Policy and Strategy Committee

Thursday 16 March 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Calvert, Jackson, McGhee, Morrison (M), Rebecchi, Robertson (A) and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor Jackson presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Mr J Sutherland (for Director of Education Services), Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Resource Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Director of Information Services, Head of Property Services, Partnership Co-ordinator and Support Services Manager.

Apologies:  Councillors Mitchell, Mulholland and O’Rourke.

248

Single Status and Job Evaluation

248

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Corporate Business Committee of 2 March 2000 that funding be provided to implement Single Status and Job Evaluation requirements.

Decided:  that funding of £106,375 be provided to implement Single Status and Job Evaluation requirements.

249

Port Glasgow Baths

249

There was submitted a report dated 15 March 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Community & Protective Services Committee of 9 March 2000 that funding be provided for a specialist report on the pool tank and pool filtration system at Port Glasgow Baths following its selection of option 1 as its favoured option for the baths.

Decided:  that it be agreed to provide funding of £10,000 for a specialist report on the pool tank and pool filtration system at Port Glasgow Baths.

250

National Mod

250

There was submitted a report dated 15 March 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Community & Protective Services Committee of 9 March 2000 that funding be provided to enable a formal approach to be made to An Comunn Gaidhealach (the Royal Scottish National Mod Company) that the National Mod be held in Inverclyde in 2004.

Decided:  that it be agreed to incorporate a funding provision of up to £50,000 (including support in kind) to allow a formal approach to be made to An Comunn Gaidhealach requesting that the National Mod be held in Inverclyde in 2004.

251

Revenue Budget 1999/2000 - Summary

251

There was submitted a report dated 3 March 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 1999/2000 as at 2 February 2000.

Noted

252

Capital Programme 1999/2000:  Technical Progress

252

There was submitted a report dated 18 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

253

Capital Programme 1999/2000:  Financial Position

253

There was submitted a report dated 2 March 2000 by the Director of 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.

Noted

254

Non-HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000

254

There was submitted a report dated 23 February 2000 by the Director of Resource Services (1) on the financial position of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000, and (2) advising that the latest estimated shortfall in the Capital Allocation for 1999/2000 was £115,000, representing a decrease of £749,000 since the last report to Committee.  The report advised that given the rate of slippage experienced and the net Committee underspends of almost £300,000, it was likely that a significant part of the £2,400,000 revenue balances would not be required in 1999/2000 but that the unspent element of the revenue balances would require to be carried forward into 2000/2001 to meet commitments arising from the slippage in the current Non-HRA Capital Programme.

Noted

255

Strone Farm Area Regeneration

255

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) providing an update on progress of the Strone Farm Area Regeneration Strategy, (2) outlining the private sector housing element of the plan and proposing the sale of the "Shamrock Site" situated at Katrine/Lomond Road to a future private sector developer and (3) seeking approval of a proposed use of the final £200,000 of the 3 year allocation agreed by the Committee in August 1997 for environmental upgrading works.

Decided:

(1) that the progress of the Strone Farm Area Regeneration Strategy be noted;

(2) that approval be given to the sale of the "Shamrock Site" to achieve best value for the site as part of the Partnership Strategy with Scottish Homes and Cloch Housing Association and at a price approved by the District Valuer;

(3) that approval be given to the development of the Phase 3 Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) Programme which will involve upgrading of the land in and around the private sector housing area;

(4) that approval be given for utilisation of £50,000 of the total allocation of £200,000 in 2000/2001 for environmental upgrading works for the proposed Phase 3 Intermediate Labour Market Programme and for the remaining £150,000 to be used for completion of the kick ball and surrounding areas;

(5) that approval be given to development of the ILM Programme in line with the demonstation of a full funding package and that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to allocate the Council's contribution; and

(6) that approval be give to proceed to tender for the final phase of the works to the kick ball and surrounding play area and that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest acceptable tender provided that it is no more than 10% greater than the budget estimate.

256

The Intermediate Labour Market (ILM)

256

There was submitted a report by the Partnership Co-ordinator (1) providing an update on progress of the Intermediate Labour Market Programme (ILM) in Inverclyde, (2) seeking approval of proposed future ILM activities within Inverclyde and (3) outlining future ILM management issues.

