Best Value and Corporate Services Committee

Thursday 27 January 2005 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor White presided. 

In attendance:  Director of Corporate Services, Head of Finance Services, Mr H McNeilly (for Head of Legal Services), Head of Revenues & Customer Centres and Mr A Wilson (for Head of Personnel Services).

Apologies:  Councillors Hunter and Nimmo.

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

104

Property Services - Service Plan 2005/07

104

There was submitted a report dated 26 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services advising that the Environment & Regeneration Committee at its meeting on 25 January 2005 had agreed to note the Property Services Service Plan 2005/07 and had remitted it to the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee for approval.

Decided:  that the Property Services Service Plan 2005/07 be approved.

105

Scotland’s Health at Work (SHAW) Gold Award

105

There was submitted a report dated 12 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services advising that the Council had achieved the Gold Award under Scotland’s Health at Work (SHAW).

Decided:  that the Committee acknowledge the achievement of the SHAW Gold Award.

106

COSLA - Scottish Executive Joint Staffing Watch September 2004

106

There was submitted a report dated 12 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the number of Council employees as at 11 September 2004 as reported to COSLA under the joint staffing watch arrangements.

Noted

107

Managing Attendance - Absence Statistics: 28 June to 26 September 2004 (Period 3)

107

There was submitted a report dated 12 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the Council’s absence statistics for the period 28 June to 26 September 2004 (Period 3).

Noted

108

Special Olympics National Summer Games:  Glasgow 2005

108

There was submitted a report dated 12 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services requesting approval for special leave for employees willing to act as volunteers at the Special Olympics National Summer Games.

Decided:  that where employees use their annual leave entitlement and this does not include flexible working days, one day’s special leave be granted for each day of leave taken, up to a maximum of three days, always subject to the exigencies of the service.

109

Quarterly Update:  ICT Capital Projects

109

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the physical and financial status of the ICT Capital Programme.

Noted

110

Performance Management Framework - Corporate Services

110

There was submitted a report dated 6 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services identifying the Performance Management Framework operated by Corporate Services and confirming the performance reporting to the Committee in order to inform Members of progress and facilitate the opportunity for challenge.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the Performance Management Framework in place within Corporate Services;

(2)      that the Committee note the continuation and further development of Committee reporting on performance for Corporate Services in order to confirm and/or facilitate challenge regarding Service performance;  and

(3)      that it be agreed to submit quarterly update reports to the Committee.

111

Benefits Performance Review

111

There was submitted a report dated 23 December 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the performance of the Benefits Service for the quarter ending 30 September 2004.

Noted

112

Benefits Service - Overpayment Policy

112

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the policy and procedures to be followed within the Benefits Service when an overpayment has been identified.

Decided:

(1)      that the Benefits Service overpayment policy as set out in the appendix to the report be approved;  and

(2)      that it be agreed that the weekly rate for the recovery of benefit overpayments from ongoing benefit entitlement be set at the rate published by the Department of Works and Pensions (currently £8.40).

113

Revenues and Customer Centres - Service Improvement and Development Plan 2004/05 to 2006/07

113

There was submitted a report dated 23 December 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the three year Service Improvement and Development Plan for Revenues and Customer Centres covering the period 2004/05 to 2006/07.

(Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that the Improvement and Development Plan for Revenues and Customer Centres 2004/05 to 2006/07 as set out in the appendix to the report be approved and that this be consolidated into the existing Corporate Services Plan.

114

Treasury Management Monitoring Report - Third Quarter 2004/05

114

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the Treasury Management function for the period 1 October to 31 December 2004.

Noted

115

Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 8

115

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at Period 8 (30 November 2004).

Noted

116

Revenues Section Performance for the Period 1 April to 31 December 2004

116

There was submitted a report dated 11 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the Council Tax and Rates performance for the nine months ending 31 December 2004.

Decided:  that the report and the continued improvement in Council Tax collection be noted.

117

ICT Service - Progress

117

There was submitted a report dated 7 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services providing a further update on progress in the tendering exercise approved by the Council in June 2004.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the progress to date in respect of the approved tendering exercise for ICT Services;  and

(2)      that the proposed next stages in the exercise as detailed in the report be noted.

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)

Legal Services - Amendments to Establishment                                   1

Community Services - Review of Registration Services                      1

Social Work Services - Review of Learning Disability Service -

Management Structure                                                                              1

Banking Services Tender 2005 - 2010                                                     6 and 8

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive:

Enforcement Order - Albert Road, Gourock                                           6

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive -

Invitation of Tenders for Training and Registration Adviser

to the Shadow Board of River Clyde Homes                                          6

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive -

Housing Services Lift Maintenance Contract                                        6

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive -

Private Sector Housing Research                                                           6

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive -

St Joseph’s Primary School Alterations and Extension                        6

118

Legal Services - Amendments to Establishment

118

There was submitted a report dated 13 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services recommending amendments to the establishment of Legal Services.

