Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee

Thursday 10 January 2008 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Dorrian, Ferguson, Grieve, Loughran (for McIlwee), MacLeod, McCabe, McCallum, Moran, Rebecchi and White.

Chair:  Councillor Moran presided.

In attendance:  Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection, Head of Environmental Services, Mr J Douglas (for Head of Legal and Administration), Head of Planning, Housing & Transportation and Head of Safer Communities.

Apologies:  Councillors McIlwee and Wilson.

Prior to the commencement of business, Councillor Moran expressed thanks on behalf of the Committee to the Council’s road gritting team, those employees required to work over the holiday period and also those employees who worked during the recent storms.

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

15

Revenue Budget 2007/08 - Period 7

15

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer and the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the position of the Revenue Budget 2007/08 as at Period 7 (31 October 2007) which showed a projected underspend of £212,000.

Decided:

(1) that the current projected underspend of £212,000 for 2007/08, as at 31 October 2007, be noted;  and

(2) that the Policy & Resources Committee be requested to approve a one-off virement of £50,000 between Environmental Services Employee Costs and the Efficiency Target of £700,000.

16

Housing Revenue Account Budget 2007/08 - Period 7

16

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer and the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at Period 7 (31 October 2007) which showed a projected surplus of £143,000, after a contribution from the Housing Revenue Account balance of £242,000.

Decided:

(1) that the current projected surplus of £143,000 for 2007/08, as at 31 October 2007, be noted;  and

(2) that the projected balance on the HRA reserve of £743,000 be noted.

17

Trading Account Revenue Budget 2007/08 - Period 7

17

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer and the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the position of the Roads and Vehicle Maintenance Trading Accounts as at Period 7 (31 October 2007) which showed a projected cash surplus of £103,000 and a projected net surplus of £98,000 respectively.

Decided:  that the current projection of the Roads and Vehicle Maintenance Trading Accounts 2007/08, as at 31 October 2007, be noted.

18

Capital Programme 2007/09 - Progress

18

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the position of the Capital Programme 2007/09.  During the course of discussion, the Head of Environmental Services confirmed that the allocation of £25,000 in respect of Kirn Drive/Recycling Centre Access Improvement would remain within the budget although the work was not proceeding at present.

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

19

Environment and Community Protection Performance Report

19

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection providing details of performance statistics requested by the Committee at the meeting held on 30 August 2007.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the contents of the report;  and

(2) that a report on the food waste trial scheme be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

20

Private Sector Housing Grant (PSHG) 2007/08:  Update

20

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection updating the Committee on the progress of the Private Sector Housing Grant funded projects approved by the Committee at the meeting on 14 June 2007 (para 418).

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the current position of the 2007/08 Private Sector Housing Grant budget, services, grants and projects as outlined in annexe 1, appendix 1 to the report;

(2) that approval be given to the redistribution of funding noted in appendix 1 to the report as a result of slippage, to ensure maximum PSHG spend;

(3) that it be agreed to seek approval from Scottish Ministers to raise the PSHG Maximum Approved Expenditure Limit in respect of River Clyde Homes Investment Plan;

(4) that it be noted a further report will be submitted to the March 2008 meeting of the Committee outlining proposals for the 2008/09 budget, subject to notification of a PSHG award;  and

(5) that the successful bid for additional revenue funding to allow for expansion of the Care and Repair Service and Small Repairs Service be noted.

21

Scottish Government Green Paper on Housing

21

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection (1) informing the Committee of the main issues raised in the Scottish Government’s Green Paper on housing, “Firm Foundations:  The Future of Housing in Scotland” and (2) requesting that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning, Housing & Transportation to prepare an appropriate response to the Scottish Government.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Head of Planning, Housing & Transportation in consultation with the Convener and Vice-Convener to prepare an appropriate response to the Scottish Government’s Green Paper “Firm Foundations:  The Future of Housing in Scotland” on behalf of the Council and that copies of the response be circulated to Members of the Committee.

22

Inverclyde Council Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP)

22

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection providing information relative to the Council’s first Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for the period 2007/08 to 2016/17, introduced by Communities Scotland as the principal vehicle for local authorities to set out their proposals and priorities for investment in housing, which had been submitted to Communities Scotland for appraisal and further discussion.  The report advised that while SHIP guidance stipulated an investment timeframe of five years Inverclyde’s SHIP, with the agreement of Communities Scotland, had a longer timescale in recognition of the extensive range of Area Renewal Plan commitments and the special circumstances surrounding the scale of the investment required to address the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.

