The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 16 August 2007 at 4.00 pm

Present:  Provost McCormick, Councillors Ahlfeld, Blair, Brooks, Clocherty, Dorrian, Ferguson, Grieve, Loughran, MacLeod, McCabe, McCallum, McIlwee, McKenzie, Moran, Osborne, Rebecchi, White and Wilson.

Chair:  Provost McCormick presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Corporate Director Education and Social Care, Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, Corporate Director Improvement and Performance, Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources, Head of Finance, Head of ICT and Systems Improvement, Head of Legal and Administration, Head of Organisational Development and Human Resources and Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice).

Apologies:  Councillor Fyfe.

Prior to the commencement of business, Members were advised by the Chief Executive that the report on River Clyde Homes Business Plan would now be considered at a special meeting of The Inverclyde Council to be held at 4 pm on Thursday 30 August 2007.  He confirmed that, in the meantime, he would arrange for a briefing paper setting out the current position to be issued to all Members.

485

APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES

485

Inverclyde Children’s Panel Advisory Committee

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources (1) advising that the Council’s representative on the Inverclyde Children’s Panel Advisory Committee had now resigned and (2) requesting the Council to consider filling the resultant vacancy.

Decided:  that Mr Alexander Nimmo be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Inverclyde Children’s Panel Advisory Committee.

Clyde Ferry Users’ Group

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources requesting the Committee to appoint two representatives to serve on the newly established Clyde Ferry Users’ Group.

Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor Clocherty moved that Councillors Ahlfeld and White be appointed to the Clyde Ferry Users’ Group.  As an amendment, Councillor Brooks seconded by Councillor Grieve moved that Councillor Ferguson be appointed.  On a vote, 4 Members voted for the amendment and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that Councillors Ahlfeld and White be appointed to the Clyde Ferry Users’ Group.

Fair Trade Steering Group

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources requesting the Committee to appoint two Members to the Fair Trade Steering Group.

Decided:  that Councillors Moran and MacLeod be appointed to the Fair Trade Steering Group.

Scottish Accident Prevention Council (SAPC)

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection requesting the Council to nominate two Members to the Scottish Accident Prevention Council, in addition to Councillor Dorrian who had been nominated by the Council at its statutory meeting on 24 May 2007.

Decided:  that Councillors Rebecchi and White be nominated to the Board of the Scottish Accident Prevention Council, Councillor Rebecchi to serve on the Home Safety Committee and Councillor White to serve on the Water and Leisure Safety Committee.

486

FINANCIAL REGULATIONS REVIEW

486

There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance seeking approval for adoption and issue of the revised Financial Regulations which had been approved by the Audit Committee on 27 June 2007 (para 446).

Decided:  that subject to the substitution of “Committees” for “Committee” at paragraph 4.6 (Virement), approval be given to the adoption of the Financial Regulations appended to the report.

487

EQUALITY STATEMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY POLICY

487

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education and Social Care appending an Equality Statement and draft Gender Equality Policy.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to the Equality Statement and Gender Equality Policy dated June 2007, as detailed in the appendix to the report;  and

(2) that it be remitted to the Corporate Director Education and Social Care to submit the Gender Equality Policy to the Equal Opportunities Commission.

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 during consideration of the following items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

488

APPENDIX RELATIVE TO AGENDA ITEM 1(A)

488

There was submitted appendix relative to Agenda Item 1(A) providing information on a candidate for the position of Council representative on the Children’s Panel Advisory Committee.

Noted

489

PROPOSED DIRECTORATE STRUCTURES - PHASE 2

489

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) providing an update on progress made in the implementation of the Corporate Management Structure relative to Chief Officers, (2) seeking approval of the proposed Directorate Structures (with the exception of Social Care third tier managers) including grades, job descriptions and person specifications, (3) providing details of associated severance arrangements and (4) giving details of the proposed financial savings required as part of the Council’s Budget for 2007/08.  The report also advised that a further report would be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee on 25 September 2007 seeking approval of proposals for the Social Care third tier management posts and Phase 3 of the Directorate Structures, including team leaders and all other posts below third tier level.  It was noted that the one exception would be the Team Leader and posts below this level within Social Care Services which would be reported to a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Following discussion, Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor McKenzie moved that the recommendations contained in the report be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Rebecchi moved that the proposals in respect of Planning and Transportation be continued for further detailed consideration as part of the Phase 3 report to be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee on 25 September 2007.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 11 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1) that it be noted that the implementation of the Corporate Management Structure for Chief Officers had now been fully implemented;

(2) that approval be given to the proposed Directorate Structures and grades for third tier managers excluding Social Care, it being noted that all proposed grades will be subject to job evaluation in due course;

(3) that the job descriptions prepared in consultation with the Trades Unions be approved;

(4) that the release of five employees under the Council’s severance arrangements as shown in appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(5) that approval be given to the matching process as set out in appendix 2;

(6) that the minimum net savings proposals of £381,000 as shown in appendix 3 be noted;

(7) that the operational savings of £499,000 identified within Education as detailed in paragraph 10.3 be noted;

(8) that approval be given to the proposals as detailed in paragraph 10.4;

(9) that it be noted that a report on the Social Care third tier management posts and Phase 3 of the Directorate Structures including Team Leaders and all other posts below third tier level would be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee on 25 September 2007, the one exception being the Team Leader and posts below this level within Social Care Services which would be reported to a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee;

(10) that approval be given to the establishment of a post of Housing Team Leader at salary grade PO9 (£34,284 - £36,735);

(11) that approval be given to the revised job titles for the two Heads of Service posts within the Improvement and Performance Directorate as detailed in paragraphs 6.4 and 6.5;  and

(12) that approval be given to the revised job title for the Head of Planning and Transportation to be effective from the date of stock transfer, as detailed in paragraph 7.4.