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.