Best Value & Corporate Services Committee

Thursday 4 November 2004 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor White presided. 

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Services, Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice), Head of Financial Services, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Customer Services and Head of Service (Support for Learning).

Apologies:  Provost Rebecchi.

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

811

Revisions to the Disciplinary Policy and Procedures

811

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services recommending revisions to the existing Disciplinary Policy and Procedures.

Decided:  that the revisions to the Disciplinary Policy and Procedures be approved.

812

Policy and Guidelines on Support of Employees Experiencing Domestic Abuse

812

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services requesting the Committee to approve a Policy and Guidelines on the Support of Employees Experiencing Domestic Abuse.

Decided:  that the implementation of the Policy and Guidelines on the Support of Employees Experiencing Domestic Abuse be approved.

813

Misuse of Drugs in the Workplace Policy and Procedures

Misuse of Alcohol in the Workplace Policy and Procedures

813

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on revisions to the Misuse of Drugs in the Workplace - Policy and Procedures and the Misuse of Alcohol in the Workplace - Policy and Procedures.

Decided:  that the revisions to the Misuse of Drugs in the Workplace - Policy and Procedures and the Misuse of Alcohol in the Workplace - Policy and Procedures be approved.

(Councillor Blair left the meeting at this point).

814

Social Work Recruitment and Retention

814

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising the Committee of progress in respect of the recruitment and retention of qualified social workers and recommending amendment to the existing social worker and senior practitioner salary grade.

Decided:  that the amendment to the qualified social worker and senior practitioner pay scales as detailed in paragraph 3 of the report be approved.

815

Social Work Services (Children and Families) Administration Support

815

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services recommending (1) the establishment of additional administrative posts and (2) a review of the grading of existing posts with minute taking responsibilities within the Children and Families Service in view of the implications arising from the child protection review in 2002 and the subsequent national audit and review of child protection.

Decided:

(1)      that the establishment of posts as detailed in paragraph 3 of the report be approved;  and

(2)      that a further report be submitted in respect of a review of the grade of the existing post with minute taking duties.

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

816

Property Services - Post of Energy Manager

816

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services recommending the establishment of the post of Energy Manager within Property Services.

Decided:  that the establishment of the post of Energy Manager within Property Services as detailed in paragraph 3 of the report be approved.

817

Early Years Development to Support Children with Additional Support Needs - Early Years Education and Childcare Officer

817

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services recommending establishment of a post to help meet the needs of young people in Inverclyde with additional support needs for assistance in the delivery of the home visiting service.

Decided:  that the establishment of one post of Early Years Education and Childcare Officer be approved.

818

Community Services - Review of Registration Services

818

This item was withdrawn.

819

Early Years Development Proposals 2004/2005 - Sure Start and Strategy Funding

819

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on staffing requirements in respect of early years development proposals for 2004/2005 within Education Services.

Decided:  that the establishment of the post detailed in paragraph 3 of the report be approved.

820

Insurance Fund Performance to 30 September 2004

820

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the performance of the Council’s Insurance Fund for the year ended 30 September 2004 and highlighting any relevant issues.

Decided:

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

(2)      that the proposal to create a roads and pavements inspection team in order to reduce claims arising in this area be endorsed.

821

Statutory Performance Indicators 2003/04 - Key Performance Indicators

821

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on the current position with the statutory performance indicators 2003/04 and on the development of key performance indicators for the Council.

Decided:

(1)      that the statutory performance indicators 2003/04 which had been audited and forwarded to Audit Scotland for inclusion in national publications be noted;

(2)      that the Audit Scotland’s pamphlets and their compendium of PIs giving a comparison of Councils across Scotland to be published in early 2005 be noted;

(3)      that any issues relating to Inverclyde that arise from these publications be the subject of a further report;  and

(4)      that a further report on the performance management framework incorporated key performance indicators for the Council be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

822

Revenue Budget 2004/05 Period to 30 September 2004

822

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Revenue Budget at Period 6 to 30 September 2004.

Decided:

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

(2)      that the virement as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report be approved.

823

Revenues Section Performance for the Period 1 April 2004 to 30 September 2004

823

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the Council Tax and Rates performance for the six months ended 30 September 2004.

Noted

824

Treasury Management Monitoring Report

824

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising on matters relating to the Treasury Management function.

Noted

825

Quarterly Update - ICT Capital Projects

825

There was submitted a report dated 12 October 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the physical and financial status of the ICT Capital Programme.

Noted

826

ICT Service - Progress

826

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on a further update regarding progress with the tendering exercise approved by the Council in June.

Noted

827

Managing Attendance Absence Statistics 29 March to 27 June 2004 Period 2

827

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the Council’s absence statistics for the period 29 March to 27 June 2004 (Period 2).

Noted

828

Social Work Services Criminal Justice Team - Additions to Staffing Establishment

828

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on staffing requirements in respect of Social Work Services - Criminal Justice Throughcare.

Decided:  that the establishment of the post as detailed in paragraph 3 of the report be approved.

829

Early Years Development:  Children with Additional Support Needs

829

This item was withdrawn.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Corporate Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved that the Committee accept the report to consider the revised grading proposals in relation to Service Managers within Social Work Services.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

830

Social Work Services - Service Managers - Revised Grading

830

There was submitted a report dated 3 November 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the revised grade for Service Managers within Social Work Services.

Decided:  that the post of Service Manager be regraded as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report.

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 Committee to be apprised of the current situation in relation to the printing and photocopying contract.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

831

Printing and Photocopying Contract

831

There was submitted a report dated 4 November 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking delegated powers to accept the tender for printing and photocopying services for the period to 30 November 2006.

Decided: that it be agreed that the contract for printing and photocopying services be accepted under delegated authority by the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups.

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 paragraphs 6, 8 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

832

Upgrade of Corporate E-mail

832

There was submitted a report dated 12 October 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking approval to go to a  nominated supplier to procure and upgrade the corporate e-mail.

Decided:

(1)      that further information be provided to Members as soon as possible;  and

(2)      that it be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and Councillor McCabe on behalf of the Minority Groups to decide whether the nominated supplier carry out the upgrade of the Council’s corporate e-mail system as representing best value for the Council.

833

Stock Transfer Consultancy Assistance - Use of Delegated Authority

833

There was submitted a report dated 30 September 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive advising that delegated authority had been granted to the Chief Executive to approve the inclusion of a specialist consultant not on the Council’s list of approved contractors from whom to invite tenders in respect of legal and communication aspects of stock transfer.

Noted

834

Better Neighbourhood Services Fund - Appointment of Consultants

834

There was submitted a report dated 22 October 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services requesting the Committee to homologate the invitation of tenders from the consultants identified in the report and invited by the Regeneration Partnership to carry out studies in connection with the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.

Decided:  that the request be agreed.

835

Approved List of Consultants - Stock Transfer

835

There was submitted a report dated 28 October 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking authority to add certain consultants to an ad hoc list for specific business and valuation services in connection with stock transfer.

Decided:  that the inclusion of the consultants as identified in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 on an approved list for the various valuation or business commissions for the Council in connection with stock transfer be agreed.