Best Value & Corporate Services Committee

Thursday 6 May 2004 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Fyfe, Hunter, McCabe, McCormick (P), Moran, Nimmo, Stewart and White.

Chair:  Councillor White presided. 

In attendance:  Director of Corporate Services, Director of Legal & Support Services, Head of Service (Pre-5 & Children’s Services), Head of Service (Support for Learning), Head of Financial Services, Ms S MacDougall (for Director of Community Services) and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillor McCormick (M).

With the exception of the decision marked ‘C’ which is open for confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

330

Social Work Services - Community Mental Health Team - Staffing Implications

330

There was submitted a report dated 15 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services recommending the establishment of posts in the Community Mental Health Team within Social Work Services.  The report advised that the cost of the proposals was £50,119 including employers’ costs which could be met from additional funding being received from the Scottish Executive.

Decided: that the Committee approve the establishment of the following posts within Social Work Services:-

(1)      one post of Mental Health Co-ordinator on salary grade PO5 (£27,873 - £30,060); and

(2)      one post of Senior Clerical Officer on salary grade GS3 (£13,650 - £14,211).

331

Service Review - Museum & Arts Development

331

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on a review of the Museum & Arts Development Service, in accordance with the Council’s Best Value Review Schedule.

Decided: 

(1)      that the contents of the report be noted;

(2)      that during the financial year 2004/05 local groups who use the Watt Hall be canvassed to seek their views on the quality of the service provided and to make recommendations for improvements;

(3)      that a review of the present museum storage facilities be undertaken in the current financial year to identify present and future storage requirements and to make recommendations for improvements; and

(4)      that it be remitted to the Arts Development Officer to co-ordinate the roll-out of the Arts Strategy and Scottish Arts Council LAP Project to help define the future role of the service and place it within the context of the wider arts community in Inverclyde.

332

Service Review - Education Services - Promoting Good Attendance at School

332

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on a review of the support and guidance provided by the Education Authority to promote good attendance at school, in accordance with the Council’s Best Value Review Schedule.

Decided:  that the report be endorsed.

333

Service Review - Education Services - Early Intervention

333

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services on a review of Early Intervention in accordance with the Council’s Best Value Review Schedule.

Decided:  that the report be endorsed.

334

Completed Service Reviews

334

There was submitted a report dated 22 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the progress made against the Council’s Service Review Schedule.

Noted

335

Service Review - Corporate Services - Skillseekers’ Programme

335

There was submitted a report dated 16 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on a review of the Skillseekers’ programme, in accordance with the Council’s Best Value Review Schedule.

Decided:  that the contents of the report be noted.

336

Violence and Lone Working in the Workplace

336

There was submitted a report dated 14 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising the Committee on the development of guidance on Violence and Lone Working in the Workplace to form part of the Council’s Corporate Health & Safety Policy and related arrangements.

Decided:  that the contents of the report be noted.

337

COSLA - Scottish Executive Joint Staffing Watch - March 2004

337

There was submitted a report dated 14 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising the Committee of the workforce profile of Inverclyde Council as at 6 March 2004.

Noted

338

Managing Attendance

388

Absence Statistics - 1 October to 31 December 2003 (Period 4)

Audit Scotland- Absence Statistics 2002/2003

There was submitted a report dated 14 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising the Committee of (1) absence statistics for the period 1 October to 31 December 2003 and (2) Audit Scotland statistics for the period 2002/2003.

Noted

339

ICT Service Quarterly Review: January - March 2004

339

There was submitted a report dated 21 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) advising of progress made by the Interim Management Team within ICT Services for the period January to March 2004 and (2) outlining areas to be addressed during  April to June 2004.

Noted

340

Finance Management System - Update

340

There was submitted a report dated 19 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising the Committee of the progress made following the implementation of the Finance Management System.

Decided: 

(1)      that the Committee recognise the significant efforts of all employees involved in bringing in/operating the Finance Management System; and

(2)      that the Committee note the continuing progress made in the implementation of the Finance Management System.

341

Treasury Management Monitoring Report 2003/04 - Q4

341

There was submitted a report dated 16 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the Treasury Management function for the period 1 January to 31 March 2004.

Noted

342

Revenue Section Performance for Year Ending 31 March 2004

342

There was submitted a report dated 19 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising the Committee of the Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates collection performance for the year ending 31 March 2004 and highlighting other relevant issues.

Decided:  that the contents of the report be noted and that the Revenues Section be commended on their continuing improved performance.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Corporate Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the proposals in respect of salaries and related conditions of service for employees in early years service to be implemented without delay.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

343

Education Services - Early Years Service: Revised Salaries

343

There was submitted a report dated 4 May 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking approval of revised salaries for posts within Education Services Early Years Service.  Copies of the job description for an Early Years Worker were circulated at the meeting.  Following discussion, Councillor White moved that the proposals contained in Appendix 1 of the report be approved, and implemented for all Early Years Employees.  As an amendment Councillor McCabe moved that the proposals as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved but that in addition to the proposals, the salary increase for Heads and Deputes of Establishment be set at 10% (being an additional 5.5%).  On a vote 3 Members voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.  Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.

C

Decided:  that the proposals contained in Appendix 1 of the report be approved and implemented for all Early Years employees.

C

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 for the following items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item                                                                                                                      Paragraph(s)

Request to Proceed to Tender - Treasury Consultancy Services      6 & 8

Request to Extend Printing/Mailing Contract                                        6

Annual Contract for Urban Herbicide 2004                                             6

Working for Families Initiative - Appointment of Research                  6

Consultant - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive         

School Estates Programme 2004/05 Temporary Classroom                 6

Accommodation - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive 

344

Request to Proceed to Tender - Treasury Consultancy Services

344

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services seeking approval to invite tenders from companies for Treasury Consultancy Services not on the Council’s List of Approved Contractors.

Decided: 

(1)      that the Committee approve the issue of tenders to the companies detailed in the report; and

(2)      that the Committee note the progression of a new three year contract for Treasury Consultancy Services.

345

Request to Extend Printing/Mailing Contract

345

There was submitted a report dated 13 April 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking approval to extend the current specialist printing/mailing contract for a further period of 12 months.

Decided:  that the Committee approve a 12 month extension of the current specialist printing/mailing contract with Storetext, subject to rates being no greater than current rates following adjustment to reflect any relevant movement in the Retail Price Index.

346

Annual Contract for Urban Herbicide 2004

346

There was submitted a report dated 23 April 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to invite tenders for the supply of Urban Herbicide from companies not on the Council's List of Approved Contractors.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the issue of tenders to the companies detailed in the report.

347

Working for Families Initiative - Appointment of Research Consultant - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

347

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to invite tenders from companies not on the Council’s List of Consultants to undertake research on The Working for Families Initiative.

Noted

348

School Estates Programme 2004/05 Temporary Classroom Accommodation - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

348

There was submitted a report dated March 2004 by the Director of Education Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to invite tenders from companies not on the Council’s List of Approved Contractors for the provision of temporary classroom accommodation.

Noted