619 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - FINANCIAL POSITION 619

SUBMITTED: Report dated 3 June 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the financial position of current and proposed projects in both the Non-HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000 and the Social Inclusion Partnership 1999/2000.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That it be agreed to increase the balance of the 1999/2000 allocation in respect of Social Inclusion Partnership projects to between £150,000 and £200,000 to allow projects to be developed to the planning stage and progressed in the event of slippage occurring in the programme.

620 NON-HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 620

SUBMITTED: Report dated 14 June 1999 by Executive Director Resource Services on the financial position of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000.

NOTED

621 VFM REVIEW - CHARGING FOR SERVICES 621

SUBMITTED: Report dated 14 June 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the outcome of the value for money review undertaken by the external auditors relative to Council fees and charges.

DECIDED: That agreement be given to the introduction of a corporate charging policy through the Finance Sub-Committee acting as a Member/Officer Working Group and through appropriate Service Charging (Officers) Groups.

622 COURSES AND CONFERENCES 622

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 May 1999 by the Chief Executive requesting the Committee to determine a policy regarding attendance by Elected Members and Officers as appropriate at courses and conferences.

DECIDED:

(a) That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Council Leader and Depute Leader to determine which courses and conferences should be approved;

(b) That in respect of all approved courses and conferences, a maximum of 3 Members be authorised to attend, 2 from the Majority Group and 1 from the Minority Groups and that appropriate Officers be also authorised to attend;

(d) That it be remitted to the Leader and Depute Leader in consultation with the Chief Executive to determine the most appropriate method of reporting on the content of approved courses and conferences for the purpose of evaluating and determining future attendance.

623 GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS 1999/2000 623

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Community and Protective Services requesting the Committee to reappoint a Sounding Board of 4 Members to oversee the grants to voluntary organisations budget and recommending that the Sounding Board’s remit be extended to review, by the end of the current financial year, the operation of the grants system. The report also detailed a number of applications received in relation to summer playschemes which were recommended for approval.

DECIDED:

(a) That a Sounding Board comprising Councillors Morrison (M), O’Rourke, Mulholland and Mitchell be appointed to oversee the grants to voluntary organisations budget and review, by the end of the current financial year, the operation of the grants system for consideration by the Committee;

(b) That where a Member of the Sounding Board is unable to attend a meeting, he/she may make arrangements for another Member of the Council to attend the meeting as his/her substitute with powers to act in his/her stead; and

(c) That the recommended grant amounts in respect of summer playscheme applications 1999/2000 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

624 INVEST IN INVERCLYDE 624

SUBMITTED: Report by the Depute Chief Executive on the funding arrangements for the Invest in Inverclyde Campaign, requesting the Committee to approve the Council’s financial commitment of £30,000 and advising of the progress of the operational plan. The Depute Chief Executive advised the Committee of contributions made subsequent to the writing of the report and it was noted in particular that the campaign launch could now be funded entirely through private sector investment.

DECIDED:

(a) That the financial position of the Invest in Inverclyde project be noted;

(b) That the Council’s financial commitment of £30,000 be approved; and

625 MILLENNIUM ECUMENICAL CIVIC SERVICE 625

SUBMITTED: Report dated 7 June 1999 by the Executive Director Community and Protective Services on proposals for a Millennium Ecumenical Civic Service to be held on Sunday 2 January 2000.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Director of Leisure Services be authorised to co-ordinate Inverclyde Council’s involvement in the Ecumenical Civic Service to be held on Sunday 2 January 2000 on the basis detailed in the report;

(b) That no charge be made for the use of Greenock Town Hall for the holding of the Service and that support be provided by other Council services to enable the necessary preparations to be made;

(d) That all associated costs be met from the Common Good Fund; and

(e) That it be remitted to the Millennium Working Group to report on further proposals for celebrating the occasion.

626 GREENOCK WATERFRONT - PUBLIC LIGHTING 626

SUBMITTED: Report dated 9 June 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting the Committee to approve the installation of public lighting on the walkway between the Waterfront Cinema and Customhouse Quay to support the Invervision CCTV system which is now fully operational in the area. The report advised that the installation costs including fees were estimated at £20,000 and that the associated revenue costs would be £1,155 per annum from April 2000 onwards.

DECIDED:

(a) That agreement be given to the provision of public lighting as detailed in the report to support the Invervision CCTV network and ensure public safety;

(b) That the Committee note and accept the cost implications resulting from the installation of the lighting; and

(c) That authority be granted to the Director of Transportation and Roads to award the works to the Council’s term maintenance contractor at agreed contract rates.

