Best Value & Corporate Services Committee

Thursday 24 March 2005 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:  Director of Corporate Services, Head of Finance Services, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Performance Management & Policy Development, Head of Legal Services, Interim Head of ICT Services, Head of SEN & IT, Education Services, Head of Revenues and Customer Centres, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Also in attendance:  Mr D Richardson, Audit Scotland.

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.

305

Social Work Services (Supporting People Programme Update) - Administrative Support

305

There was submitted a report dated 3 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on a request from the Health & Social Care Committee of 26 October 2004 that approval be given to an additional substantive post within the Supporting People Team to facilitate the response to the extensive audit and other financial requirements of the Supporting People Programme.

Decided:  that approval be given to the creation of one post of Administrative Officer within the Supporting People Team at salary grade AP3 (£17,853-£19,590).

306

Motion by Councillor McCabe Supporting Fairtrade

306

There was submitted a report dated 3 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services requesting the Committee to consider a motion from Councillor McCabe, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 22, that support be given to a strategy to facilitate the promotion and purchase of foods with the FAIRTRADE mark.

Decided:  that support in principle be given to a strategy to facilitate the promotion and purchase of foods with the FAIRTRADE mark and that it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to report on proposals for implementation of the strategy in due course.

307

Statutory Performance Indicators 2003/04 - Comparative Information

307

There was submitted a report dated February 2005 by the Chief Executive (1) on the Statutory Performance Indicators 2003/04 published by the Accounts Commission for all Councils in Scotland and (2) providing comparative information to allow Members to consider Inverclyde’s performance in relation to the performance of other Councils in Scotland.

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

Decided: 

(1)      that the Committee note the analysis carried out in relation to Inverclyde’s Statutory Performance Indicators 2003/04 and how the information provided by the Council compares with that supplied by other Scottish Councils;

(2)      that further reports be submitted to the Committee as required; and

(3)      that the position regarding the audit of Best Value and Community Planning and the Corporate Performance Management Framework be noted.

308

CoSLA - Scottish Executive Joint Staffing Watch - December 2004

308

There was submitted a report dated 3 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the number of Council employees as at 11 December 2004 as reported to CoSLA under the Joint Staffing Watch arrangements.

Noted

309

Managing Attendance

309

There was submitted a report dated 3 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on (1) the Council’s absence statistics for the period 27 September to 31 December 2004 (Period 4) and (2) absence statistics for Scottish Councils contained in Audit Scotland’s publication “Corporate Management - Performance Indicators 2003/2004”.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted; and

(2)      that it be further noted that the Head of Personnel Services would submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee on proposals for managing attendance in areas with high levels of absenteeism.

310

ICT Capital Programme

310

There was submitted a report dated March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the physical and financial status of the 2004/07 ICT Capital Programme.

Noted

311

Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 10

311

There was submitted a report dated 7 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at Period 10 (31 January 2005).

Noted

312

Benefits Service Performance

312

There was submitted a report dated 4 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) on the processing and performance of the Benefits Service for the quarter ended 31 December 2004 and (2) advising of developments in respect of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate visit and the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) data matching exercise.

Decided:  that the Committee note the improvement in the Benefits Service performance together with the developments in respect of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate visit and the NFI data matching exercise.

313

The Birkmyre Trust, Kilmacolm

313

There was submitted a report dated 3 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) on progress made in the Council’s proceedings in the Court of Session following submission of a petition for a Cy-pres Scheme to extend the Council’s powers as Trustees in connection with the refurbishment of the Birkmyre Pavilion, Kilmacolm and (2) seeking further authority to proceed following the discussions at the meeting of the Birkmyre Trust Working Group of Members and Officers.  There was also submitted a letter from Kilmacolm Community Council commenting on the proposals.  Following discussion, Councillor Fyfe moved:-

(1)   that the progress of the Council’s proceedings in the Court of Session and the proposals to conclude the proceedings following Counsel’s advice be approved;

(2)      that the Committee as Trustees agree that the power to grant leases at Birkmyre Park be limited to the area described in paragraph 2.7 of the report;

(3)      that meetings continue to be held with interested parties and that a letter be issued to all residents of Kilmacolm setting out the current proposals;

(4)      that agreement be given to the lodging of a planning application for the scheme to extend and refurbish the pavilion; and

(5)      that a further report be submitted by the appropriate Officers on the overall scheme and its funding requirements, recognising that there is a commitment to commence the scheme in the current financial year and that Council funding will be provided from the Property Repairs Budget delegated to the Chief Executive.

