Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee

Thursday 30 August 2007 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Moran presided.

In attendance:  Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection, Ms M McCabe and Ms A Sellar (for Chief Financial Officer), Head of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Head of Environmental Services, Head of Housing, Mr H McNeilly (for Head of Legal and Administration), Head of Planning & Transportation and Head of Safer Communities.

Apologies:  Councillor Wilson. 

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

508

Revenue Budget 2007/08 - Period 3

508

There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance on (1) the Community Committee Revenue Budget 2006/07 out-turn and (2) the position of the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee Revenue Budget as at period 3 (30 June 2007) which showed a projected underspend of £165,000.

Decided: that the Community Committee out-turn for 2006/07 and the Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee projected underspend of £165,000 for 2007/08, as at 30 June 2007, be noted.

509

Housing Revenue Account Budget 2007/08 - Period 3

509

There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance on (1) the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2006/07 out-turn and (2) the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at period 3 (30 June 2007) which showed a projected underspend of £29,000.

Decided:

(1) that the out-turn for 2006/07 and the current projected underspend of £29,000 for 2007/08, as at 30 June 2007, be noted; and

(2) that the projected balance on the Housing Revenue Account reserve of £809,000 be noted.

510

Trading Account Revenue Budget 2007/08 - Period 3

510

There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance on (1) the Trading Account Revenue Budget 2006/07 out-turn and (2) the position of the Roads and Vehicle Maintenance Trading Accounts as at period 3 (30 June 2007) which showed a projected cash surplus of £14,000 and a projected surplus of £168,000 respectively.

Decided: that the out-turn for 2006/07 and the current projected position for 2007/08 be noted.

511

Capital Programme 2007/09 - Progress

511

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the position of the Capital Programme 2007/09.

The Head of Environmental Services updated the Committee with regard to actual expenditure on a number of projects.

Decided: that the Committee note the progress of the projects detailed in the appendices to the report and the update provided by the Head of Environmental Services.

512

Community Investment Fund (CIF)

512

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection (1) providing an update on the Community Investment Fund and (2) seeking approval for the inclusion of new projects.

Decided: that the Committee note the progress of expenditure on the Community Investment Fund and agree to include the projects for (a) play areas in Sir Michael Street, Greenock and Campsie Road, Port Glasgow and (b) Wellington Bowling Club as set out in the appendix to the report.

513

Environment and Community Protection Performance Report

513

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the progress of the Environment and Community Protection Service in relation to achieving service objectives and how this contributes to the achievement of key corporate priorities.

Decided: that the contents of the report be noted.

514

Local Licensing Forum

514

There was submitted a report by Head of Legal & Administration on applications received for membership of Inverclyde Local Licensing Forum seeking authority to (1) appoint applicants and (2) make the necessary arrangements for meetings.

Councillor Rebecchi declared a personal interest in the matter and left the meeting.

Decided:

(1)  that the Head of Legal & Administration be authorised to appoint the persons listed in paragraph 4.2 of the report as members of Inverclyde Local Licensing Forum; and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Head of Legal & Administration to make the necessary arrangements for meetings of Inverclyde Local Licensing Forum.

Councillor Rebecchi returned to the meeting following consideration of this item of business.

The meeting adjourned at 4 pm to allow a meeting of the Inverclyde Council to take place and reconvened thereafter at 5.35 pm.

515

The Landfill Allowances Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2005 and Subsequent Penalties

515

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the financial implications for the Council as a result of failing to meet the requirements of the Landfill Allowances Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2005 by exceeding the permitted biodegradable municipal waste landfill levels for 2006/07.

Decided: that the Committee note the financial implications for the Council in failing to meet the requirements of the Landfill Allowances Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2005 in 2006/07 and instruct the Head of Environmental Services to (a) advise the Committee on all possible options to minimise any recurrence of failing to meet biodegradable municipal waste targets in future years and (b) report back on discussions between Scottish Ministers and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities regarding the Landfill Allowances Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2005 and financial penalties.

516

Designation of Points of Entry for the Purposes of the International Health Regulations 2005

516

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection seeking approval for the designation of Greenock, under the International Health Regulations 2005, to issue Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates.

Decided: that the Head of Safer Communities be given approval to have Greenock included on the list of approved ports under the International Health Regulations 2005.

517

Local Access Forum Structure and Membership

517

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection seeking approval of changes recommended by Inverclyde Local Access Forum to the structure and membership of the Forum.

Decided:

(1)  that approval be given to the recommendations of the Local Access Forum with regard to changes to the structure of the Forum as set out in the proposals section and the appendix to the report; and

(2)  that responsibility for populating the approved structure be delegated to the Head of Planning & Transportation.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be apprised of the up to date position with regard to the HRA Capital Programme 2005/08 at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

518

HRA Capital Programme 2005/08 - Progress

518

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 2005/08.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 2005/08 and the position with regard to the various projects as detailed in the appendices to the report;

(2) that it be noted that detailed discussion is taking place with River Clyde Homes to ensure continuity of the delivery of projects that are on site or about to start on site; and

(3) that it be noted consideration is being given to ensure that maximum benefit is gained from both the Capital Programme and Early Action Fund and that this will be the subject of a further report.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow action to be taken at the earliest opportunity, if agreed by the Committee.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

519

Area Renewal Update

519

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection updating the Committee with regard to progress of the Area Renewal Strategy and there was circulated appendix 2C.

Councillor Moran expressed thanks to the Head of Housing for all the work undertaken by him and his staff during the housing stock transfer process.

Decided:

(1)  that the financial and technical progress being made on the various projects as set out in appendix 1 to the report be noted;

(2)  that approval be given to the following expenditure increases:-

Project                                                                              Expenditure Variation

Regeneration Demolitions Phase 13                               + £  3,953 (including fees)

Regeneration Demolitions Phase 12                               + £16,450 (including fees)

Regeneration Works Footpaths and Drainage                + £  4,079 (including fees)

(3)                                                                                     that approval be given to the buybacks of the properties detailed in appendix 3 to the report;

(4)                                                                                     that approval be given to the offer of grant of circa £180,000 to Oak Tree Housing Association for development purposes on the Grieve Road/Wren Road site; and

(5)                                                                                     that the Committee note the ongoing discussion with Communities Scotland and River Clyde Homes regarding the possible transfer of grant and extension of deadline, the outcome to be the subject of a further report.

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)

Appendix 3 Relative to the report on Area Renewal Update

6

Appointment of Contractor to Develop and Conduct a Remediation Strategy for Contaminated Land at Cedar Crescent/Fir Street, Greenock

6 & 8

520

Appendix 3 Relative to the Report on Area Renewal Update

520

There was submitted appendix 3 relative to the report on area renewal update detailing buybacks of properties.

Noted

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the contract, if agreed, to be awarded at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

521

Appointment of Contractor to Develop and Conduct a Remediation Strategy for Contaminated Land at Cedar Crescent/Fir Street, Greenock

521

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on tenders received for the development and conduct of a remediation strategy for contaminated land at Cedar Crescent/Fir Street, Greenock.

Decided: that, subject to the successful negotiation of contract details to the satisfaction of the Head of Legal & Administration, the contract to develop and conduct a remediation strategy for the site at Cedar Crescent/Fir Street, Greenock be awarded to BAE Systems.