Decided:  that the Committee endorse the submission of the Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2007/08 to 2016/17 to Communities Scotland, as required under guidance issued by the Executive Agency, this being the first in what will be an annual process for determining in partnership with relevant stakeholders the case to be made to government for funding the Council’s agreed priorities for investment in affordable housing in Inverclyde.

23

Modernising the Planning System:  Consultation on Planning Enforcement Regulations 2007

23

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection (1) advising of proposals to introduce fundamental changes to the way in which the planning system in Scotland operates and (2) seeking approval of the response to the Planning Enforcement Regulations 2007 appended to the report.

Decided:  that the Committee note the changes to primary legislation relative to planning enforcement and approve the consultation response to the Scottish Government on the Planning Enforcement Regulations 2007, subject to inclusion of the Council’s view that it would welcome the introduction of an obligation on contractors to advise householders of the requirement to seek planning permission where necessary prior to works being carried out.

Councillor White left the meeting following consideration of this item of business.

24

Inverclyde Local Plan:  Annual Monitoring and Review of Housing Strategy (2006-07)

24

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the progress for the year 2006-07 in implementing the Housing Strategy of the Local Plan and trends in housing completions and the take-up and availability of housing land, by market sector and location, across the Inverclyde Housing Market Area.

Decided:  that the Committee endorse the findings and interpretation of this year’s annual monitoring, in accordance with the requirements of Local Plan Policy H7, and the wider planning policy context that influences the implementation of the Local Plan’s Housing Strategy.

25

Provision of Street  Names - Hill Farm, Inverkip

25

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the proposed naming of 5 new roads at the Hill Farm development, Inverkip.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Head of Planning, Housing & Transportation in consultation with the three Ward Councillors and the Community Council to agree names for the 5 new roads at the Hill Farm development, Inverkip during the course of the next month.

26

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - Brown Street etc, Port Glasgow Waiting Restrictions

26

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration & Resources recommending the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce certain waiting and loading restrictions to protect the through flow of traffic and improve road safety at Brown Street etc, Port Glasgow.

During the course of discussion, it was agreed that a report on the impact of the development of Port Glasgow Town Centre on the local road network be submitted to the Committee.

After discussion, Councillor Moran moved that the making of the Order be recommended to the Council and that it be remitted to the Head of Planning, Housing & Transportation and the Head of Legal & Administration to arrange for its implementation.  As an amendment, Councillor Rebecchi moved that the application be continued pending consideration of the report on the impact of the development of Port Glasgow Town Centre on the local road network.  On a vote, 4 Members voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1) that The Inverclyde Council be recommended to make a Resolution under the Road Traffic Regulation (Scotland) Act 1984 in relation to a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce certain waiting and loading restrictions at Brown Street etc, Port Glasgow and thereafter that it be remitted to the Head of Planning, Housing & Transportation and the Head of Legal & Administration to arrange for implementation of the Order;  and

(2) that a report on the impact of the development of Port Glasgow Town Centre on the local road network be submitted to the Committee.

27

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - On-Street Parking Places (Without Charges) Order No. 2 2007

27

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration & Resources recommending the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to restrict parking within designated parking places at various locations within Kilmacolm, Port Glasgow and Greenock to disabled persons displaying a badge under the appropriate Regulations only.

Decided:

(1) that The Inverclyde Council be recommended to make a Resolution under the Road Traffic Regulation (Scotland) Act 1984 in relation to a Traffic Regulation Order to restrict parking within designated parking places at various locations within Kilmacolm, Port Glasgow and Greenock to disabled persons displaying a badge under the appropriate Regulations only and thereafter that it be remitted to the Head of Planning, Housing & Transportation and the Head of Legal & Administration to arrange for implementation of the Order;  and

(2) that a report on options for improving the process for the introduction of parking bays for the disabled be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

28

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

28

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration & Resources advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to (1) authorise resurfacing of additional roads and pathways as part of the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme and (2) confirm footpath diversions within the Gibshill Regeneration area to allow residential development and associated works to commence.

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 item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 13 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

29

Provisional Tree Preservation Order

29

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on proposals relative to the making of a provisional Tree Preservation Order and the Committee agreed to the making of the provisional Tree Preservation Order at the area detailed in the report, all as detailed in the appendix.