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132
POLICY & STRATEGY COMMITTEE – 3 APRIL
2007
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Policy and Strategy Committee |
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Tuesday 3 April 2007 at 3.00 pm |
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Present: Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, Hill, McCabe, McCormick (M), Mitchell, Roach, Robertson, Snoddy and White. |
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Chair: Councillor Blair presided. |
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In attendance: Chief Executive, Corporate Director Education and Social Care, Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, Corporate Director Improvement and Performance, Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Head of Finance, Head of ICT and Systems Improvement, Mr G Douglas (for Head of Legal & Administration), Head of Organisational Development and Human Resources, Head of Planning and Transportation and Head of Property Resources and Facilities Management. |
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313 |
Riverside
Inverclyde – Draft Business Plan and Legal Agreements: Remit from Environment
and Regeneration Committee |
313 |
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There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources on a remit from the Environment and Regeneration Committee of 20 March 2007 requesting the Committee to consider the financial implications arising from Riverside Inverclyde’s Draft Business Plan. The Head of Finance advised the Committee that the allocation of £1.6m in Riverside Inverclyde’s budget for the current year was sufficient. |
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Decided: that consideration of the financial implications arising from Riverside Inverclyde’s Draft Business Plan be remitted to the budget process for 2008/09 and onwards. |
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314 |
Revenue Budget
2006/07 – Period 10 |
314 |
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There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance on the position of the 2006/07 Revenue Budget as at period 10 (31 January 2007) which showed a projected underspend of £1,119,000. |
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Decided: that the current projected underspend of £1,119,000 for 2006/07, as at 31 January 2007, be noted. |
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315 |
General
Fund Revenue Budget 2006/07 – Period 10 |
315 |
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There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance (1) on the position of the General Fund Revenue Budget 2006/07 as at period 10 (31 January 2007) and (2) appending position statements in respect of earmarked reserves and deferred income projects. |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee note the contents of the report; and |
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(2) that the Committee agree to the earmarked reserves set out in appendix 5 to the report for 2007/08 and that it be delegated to the Head of Finance to add to the earmarked reserves if further funds are identified during the yearend process. |
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316 |
Non-HRA
Capital Programme 2006/08 |
316 |
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There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance (1) on the current position of the 2006/08 Non-HRA Capital Programme and (2) bringing to the Committee’s attention a number of relevant matters. |
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Noted |
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317 |
Cleaner,
Greener, Safer and Stronger Inverclyde Policy and Procedures Statement –
Progress on Action Plan |
317 |
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There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection on the progress of the Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Stronger Inverclyde Policy and Procedures Statement agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 30 May 2006 (para 448). |
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Decided: (1) that the progress to date against the Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Stronger Inverclyde Policy and Procedures Statement action plan be noted; and |
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(2) that further progress reports on the action plan be submitted to the Committee as appropriate. |
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318 |
Future
Management, Delivery and Reporting of the Capital Programme and Management of
the Council’s Assets |
318 |
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There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources seeking approval for the future management, delivery and reporting of the Capital Programme and management of the Council’s assets as detailed in the report. |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee approve the process for the future management, delivery and reporting of the Council’s Capital Programme as proposed in Section 5 of the report; |
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(2) that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources as Chair of the Capital Programme and Investment Group to allocate feasibility funding within existing budgets to assist with the preparation and delivery of the Council’s Capital Programme and Asset Management Strategy/Plan; and |
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(3) that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources as Chair of the Capital Programme and Investment Group to bring forward reserve projects in order to ensure expenditure is maximised within the approved budget levels. |
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319 |
Treasury
Management – Strategy 2007/08 |
319 |
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There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance seeking approval for (1) the Treasury Management Strategy for 2007/08 and (2) the Council’s Prudential Indicators for the next 3 years. |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee approve the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators outlined in the report; and |
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(2) that approval be given to extension of the contract with Sector Treasury Services Ltd for treasury consultancy services until 30 June 2009, subject to the agreement of Sector Treasury Services Ltd and agreement on the fees chargeable for the extended period. |
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320 |
Corporate Debt Policy |
320 |
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There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Improvement and Performance requesting the Committee to review and approve the Council’s Corporate Debt Policy, last reviewed in 2003. |
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Decided: (1) that the Corporate Debt Policy set out in appendix 1 to the report be approved; and |
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(2) that it be remitted to the Corporate Management Team to review the Council’s corporate charging policy to ensure the level of charges reflects its social inclusion agenda and the Council’s wider responsibilities to its citizens. |
