Policy and Strategy Committee

Thursday 13 February 2003 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Calvert, McCabe, McGhee, Mitchell, Morrison (M), O'Rourke, Rebecchi 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 Finance,  Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillor Jackson.

154

Remit from Corporate Business Committee - Vacancies within Inverclyde Industrial Estates

154

There was submitted a report dated 5 February 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Corporate Business Committee at its meeting on 23 January 2003 that the Policy & Strategy Committee consider the budgetary constraints deriving from the shortfall in rental income of £129,000 due to the increase in void rates in industrial premises throughout Inverclyde which cannot be contained within existing budget allocations.

Decided:  that it be agreed to consider the budgetary constraints deriving from the shortfall in rental income of £129,000 as requested by the Corporate Business Committee.

155

Revenue Budget 2002/03 - Period 9

155

There was submitted a report dated 31 January 2003 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 2002/03 as at Period 9 (11 December 2002).  (Provost Roach entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that the Committee note the current budget monitoring position for 2002/03 as at Period 9.

156

General Fund Revenue Budget 2002/03

156

There was submitted a report dated 31 January 2003 by the Director of Finance (1) on the General Fund Revenue Budget 2002/03 and (2) advising that the projected overspend had increased by £869,000 from £235,000 to £1,104,000 which it was proposed to fund from the General Reserve.

Decided:  that the Committee note the latest projected position of the 2002/03 General Fund Revenue Budget and the impact which this will have on the General Fund Balance.

157

Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04 - Progress

157

There was submitted a report dated 31 January 2003 by the Director of Finance (1) on the progress of the Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04 and (2) advising of a projected net overspend of £612,000 which will require to be contained within the overall Non-HRA Capital Programme.

Decided:

(1)      that the report and projected overspend of £612,000 be noted; and

(2)      that the overspend be contained within the Non-HRA Capital Programme.

158

Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002/04

158

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance on the current position of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002/04.  The report advised of requests for additional budgetary allocations of (1) £615,000 resulting from the arbiter’s award in December 2002 in respect of the Greenock Waterfront development, (2) £21,000 relative to the 19/21 Grey Place Improvement Scheme, (3) £18,000 relative to the demolition of the Hector McNeil baths and (4) £12,000 relative to the new skateboard park. It was noted that if agreed, these requests would have the effect of reducing the projected underutilisation of allocation over the 2 year programme from £1,515,000 to £849,000.

Decided: 

(1)      that the requests for increased budgetary allocations be approved; and

(2)      that the position of the 2002/04 Non-HRA Capital Programme be otherwise noted.

159

Additional Revenue Allocation

159

There was submitted a report dated 20 January 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the progress towards expenditure of the additional revenue allocation made by the Scottish Executive to address the themes of local and environmental improvement and the making available of healthy choices and (2) advising that the total fund of £1,645,000 had been fully committed within the timescale of the Council’s decision.

Noted

160

Treasury Management - Borrowing Strategy 2003/2004

160

There was submitted a report dated 21 January 2003 by the Director of Finance requesting the Committee to approve the borrowing strategy for the 2003/2004 financial year as required in terms of the Treasury Management Practice 6, “Reporting Requirements and Management Information Arrangements”.

Decided:

(1)      that the Borrowing Strategy for 2003/2004 be approved; and

(2)      that the previous relaxation limits to the Treasury Management Practice 1 “Risk Financing” be removed with effect from the financial year 2003/2004 in line with the Borrowing Strategy.

161

Corporate Debt Policy

161

There was submitted a report dated 21 January 2003 by the Director of Finance on the proposed Corporate Debt Policy.  The Director of Finance advised the Committee of a typographical error at paragraph 7(b) of the policy requiring substitution of the word “recovering” for “receiving”.

Decided:  that the Corporate Debt Policy detailed in Appendix 1 to the report as amended be approved.

162

Inverclyde Leisure:  Waterfront Catering - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

162

There was submitted a report dated 13 January 2003 by the Director of Finance advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to grant approval to Inverclyde Leisure to proceed with an in-house catering facility at Greenock Waterfront.

Noted

163

Community Safety Partnership Award Programme

163

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services seeking approval of the report on the Community Safety Award Programme which forms the basis of the application for continued Scottish Executive funding.

Decided: 

(1)      that the Community Safety Award Programme report which forms the basis of the application for continued Scottish Executive funding for the next 2 years be approved; and

(2)      that further reports be submitted to the Committee as appropriate to advise on progress of the application.

164

Inverclyde Community Development Trust:  Evaluation of Trust by External Consultants and Implications for the Council

164

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services (1) on the evaluation of Inverclyde Community Development Trust carried out by external consultants, (2) outlining the implications for the Council and (3) setting out a proposed response to the evaluation on behalf of the Council.

Decided:

(1)      that the evaluation of Inverclyde Community Development Trust and the implications for the Council be noted;

(2)      that the framework for overall support for Inverclyde Community Development Trust involving the appointment of the Director of Community & Protective Services as lead officer with key input from Economic Development and Social Work Services be approved; and

(3)      that the proposed response to the specific recommendations which directly affect the Council as set out in section 3 of the report be endorsed.

165

Grants to Voluntary Organisations 2002/03

165

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services (1) making recommendations for the fourth round of grants to voluntary organisations for 2002/03 and (2) seeking support for a 3 year funding arrangement.

Decided:

(1)      that the recommendations of the Sounding Board as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved; and

(2)      that it be agreed to introduce a 3 year funding agreement to be piloted in 2003/04 with Inverclyde Community Development Trust.

166

Standing Orders of the Council and Scheme of Administration

166

There was submitted a report dated 21 January 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services appending new revised versions of the Standing Orders of the Council and the Scheme of Administration relating to the remits and powers of the Council’s Committees.  The report advised that the current procedure under Standing Order 66 (emergency powers) should be more properly placed in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation and it was proposed that until such time as the new Scheme is approved, a specific delegation be granted to the Chief Executive to allow the use of these powers to continue.

Following discussion, Councillor O’Rourke moved that The Inverclyde Council be recommended to adopt the revised Standing Orders and Scheme of Administration detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report and also as an interim measure the granting of delegated powers as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.  As an amendment, Councillor Blair moved an alteration to paragraph 60(a) of the Standing Orders (Participation of Other Members) by the addition of the following words at the end of the paragraph, “it being understood that if the subject matter is within the remit of the Committee it shall be deemed competent”.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 7 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that The Inverclyde Council be recommended to adopt the revised Standing Orders and Scheme of Administration as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report and also, as an interim measure, the granting of delegated powers as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

167

Request for Financial Assistance:  Inverclyde Community Councils’ Forum

167

There was submitted a report dated 21 January 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request received from Inverclyde Community Councils’ Forum for a grant towards the running costs of carrying out its activities in ascertaining and co-ordinating the views of the Community Councils within Inverclyde.

Decided:  that it be agreed to provide a grant of £1,000 to Inverclyde Community Councils’ Forum, the cost to be met from the Community Councils’ fund.

168

Polling Schemes - Scottish Parliament and Local Government Elections: Greenock and Inverclyde and West Renfrewshire Constituencies

168

There was submitted a report dated 20 January 2003 by the Chief Executive as Returning Officer requesting approval of polling schemes for the Greenock and Inverclyde and West Renfrewshire Constituencies to be used for the Scottish Parliament and Local Government elections on 1 May 2003.

Decided: 

(1)      that the polling schemes detailed in the Appendix to the report be approved; and

(2)      that delegated authority be granted to the appropriate Returning Officers to amend the schemes as necessary prior to the elections.

The meeting adjourned at 3.55 pm to allow a meeting of The Inverclyde Council to take place and thereafter reconvened at 4.50 pm.

169

Anti-Fraud and Irregularity Policy

169

There was submitted a report dated 16 January 2003 by the Director of Finance seeking approval of the Anti-Fraud and Irregularity Policy detailed in the Appendix to the report.

Decided:  that the Anti-Fraud and Irregularity Policy detailed in the Appendix to the report be approved.

170

Common Good Fund Budget

170

There was submitted a report dated 21 January 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services setting out the legal position, past and current practice and proposals for future use of the Common Good Fund held by Inverclyde Council, in response to the remit of the Committee at its meeting on 21 November 2002 (para 956).

Decided: 

(1)      that the report be noted; and

(2)      that the suggested interpretation of expenditure from the Common Good Fund as detailed in section 3.6 of the report be agreed.

171

Meeting of Inverclyde Partnership Forum of 10 December 2002

171

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the business discussed and decisions made at the meeting of the Inverclyde Partnership Forum of 10 December 2002.

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 item 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 out opposite each item.

Item

Paragraph(s)

Commercial Catering Operation

8

Special Waterfront Working Group:  Minute of Meeting of

13 January 2003

6 & 12

172

Commercial Catering Operation

172

There was submitted a report dated 12 February 2003 by the Director of Finance (1) advising of a number of changes which require to be made to the commercial catering operation to ensure that it complies with the contract which is currently in place and (2) recommending changes to the main catering contract to ensure the financial viability of the service.

Decided:

(1)      that it be agreed to apply annual inflation to the fixed element of the contract in line with the average Local Government pay award;

(2)      that agreement be given to the formal adoption of the Other Catering facility within the contract as detailed in the report; and

(3)      that it be noted that a best value review of the catering service will be carried out during 2003/04.

173

Special Waterfront Working Group:  Minute of Meeting of 13 January 2003

173

There was submitted minute of the meeting of the Special Waterfront Working Group of 13 January 2003. 

Councillor Robertson (Y) declared an interest in this item and took no part in its consideration or decision.

Approved