Policy and Strategy Committee

Tuesday 8 February 2005 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, Hill, McCabe, Mitchell, Nimmo,  Roach,  Robertson and Snoddy.

Chair:  Councillor Blair presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community Services, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Education Services, Head of Environmental & Consumer Services, Head of Grounds, Transport & Cleansing Services, Head of Legal Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillor McCormick (M).

Remits from Committees

137

Remit from Best Value & Corporate Services Committee - Future Provision of ICT Services

137

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on a request from the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee of 7 February 2005 that the Committee endorse the decision of the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee in terms of the amended Policy and agree to allocate an additional £99,882.00 one-off cost of transition and transformation to be funded from Reserves.

Following discussion Councillor Blair moved that the Committee endorse the decision by the Best Value and Corporate Services Committee in terms of the amended Policy and agree to allocate an additional £99,882 one-off cost of transition and transformation to be funded from reserves.

As an amendment Councillor McCabe moved that it be remitted to the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee to continue consideration of the matter to a further meeting and that a further report be submitted detailing the responses to the questions submitted and formally exploring the further options of a public partnership arrangement and that the report also include the advice given by the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer on the duty of Best Value.  On a vote 3 Members voted for the amendment and 8 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided: that the Committee endorse the decision by the Best Value and Corporate Services Committee in terms of the amended Policy and agree to allocate an additional £99,882 one-off cost of transition and transformation to be funded from Reserves.

138

Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 9

138

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at Period 9 (31 December 2004).

Noted

139

General Fund Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 8

139

There was submitted a report dated 20 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the General Fund Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at Period 8 (30 November 2004).

Noted

140

Chief Executive’s Capital Programme 2004/05 - 2006/07

140

There was submitted a report dated 19 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the status of the projects forming the Capital Programme and highlighting the overall financial position.

Noted

141

Non-HRA Capital Programme 2004/07

141

There was submitted a report dated 20 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the current position of the 2004/07 Non-HRA Capital Programme and comparing the projected expenditure against available resources.

Noted

142

3 Year Revenue and Capital Budgets 2005/06 - 2007/08

142

There was submitted a report dated 25 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the 3 Year Revenue and Capital Budgets position resulting from the Local Government Finance settlement for 2005/06 to 2007/08 issued by the Scottish Executive in December 2004, making recommendations regarding the level of and use of the General Services Revenue Reserve and advising the Committee on matters which should be taken into account when determining the budget and recommending Council Tax levels.

It was noted that the Minority Groups would consider their position for discussion at the Council meeting to confirm this Minute or otherwise.

Decided:

(1)      that the additional Quality of Life Funding of £167,000 for 2005/06 along with £83,000 from Reserves to make a total of £250,000 be used for “one-off” Environmental Improvements with Authority to spend delegated as recommended;

(2)      that the Service Review List detailed at paragraph 4.13 of the report be agreed and progressed as recommended;

(3)      that the proposals at paragraph 6.6 of the report regarding utilisation of Reserves to undertake Service Reviews and/or affecting investment and/or support employee reduction costs resulting from these Reviews be agreed with authority delegated to the Chief Executive to utilise Reserves to appoint additional resources to undertake/assist with reviews as necessary;

(4)      that Reserves be earmarked and utilised as detailed in paragraphs 6.8 - 6.13 of the report and that reports and recommendations be presented to Committee on the use of Earmarked Reserves as soon as possible;

(5)      that £700,000 of Reserves be utilised in support of additional expenditure on Roads and Lighting in 2005/2006;

(6)      that an Environmental Fund of £250,000 be established from Reserves to tackle removal of graffiti, chewing gum and other environmental pollution and also to assist with environmental improvements and that the utilisation of this Fund be managed by the Community Committee;

(7)      that the Council note the information detailed in the Consultation Reports at Appendix 7 and express thanks to all parties who participated in the Consultation exercise and returned a questionnaire;

(8)      that the 2005/06 - 2007/08 Capital programme as detailed in Appendix 6 be agreed with authority delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services to progress the secondary list as funding becomes available noting that the Health and Safety/Business Continuity/Regeneration Funding be progressed in line with current policy;

(9)      that the Committee confirm that a provision of £600,000 be provided from the Property Capital Budget 2005/06 onwards for the Kilmacolm Village Centre project subject to consideration and approval of a report on the details of the project which are to be submitted by Kilmacolm  New Community Centre Co. Ltd. including the provision of other sources of funding;

(10)    that it be recommended that the Council Tax increase for 2005/06 be set at 2.9% utilising £180,000 from Reserves with the proviso that all Services seek to make savings in ongoing operations and financial benefits from the Programme of Reviews be achieved as soon as possible to minimise use of Reserves;

(11)    that the Committee note the position regarding the draft budgets for 2006/07 and 2007/08 and the significant budget gap identified based on the Finance Settlement from the Scottish Executive and at this stage make no indication regarding the potential Council Tax level in those years and agree to press through COSLA for an appropriate Finance Settlement recognising the pressures already placed on Councils and the impact of increases in funding from the Scottish Executive being allocated to earmarked services and initiatives rather than allocated to Councils to consider taking account of all issues and priorities;  and

(12)    that the Committee agree the Common Good budget for 2005/06 subject to detailed consideration of the budgets proposed for the Megawatt Festival and the Gourock Highland Games.

