The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 30 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 and White.

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, Chief Financial Officer, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Head of Housing, Head of Legal and Administration, Head of Planning and Transportation, Head of Safer Communities, Interim Head of Implementation and Development Projects and Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice).

Attending also:  Mrs K Neary (River Clyde Homes), Mr R Blackburn (PSBA Ltd) and Mr S Owen (Stock Transfer Advisor).

Apologies:   Councillors Fyfe and Wilson.

522

Nominations to COSLA Executive Groups

522

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Improvement and Performance seeking nominations for membership of a number of Executive Groups operated by COSLA.

After discussion, Councillor White seconded by Councillor Osborne moved that the Council nominate 3 Members from the Labour group, one from the Liberal Democrat group, one from the Scottish National Party group and one other Member to serve on the Executive Groups. As an amendment, Council McCabe seconded by Councillor McKenzie moved that the following nominations to COSLA Executive Groups be made:

    (a) Health and Wellbeing - Councillor McIlwee;

    (b) Education, Children and Young People - Councillor Loughran;

    (c) Regeneration and Sustainable Development - Councillor Clocherty;

    (d) Community Wellbeing and Safety - Councillor Moran;

    (e) Strategic Human Resources Management - Councillor Dorrian; and

    (f)  Resources and Capacity - Councillor McKenzie.

On a vote, 8 Members voted for the motion and 9 for the amendment, which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the following nominations to COSLA Executive Groups be made:-

    (a) Health and Wellbeing - Councillor McIlwee;

    (b) Education, Children and Young People - Councillor Loughran;

    (c) Regeneration and Sustainable Development - Councillor Clocherty;

    (d) Community Wellbeing and Safety - Councillor Moran;

    (e) Strategic Human Resources Management - Councillor Dorrian; and

    (f)  Resources and Capacity - Councillor McKenzie

and that COSLA be advised accordingly.

523

Business Plan Assessment: River Clyde Homes

523

There was submitted a report by the Interim Head of Implementation and Development Projects (1) seeking approval of the Business Plan submitted by River Clyde Homes and (2) requesting that authority be granted to the Chief Executive to progress with Scottish Ministers the consent for transfer of the Council’s housing stock to River Clyde Homes.

Councillors Grieve, Ferguson and McCallum declared an interest in this matter as River Clyde Homes Board Members.

The Interim Head of Implementation and Development Projects gave a presentation and answered a number of questions from Members.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to River Clyde Homes Business Plan (subject to authority being granted to the Chief Executive to negotiate and conclude any further refinements of the Business Plan that are necessary as part of the final arrangements for the transfer);

(2) that delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive to seek Scottish Ministers’ approval for consent to transfer of the housing stock to River Clyde Homes;

(3) that delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive to make such final arrangements in the negotiations with River Clyde Homes as are necessary to ensure an effective transfer; and

(4) that it be remitted to the Interim Head of Implementation and Development Projects to arrange for Arniel Johnson, the Council’s external advisers, to hold a seminar for Elected Members at the earliest opportunity on the needs and demands research carried out by them.

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 6 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

524

Appendix 1 Relative to Agenda Item 2

524

There was submitted appendix 1 relative to agenda item 2 (Business Plan Assessment: River Clyde Homes) comprising financial assessment of River Clyde Homes Business Plan proposal – executive summary.

Noted

525

River Clyde Homes: Transfer of Schools Sites

525

There was submitted a report by the Interim Head of Implementation and Development Projects on proposals for the purchase of the schools sites at Holy Family, St Mungo’s and Springfield Primary Schools by the Housing Revenue Account and the early transfer of the three sites, which are part of the existing Schools Estate reprovisioning, to River Clyde Homes.

During consideration of this matter, Councillor Blair requested that his comments regarding his misgivings about the principle of transferring these sites be recorded.

Decided: that approval be given to the purchase of the schools sites at Holy Family, St Mungo’s and Springfield Primary Schools by the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme and that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Council’s Legal and Financial officers, to conclude formalities for the purchase and transfer of the sites to River Clyde Homes at a price agreed with the District Valuer, subject to Best Value being demonstrated.