627 SPECIAL WATERFRONT WORKING GROUP 627

SUBMITTED: Report dated 17 June 1999 by the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services on the arrangements made to convene a meeting of the Special Waterfront Working Group on 17 June 1999 and requesting the Committee to confirm the remit and membership of the Working Group.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be confirmed that the remit of the Special Waterfront Working Group be to examine in detail all issues in respect of the Waterfront Leisure Complex, in particular the Council’s position and course of action in relation to the design and construction of the building and to report thereon as necessary to the Policy and Strategy and Community and Protective Services Committees;

(b) That it be confirmed that the Working Group comprise Councillors Jackson, Robertson (Y), Mulholland, Roach, McGhee, Morrison (M), Mitchell and Blair and that the Group be chaired by the Convener or the Vice-Convener of the Policy and Strategy Committee; and

628 RESOLUTION: EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS 628

On the motion of the Vice-Convener it was agreed unanimously that, in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the undernoted items of business on the grounds that consideration of the items 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 out opposite each item:-

Item Paragraph(s)

Greenock Tall Ships 1999 - Financial Support 6 & 8

Greenock Medical Aid Society - Request for Financial Assistance 4

Wellpark Mid Kirk, Greenock - Request for Financial Assistance 4

Remits from Service Committees - Requests for Approval to Accept Tenders 6 & 8

Remit from Special Waterfront Working Group - Greenock Waterfront

Leisure Complex - Remedial Works 6 & 8

Remit from Special Waterfront Working Group - Greenock Waterfront

Leisure Complex - Appointment of Legal Team 6, 8 & 12

Remit from Corporate Business Committee - Hector McNeil Baths 8 & 9

Strone Entranceway, Greenock - Phase 1 - Report on Tenders 6 & 8

Gibshill Intermediate Labour Market Project 6 & 8

Leisure Trusts 1 & 8

629 Greenock Tall Ships 1999 - Financial Support 629

SUBMITTED: Report dated 22 June 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive on the financial arrangements for the Council’s direct support of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race 1999 which were approved by the Economic Development Committee at its meeting on 27 February 1997 and requesting approval for three items of expenditure which were not predicted in the Business Plan for the event.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That additional budgetary allocations be agreed for the following items of expenditure:-

50% contribution to dredging costs - £ 9,825

Extension of CCTV System - £10,000

Contribution to cleansing costs - £12,000

Total - £31,825

630 Greenock Medical Aid Society - Request for Financial 630

ASSISTANCE

SUBMITTED: Report dated 24 May 1999 by the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services on a request for financial assistance received from Greenock Medical Aid Society.

DECIDED: That consideration be continued for further information.

631 WELLPARK MID KIRK, GREENOCK - REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL 631

ASSISTANCE

SUBMITTED: Report dated 4 June 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive on a request received from Wellpark Mid Kirk Church that the Council consider providing financial assistance towards the cost of the comprehensive restoration and repair work which is currently being carried out to the Church.

DECIDED: That subject to Phase 2 of the repair and restoration works proceeding, it be agreed to provide a contribution of £10,000 from the Council’s Historic Building Fund.

632 Strone Entranceway, Greenock - Phase 1 - Report on Tenders 632

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on five tenders received for Phase 1 of the Strone entranceway works and the Committee agreed to proposed alterations to the phasing of the funding for the project and to accept the lowest tender, all as detailed in the Appendix.

633 Gibshill Intermediate Labour Market Project 633

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director Community and Protective Services on progress of the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) project in Gibshill and requesting the Committee to accept a tender, which was agreed all as detailed in the Appendix.

634 LEISURE TRUSTS 634

SUBMITTED: Report dated 7 June 1999 by the Executive Director Community and Protective Services on the findings of the Working Group established to consider the issues involved in the possible setting up of a Leisure Trust incorporating swimming pools and sports and recreation facilities within Inverclyde, approved in principle by the Policy and Strategy Committee at its meeting on 4 March 1999 (para 269).

DECIDED:

(a) That no action be taken on the report meantime;

(b) That a short term Member/Officer Working Group be established to examine the methods of delivering leisure services within Inverclyde and to carry out consultations with relevant groups and organisations with a view to reporting to the Committee in October 1999; and

(c) That it be remitted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader, Depute Leader and the Leader of the Minority Groups to determine the composition of the Working Group.

635 NON-HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL 635

TO ACCEPT TENDERS

SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 June 1999 by the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services listing remits from the various Service Committees which seek authority to accept tenders or otherwise make a legal commitment on behalf of the Council in respect of projects to be funded from the 1999/2000 Non-HRA Capital Programme and appending reports on tenders received for concrete repairs at St Michael’s Primary School and replacement of the boiler at Larkfield Primary School.