Provost Rebecchi left the meeting at this point.

143

Better Neighbourhood Services Fund - Progress Report

143

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive providing an update on progress of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund and addressing the issues raised in the “Report on the 2003/04 Audit”.

Decided:

(1)      that the progress of BNSF in Inverclyde and the securing of 4 years funding be noted;

(2)      that it be noted that the delays experienced in a number of Capital Projects have been resolved and as such, performance in respect of outputs and outcomes is on track to meet targets by the end of the programme in March 2006; and

(3)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to report on the progress of BNSF and the future development of the Regeneration Fund.

144

Non Domestic Rates - Discretionary Relief Policy

144

There was submitted a report dated 11 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the Non Domestic Rates Discretionary Relief Policy.

Decided: 

(1)      that the current policies be continued with the exception of partly occupied subjects;

(2)      that the level of relief for subjects partly unoccupied for a short time be revised as outlined in paragraph 3.1(v) in the report;

(3)      that discretionary relief to licensed charitable organisations be granted recommending the financial implications of this decision;

(4)      that the proposals outlined in 3.3 of the report regarding former agricultural premises and stud farms be agreed;

(5)      that a policy review report be submitted within three years;  and

(6)      that the policies come into effect on 1 April 2005.

145

Council Tax on Second Homes and Long Term Empty Properties

145

There was submitted a report dated 11 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the level of discount on second homes and long term empty properties.

Decided: 

(1)      that the second home discount be set at 10%;  and

(2)      that the long term empty dwelling discount remain set at 50%.

146

Anti Social Behaviour Strategy - Consultation Draft

146

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services seeking the Committee’s approval of the content of the draft Anti Social Behaviour Strategy and for the proposed consultation process.

Decided:  that the consultation draft of the Anti Social Behaviour Strategy, the consultation process and specific questions be approved.

147

Inverclyde Social Justice Strategy

147

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive requesting approval for the adoption of a corporate Social Justice Strategy.

Decided:  that the corporate Social Justice Strategy be approved and that further consultation take place.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Corporate Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider the request from the Labour Group.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

148

Quality of Life Funding - Proposal by Labour Group

148

There was submitted a report dated 2 February 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of a request from Councillor Robertson on behalf of the Labour Group that the sum of £120,000 be used to allow all primary school children free access for one year to all swimming facilities within Inverclyde.

Decided:  that it be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with appropriate Officers to progress the proposal in consultation with all Elected Members.

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)

Inverclyde Leisure - Annual Review of Operations                               6

Remit from Environment & Regeneration Committee-

HRA Town Centre Shops                                                                          2 & 6

Remit from Environment & Regeneration Committee -

Retention of Shop Premises at Cathcart Street, Greenock                 2 & 6

Vehicle & Plant Replacement Programme 2004/05                                6, 8 & 9

149

Inverclyde Leisure - Annual Review of Operations

149

Councillors Blair, Fyfe and Forbes declared an interest in this matter.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the performance of Inverclyde Leisure during the period 1 April 2003 - 31 March 2004 following the third Annual General Meeting of the Board of Directors which was held on 27 November 2004.

Noted

150

Remit from Environment & Regeneration Committee - HRA Town Centre Shops

150

Councillors Nimmo, Mitchell and Robertson declared an interest in this matter.

There was submitted a report dated 6 February 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting the Committee to consider the decision by the Environment & Regeneration Committee that the Council should retain HRA Town Centre Shops and the financial implications to the Council of the decision.

Decided:

(1)      that the financial implications of the decision of the Environment & Regeneration Committee to retain the shops be noted;  and

(2)      that the Committee confirm that any transfer to the General Fund take place at the same time as the housing stock transfer.

151

Remit from Environment & Regeneration Committee - Retention of Shop Premises at Cathcart Street, Greenock

151

There was submitted a report dated January 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting the Committee to consider the decision of the Environment & Regeneration Committee at its meeting in November 2004 to retain the existing shop premises at Cathcart Street, Greenock and the financial implications of the decision.

Decided:  that the Council’s interest in the existing premises in Cathcart Street be retained.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Community Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the tenders received for the Vehicle & Plant Replacement Programme 2004/05.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

152

Vehicle and Plant Replacement Programme 2004/05

152

There was submitted a report dated 2 February 2005 by the Director of Community Services on tenders received for the provision of the Vehicles & Plant Replacement Programme 2004/05.

Decided:  that the tenders outlined in the report be accepted in accordance with the recommendations.