Policy and Strategy Committee

Thursday 14 December 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:   Councillors Blair, McCabe, McGhee, Mitchell, Morrison (M), O'Rourke, Rebecchi, Robertson (A) and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor O'Rourke presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Director of Education Services, Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Resource Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Head of Economic Development Service, Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

Apologies:  Provost Roach and Councillor Jackson.

1068

Chief Executive/Miscellaneous/SIP Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 7

1068

There was submitted a report dated 24 November 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2000/2001 as at 18 October 2000.

Noted

1069

General Fund Revenue Summary 2000/2001

1069

There was submitted a report by the Director of Resource Services on the projected position of the General Fund Revenue Budget 2000/2001 as at 18 October 2000.

Decided:

(1)   that the position stated in the report, including the recent cost reductions identified, be noted;  and

(2)   that it be remitted to all Directors and Heads of Service to take all steps to minimise expenditure and maximise savings when controlling their budgets.

1070

Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Financial Position

1070

There was submitted a report dated 22 November 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of current and proposed projects in both the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001 and the Social Inclusion Partnership 2000/2001.

Noted

1071

Non-HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001

1071

There was submitted a report dated 23 November 2000 by the Director of Resource Services (1) on the financial position of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001 and (2) advising that the latest estimated shortfall in the Capital Allocation for 2000/2001 was now £3,796,000, representing a reduction of £283,000 as the net result of factors detailed in the report.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the current position and action taken to date to control the level of expenditure in 2000/2001;  and

(2)   that the Committee note the potential position of the 2001/2002 gross allocation.

1072

Budget 2000/2002 Onwards

1072

There were submitted (a) a report dated 28 November 2000 by the Chief Executive setting out the proposed approach to the 2000/2002 onwards budgets, (b) a report dated 5 December 2000 by the Director of Resource Services setting out the general background and position with regard to the revenue budgets for the year 2001/2002 and onwards and (c) a further report dated 11 December 2000 by the Director of Resource Services setting out the details of the financial settlements proposed for Inverclyde Council by the Scottish Executive for the years 2001/2002 to 2003/2004 and its impact on the current budget preparation exercise.

Decided:

(1)   that the terms of the reports be noted;

(2)   that the approach to the budget process set out in the report by the Chief Executive be endorsed;  and

(3)   that, in view of the failure of the Executive's settlement to address fully the requirements of the Inverclyde area with regard to social deprivation and declining population, representations be made to the relevant Members of the Scottish Parliament with a view to seeking an improved settlement.

1073

Grants to Voluntary Organisations - Sounding Board

1073

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services seeking an alternative Member to replace Councillor Mulholland on the Sounding Board established to oversee the Grants to Voluntary Organisations budget.

Decided:  that Councillor Jackson be appointed to the Sounding Board.

1074

Application for Financial Assistance - Inverclyde Juvenile Pipe Band

1074

There was submitted a report dated 11 December 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request for financial assistance from the Inverclyde Juvenile Pipe Band towards the cost of purchasing uniforms for the Band members.

Decided:  that grants of £10,000 and £5,500 be made for the purchase of band uniforms in February 2001 and February 2002 respectively, to be met from the Common Good Fund.

1075

Application for Financial Assistance - Trans-Port

1075

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services on a request for financial assistance from the Trans-Port Group towards the cost of a new bus stolen and destroyed by vandalism.

Decided:  that the Council give an interest-free loan of £10,000 to the Trans-Port Group to be repaid over two years, to be met from the Common Good Fund.

1076

Political Management Arrangements

1076

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive outlining for consideration options for the political management of the Council and there was circulated at the meeting a further report noting the matters raised by the representatives of the Scottish Executive's Leadership Advisory Panel at their meeting with Council representatives on 13 December 2000.