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321 |
Significant
Trading Operations – 2007/08 |
321 |
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There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance seeking approval with regard to the Significant Trading Operations to be operated by the Council for the financial year 2007/08. |
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Decided: that approval be given to the continued designation of Building Services, Roads Maintenance and Vehicle Management as Significant Trading Operations for the financial year 2007/08. |
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322 |
Review of
Standing Orders for Contracts |
322 |
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There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal and Administration recommending the introduction of a revised version of the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts along with associated Rules of Procedure setting out more technical guidance for officers relevant to particular types of contracts, as appended to the report. |
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Decided: that the Committee recommend to The Inverclyde Council:- (a) that the Council formally adopt the new Standing Orders relating to Contracts and the four sets of Rules of Procedure and Guidance, copies of which form appendices 1-6 to the report, to replace the existing Standing Orders relating to Contracts; and (b) that authority be delegated to the Head of Legal and Administration as Chief Legal Officer, in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Head of Finance as Chief Financial Officer, to amend, or revoke, existing Rules of Procedure and Guidance or to adopt new Rules of Procedure and Guidance, as and when required, to form part of the Standing Orders for Contracts. |
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323 |
A Strategy
for Sport, Physical Activity and Health |
323 |
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There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection and the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources (1) seeking approval for a Strategy for Sport, Physical Activity and Health, copies of which had been circulated to Elected Members, and (2) implementation of the associated action plan. |
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Decided: (1) that approval be given to the Strategy for Sport, Physical Activity and Health and associated action plan; |
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(2) that it be agreed to establish an Implementation Group of Officers, chaired by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources, to ensure that the action plan is properly and timeously implemented, including any actions in relation to sports not specifically mentioned in the Strategy; |
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(3) that the Implementation Group report to the Committee preferably within 3 months and no later than 6 months on the feasibility of proposals for:- |
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(a) a
replacement for Greenock Sports Centre at |
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(b) an improvement to the facilities at Ravenscraig Stadium; |
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(c) the redevelopment of Parklea Playing Fields, including new or upgraded changing provision; |
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(d) replacement of the synthetic pitch at Battery Park; and |
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(e) redevelopment of Gourock Pool; |
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in sufficient detail to allow the proposals to be developed to the next stage; and |
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(4) that, as far as possible, there should be widespread consultation with local clubs and organisations in developing and implementing the Strategy. |
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324 |
Community
Investment Fund |
324 |
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There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection seeking approval for proposals for the use of the Community Investment Fund as appended to the report. |
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The Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection advised the Committee that the reference to a proposed spend of £650,000 at Section 2 of the appendix should in fact state £600,000. |
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Decided: that agreement be given to funding the list of proposals (and any reserves) from the Community Investment Fund in 2007/08 and that it be remitted to the Chief Executive along with the Corporate Management Team to ensure that the agreed programme is completed during 2007/08 with reports on the development and progress of individual projects being submitted to the relevant Committee during that period. |
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325 |
Modernisation
and Efficiency Programme (Programme Governance and Funding Model) |
325 |
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There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Improvement and Performance on proposals to establish a Modernisation and Efficiency Programme for the Council to build shared ownership and understanding across the organisation, ensure effective planning and drive progress towards the goal of excellence. |
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Decided: |
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(1) that approval be given to the framework for the Modernisation and Efficiency Programme proposed with the associated principles, concepts and financial management arrangements; |
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(2) that, following the local elections in May 2007, appropriate Elected Members be identified to work in conjunction with the Programme Board; |
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(3) that a programme accountant be identified to provide regular monitoring and support to the Modernisation and Efficiency Programme; and |
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(4) that the Council commission a review of customer service within the Council as a precursor to the development of the Customer Service Strategy. |
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326 |
Establishment
of a Citizens’ Panel |
326 |
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There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Improvement and Performance on proposals for the establishment of a Citizens’ Panel in Inverclyde. |
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Decided: (1) that agreement be given to the engagement of an independent market research company to develop, establish and manage a Citizens’ Panel for the Council as detailed in appendix 1 to the report; and |
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(2) that a further report be submitted to the Committee when the Panel has been successfully established and the first questionnaire completed. |
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327 |
Sections 75
and 69 Agreements Relating to Planning Permission IC/06/008 |
