The Inverclyde Council

Tuesday 20 November 2007 at 4.00 pm

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

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 ICT and Systems Improvement, Head of Organisational Development and Human Resources, Head of Performance Management and Procurement, Head of Property Resources and Facilities Management, Interim Head of Implementation and Development Projects and Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice).

Attending also:  Mr R Blackburn (PSBA Ltd), Mr S Owen (Stock Transfer Adviser) and Mr D Hogg (McClure Naismith, Solicitors).

Apologies:  Councillors McIlwee and White.

770

Transfer Agreement:  Housing Stock Transfer - River Clyde Homes

770

There was submitted a report by the Interim Head of Implementation and Development Projects in relation to the Housing Stock Transfer (1) seeking approval of the Transfer Agreement as negotiated between Officers of the Council and River Clyde Homes and (2) requesting that authorisation be confirmed for the Chief Executive to finalise with Scottish Ministers the consent for transfer of the Council’s housing stock to River Clyde Homes.

Councillors Ferguson, Grieve, McCallum and Wilson declared a non-financial interest in this matter as Board Members of River Clyde Homes.  They also individually formed the view that the nature of their interest and of the item of business did not preclude their continued presence in the Chamber or their participation in the decision making process.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to the Transfer Agreement (subject to authority being granted to the Chief Executive to negotiate and conclude any further refinements of the Transfer Agreement that may be necessary as part of the concluding arrangements for the transfer);

(2) that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to seek approval of Scottish Ministers for the consent to transfer of the Housing Stock to River Clyde Homes;

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

(4) that approval be given to the establishing of an Elected Member Sub-Group with relevant Officer attendance for the planning and review of the VAT-funded programme of works.

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 item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6, 8 and 12 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

771

Transfer Agreement:  Housing Stock Transfer - River Clyde Homes

771

There was submitted a report by the Interim Head of Implementation and Development Projects providing a summary of key legal issues relative to the Transfer Agreement negotiated between the Council and River Clyde Homes for the transfer of the housing stock, staff and associated assets under the Community Ownership Programme.

Councillors Ferguson, Grieve, McCallum and Wilson declared a non-financial interest in this matter as Board Members of River Clyde Homes.  They also individually formed the view that the nature of their interest and of the item of business did not preclude their continued presence in the Chamber or their participation in the decision making process.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to the Transfer Agreement and that the Chief Executive be authorised to seek Ministerial approval, which is the necessary final stage of the Community Ownership Programme process and which will allow the transfer to take place on Monday 3 December 2007;  and

(2) that the Council pay tribute to all the work in relation to the Housing Stock Transfer undertaken by the Interim Head of Implementation and Development Projects, the Head of Housing, the Implementation Team and advisers and that the Provost write to Housing Services expressing the Council’s appreciation of the contribution made by the Services employees.