Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee

Thursday 25 October 2007 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Moran presided.

In attendance:  Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection, Ms V Ruddell (for Chief Financial Officer), Head of Environmental Services, Head of Housing, Mr H McNeilly (for Head of Legal and Administration), Head of Planning and Transportation and Head of Safer Communities.

Apologies:  Councillor McIlwee.

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

670

Revenue Budget 2007/08 - Period 5

670

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer and the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection on the position of the Revenue Budget 2007/08 as at Period 5 (31 August 2007) which showed a projected overspend of £45,000.

Decided:

(1) that the current projected overspend of £45,000 for 2007/08, as at 31 August 2007, and the action being taken by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection as detailed in paragraph 7.1 of the report be noted;  and

(2) that approval be given to the virement of £20,000 between Fridge Disposal and Transportation and Plant within the Refuse Transfer Station.

671

Housing Revenue Account Budget 2007/08 - Period 5

671

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer and the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at Period 5 (31 August 2007) which showed a projected overspend of £67,000 after a contribution from the Housing Revenue Account balance of £157,000.

Decided:

(1) that the current projected overspend of £67,000 for 2007/08, as at 31 August 2007, be noted; and

(2) that it be noted the projected balance on the HRA reserve, as at 31 August 2007, is £618,000.

672

Trading Account Revenue Budget 2007/08 - Period 5

672

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer and the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection on the position of the Roads and Vehicle Maintenance Trading Accounts as at Period 5 (31 August 2007) which showed a projected cash surplus of £103,000 and a projected net surplus of £81,000 respectively.

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

673

Capital Programme 2007/09 - Progress

673

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

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

674

HRA Capital Programme - Progress

674

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection on the progress of the HRA Capital Programme.

Decided:

(1) that the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme and the progress on the various projects be noted;  and

(2) that it be noted that a report on the cost of the three school sites to be met from the HRA Capital Programme will be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

675

Area Renewal Update

675

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

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the progress of the Area Renewal Strategy;  and

(2) that the financial position of the projects detailed in appendix 1 to the report be noted.

676

Inverclyde Local Plan (2005): Proposed Article 4 Direction for the Greenock West End Outstanding Conservation Area (Amended)

676

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection seeking approval to undertake a public consultation exercise on a proposed Article 4 Direction for the Greenock West End Outstanding Conservation Area, following approval of the boundary amendment, to ensure that the traditional details which enhance the Conservation Area are not removed or altered without prior reference to the Council as Planning Authority.

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

Decided:  that approval be given to the preparation of, and public consultation on, an Article 4 Direction for the Greenock West End Outstanding Conservation Area.

677

Inverclyde Core Paths Plan - Proposals for Second Stage Informal Public Consultation

677

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection seeking approval (1) of the potential core paths to be included in a second round of informal consultation on the Inverclyde Core Paths Plan and (2) to undertake consultation with key stakeholders and the general public.

Decided:  that the plan and list attached to the report be approved as the basis for a second round of informal consultation on the Inverclyde Core Paths Plan as set out in paragraph 5.2 of the report.

678

Sustainability Sub-Committee

678

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection recommending the establishment of a Sustainability Sub-Committee to co-ordinate and oversee all the work in relation to the key “green” issues in Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee agree to the formation of a Sustainability Sub-Committee to oversee and co-ordinate all the work in relation to the key “green” issues in Inverclyde;  and

(2) that Councillors Dorrian, Ferguson, McCallum, White and Wilson be appointed to the Sub-Committee, Councillor Dorrian being appointed Chair.

679

Inverclyde Care and Repair

679

There was submitted a report by the Head of Housing Services providing operational and performance information on the Inverclyde Care and Repair Service launched in May 2000 to provide support to elderly and/or disabled clients who require their homes to be adapted to meet their needs or require assistance in maintaining their homes.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the contribution made by Inverclyde Care and Repair in providing services to vulnerable home owners; and

(2) that the achievements made by Inverclyde Care and Repair in the areas of service development and delivery be noted.

680

Robert Street Area - Regeneration Strategy Steering Group Update

680

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection updating the Committee on the work of the Robert Street Area Regeneration Strategy Steering Group.

Decided:

(1) that the progress of the work of the Robert Street Area Regeneration Strategy Steering Group be noted;

(2) that approval be given to the regeneration option identified in paragraph 4.1 of the report as the Committee’s preferred regeneration option;

(3) that the action plan appended to the report be approved as a template for the progress of the Regeneration Strategy;  and

(4) that the proposed site boundaries for the regeneration area as shown on the plan appended to the report be approved.

681

Building (Scotland) Act 2003 - Local Authority Verifier Role

681

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection (1) advising of the intention of Scottish Ministers to remove from Councils, with effect from 1 May 2008, the verification function in respect of buildings in which Councils have an interest and (2) seeking approval to make strong representation to Scottish Ministers and other relevant parties to have the existing arrangements continued.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee support the view that the Council should retain the verifier role in respect of projects where the Council has an interest; and

(2) that letters be sent to Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Building Standards Agency, local MSPs and MPs and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities expressing serious concerns about the proposed changes and seeking retention of the current procedures.

