Regeneration Committee

Thursday 17 January 2008 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Ahlfeld, Blair, Clocherty, Ferguson, Fyfe, Loughran, McCallum, McCabe, McKenzie, MacLeod and Osborne.

Chair:  Councillor Clocherty presided.

In attendance:  Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources, Mr M Thomson (for Chief Financial Officer), Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Head of Economic and Social Regeneration, Head of Legal and Administration, Head of Property Resources and Facilities Management and Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice).

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

62

Review of Key Leisure Sites

62

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources (1) on a number of proposals arising from the review of key leisure sites in Inverclyde carried out by PMP Consultants and (2) seeking authority to develop the proposals contained in the review.

Mr Nick Russell, PMP, was present and made a presentation on the review of key leisure sites.  Members then asked a number of questions which were answered by Mr Russell.

Decided:

(1) that the Corporate Management Team’s recommendations to develop the proposals as outlined in Appendix A to the report be approved subject to (a) the future of Ravenscraig Sports Centre being examined further and (b) it being noted the intention was for Gourock Pool to remain under public control;

(2) that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources to put the development opportunities in relation to the Review to the market where appropriate and to identify lists and appoint appropriate consultants to progress this work;

(3) that approval be given to the allocation of £80,000 from the Community Investment Fund to assist with the preparation of detailed proposals and feasibility work to enable the proposals to be market tested, where appropriate, and included within the Capital Programme in future years;

(4) that the Corporate Management Team be requested to consider the extent of capital investment required for the overall proposals in the budget setting processes from 2008/09 onwards and submit details for Members’ consideration in due course;

(5) that the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources produce detailed costings for the implementation of the Pitches Strategy and submit details for Members’ consideration in future budget setting processes and that, in order to assist in the implementation of the Pitches Strategy, estimates for the upgrade of the playing pitches at Lady Octavia and Ravenscraig be sought as a matter of urgency, with funding for the upgrades to be prioritised from the Community Investment Fund;

(6) that the appointment of the consultants, PMP, be homologated;  and

(7) that the financial matters relating to the proposals contained within the report be referred to the Policy and Resources Committee for approval.

Mr Russell left the meeting following consideration of this item of business.

63

Revenue Budget 2007/08 - Period 7

63

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer and the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources on the position of the Revenue Budget 2007/08 as at Period 7 (31 October 2007) which showed a projected underspend of £51,000.

Decided:  that the current projected underspend of £51,000 for 2007/08, as at 31 October 2007, be noted.

64

Building Services Trading Account 2007/08 - Period 7

64

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer and the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources on the position of the Building Services Trading Account as at Period 7 (31 October 2007) which showed a projected cash surplus of £194,000.

Decided:  that the Committee note the latest projected position in respect of the Building Services Trading Operation and that Building Services Management supported by the Corporate Management Team are reviewing options to improve the position currently reported.

65

Capital Programme 2007/08 to 2009/10 - Progress

65

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources on the position of the Capital Programme 2007/08 to 2009/10.

Decided:  that the Committee note the progress of the specific projects detailed in the appendix to the report.

66

Regeneration and Resources Directorate Performance Report

66

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources on the performance of Economic and Social Regeneration and Property Resources and Facilities Management in achieving their key objectives as set out in the Regeneration and Resources Directorate Plan and how they have contributed to the achievement of key corporate priorities.

Noted

67

Arts Festival Update

67

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources on the success of Inverclyde’s First “Myths and Legends” Arts Festival held 1 November - 4 November 2007.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the success of the Arts Festival;  and

(2) that it be agreed there is a need for an Events Strategy and that a draft Strategy be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.

68

Collecting Cultures - Heritage Lottery Fund - McLean Museum

68

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources on a bid submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund, under the Collecting Cultures Programme, for a programme of purchasing marine artworks relating to Inverclyde and the Lower Clyde at a total project cost of £66,600 over a five year period with the Heritage Lottery Fund contributing £60,000 and the McLean Museum the remaining £6,600.

Decided:

(1) that in the event the bid is successful approval be given to the allocation of £6,600 revenue expenditure to the project over five years as outlined in the report, under the supervision of the Libraries Manager;  and

(2) that a further report on the strategy for purchasing artworks, including information on Inverclyde’s maritime heritage, be submitted to the Committee in due course.

69

Letting Policy

69

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources  seeking approval (1) to implement changes to the existing letting policy which covers the booking arrangements in place for a number of Council facilities including public halls, schools, parks and open spaces and (2) for the development of a new letting policy.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the work ongoing to complete the review of the letting policy and that it be remitted to the Head of Economic and Social Regeneration to report to the next meeting with full details of the proposal for the new policy;  and

(2) that it be agreed to implement a new cancellation policy as detailed in the report with immediate effect.

70

Community Empowerment Scheme

70

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources (1) advising of potential implications for Inverclyde of the development of  national policy on community empowerment and (2) seeking approval of recommendations in this regard.

(Councillor McKenzie left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1) that the importance of the Scottish Government’s new policy directive on community empowerment be noted;  and

(2) that it be remitted to the Head of Economic and Social Regeneration to produce a draft outline for a Community Empowerment Scheme involving relevant officers, partners and key stakeholders and to apply for a possible pilot project for Community Empowerment status once further details are published.

