Policy and Strategy Committee

Thursday  20 June 2002 at 3.00 pm

Present:  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 Finance Services, Mr H McNeilly (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services) and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Provost Roach and Councillor Robertson (Y).

559

Adoption of Policy and Procedures - Remit from Community Committee

559

There was submitted a report dated 17 June 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Community Committee at its meeting on 13 June 2002 that the Committee approve the adoption of a policy and procedures for managing drug related incidents involving young people within Community Support Services establishments.

Decided:  that the policy and procedures for managing drug related incidents involving young people within Community Support Services establishments be approved.

560

Young Quality Scot (Citizenship Award 2003) - Remit from Community Committee

560

There was submitted a report dated 17 June 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request received from the Community Committee at its meeting on 13 June 2002 that a financial contribution of up to £6,500 be made from the Common Good Fund to underwrite the cost of hosting the National 2003 Awards Ceremony in Inverclyde should external sponsorship not be available.

Decided:  that it be agreed to provide an allocation of up to £6,500 from the Common Good Fund to underwrite the cost of hosting the National 2003 Awards Ceremony in Inverclyde should external sponsorship not be available.

561

HMI Inspection Report on Community Learning and Development - Remit from Community Committee

561

There was submitted a report dated 17 June 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Community Committee at its meeting on 13 June 2002 that the Committee consider a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the results of the HMI inspection report on Community Learning and Development in the east Inverclyde area.

Decided: 

(1)   that the content of the HMI inspection report and the concerns highlighted be noted; and

(2)   that it be noted a future report is to be submitted to the Community Committee detailing an action plan to be delivered as a result of the inspection process.

562

General Fund Revenue Budget 2002/2003

562

There was submitted a report dated 7 June 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the position of the General Fund Revenue Budget 2002/2003 as at Period 2 (29 May 2002).

Decided:  that the Committee note with concern the projected deficit of £336,000 in respect of the General Fund Revenue Budget 2002/2003.

563

Capital Programme 2002/2003 - Technical Progress

563

There was submitted a report dated 27 May 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2002/2003.

Noted

564

Capital Programme 2002/03 - 2003/04 - Financial Position

564

There was submitted a report dated 30 May 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the financial position of current and proposed projects in the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002/03 - 2003/04.

Noted

565

Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002/2003

565

There was submitted a report dated 6 June 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the current position of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002/2003.

Noted

566

Review of Capital and Revenue Reporting Format

566

There was submitted a report dated 9 May 2002 by the Director of Finance Services recommending amendments to the current format of capital and revenue reports by combining the technical and financial capital reports and moving towards exception reporting in respect of revenue reports.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the proposed amendments to capital and revenue reporting and agree that reports in the amended format be presented from the next Committee reporting cycle.

567

Capital Programme 2002/03 - 2003/04 - Area Renewal Development and Feasibility Funds

567

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) seeking approval for an allocation of £125,000 from the Area Renewal Development Fund of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2003/2004 for the second phase of development at Victoria House, 5 East Blackhall Street, Greenock and (2) advising that the refurbishment of the expansion space had the potential to generate revenue income for the Council of £20,000 per annum, after costs.

It was noted that paragraph 6.1 of the report should refer to the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002/2003 rather than 2003/2004.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to the allocation of £125,000 from the Area Renewal Development Fund included in the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002/2003 for the refurbishment of expansion space at Victoria House, 5 East Blackhall Street, Greenock;  and

(2) that it be remitted to the Economic Regeneration Committee to approve the appointment of contractors, acceptance of tenders and reporting of pre-contract and development works and monitoring of technical progress in accordance with the Council's Standing Orders relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations.

568

The People's Network - Request for Financial Assistance

568

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services seeking a contribution of £110,500 from the Capital Development Fund towards the total estimated cost of £464,000 of implementing the People's Network project to promote access to computers and the internet throughout Inverclyde libraries.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to an allocation of £110,500 from the Capital Development Fund towards the cost of implementing the People's Network project;  and

(2) that it be noted annual revenue costs of £60,000 would require to be built into the appropriate budget from 2003/2004 onwards.

569

St Andrew's Parish Church, Port Glasgow - Request for Financial Assistance

569

There was submitted a report dated 28 May 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request received from St Andrew's Parish Church, Port Glasgow for financial assistance towards the cost of providing access to the Church for disabled persons.

Decided:  that a contribution of £6,000 from the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002-2003 be made to St Andrew’s Parish Church, Port Glasgow towards the cost of providing access to the Church for disabled persons.

570

Kilmacolm Community Council - Request for Financial Assistance

570

There was submitted a report dated 30 May 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request for financial assistance from Kilmacolm Community Council that the Council consider providing a special project grant of £1,233 towards the cost of an event to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Decided: that a special project grant not exceeding £1,233 be awarded to Kilmacolm Community Council towards the costs of a Queen's Golden Jubilee event on 1 September 2002.

571

Community Plan

571

There was submitted a report dated 10 June 2002 by the Chief Executive advising of the latest position regarding the Community Plan and requesting the Committee to approve (1) a Memo of Understanding and (2) the creation of the post of Alliance Manager in respect of which it was anticipated that each Partner would contribute up to £20,000 in cash or in kind in a full year, it being indicated that the Council's contribution could be met from existing budgets.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee agree the Memo of Understanding detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;  and

(2) that the Committee agree the Alliance Manager post detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

572

Chief Officers' Review

572

There was submitted a report dated 10 June 2002 by the Chief Executive seeking the Committee’s agreement to a review of the salaries of Chief Officials within the scope of the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee for Local Authorities Services.

After discussion, Councillor O’Rourke moved (1) that it be remitted to the Chief Executive with the assistance of an independent adviser to be appointed by him, to carry out a review of salaries of Chief Officials, to be implemented with effect from 1 April 2002, and that a report on proposals be submitted to the Committee; and (2) that it be remitted to the Chief Executive to carry out a review of the Council’s management structure and report thereon as soon as practicable.  As an amendment, Councillor Blair moved that the report be noted at this stage.  On a vote 4 Members voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided: 

(1) that it be remitted to the Chief Executive with the assistance of an independent adviser to be appointed by him, to carry out a review of salaries of Chief Officials, to be implemented with effect from 1 April 2002, and that a report on proposals be submitted to the Committee; and

(2) that it be remitted to the Chief Executive to carry out a review of the Council’s management structure and report thereon as soon as practicable.

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)

Battery Park Pavilion - Claim for Loss and Expense                                      6, 8 & 9

Request for Loan - Inverclyde Leisure                                                            6 & 9

573

Battery Park Pavilion - Claim for Loss and Expense

573

There was submitted a report dated 20 May 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of a claim for loss and expense submitted by the contractor in respect of the construction of the Battery Park pavilion and (2) making recommendations in respect of settlement, which were agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix.

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Finance Services was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider and respond to a request from Inverclyde Leisure at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

574

Request for Loan - Inverclyde Leisure

574

There was submitted a report dated 20 June 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on a request for a loan from Inverclyde Leisure and setting out options for consideration.  Councillors Blair, Jackson, Morrison (M) and O’Rourke declared an interest in this matter as Members/Directors of Inverclyde Leisure.

Following consideration, the Committee agreed to grant a loan to Inverclyde Leisure, all as detailed in the Appendix.