Policy and Strategy Committee

Thursday 30 August 2001 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Jackson presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Director of Education Services, Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Head of Accountancy Services, Head of Leisure & Community Support Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillor Robertson (Y).

740

Single Care Home for the Elderly

740

There was submitted a report dated 24 August 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Social Work & Housing Committee of 14 August 2001 that (1) approval be given to utilisation in 2001/02 of £300,000 of the allocation for the building of the single care home for the elderly and (2) approval be given to utilisation in 2001/02 of £150,000 of the allocation for pre-contract fees and work.

Decided:  

(1) that approval be given to utilisation in 2001/02 of £300,000 of the allocation for the single care home for the elderly; and

(2) that approval be given to utilisation in 2001/02 of £150,000 of the allocation for pre-contract fees and work.

741

The Former Hector McNeil Baths Site

741

There was submitted a report dated 27 August 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Corporate Business Committee of 16 August 2001 that, following its decision to approve the site of the former Hector McNeil Baths as an operational property and its designation for use as a home for the elderly the costs amounting to £9,000 associated with the marketing exercise for the site be set against other capital receipts.

Decided:  that it be agreed to set the costs of £9,000 associated with the marketing exercise for the site against other capital receipts.

742

M74 Completion

742

There was submitted a report dated 22 August 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Economic Development Services Committee of 21 August 2001 that the Policy & Strategy Committee be requested to approve a contribution of £700,000 to the M74 completion project led by Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Renfrewshire Council and that the contribution be made in two equal portions from the Capital Programmes 2005/06 and 2006/07.5

Decided:  that approval be given to a contribution of £700,000 to the M74 completion project led by Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Renfrewshire Council and that the contribution be made in two equal portions from the Capital Programmes 2005/06 and 2006/07.

743

Football Development Scheme

743

There was submitted a report dated 24 August 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Community & Protective Services Committee of 23 August 2001 that the Policy & Strategy Committee be requested to provide the additional £5,000 required to fund the Football Development Scheme during 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1) that it be agreed to provide the additional £5,000 required to fund the Football Development Scheme during 2001/2002; and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Corporate Management Team to review future funding for the scheme as part of the Budget review exercise.

744

Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 3

744

There was submitted a report dated 10 August 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the position of the Revenue Budget as at Period 3 (27 June 2001).

Noted

745

General Fund Revenue Summary 2001/2002 - Period 3

745

There was submitted a report dated 13 August 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on (1) the projected position of the General Fund Revenue Budget as at Period 3 (27 June 2001) and (2) a request from the Education Services Committee of 7 August 2001 for funding of £202,000 for 2001/02 to fund shortfalls in the budgets for the Ladybird Pre-5 Centre and Tree Tops Community Nursery.

Decided:

(1)  that it be agreed to provide funding of £202,000 in 2001/02 to fund shortfalls in the budgets for the Ladybird Pre-5 Centre and Tree Tops Community Nursery;

(2)  that the current position of the General Fund Revenue Summary 2001/2002 be noted; and

(3)  that all members of the Corporate Management Team be instructed to monitor budget developments across the board.

746

Capital Programme 2001/2002:  Technical Progress

746

There was submitted a report dated 2 August 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital ProgrammeS 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1)    that the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2001/2002 be noted; and

(2)  that the following accumulated variations which are outwith the accepted tender amount by more than 10% be approved in terms of the relevant financial regulations:-

Project

Effect on Expenditure

Greenock Waterfront - Priority Remedial Works

Anticipated final account 16.79% less than accepted tender amount

£42,377 decrease

Greenock Waterfront - Cooling Tower Works

Anticipated final account 18.04% greater than accepted tender amount

£23,081 increase

747

Capital Programme 2001/02-2003/04:  Financial Position

747

There was submitted a report dated 9 August 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of current and proposed projects in both the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2001/02 - 2003/04 and the Social Inclusion Partnership 2001/02.

Noted

748

Non-HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002

748

There was submitted a report dated 13 August 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the current position of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2001/02 and advising that the latest estimated shortfall in the Capital Allocation for 2001/2002 was £4,752,000.

Noted

749

Members’ Allowances

749

There was submitted a report dated 15 August 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the current position in respect of Members’ allowances.

Decided:  that the basic allowance paid to Members be increased by 3% with effect from 1 April 2001.

750

Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership

750

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services (1) on the progress of Partnership developments and (2) seeking the Committee’s approval of recommendations from the Partnership Forum held on 24 June 2001.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the establishment of the Appraisal Group and the general progress in reviewing the PartnershAip’s appraisal procedures;

(2)   that the forthcoming evaluation of projects whose funding terminates on 31 March 2002 be noted;

(3)   that the intention to produce an action plan in response to issues arising from the Partnership’s interim evaluation be noted;

(4)   that the developments towards the implementation of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund be noted, in particular the links with the Partnership Forum as a mechanism for consulting with Community Planning partners and the community; and

(5)  that agreement be given to the funding proposals outlined in section 4 of the report, noting that the Healthy Eating project is the subject of further appraisal.

751

Development/Feasibility Studies - Kilmacolm Village Centre

751

There was submitted a report dated 1 August 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking authority to commence site investigations and feasibility studies in respect of proposed improvements to existing Council facilities at Kilmacolm Village Centre.

Decided: 

(1) that approval be given to commence the initial works for the Kilmacolm Village Centre project and for funding of £30,000 to be allocated to these works from the provision of £150,000 for development/feasibility studies within the Capital Programme 2001/02 - 2003/04;

(2) that approval be given to seek competitive tenders from specialist consultants for the various site investigation works for the Kilmacolm Village Centre project and delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept these tenders, provided the cumulative cost does not exceed £5,000;

(3) that approval be given to the execution of a feasibility study for the Kilmacolm Village Centre project by Property Services for a fee not exceeding £25,000; and

(4) that the establishment of a working group to oversee the scheme be noted.

752

The Muirshiel Centre, Port Glasgow - Request for Financial Assistance

752

There was submitted a report dated 15 August 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Muirshiel Centre for financial assistance towards the additional costs incurred arising from a VAT liability for the cost of the construction of a canopy at Units 48/50 Port Glasgow Industrial Estate.

Decided:  that agreement be given to provide a grant of £3,500 to the Muirshiel Centre towards the cost of VAT liability for the cost of construction of a canopy at Units 48/50 Port Glasgow Industrial Estate, the funding to be vired from the Community Councils’ budget.

753

Provision of a Skateboard Facility at Battery Park

753

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services on a proposal to create a skateboard facility at Battery Park, Greenock, together with the financial implications.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee support the provision of a skateboard facility;

(2)   that it be agreed to allocate £80,000 from the budget for upgrading parks/pitches towards the cost of providing a facility as identified in Appendix 2 to the report; and

(3)   that it be remitted to the Community & Protective Services Committee to consider options relative to the provision and location of a skateboard facility including consultation with the local community through the relevant Community Councils.

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)

Inverclyde Leisure Trust                                                                             1, 6, 8 & 11

Shop Premises: Leven Road, Greenock                                                     6 & 9

754

Inverclyde Leisure Trust

754

There was submitted a report dated 13 August 2001 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the progress made in relation to establishing a Leisure Trust by 1 October 2001, on feedback from the Principal Officers within Legal, Finance, Personnel and Property Services and seeking the Committee’s agreement to a number of recommendations.

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

Decided:

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

(2)   that the Business Plan be approved;

(3)   that the Financial Plan be approved;

(4)   that it be agreed to confirm to Strathclyde Pension Fund that the Council will act as a sponsor for Inverclyde Leisure;

(5)   that it be recommended to the Interim Board of Inverclyde Leisure that the Head of Inverclyde Leisure Trust (designate) be formally appointed Head of Inverclyde Leisure with effect from 1 October 2001;

(6)   that the request for increased resources as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

(7)   that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services in conjunction with other appropriate Officers to progress the outstanding issues with a view to establishing Inverclyde Leisure by 1 October 2001.

755

Shop Premises:  Leven Road, Greenock

755

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on proposals to acquire shop premises at Leven Road, Greenock.  ?

Councillor Blair declared an interest in this matter and took no part in its consideration or decision.

Following consideration, the Committee agreed to the acquisition and treatment of the property, all as detailed in the Appendix.