71

Review of Community Councils

71

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources (1) on proposals in relation to the role and geographical boundaries of Community Councils within Inverclyde which had been developed through discussion, public meetings and events with Community Councils and neighbourhood groups and (2) making a number of recommendations in this regard.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the proposals from Community Councils;

(2) that a short life Member/Officer Working Group, including representation from Legal and Administration, be established to progress the review of Community Councils as set out in paragraph 5.3 of the report by 30 September 2008 and that The Inverclyde Council be requested to appoint Members to the Working Group, the Committee recommending the appointment of Councillors Loughran, McCallum, Grieve and Rebecchi;

(3) that it be remitted to the Working Group to meet with Community Council representatives and report back to a future meeting of the Committee with proposals to finalise any proposed boundary changes;  and

(4) that the Committee confirm the Council’s commitment to promoting and supporting Community Councils and that it be remitted to the Head of Economic and Social Regeneration to ensure that properly publicised and administered Community Council elections are managed by the Council in 2008.

72

Lunderston Bay

72

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources (1) on the development of plans for a new visitor centre at Lunderston  Bay and (2) recommending that, due to a delay in completion of the lease, the Community Investment Fund monies allocated to the project be carried forward to 2008/09.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the progress being made to finalise a new lease document for Lunderston Bay and that it be remitted to the Head of Economic and Social Regeneration in conjunction with the Head of Legal and Administration to finalise the lease on behalf of the Council;

(2) that the Head of Economic and Social Regeneration continue to liaise with the Head of Property Resources and Facilities Management to finalise proposals for a new visitor centre for the site and report back to a future meeting of the Committee with further details;  and

(3) that the £150,000 Community Investment Fund monies identified for the project be carried forward to 2008/09.

73

Greenock Tall Ships 1999 Companies Renaming

73

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources (1) on the requirement to rename the two companies created to deliver the Cutty Sark Tall Ships in 1999 and (2) requesting the Committee to appoint representatives to the Boards of the new companies.

After discussion, Councillor McCabe moved that Councillor Clocherty represent Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde and that Provost McCormick represent Inverclyde Council and this was agreed.  Councillor MacLeod then moved that Councillor Osborne be the Council’s second representative on the Boards.  As an amendment, Councillor Blair moved that Councillor Fyfe be so nominated.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1) that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources to seek the most cost effective way of reactivating, renaming or creating a company with charitable status and a trading company;

(2) that the names Sail Inverclyde Ltd and Sail Inverclyde Trading Ltd be adopted for the two companies, subject to approval by Companies House;  and

(3) that approval be given to the adoption of the structure of the Boards as outlined in paragraph 5.4 of the report and that it be recommended to The Inverclyde Council that Councillor Clocherty represent both Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde and that Provost McCormick and Councillor Osborne represent the Council on the Boards.

74

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

74

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive since the last ordinary meeting of the Committee to (1) allocate funding and issue and accept tenders for Greenock Cemetery Wall, (2) appoint consultants to carry out fire risk assessments and (3) accept a tender for Greenock Municipal Buildings Rewire Phase 1.

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 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)

Asset Management Plan - Review of the Council’s Property Portfolio

6 and 9

Appendices 2 and 3 relative to Agenda Item 13 on the Use of the Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

6 and 8

Strategic Regeneration Projects

2, 6, 8 and 9

Proposed Servitude Right of Access:  Land at Earnhill Road, Greenock

2, 6 and 9

Proposed Disposal of Site:  Clune Brae, Port Glasgow

2, 6 and 9

75

Asset Management Plan - Review of the Council’s Property Portfolio

75

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources (1) outlining the findings of a review of the Council’s property portfolio and (2) summarising options and recommending the establishment of a Project Board to progress implementation.

Mr Colin Smith, Hg Consulting, was present and made a presentation on the review.  Members then asked a number of questions which were answered by Mr Smith.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee approve the summary findings of the review of the property portfolio;

(2) that the Committee accept the Corporate Management Team’s recommendation to develop Option 2 as outlined in Hg Consulting’s report;

(3) that it be remitted to the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources to implement arrangements for the preferred option all as set out within the report, including the exploration of opportunities to dispose of surplus properties;

(4) that it be delegated to the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources to put the development opportunities in relation to the review to the market where appropriate and to identify and appoint appropriate consultants to progress this work;

(5) that, subject to agreement by the Policy and Resources Committee, the allocation of £200,000 from Modernising and Efficiency Funding be sought to assist with the preparation of detailed proposals and feasibility work to enable Option 2 to be market tested, where appropriate, and be included within the Capital Programme in future years;  and

(6) that approval be given to the establishment of a Project Board for the implementation of the Asset Management Plan as set out in the remit attached to the report and that regular monitoring reports be submitted to the Committee as proposals progress.

76

Appendices 2 and 3 Relative to Agenda Item 13 on the Use of the Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

76

There were submitted appendices 2 and 3 relative to agenda item 13 on the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive.

Noted

77

Strategic Regeneration Projects

77

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources providing an update on the issues relating to strategic regeneration projects including Kilmacolm New Community Centre Company Ltd (KNCCC Ltd), redevelopment of Campbell Street, Greenock and the transfer of assets to Riverside Inverclyde and the Committee agreed to take action, all as detailed in the appendix.

78

Proposed Servitude Right of Access:  Land at Earnhill Road, Greenock

78

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources seeking consent to grant a servitude right of access over land at Earnhill Road, Greenock and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the appendix.

79

Proposed Disposal of Site:  Clune Brae, Port Glasgow

79

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources seeking consent to declare a site at Clune Brae, Port Glasgow surplus to requirements with a view to disposal and the Committee agreed to take action, all as detailed in the appendix.