Policy and Strategy Committee

Thursday 26 April 2001 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Jackson presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Director of Education Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Acting Director of Finance, Mr Douglas (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Head of Accountancy Services, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Property Services and Leisure Services Manager.

Apologies:  Provost Roach.

391

Chief Executive/Miscellaneous/SIP Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 12

391

There was submitted a report dated 11 April 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2000/2001 as at period 12 (7 March 2001).

Decided:

(1)   that the report be noted; and

(2)   that the virement request relating to £27,000 within the Chief Executive's budget be approved.

392

General Fund Revenue Summary 2000/2001 - Period 12

392

There was submitted a report dated 11 April 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the projected position of the General Fund Revenue Budget as at period 12 (7 March 2001).

Noted

393

Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Financial Position

393

There was submitted a report dated 5 April 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of the current and proposed projects in both the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001 and the Social Inclusion Partnership 2000/2001.

Noted

394

Non-HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001

394

There was submitted a report dated 6 April 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the current position of the 2000/2001 Non-HRA Capital Programme and advising that the estimated underspend in allocation is £117,000 representing a reduction of £819,000 since the last report.

Decided:  that the projected underspend and the action taken by Officers to ensure that the Council did not exceed the Scottish Executive limits be noted.

395

Grants to Voluntary Organisations

395

There was submitted a report by the Director of Resource Services requesting the Committee to agree the grants to voluntary organisations as recommended by the Sounding Board and outlined in Appendix 1 to the report.

Decided:

(1)   that the awards outlined in the Appendix to the report be agreed; and

(2)   that Kelburn/Woodhall Adult Education Advisory be awarded £3,700.

396

Increase in Rates for Members Travelling and Subsistence Allowances

396

There was submitted a report dated 11 April 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services advising of the revision of rates of travelling and subsistence allowances which could be paid to Members of local authorities as contained in the Scottish Office circular attached as an Appendix to the report.

Decided:  that the travelling and subsistence allowances be increased from 1 April 2001 in accordance with the terms outlined in the Appendix to the report.

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)

Proposal to Establish a Non Profit Distribution Organisation

for the Management of Sport and Leisure Services                                  1, 6, 8 & 11

Vehicle Replacement Programme 2000/2001                                             6 & 8

Special Waterfront Working Group Minute                                               6

Waterfront Cooling Towers Replacement                                                  6 & 8

397

Proposal to Establish a Non Profit Distribution Organisation for the Management of Sport and Leisure Services

397

There was submitted a report dated 5 April 2001 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the progress made in relation to establishing a Leisure Trust by 1 October 2001, to consider feedback from the principal officers within Legal, Finance, Personnel and Property Services and requesting the Committee to consider the name of the Trust and the membership of the Trust Board.

Decided: 

(1)   that the contents of the report be noted;

(2)   that the Trust be called Inverclyde Leisure;

(3)   that there be a maximum of 11 members serving on the shadow board at any one time, comprising 5 existing elected Members, 2 employee representatives, 1 Trade Union representative, 1 local Sports Council representative, 1 community representative and 1 business community representative;

(4)   that Councillors Morrison (M), O'Rourke, Jackson and 2 Members of the Minority Groups to be nominated by the Leader of the Minority Groups serve on the Board;

(5)   that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services in conjunction with other appropriate Officers to progress the appointment of the remaining  board members; and

(6)   that further progress reports be presented to the Committee on a regular basis updating Members on the key stages of the project.

398

Vehicle Replacement Programme 2000/2001

398

There was submitted a report dated 11 April 2001 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the outcome of the tender process for the supply of vehicles and plant included in the vehicle replacement programme.

Decided:  that the tenders for the purchase of vehicles and plant items indicated in the report at a total cost of £310,975.65 be accepted, utilising the additional £10,975.65 from the carry forward sum referred to in the report.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted reports were relevant, competent and urgent moved their consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the current position.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

399

Special Waterfront Working Group Minute

399

There was submitted the Minute of the Special Waterfront Working Group held on 28 March 2001.

Noted

400

Waterfront Cooling Towers Replacement

400

There was submitted a report dated April 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive on the current position relating to the replacement of the Waterfront cooling towers and the Committee agreed that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix.