Policy and Strategy Committee

Thursday  3 April 2003 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor O'Rourke presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillors Jackson and Robertson (Y).

321

Remits from Committees

321

It was noted that there were no remits from Committees.

322

Revenue Budget 2002/03 - Period 11

322

There was submitted a report dated 11 March 2003 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 2002/03 as at Period 11 (5 February 2003).  (Councillor Robertson (A) entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the current budget monitoring position for 2002/03 as at Period 11;  and

(2)      that it be agreed to resume consideration of the Waterfront Arbitration later in the meeting following the exclusion of the public and press

323

General Fund Revenue Budget 2002/03

323

There was submitted a report dated 12 March 2003 by the Director of Finance (1) on the General Fund Revenue Budget 2002/03 and (2) advising that since the last meeting, the projected overspend had reduced by £246,000 from £1,104,000 to £858,000.  The report further advised that the General Fund opening balance as at 1 April 2002 was £3,155,000 and that after utilisation of this to fund the projected deficit of £858,000 and the additional agreed expenditure of £194,000, the projected balance for the current year was £2,103,000.

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

324

General Fund Reserve - Earmarked Resources

324

There was submitted a report dated 12 March 2003 by the Director of Finance requesting the Committee to agree that certain unspent sums from 2002/03 be earmarked within the General Fund Revenue Reserve and spent during 2003/04.

Decided:  that the various grants detailed in Appendix 1 which it was expected would not be fully expended/committed by 31 March 2003 and the expenditure resulting from Committee decisions as detailed in Appendix 2 be earmarked within the General Fund Revenue Reserve and spent during 2003/04.

325

Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04 - Progress

325

There was submitted a report dated 13 March 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 underspend of £45,000.

Decided:  that the report and projected underspend of £45,000 be noted.

326

Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002/04

326

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance (1) on the current position of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 2002/04, (2) advising of requests for revised budgetary approvals and (3) detailing the significant projected under-utilisation of allocation in 2002/03 and the action being taken to minimise the underspend.  There was also circulated, a supplementary report dated 3 April 2003 by the Director of Finance (1) advising of an additional payment of £500,000 to Mowlem which had no capital budget and which would require to be contained within the 2003/04 to 2005/06 Capital Programme to be presented to the next meeting of the Committee and (2) providing an update on the position of the 2002/03 Non-HRA Capital Expenditure compared to Section 94 Consent which it was explained was within the 10% under/overspend flexibility allowed by the Scottish Executive.

Decided:

(1)      that the revised budgetary allocations detailed below be approved:-

          Housing Action Area - Kelly Street                              £  15,000 reduction

          Port Glasgow Pool                                                      £    9,000 increase

          Elderly Persons Home                                                £317,000 increase

          Area Renewal Programme 2001/02                           £  27,000 reduction

          Gibshill Parents Support & Education Centre            £  19,000 reduction

          Total                                                                            £265,000 increase;

(2)      that the Committee note the significant projected under-utilistion of allocation in 2002/03 and the action being taken to minimise the underspend;  and

(3)      that the Committee note the additional payment of £500,000 made to Mowlem and the updated position of the 2002/03 Non-HRA Capital Expenditure compared to Section 94 Consent which was within the flexibility permitted by the Scottish Executive.

327

Prudential Framework - Implications for the Non-HRA Capital Programme and Education PPP

327

There was submitted a report dated 11 March 2003 by the Director of Finance (1) providing an update on the progress made relative to the introduction of the Prudential Framework which applied to all Local Authorities in Scotland and (2) highlighting the implications for the Council's Non-HRA Capital Programme and proposed Education Public Private Partnership project.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the changes in the financial framework resulting from the introduction of the Prudential Framework in terms of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003;

(2)      that the Committee note that confirmation had been received that any resultant capital receipts could be utilised towards the revenue costs of the proposed Public Private Partnership project;

(3)      that it be noted that Officers were considering further the various items identified at paragraph 5.2 of the report in making final revisions to the Business Case which would be submitted to a future Committee meeting;  and

(4)      that it be remitted to the Director of Finance to arrange a seminar on the Prudential Framework for Members following the Council election in May 2003.