Decided:  that the following amendments be made to the establishment of Legal Services:

(1)      that the post of Managing Solicitor at salary grade PO18 (£38,949 - £41,712) be deleted from the establishment;

(2)      that a post of Principal Solicitor  at salary grade PO11 (£33,195 - £35,574) be established;

(3)      that three posts of Senior Solicitor at salary grade PO9 (£31,695 - £34,965) working within Litigation/Advice and Conveyancing/Committee and Contracts be redesignated Principal Solicitor and regraded to salary grade PO11 (£33,195 - £35,574);

(4)      that a Paralegal post at salary grade AP3 (£17,853 - £19,590) be established;  and

(5)      that the salary grade for Solicitors posts be extended from PO1/3 (£25,623 - £29,421) to PO1/6 (£25,623 - £31,695).

119

Community Services - Review of Registration Services

119

There was submitted a report dated 14 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services recommending alterations to the management and establishment of Registration and Burial Grounds Services.

(Councillor McCabe left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)      that the following changes be made to the establishment of the Registrar’s Section as detailed in appendix 3 to the report and that existing employees be matched into the vacancies:

(a)      that the post of Registrar be regraded from salary grade AP3 (£17,853 - £19,590) to AP5 (£23,058 - £25,116);

(b)      that a post of Registration Assistant be established at salary grade GS1 - AP1 (£10,365 - £15,654);

(c)      that two (part time) posts of Registration Assistant be established at salary grade GS1 - AP1 (£10,365 - £15,654);  and

(d)      that two posts of Trainee Registrars be established at salary grade GS1/3 (£10,365 - £14,631);  and

(2)      that to accommodate the above proposals, the following posts which currently form part of the establishment be deleted:

(a)      two Administrative Assistant posts (post numbers 60304 and 60305) at salary grade AP1 (£14,631 - £15,654);

(b)      a Registrar’s post (post number 60309) at salary grade GS3 (£14,052 - £14,631);

(c)      an Administrative Assistant post at salary grade GS1/2 (£10,365 - £13,812);  and

(d)      four and one half Clerical Assistant posts at salary grade GS1/2 (£10,365 - £13,812).

120

Social Work Services - Review of Learning Disabilities Service - Management Structure

120

There was submitted a report dated 20 December 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services recommending revisions to the management structure within the Learning Disabilities Service.

Decided:  that the following revisions to the establishment of the Learning Disabilities Service be approved:

(1)      that the posts of Unit Manger at salary grade PO2 (post numbers 80300 and 80325) be redesignated Day Opportunities Manager at salary grade PO2 (£26,280 - £28,695);

(2)      that the post of Unit Manager at salary £21,732 - £23,730 (post number 80315) be redesignated Day Opportunities Manager and regraded to salary grade PO2 (£26,280 - £28,695);

(3)      that the posts of Depute Unit Manager at salary £20,262 - £22,398 (post numbers 80301 and 80326) be redesignated Day Opportunities Depute Manager and regraded to salary grade AP5 (£23,058 - £25,116);

(4)      that the post of Senior DCO at salary £19,029 - £21,045 (post number 80316) be redesignated Day Opportunities Depute Manager and regraded to salary grade AP5 (£23,058 - £25,116);  and

(5)      that the post of Project Manager at salary grade AP4 (post number 80622) be redesignated Day Opportunities Depute Manager and regraded to salary grade AP5 (£23,058 - £25,116).

121

Banking Services Tender 2005 - 2010

121

There was submitted a report dated 7 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on four tenders received for the Council’s Banking Services for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2010.

Decided:  that agreement be given to the acceptance of the tender from the Bank of Scotland for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2010 in the sum of £117,404 with the option to extend for an additional two year period at the end of the initial five year term.

122

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive - Enforcement Order - Albert Road, Gourock

122

There was submitted a report dated December 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to homologate the issue of tenders for the purpose of the appointment of consultants to produce contract documents and administer a contract for works in Albert Road, Gourock

Noted

123

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive - Invitation of Tenders for Training and Registration Adviser to the Shadow Board of River Clyde Homes

123

There was submitted a report dated 21 December 2004 by the Principal Adviser to the Shadow Board of River Clyde Homes advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to invite tenders, on behalf of River Clyde Homes, from companies not on the Council’s Approved Contractors List for training and a Registration Adviser to the Shadow Board of River Clyde Homes.

Noted

124

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive - Housing Services Lift Maintenance Contract

124

There was submitted a report dated January 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to invite specialist consultants to tender for design and contract management services in connection with the Housing Services lift maintenance contract.

Noted

125

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive - Private Sector Housing Research

125

There was submitted a report dated January 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to issue tenders to specialist contractors not on the Council’s List of Approved Contractors to undertake research into private sector housing in Inverclyde.

Noted

126

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive - St Joseph’s Primary School Alterations and Extension

126

There was submitted a report dated January 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to homologate the issue of tenders from specialist consultants for quantity surveying duties in connection with the alterations and extension work at St Joseph’s Primary School, Greenock.N

Noted