Decided:

(1) that the progress of Inverclyde's ILM Programme be noted;

(2) that approval be given to the future activities detailed in the report and to work at sites in Strone Farm, Ingleston Street and at Murdieston Dam;

(3) that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to make the necessary arrangements for implementation of the proposed ILM Programme once Partnership funding is in place; and

(4) that the Committee note the future management issues which will require to be addressed and give its agreement to the establishment of an Environmental Trust as a means of ensuring local management control of the ILM initiative.

257

Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership

257

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services (1) providing a progress report relative to Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership developments and issues with particular regard to funding for the Partnership Support Team and Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) funded projects and (2) seeking approval of recommendations from the Partnership Forum.

Decided: 

(1) that the arrangements being put in place to review the Partnership's Strategy be noted;

(2) that the issues relating to the Scottish Executive's Monitoring Framework for Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) and the action proposed to meet its requirements be noted;

(3) that the progress in relation to the development of Area Renewal Plans be noted;

(4) that the funding developments in relation to the Partnership Support Team be noted;

(5) that it be agreed to continue the matter of relocation of the Support Team to James Watt College Waterfront premises pending a further report on refurbishment costs;

(6) that the budget proposals arising from the evaluation of SIP projects as set out in Appendix 5 of the report be approved;

(7) that the expenditure schedule of the Intermediate Labour Market Project be adjusted to avoid SIP capital underspend in the current financial year;

(8) that the Council continue to be the grant recipient body for SIP funds in 2000/01; and

(9) that an uprating of 2.5% be applied to SIP project budgets for the financial years 2000/01 and 2001/02.

258

Invest in Inverclyde

258

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the progress of the Invest in Inverclyde Campaign in 1999 and (2) setting out the proposed 2000/2001 operational plan.

Decided: 

(1)  that the Invest in Inverclyde operational plan for 2000/2001 set out in the Appendix to the report be approved and endorsed; and

(2) that it be agreed to fund the Invest in Inverclyde Campaign to a sum of £80,000 at this stage.

259

Impact of Early Retirements on Inverclyde Council

259

There was submitted a report dated 1 March 2000 by the Director of Resource Services providing a position statement on the financial impact of early retirements on the Council.

Decided:  that consideration be continued for a further report on the overall position including projected costs together with possible options for varying the scheme which applies to employees of the former Inverclyde District Council

260

Appointment Procedures for Chief Officers

260

There was submitted a report dated 4 February 2000 by the Director of Resource Services recommending formal arrangements for the establishment of Sub-Committees as interview panels for the appointment of Chief Officers.

Following discussion, Councillor Robertson (Y) moved:-

(1) that the short-listing and interview Sub-Committees for Chief Officer posts be as follows:-

Chief Executive -                    7 Members of the Policy & Strategy Committee comprising the Convener, Vice-Conve5ner, 3 Members of the Majority Group and 2 Members of the Minority Groups.

Depute Chief Executive -        5 Members of the Policy & Strategy Committee comprising the Convener, Vice-Convener, 1 Member of the Majority Group and 2 Members of the Minority Groups.

Directors -                              5 Members of the relevant Parent Committee comprising the Convener, Vice-Convener, 1 Member of the Majority Group and 2 Members of the Minority Groups.

Other Chief Officers -             3 Members of the relevant Parent Committee comprising the Convener, Vice-Convener and 1 Member of the Minority Groups;

(2) that other than in the case of the Chief Executive and the Depute Chief Executive, all appointment Sub-Committees act with full powers and that in the case of the Chief Executive and Depute Chief Executive posts, the decision of the Sub-Committee form a recommendation to the full Council;

(3) that appropriate alterations be made to paragraph 1.17 of the section of the Standing Orders and Scheme of Administration relating to functions retained by the Council; and

(4) that it be agreed that the Standing Orders and Scheme of Administration be amended to allow temporary appointments to be made to Chief Officer posts by the Head of Personnel Services following consultation with the Chief Executive, the Convener of the appropriate Service Committee, 1 Member of the Minority Groups and the Service Director.

As an amendment, Councillor Blair moved (1) that the procedure in paragraph 3.1 of the report not be followed, (2) that the short-list for the Chief Executive and Depute Chief Executive posts be selected by a Sub-Committee of the Policy & Strategy Committee and thereafter interview and appointment be carried out by the full Council and (3) that the short-list for Directors and other Chief Officer posts be selected by a Sub-Committee of the Parent Committee and thereafter interview and appointment be by the full Parent Committee.

