Policy and Strategy Committee

Tuesday 5 April 2005 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, Hill, McCormick (M), 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 Finance Services, Mr G Douglas (for Head of Legal Services), Head of Property Services and Property Services Manager.

Apologies:  Councillor McCabe.

327

Riverside Inverclyde - Regeneration Framework and Action Plan

Remit from Environment & Regeneration Committee

327

There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on a request from the Environment & Regeneration Committee of 22 March 2005 that the Policy & Strategy Committee determine the overall allocation of resources for the Riverside Inverclyde Regeneration Framework and Action Plan within the framework of priorities agreed by the Policy & Strategy Committee.

Decided: 

(1)      that agreement be given to the commitment of the Council’s resources for the Riverside Inverclyde Regeneration Framework and Action Plan, within the framework of priorities agreed by the Committee; and

(2)      that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the spending programme in the current financial year and proposals for the funding of the programme.

328

Commercial and Industrial Property Portfolio - Rent Abatement Policy

Remit from Environment & Regeneration Committee

328

There was submitted a report dated 25 March 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting the Committee to endorse the decision of the Environment & Regeneration Committee of 22 March 2005 relative to the Council’s commercial and industrial property portfolio which granted delegated authority to the Head of Economic Development Service to allow rent free periods of up to 3 months or £10,000, whichever financial equivalent is the lesser, with reports being submitted to the Committee for consideration in respect of any periods or sums greater than this.

Decided:  that the Committee endorse the rent abatement policy in respect of commercial and industrial property as agreed by the Environment & Regeneration Committee.

329

Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 11

329

There was submitted a report dated 17 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at period 11 (28 February 2005).

Noted

330

General Fund Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 11

330

There was submitted a report dated 17 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the General Fund Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at period 11 (28 February 2005).

The Head of Finance Services advised that subsequent to the writing of the report, the Scottish Executive had given approval to the carrying forward of any underspend in the Working Families Fund and that this would now be added to the earmarked sums as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

Decided:

(1)      that the position of the General Fund Revenue Budget 2004/05 be noted; and

(2)      that approval be given to the carrying forward of the earmarked sums detailed in Appendix 2 including any underspend in the Working Families Fund as approved by the Scottish Executive.

331

Chief Executive’s Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2007/08

331

There was submitted a report dated 8 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Chief Executive’s Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2007/08.

Noted

332

Non-HRA Capital Programme 2004/08

332

There was submitted a report dated 21 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) on the current position of the 2004/08 Non-HRA Capital Programme and (2) comparing projected expenditure against available resources.

Decided: 

(1)      that the current position of the 2004/08 Non-HRA Capital Programme be noted; and

(2)      that it be noted that the Director of Community Services would submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee on proposals for a further phase of the development of Knocknairshill Cemetery including estimated costs.

333

General Services Revenue Budget 2005/06 to 2007/08

333

There was submitted a report dated 23 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the actions being taken by the Corporate Management Team in respect of the General Services Revenue Budget for 2005/06 to 2007/08.

Decided:  that the Committee note:

(1)      the significant challenges in preparing to set a legally balanced budget for 2006/07 and 2007/08 within the constraints of the 2004 spending review coupled with the projected out-turn for Building Services and the aspirations regarding service developments such as Riverside Inverclyde and the Home Care Review; and

(2)      the actions currently being taken by the Corporate Management Team in order to deliver options for decisions by no later than September 2005.

334

Treasury Policy Review

334

There was submitted a report dated 14 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services requesting approval of the revised Treasury Policy Statement and associated Treasury Management Practices as set out in the Appendices to the report.

Decided:  that approval be given to the Treasury Management Policy and associated Treasury Management Practices as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

335

Treasury Management Strategy 2005/06

335

There was submitted a report dated 30 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services on the Treasury Management Strategy covering the operation of the treasury function for the forthcoming year as required under Treasury Management Practice 6 “Reporting Requirements and Management Information Arrangements”.

Decided:  that approval be given to the Prudential Indicators and Treasury Management Strategy as outlined in the report.