DECIDED:

(a) That agreement be given to the following projects with an estimated total commitment of £1,568,000 proceeding at the present time:-

Project Estimated Cost

Including Fees

Education Services Committee

1. Ravenscraig Primary School - Replacement Windows £81,000

2. St Gabriel’s Primary School - Replacement Roof Covering £81,000

3. Moorfoot Primary School - Staff Room Screen/Roof £35,000

4. St Michael’s Primary School - Concrete Repairs £33,000

5. Wellington Academy - Repairs to Games Hall Roof £81,000

6. Larkfield Primary School - Replacement Windows £60,000

7. St Stephen’s High School - Replacement Roof Coverings, Phase 1 £50,000

8. School Painterwork Programme £80,000

9. Larkfield Primary School - Replacement Boiler Plant. £70,000

10. Kelly Street Hall - Conversion to Nursery £109,000 *

(*cost to Capital Programme)

Social Work and Housing Committee

11. Minor Adaptations Budget

(a) Strone Social Work Office - Alterations £3,000

(b) Scarlow Street Office - Relocation of Boiler £20,000

12. Private Sector Housing (General Provision)

(a) Peat Road - Repairs Grant to Owner Occupier £7,500

(b) Brown Street/Baxter Street - Repairs Grants to Owner Occupiers £60,000

Corporate Business Committee

13. St Columba’s High School - Reroofing £50,000

14. IT Cabling Programme 1999/2000 £100,000

15. Major Repairs Budget 1999/2000

(a) Municipal Buildings Heating Phase 5 £120,000

(b) Transfer Station - Repairs to Plinth Wall £24,000

(d) Minor Repairs

(i) Murdieston/Hardridge Farm - March Fence £4,000

(ii) Glenbrae Children’s Centre - Kitchen Extract Fan £6,000

(iii) Larkfield Primary School - Kitchen Ventilation £8,000

(iv) Mansion Avenue - Steps and Path £7,000

(v) ABC Courts - Steps and Path £8,000

16. Hector McNeil Baths - Minute of Waiver: Finalisation £6,000

17. Broomhill Way Shops - Conversion for Link Club £54,000

Economic Development Services Committee

18. Waterfront Lighting £20,000

19. Larkfield Lighting Upgrading, Phase 1 £23,000

20. Overhead Cable Replacement, Phase 5 £15,000

21. Private Bridge Assessments/Signage £160,000

22. Ice Detection Sensor Equipment £14,000

23. Eldon Street, Greenock (Campbell Street toBrougham Street) -

Promotion of Permanent Traffic Regulation Order £5,000

24. Route B7054 - Dunlop Street, Greenock £20,000

25. Hillside Avenue area, Kilmacolm - Lighting Upgrading £20,000

26. Flood Prevention Report £15,000

27. Bridge Assessment/Strengthening £24,000

28. Strone Gateway - Road, Footway and Lighting Improvements £33,000

Community and Protective Services Committee

29. Knocknairshill Cemetery - Completion of Phase 2A £49,000 ;

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the lowest tenders received for (i) conversion of the Broomhill Way shops for a link club, (ii) concrete repairs at St Michael’s Primary School, and (iii) Larkfield Primary School boiler replacement, all detailed in the Appendix; and

(c) That in respect of the remaining projects listed in paragraph (a), it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the lowest tenders received in accordance with the Financial Regulations and the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts and in cases where the cost exceeds £100,000, delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and following consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener of the appropriate Service Committees and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tender received.

636 GREENOCK WATERFRONT LEISURE COMPLEX - REMEDIAL WORKS 636

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services on remedial works required at the Greenock Waterfront Leisure Complex and advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure in terms of Standing Order 66(a) to authorise works to be undertaken and the Committee agreed to note the position, all as detailed in the Appendix.

637 GREENOCK WATERFRONT LEISURE COMPLEX - APPOINTMENT OF 637

LEGAL TEAM

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 June 1999 by the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services advising that the dispute on the claim for additional costs in the construction of the Waterfront Leisure Complex had now been referred to arbitration by the contractor, providing information on the Legal Team appointed to act for the Council in the arbitration proceedings and requesting the Committee to approve the necessary funding arrangements following consideration and a recommendation made by the Special Waterfront Working Group.

DECIDED:

(a) That the terms of the report be noted; and

(b) That the recommendation made by the Special Waterfront Working Group that an additional allocation of £320,000 be provided from the 1999/2000 Non-HRA Capital Programme to cover the legal expenses of the arbitration proceedings be approved.

638 HECTOR McNEIL BATHS - MINUTE OF WAIVER 638

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services on a recommendation from the Corporate Business Committee that the sum of £6,000 be provided from the Non-HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000 to enable a Minute of Waiver to be obtained in respect of the title restrictions applying to the site of the Hector McNeil Baths.

DECIDED: That funding in the sum of £6,000 be provided from the Non-HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000 to allow the Minute of Waiver to be obtained.