On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided: 

(1) that the short-listing and interview Sub-Committees for Chief Officer posts be as follows:-

Chief Executive -                    7 Members of the Policy & Strategy Committee comprising the Convener, Vice-Convener, 3 Members of the Majority Group and 2 Members of the Minority Groups.

Depute Chief Executive -        5 Members of the Policy & Strategy Committee comprising the Convener, Vice-Convener, 1 Member of the Majority Group and 2 Members of the Minority Groups.

Directors -                              5 Members of the relevant Parent Committee comprising the Convener, Vice-Convener, 1 Member of the Majority Group and 2 Members of the Minority Groups.

Other Chief Officers -             3 Members of the relevant Parent Committee comprising the Convener, Vice-Convener and 1 Member of the Minority Groups;

(2) that other than in the case of the Chief Executive and the Depute Chief Executive, all appointment Sub-Committees act with full powers and that in the case of the Chief Executive and Depute Chief Executive posts, the decision of the Sub-Committee form a recommendation to the full Council;'

(3) that appropriate alterations be made to paragraph 1.17 of the section of the Standing Orders and Scheme of Administration relating to functions retained by the Council; and

(4) that it be agreed that the Standing Orders and Scheme of Administration be amended to allow temporary appointments to be made to Chief Officer posts by the Head of Personnel Services following consultation with the Chief Executive, Convener of the appropriate Service Committee, 1 Member of the Minority Groups and the Service Director.

261

External Auditors - Annual Report to Members 1997/98

261

There was submitted a report dated 1 March 2000 by the Chief Executive on the Annual Report by the Council's appointed External Auditors, a copy of which was appended.

(Provost Roach entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1) that the position regarding the 1997/98 accounts and the action taken to address the matters highlighted by the External Auditors be noted; and

(2) that the Committee endorse the completion of the 1999/2000 accounts and the completion of the audit as a key priority.

262

Clune Park Community Association

262

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the history and current position in respect of the project at Clune Park Primary School as requested by the Committee at its meeting on 3 February 2000 (para 115).

Councillor Moody was present and with consent spoke on the matter.

Decided:  that the current position in respect of the project at Clune Park Primary School be noted.

263

Grants to Voluntary Organisations 1999/2000

263

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services setting out the recommendations of the Sounding Board on requests from voluntary organisations for grant aid during 1999/2000.

Decided:  that the grants to various voluntary organisations as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report totalling £2,175 be approved.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted Minute of the Best Value and Performance Review Panel of 13 January 2000 was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the matters considered by the Panel.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

264

Best Value and Performance Review Panel

264

There was submitted minute of meeting of the Best Value and Performance Review Panel of Thursday 13 January 2000.

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)

Potential Claim - Greenock Waterfront Lands                                          12

Hector McNeil Baths/Balrossie School -Security                                      8

Option to Purchase Items which are Currently Leased                             8 & 9

265

Potential Claim - Greenock Waterfront Lands

265

There was submitted a report dated 25 February 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on an Opinion received in connection with a potential claim in respect of land at Greenock Waterfront and the Committee agreed to note the position, all as detailed in the Appendix.

266

Hector McNeil Baths/Balrossie School - Security

266

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request received from the Corporate Business Committee of 2 March 2000 that additional funding be provided for new security arrangements at Hector McNeil Baths/Balrossie School.

Decided:  that it be agreed to provide additional funding of £32,300 for the new security arrangements at Hector McNeil Baths/Balrossie School.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Resource Services on options to purchase items which are currently leased was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to make a decision relative to the leases which are due to terminate at the end of March 2000.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

267

Option to Purchase Items which are Currently Leased

267

There was submitted a report dated 15 March 2000 by the Director of Resource Services (1) advising that the Council had inherited a number of operating leases, three of which were due to terminate at the end of March 2000, (2) setting out options in this regard and (3) making recommendations with a view to achieving best value for the Council.

Decided:

(1) that it be agreed that the assets covered in lease 1 and lease 3 as detailed in the report be purchased at a cost of £37,975 to be charged against the relevant Services in 1999/2000 and that the resultant lease savings be removed from Service Budgets in 2000/01;

(2) that it be noted that a secondary lease is to be entered into relative to the vehicles covered by lease 2; and

(3) that the action as set out in paragraph 4 of the report in respect of the waste transfer trailer be approved and that the £7,000 lease costs be removed from the Waste Services Budget 2000/01.