336

Statutory Trading Accounts

336

There was submitted a report dated 1 March 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) addressing the issues raised in the recently received External Audit report into Statutory Trading Accounts within Inverclyde Council, (2) advising of the contents of a Trading Advisory Note issued by the Scottish Executive in November 2004 and (3) advising of the action to be taken following the decision of the Committee in February 2005 to approve a number of strategic reviews, one of which was a review of all DLO/DSO contracts and funding arrangements.

Decided: 

(1)      that agreement be given to the proposed revision of Statutory Trading Operations proposed in Appendix 1 which reduces the existing 8 trading operations to 3 statutory trading operations subject to the preparation of new specifications and charging agreements; and

(2)      that the progress of the DLO/DSO strategic review be noted.

337

Procurement Options for Prudentially Funded Schools

337

There was submitted a report dated March 2005 by the Chief Executive recommending a method of procurement for the prudentially funded schools.

Decided:  that it be agreed that prudentially funded new schools be procured using a Design and Build Contract (Scottish Building Contract with Contractor’s Design) with a novated design team and a high level partnering agreement as outlined in the report.

338

Better Neighbourhood Services Fund - Progress Report

338

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive providing a brief update on progress of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund since February 2005.

Decided: 

(1)      that the progress of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund in Inverclyde be noted;

(2)      that it be noted that the Minister for Communities had agreed the payment of the 4th year funding of £3,000,000, confirming that Inverclyde had demonstrated acceptable progress in its BNSF Programme;

(3)      that the progress of the BNSF evaluation report be noted;

(4)      that it be noted that several of the delayed capital projects had now commenced and that performance in respect of outputs and outcomes should meet targets by the end of the programme in March 2006; and

(5)      that it be noted that the Depute Chief Executive would issue a detailed report on the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund to all Members and that this would be reported to the next meeting of the Committee.Ï

339

Community Regeneration Fund

339

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive advising of (1) the establishing of the Community Regeneration Fund with the Council as accountable body and (2) the development of the Regeneration Outcome Agreement as the basis for the allocation of the Fund.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the establishing of the Community Regeneration Fund with Inverclyde Council as the accountable body;

(2)      that the summary allocation of the Fund be noted; and

(3)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to report on progress of the Fund.

340

Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership - Final Meeting of 6 December 2004 and Additional Spend

340

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services  (1) on the business discussed and decisions made at the final meeting of the Partnership Forum on 6 December 2004 and (2) advising of the allocation of £1,000,000 additional monies by the Scottish Executive.

Decided:

(1)      that the business discussed and decisions made at the final meeting of the Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership Forum of 6 December 2004 be noted; and

(2)      that approval be given to the use of the £1,000,000 additional monies for the various projects set out in the Appendix to the report.

341

Improvement Service for Local Government

341

There was submitted a report dated 23 March 2005 by the Chief Executive (1) advising of the role of the Improvement Service for Local Government established as a partnership between Local Government and the Scottish Executive which would play an important role in enhancing standards in the delivery of public services and (2) recommending use of the Improvement Service to support the Council in providing Best Value and continuous improvement in Council Services.

Decided:

(1)      that the establishment of the Improvement Service for Local Government be noted; and

(2)      that support be given to the use of the Improvement Service in assisting the Council to address the “change” and modernisation agenda including implementation of the Improvement Plan which would be agreed as part of the audit of Best Value and Community Planning.

342

Statement of Intent between Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde Community Councils’ Forum

342

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services (1) on the context and purpose of the Statement of Intent between Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde Community Councils’ Forum, (2) providing a summary of its terms and (3) seeking approval of the Statement.

Decided:

(1)      that the Statement of Intent between Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde Community Councils’ Forum  be approved;

(2)      that the Statement of Intent be promoted throughout the Council’s Services;

(3)      that the Statement of Intent be submitted to the Alliance Board to allow its consideration by the other public sector partners; and

(4)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to develop a plan for implementation of the Statement.