As an amendment, Councillor McCabe moved:-             

(1)      that the progress of the Council’s proceedings in the Court of Session and the proposals to conclude the proceedings following Counsel’s advice be approved;

(2)      that the Committee as Trustees agree that the power to grant leases at Birkmyre Park be limited to the area described in paragraph 2.7 of the report;

(3)      that a public meeting and meeting with interested parties and recognised bodies in Kilmacolm be arranged and that a letter be issued to all residents of Kilmacolm providing them with an opportunity to comment on (a) the current proposals for refurbishment and extension of the Birkmyre Pavilion to provide recreational facilities including a gymnasium and (b) a refurbishment of the existing accommodation within the pavilion; and

(4)      that no planning application be submitted pending a report by the appropriate Officers on the overall scheme and its funding requirements incorporating a business plan from Inverclyde Leisure.

On a vote, 4 Members voted for the amendment and 6 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:

C

(1)      that the progress of the Council’s proceedings in the Court of Session and the proposals to conclude the proceedings following Counsel’s advice be approved;

(2)      that the Committee as Trustees agree that the power to grant leases at Birkmyre Park be limited to the area described in paragraph 2.7 of the report;

(3)      that meetings continue to be held with interested parties and that a letter be issued to all residents of Kilmacolm setting out the current proposals;

(4)      that agreement be given to the lodging of a planning application for the scheme to extend and refurbish the pavilion; and

(5)      that a further report be submitted by the appropriate Officers on the overall scheme and its funding requirements recognising that there is a commitment to commence the scheme in the current financial year and that Council funding will be provided from the Property Repairs Budget ‚delegated to the Chief Executive.

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)

Supporting Staff in School - Teaching Agreement for                          1

the 21st Century

ICT Services Reorganisation Proposals                                                 1, 6, 8, 9 & 12

Strategic Waste Fund - Appointment of Specialist Contractor            6

To Supply Plant and Machinery:  Use of Powers Delegated to the

Chief Executive

Strategic Waste Fund - Appointment of Specialist Supplier                6

To Supply Can Balers:  Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief

Executive

St Joseph’s and Oakfield Primary Schools Refurbishment Works -   6

Appointment of Clerk of Works Service:  Use of Powers Delegated

to the Chief Executive

Group Life Assurance Tender 2005/2007                                                6 & 8

314

Supporting Staff in School - Teaching Agreement for the 21st Century

314

There was submitted a report dated 7 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services recommending amendments to the administrative support staff structure within schools as part of the Teaching Agreement for the 21st Century.

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

Decided:

(1)      that agreement be given to the establishment of up to 7 posts of School Support Manager at salary grade PO5 (£28,695-£30,948);

(2)      that the posts of Assistant Finance and Administrative Officer at salary grade AP2 (£16,041-£17,364) and AP3 (£17,853-£19,590) be redesignated Budget Assistant and regraded to salary grade AP4/5 (£20,211-£25,116);

(3)      that agreement be given to the establishment of 8 posts of Clerical Assistant (20 hours, term time) at salary grade GS1/2 (£10,365-£13,812); and

(4)      that 2 posts of Senior Clerical Assistant at salary grade GS3 (£14,052-£14,631) be redesignated Administrative Assistant and regraded to salary grade AP1 (£14,631-£15,654).

315

ICT Services Reorganisation Proposals

315

There was submitted a report dated 9 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on proposals to reorganise the ICT Services in order to bring the service and proposals up to comparable private sector standards and to meet the needs of the various Services within Inverclyde Council.

(Councillor Hunter returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)      that the ICT staffing structure set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved and that the posts be filled as a matter of urgency; and

(2)      that the transition/transformation activities set out in Appendix 2 and paras 4.1 to 4.6 of the report be approved, that VIVISTA be awarded a 2 year partnership contract with an option to extend to a maximum of 3 years in line with the decision of the Committee of 7 February 2005 and that ICT Services be allowed to position temps/specialists on an as required basis to support key project management deadlines during a transition period estimated to be between 9 to 12 months.

316

Strategic Waste Fund - Appointment of Specialist Contractor to Supply Plant and Machinery: Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

316

There was submitted a report dated 4 March 2005 by the Director of Community Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to appoint a specialist contractor, not on the Council’s Approved Contractors List, to supply plant and machinery for the Material Recycling Facility.

Noted

317

Strategic Waste Fund - Appointment of Specialist Supplier to Supply Can Balers:  Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

317

There was submitted a report dated 9 March 2005 by the Director of Community Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to invite tenders for the supply of a can baler from specialist suppliers not on the Council’s Approved Contractors List.

Noted

318

St Joseph’s and Oakfield Primary Schools Refurbishment Works - Appointment of Clerk of Works Service:  Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

318

There was submitted a report dated 8 March 2005 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 Approved Contractors for the provision of a Clerk of Works Service in connection with the refurbishment of St Joseph’s and Oakfield Primary Schools.

Noted

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 accept a tender for the Council’s Group Life Assurance Scheme at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

319

Group Life Assurance Tender 2005/2007

319

There was submitted a report dated 24 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services seeking approval to accept a 2 year tender for the Council’s Group Life Assurance Scheme.

Decided:  that agreement be given to the acceptance of the tender from Legal and General for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2007 at the stated tender rate.