682

Strategic Development Planning Authorities:  Designation Orders and Statutory Guidance - Response to the Government’s Consultation Paper

682

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection seeking approval for the response outlined in the report to the Scottish Executive Planning Directorate’s Consultation Paper “Strategic Development Planning Authorities (SDPAs):  Designation Orders and Statutory Guidance” setting out how planning authorities should work together to prepare Strategic Development Plans.

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

Decided:  that the Government’s proposals for the replacement of Structure Plans with Strategic Development Plans be noted and that approval be given to the content of the report as the Council’s formal response to the Consultation Paper.

683

Scottish Planning Policy 6:  Renewable Energy - Issues and Implications

683

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection on the changed national planning policy context in the publication of the finalised Scottish Planning Policy 6 (SPP6):  Renewable Energy and the main issues arising for the conduct of development planning and planning policy, development management and building standards within the Council.

(Councillor Loughran returned to the meeting and Councillor Dorrian left during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that the Committee note the publication of Scottish Planning Policy 6:  Renewable Energy and the implications it will have for planning policy, development management and building standards and the intention of the Head of Planning and Transportation to start the preparation of new planning guidance and advice, and building standards advice, to meet the requirements of the new National Planning Policy.

684

Inverclyde Local Plan (2005):  Town Centres and Retail Development - Issues and Restrictions on Town Centre Floorspace

684

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection seeking (1) approval of proposed changes to the adopted Inverclyde Local Plan’s town centres and retail development planning policy and (2) to authorise, on request, the removal of restrictions on the use of certain retail premises within Greenock town centre’s central shopping area.

The Head of Planning and Transportation advised that a further letter had been received from Nathaniel Litchfield and Partners on behalf of J J Gallagher Ltd.

(Councillor Dorrian returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1) that the decision to progress matters relating to complementarity between Inverclyde’s town centres and the Port Glasgow town centre boundary through a Planning Policy Position Statement be endorsed and that the finalised draft of a Planning Policy Position Statement as set out in annex 1 to the report be approved for targeted consultation;

(2) that annex 2 be approved as the basis for public consultation on a proposed Alteration to the Town Centres and Retail Development chapter of the Local Plan;  and

(3) that it be agreed it is no longer appropriate to have goods-type restrictions on retail units within Greenock town centre central shopping area.

685

Proposed Traffic Regulation Order - On-Street Parking Places (Without Charges) Order No 1 2007

685

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

Decided:  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 Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock to disabled persons displaying a badge under the appropriate Regulations only and thereafter that it be remitted to the Head of Planning and Transportation and the Head of Legal and Administration to arrange for implementation of the Order.

686

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive:  Revision of the Environmental Services (Roads) Capital Programme 2007/08

686

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to replace a project previously included in the Environmental Services (Roads) Approval Capital Programme 2007/08, which cannot now go ahead, with a new project.

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)

Review of Provision of Anti-Social Behaviour Services

1

Best Value - Roads Trading Operation

1

Revocation of Closing Order - Newton Street, Greenock

6

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

6 and 8

687

Review of Provision of Anti-Social Behaviour Services

687

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection (1) updating Members on the current provision of anti-social behaviour services in Inverclyde and (2) recommending the formation of an Officer Review Group to consider demand for these services in the future and to make recommendations on options for delivery.

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

Decided:

(1)                                                                                                 that approval be given to the formation of a short term Officers Group (to include community planning partners) supported by a cross-party Members’ Reference Group to carry out a review of anti-social behaviour services;

(2)                                                                                                 that it be remitted to the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection to bring forward a further report recommending options for the future provision of anti-social behaviour services;  and

(3)                                                                                                 that it be remitted to the Sustainability Sub-Committee to assume the role of the cross-party Members’ Reference Group.

688

Best Value - Roads Trading Operation

688

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection seeking approval to update the financial threshold for work carried out at NESI Benchmark Rates by the Roads Trading Operation and the implications of updating the threshold.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee support the continued partnership with the NESI Benchmarking Group for developing benchmarked rates that demonstrate Best Value for patching and surfacing work and that the threshold for this work be raised to £100,000;  and

(2) that it be remitted to the Policy and Resources Committee to approve the appropriate alterations to the Council’s Financial  Regulations.

689

Revocation of Closing Order - Newton Street, Greenock

689

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment and Community Protection seeking approval to revoke the Closing Order in respect of the property at 35A Newton Street.

Decided:  that the Closing Order in respect of the property at 35A Newton Street, Greenock be revoked.

690

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

690

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration and Resources advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to (1) seek tenders from consultants to undertake a Green Network Strategy, (2) accept a tender for the upgrading of the fire detection system and associated measures at Riverside Gardens, Gourock and approve the use of an unallocated amount in the HRA Capital Programme to meet the cost of the work and (3) accept a tender for the upgrading of the fire detection system and associated measures at John Galt House, Greenock and approve the use of an unallocated amount in the HRA Capital Programme to meet the cost of the work.

Noted