327 |
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There was submitted a report by the Corporate
Director Environment and Community Protection seeking approval to attach
certain conditions to Section 75 and 69 Agreements relating to planning
permission IC/06/008 for the development of 224 dwellinghouses with
associated road infrastructure, play areas, etc and the erection of a
footbridge at Inverkip Station, on land bounded by the railway, Finnockbog
Road, Everton Farm Road, Hill Farm Housing Development and Bernfern Farm,
Inverkip, by Stewart Milne Holdings Ltd which had been approved, subject to
conditions, by the Planning and Traffic Management Committee at its meeting
on 6 December 2006. |
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After discussion, Councillor Blair moved:- |
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(1) that the Committee approve the transfer of ground identified in paragraph 4.2.2 and shown cross hatched in appendix 2 by the relevant Stewart Milne companies to the Council on the terms set out in paragraph 4.2.2 of the report; |
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(2) that the Committee approve the requirement that the consent of Network Rail and First Scotrail to the construction of the footbridge on the terms set out in paragraph 4.3.2 of the report be exhibited prior to the completion of the Section 69 Agreement; and |
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(3) that the Committee approve an obligation that the Council take on maintenance responsibility for the footbridge on completion of construction subject to the following terms and conditions:- |
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(a) that a Tri-Partite Bridge Agreement be entered into between the Council, Network Rail and Stewart Milne Holdings Ltd on terms and conditions to be negotiated and finalised by the Council’s Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, the Head of Finance and the Head of Legal and Administration on the basis that there is a nil cost to the Council; |
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(b) that Stewart Milne Holdings Ltd provide a Fund to the Council to cover all future maintenance costs of the footbridge and that at a level to be approved by the Council’s Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, the Head of Finance and the Head of Legal and Administration on the basis that there is a nil cost to the Council; and |
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(c) that Stewart Milne Holdings Ltd fully indemnify the Council against all claims and associated costs which may arise out of the Tri-Partite Bridge Agreement or which may result from any challenge under the Disability Discrimination Acts arising as a result of the Council taking on such maintenance obligations for the bridge, such indemnity to be on terms satisfactory to the Council as determined by the Council’s Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, the Head of Finance and the Head of Legal Administration on the basis that there is a nil cost to the Council. |
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As an amendment, Councillor McCabe moved that the Council not assume maintenance responsibility for the footbridge on completion of construction. |
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On a vote, 4 Members voted for the amendment and 7 for the motion which was declared carried. |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee approve the transfer of ground identified in paragraph 4.2.2 of the report and shown cross hatched in appendix 2 by the relevant Stewart Milne companies to the Council on the terms set out in paragraph 4.2.2 of the report; |
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(2) that the Committee approve the requirement that the consent of Network Rail and First Scotrail to the construction of the footbridge on the terms set out in paragraph 4.3.2 of the report be exhibited prior to the completion of the Section 69 Agreement; and |
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(3) that the Committee approve an obligation that the Council take on maintenance responsibility for the footbridge on completion of construction subject to the following terms and conditions:- |
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(a) that a Tri-Partite Bridge Agreement be entered into between the Council, Network Rail and Stewart Milne Holdings Ltd on terms and conditions to be negotiated and finalised by the Council’s Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, the Head of Finance and the Head of Legal and Administration on the basis that there is a nil cost to the Council; |
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(b) that Stewart Milne Holdings Ltd provide a Fund to the Council to cover all future maintenance costs of the footbridge and that at a level to be approved by the Council’s Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, the Head of Finance and the Head of Legal and Administration on the basis that there is a nil cost to the Council; and |
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(c) that Stewart Milne Holdings Ltd fully indemnify the Council against all claims and associated costs which may arise out of the Tri-Partite Bridge Agreement or which may result from any challenge under the Disability Discrimination Acts arising as a result of the Council taking on such maintenance obligations for the bridge, such indemnity to be on terms satisfactory to the Council as determined by the Council’s Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, the Head of Finance and the Head of Legal and Administration on the basis that there is a nil cost to the Council. |
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(Councillor McCabe left the meeting following consideration of this item of business). |
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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 1 of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set
opposite each item:- |
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Item Paragraph(s) |
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Appendix
Relative to Item 1 Comprising 6 Riverside
Inverclyde Draft Business Plan |
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Release of
Employees under the Council’s 1 Severance
Scheme |
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328 |
Appendix
Relative to Item 1 Comprising |
328 |
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Noted |
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The
Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Head of
Organisational Development and Human Resources was relevant, competent and
urgent moved its consideration to allow, subject to the Committee’s
agreement, the release of the employees to proceed. This was agreed in terms
of the relevant Standing Order. |
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329 |
Release of
Employees Under the Council’s Severance Scheme |
329 |
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There was submitted a report by the Head of Organisational Development and Human Resources seeking approval to release two employees under the Council’s Severance Scheme, which was agreed, all as detailed in the appendix. |
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