328

Modernising Government Fund

328

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) on the position of the various bids submitted to the Modernising Government Fund Phase 2, (2) advising of the current position in respect of the projects which were successful and (3) indicating potential further development.

Decided:

(1)      that the outcome of the bids to the Modernising Government Fund Phase 2 and the progress being made in all of the funded projects be noted;

(2)      that it be agreed to include £90,000 in the Capital Programme 2004/05 in respect of the balance of the Council's share of the costs;  and

(3)      that it be noted (a) that it was intended to submit a bid to the Modernising Government Fund, Phase 3 for funds to convert the ground floor of the south elevation of the Municipal Buildings, Greenock to a Customer Centre, (b) that provision would be required in the 2004/05 Capital Programme and (c) that further details of the proposals relating to the Customer Centre would be submitted to the Committee in due course.

329

Heat with Rent Scheme

329

There was submitted a report dated 6 March 2003 by the Director of Finance on the Heat with Rent scheme which had operated since 1988, as required by the External Audit Action Plan resulting from the 2001/02 Audit.

Decided:

(1)      that the terms of the Heat with Rent scheme as set out in the report be noted; and

(2)      that it be agreed to continue the scheme in its present form.

330

Corporate Risk Management Strategy

330

There was submitted a report dated 10 March 2003 by the Director of Finance requesting the Committee to approve the Corporate Risk Management Strategy appended to the report.

Decided:  that the Corporate Risk Management Strategy appended to the report be approved.

331

Race Equality Scheme

331

There was submitted a report dated 5 February 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services seeking approval of the Race Equality Scheme appended to the report.

Decided:

(1)      that the Race Equality Scheme 2002-2005 appended to the report be adopted;

(2)      that the responsibility of the Corporate Management Team and Heads of Service for completion of the actions outlined in the Action Plan be confirmed;  and

(3)      that the Committee monitor progress in fulfilling the Action Plan.

332

Data Protection Act 1998 - Policy

332

There was submitted a report dated 11 March 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services seeking approval of the draft Data Protection Act Policy appended to the report.

Decided:  that the Data Protection Act Policy appended to the report be adopted.

333

Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 - Policy

333

There was submitted a report dated 11 March 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services seeking approval of the draft policy on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 as set out in the Appendix to the report.

Decided:  that the draft  policy on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 as set out in the Appendix to the report be adopted.

334

Kilmacolm Village Centre Properties - Feasibility Study

334

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the results of the feasibility study into the provision of services to the Kilmacolm community with a view to identifying and preparing proposals to improve the facilities available to the community, as agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 30 August 2001 (Para 751).  It was noted that the estimated cost of the project based on the design developed by Property Services was £3,200,000 inclusive of fees but exclusive of VAT.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the suitability of the site and the use of the old school building as the prime property and that it be refurbished and extended to provide the facilities as identified by the local community of Kilmacolm;

(2)      that it be confirmed that the provision of community facilities in Kilmacolm be focused on the main village centre site;

(3)      that the Committee note and welcome the involvement of the local community and in particular the Village Centre Forum in the consultation process and that this be used to take forward the development under the auspices of Inverclyde Council;

(4)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services in conjunction with other senior Officers of the Council to identify funding sources to enable the works associated with the provision of the new Community and Library Facility to be undertaken;

(5)      that the proposals for the operation and management of the new facility be progressed and reported to the Committee in due course;

(6)      that a report be submitted to the Committee once appropriate funding has been identified and that detailed proposals associated with the funding package be submitted to the Committee for further consideration and approval;

(7)      that peripheral property be declared surplus to requirements and that the existing community facility and library be declared surplus to requirements on completion and occupation of the new Community and Library Facility; and

(8)      that approval be given to the marketing and disposal of the existing surplus property and that the existing library/community centre property be disposed of subsequent to the provision of the new Library and Community Facility.