Decided: 

(1)   that the Committee agree that a revised Committee model be developed based on the Community Plan Themes;

(2)   that Area Committees be established with delegated decision-making and spending powers based on the principle of subsidiarity working within the overall context of the Council's policy objectives;

(3)   that the Scheme of Delegation to Officers be expanded to remove all routine business from Council agendas and that an information system be developed to provide necessary background information for Members;  and

(4)   that it be remitted to the Chief Executive in consultation with Councillors O'Rourke and Mitchell to agree the submission required by the Leadership Advisory Panel by 31 December 2000.

1077

The Renewing Local Democracy Working Group

1077

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking the Committee's views to allow the Council to comment on the recommendations set out in the Kerley Report which contained 36 recommendations on the themes of widening access to local government, remuneration of Councillors, the electoral system to be used and the numbers of Councillors.

Councillor O'Rourke proposed that the matter be dealt with in terms of the paper he circulated at the meeting in which responses which were non-controversial had been provided and that those recommendations on which a party political view was required be dealt with by himself, Councillor Mitchell and the Chief Executive.

Decided:  that the Council's response be submitted by the Chief Executive based on the proposed responses circulated at the meeting and in consultation with Councillors O'Rourke and Mitchell in respect of the remaining responses.

1078

Gibshill - Gibshill Regeneration Steering Group

1078

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services informing Members of the progress made by the Gibshill Regeneration Steering Group and seeking approval for proposals to finalise the regeneration of the area.

Councillor O'Rourke moved that (1) the Council seek in partnership with Scottish Homes the provision of further new socially rented houses required in Gibshill, with Council land being made available at no cost (with the Scottish Executive's permission) to an appropriate development; (2) the Committee agree for its interest to further demolition of existing housing stock; (3) the Committee agree to a review of the Sportsbarn, Community Centre and play areas as part of the process of assessing the "sustainability" of the community; and (4) the Committee support the actions identified to tackle issues relating to property, community safety, health inequalities and sustainable environment.  As an amendment, Councillor Mitchell moved that recommendation (1) be deleted.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1)   that the Council seek in partnership with Scottish Homes the provision of further new socially rented houses required in Gibshill, with Council land being made available at no cost (with the Scottish Executive's permission) to an appropriate development;

(2)   that the Committee agree for its interest to further demolition of existing housing stock;

(3)   that the Committee agree to a review of the Sportsbarn, Community Centre and play areas as part of the process of assessing the "sustainability" of the community;  and

(4)   that the Committee support the actions identified to tackle issues relating to property, community safety, health inequalities and sustainable environment.

1079

Urban II (Community Initiative Programme)

1079

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive setting out the outcome of a submission to the Scottish Executive for Urban II status for Port Glasgow to secure access to funds under that Community Initiative Programme of the European Structural Funds.  The report indicated that the submission had been successful and proposed the way forward in dealing with the availability of funds of approximately £5M for which, however, match funding would be required.

Decided:

(1)   that the Economic Development Service be commended for the work done in making the submission and achieving a successful bid;

(2)   that the Committee note the current status of the Single Programme document, Programme Complement and Ex-Ante Evaluation, the requirement for match funding of all interventions under the programme and in particular consideration of the "end + 2" requirements;  and

(3)   remit for a further report following completion of the Single Programme document, Programme Complement and consultation process.

1080

Best Value and Performance Panel

1080

There was submitted minute of meeting of the Best Value and Performance Review Panel of 12 September 2000.

Approved

1081

Waterfront Leisure Complex : Request for Funding Adjustment and Tender Approvals

1081

There was submitted a report dated December 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services seeking approval for the appointment of consultants, specialist suppliers and contractors and for the invitation and acceptance of tenders under delegated authority for works to be carried out at the Waterfront Leisure Complex, all of which was dealt with as set out in the Appendix.

1082

Specialist Works at Waterfront Leisure Complex

1082

There was submitted a report dated December 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services seeking approval for the appointment of specialist consultants and manufacturers and installers to carry out certain works at the Waterfront Leisure Complex, Greenock, all of which was dealt with as detailed in the Appendix.