335

Review of Community Councils - Response to  Consultation on Draft Scheme for Community Councils

335

There was submitted a report dated 6 February 2003 by the Chief Executive on the results of the consultation relative to the Draft Scheme for Community Councils, following the decision of the Committee at its meeting on 21 November 2002 (Para 959).

Following discussion, Councillor O'Rourke moved (1) that the Draft Scheme for Community Councils appended to the report be adopted in its present form subject to a minor alteration at "Objective of the Scheme" to reflect the outcome of the latest consultation and (2) that the draft Scheme be submitted to the Council for adoption.  As an amendment, Councillor Rebecchi moved that consideration be continued to the next meeting of the Committee to allow the appropriate Officers to undertake further consultation with the Community Councils.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 8 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1)      that the draft Scheme for  Community Councils appended to the report be adopted in its present form subject to a minor alteration at "Objective of the Scheme" to reflect the outcome of the latest consultation;  and

(2)      that the draft Scheme be submitted to the Inverclyde Council for adoption.

The Chairman being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Depute Chief Executive was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider the allocation of additional funding without delay.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Orders.

336

Scottish Executive Additional Allocation - Match Funding Potential

336

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval of the allocation of the additional funding of £839,000 in terms of the Scottish Executive conditions of grant for assistance with the physical infrastructure which it was intended to utilise to secure additional funding from the European Structure Funds and the Council's Community Plan Partners.  (Councillor Robertson (A) left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the allocation of £339,000 to Pottery Street Phase 2 and the creation of infrastructure works including interim measures pending decisions taken by the Trunk Road Authority on a roundabout at Pottery Street/Gibshill Road;

(2)      that approval be given to the allocation of £500,000 to the URBAN II Development Fund to support the delivery of projects currently being developed in Port Glasgow and which would attract URBAN II support;

(3)      that the Committee recognise the need to continue to work in partnership to identify projects and potential match funding to maximise the benefits of EU funding for Inverclyde and to progress Inverclyde's effective regeneration;  and

(4)      that it be remitted to the appropriate Service Committees to approve the appointment of contractors, acceptance of tenders, reporting of pre-contract and development works and the monitoring of technical progress in line with the Council's Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Financial Regulations.

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 during consideration of 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)

Request for Financial Assistance                                                 6

Former Inverclyde District Council Early Retiral Scheme        12

Waterfront Arbitration - Further Consideration                          12

337

Request for Financial Assistance

337

There was submitted a report dated 20 March 2003 by the Chief Executive on a request for financial assistance.  The Committee agreed (1) to proceed with preliminary enquiries as to the applicants' suitability for a loan and if satisfactory proceed with detailed investigations and report thereon to the Committee and (2) that a report be submitted on proposed guidelines for considering such requests for financial assistance to be funded under the Prudential Framework, all as detailed in the Appendix.

338

Former Inverclyde District Council Early Retiral Scheme

338

There was submitted a report dated 20 March 2003 by the Head of Personnel Services advising of the position regarding negotiations with the trade unions together with a request received from UNISON resulting from the discontinuation of the former Inverclyde District Council Early Retiral Scheme.  The Head of Personnel Services advised the Committee that following the receipt of additional advice from the Council’s tax advisors, further discussions would be required with the Trade Unions prior to any submission being made to the Inland Revenue.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee agree to a request from UNISON that in the event of the Inland Revenue's deciding that the payments to employees as a result of the discontinuation of the former Inverclyde District Council Early Retiral Scheme were subject to deductions, the Council meet the costs of employers' liabilities arising from the payments up to a maximum of £80,000;  and

(2)      that it be agreed to fund the above payments from the Reserve Fund.

339

Waterfront Arbitration -  Further Consideration

The Committee resumed consideration of the current position of the Waterfront Arbitration.

Decided:

(1)      that a meeting of the Special Waterfront Working Group be convened in early course;  and

(2)      that a meeting be arranged with Senior Counsel to discuss the current position of the arbitration proceedings with Mowlem.