lowest tender, if agreed, to be accepted without delay and he moved that the items be added to the Agenda. This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

361 OPERATIONAL MATTERS : SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - REQUEST FROM 361

COUNCILLOR MITCHELL

Under the relevant Standing Order the Convener decided that this item should be considered at the start of the meeting and it was agreed that, as far as permissible at this stage, this be dealt with in the presence of the public.

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 March 1998 by the Director of Central Services on a request received from Councillor Mitchell that the Director of Social Work report to the Committee on allegations regarding payments made by Social Workers to money lenders.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Social and Community Development) advised that the Chief Executive had requested the Internal Audit Section of the Department of Finance to investigate the whole matter and that a report thereon would be made to the Committee at the earliest possible date.

Councillor Mitchell moved that there be further discussion on the whole matter in public. As an amendment, Councillor O'Rourke moved that no further discussion on the item take place at this time. On a vote, 2 Members voted for the motion and 7 for the amendment which was declared carried.

DECIDED: That it be noted that the Chief Executive had requested the Internal Audit Section of the Department of Finance to investigate the whole matter and that a report thereon would be made to the Committee at the earliest possible date, any decision on whether to consider the item in public or in private being determined by the content of the report.

362 SOCIAL WORK AND OTHER HOUSING AND CUSTOMER SERVICES (NON-HRA) 362

REVENUE BUDGET 1997/98

SUBMITTED: Report dated 25 March 1998 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Social Work and other Housing and Customer Services (Non-HRA) Revenue Budget 1997/98 as at 4 March 1998.

NOTED

363 SOCIAL WORK (NON-HRA) CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - TECHNICAL 363

PROGRESS

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 March 1998 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the technical progress of the Social Work (Non-HRA) Capital Programme 1997/98.

DECIDED:

(a) That the technical progress of the Social Work (Non-HRA) Capital Programme 1997/98 be noted; and

(b) That the report on variations in respect of Phase 3 of the works at the McPherson Centre, Gourock be noted.

364 SOCIAL WORK (NON-HRA) CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - FINANCIAL POSITION 364

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 March 1998 by the Director of Finance on the financial position of the Social Work (Non-HRA) Capital Programme 1997/98.

NOTED

365 SCOTTISH OFFICE GREEN PAPER - "WORKING TOWARDS A HEALTHIER SCOTLAND" 365

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work advising of the main proposals set out in the Government's Green Paper "Working Towards a Healthier Scotland" in respect of which comments were sought by 30 April 1998.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report on the contents of the Green Paper "Working Towards a Healthier Scotland" be noted; and

(b) That a comprehensive report setting out the implications for all affected services of the Council be submitted to the Policy and Strategy Committee for consideration.

366 REGISTRATION : VARIATION - BANK STREET HOSTEL, 14-16 BANK STREET, 366

GREENOCK: QUARRIERS

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work seeking the Committee's approval of changes in the registration information under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, Section 62, in respect of the Bank Street Hostel, 14-16 Bank Street, Greenock.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted and the variations approved; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to issue a new Certificate of Registration to Quarriers.

367 REVISED MAINTENANCE RATES FOR ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN INVERCLYDE 367

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work requesting the Committee to approve maintenance rates for persons from Inverclyde who are currently or who may in the future be resident in registered residential establishments located within Inverclyde.

DECIDED:

(a) That the registered residential establishments within Inverclyde as set out in the Appendix to the report be noted; and

(b) That the recommended maintenance rates be approved and the Director of Social Work be authorised to make appropriate payments for residents' care in the event of placements being made.

368 REVISED MAINTENANCE RATES FOR ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN INVERCLYDE - 368

RESPITE, TEMPORARY/PERMANENT PLACES

DECIDED:

(a) That the registered residential establishments within Inverclyde as set out in the Appendix to the report be noted; and

(b) That the recommended maintenance rates be approved and the Director of Social Work be authorised to make appropriate payments for residents' care in the event of placements being made and these be the rates paid by other Local Authorities for residents they place in establishments in Inverclyde.

369 REVISED MAINTENANCE RATES FOR ESTABLISHMENTS OUTWITH INVERCLYDE 369

DECIDED: That approval be given to the recommended rates applying to residents in establishments outwith Inverclyde funded by Inverclyde Council.

370 REVISED MAINTENANCE RATES - INDEPENDENT SECTOR PROVISION 370

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work advising that the Government had agreed an increased scale of charges for payments by local authorities to independent sector providers and requesting the Committee to approve the revised rates as set out in the Appendix to the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the increased scale of charges set by Central Government in respect of independent sector provision be noted; and

(b) That the maintenance rates as set out in the Appendix to the report be approved and implemented from 13 April 1998.

371 FOSTERING ALLOWANCES 1998/99 371

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work requesting the Committee to approve an increase in the rates of fostering allowances for 1998/99 as recommended by COSLA.

DECIDED: That the Committee approve the new rates of fostering allowances for 1998/99 as recommended by COSLA.

372 BARNARDOS INVERCLYDE FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM - DEVELOPMENT OF SHARED 372 CARE PROVISION

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work on the proposed development of a shared care scheme for families of children who have disabilities which is to be managed by Barnardos and delivered from their current project base in the Highholm Resource Centre, Port Glasgow. The report advised that the development meets the objectives of the Council's Children's Services Plan and the requirements of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

DECIDED:

(a) That the proposed development of the shared care scheme for families of children who have disabilities, to be managed by Barnardos and delivered from their current project base in the Highholm Resource Centre, Port Glasgow, be approved; and

(b) That it be noted that the development meets the objectives of the Council's Children's Services Plan and the requirements of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

373 RESOURCE TRANSFER - APPOINTMENT OF STAFF TO ASSIST WITH DISCHARGE 373 PROGRAMMES FROM HOSPITALS

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work requesting the Committee to approve the establishment of two posts as part of the ongoing process of supporting the discharge of patients from hospitals. The report advised that the Argyll and Clyde Health Board had confirmed that funding would be made available for the two posts and that there would therefore be no financial implications for the Council.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee approve in principle the establishment of the following posts:-

0.5 Assistant Service Manager (ASM) - Commissioning (Learning Disability);

1 Social Worker - Mental Health; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Personnel Services to refer the proposed establishment of the two posts to the Corporate Business Committee for approval.

374 MINOR ADAPTATIONS BUDGET 1998/99 374

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work providing a prioritised list of projects to be funded from the Minor Adaptations Budget 1998/99.

DECIDED:

(a) That the prioritised list of adaptation projects detailed in the report and its Appendix be approved;

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the projects identified with a view to their completion progressively throughout the financial year 1998/99, subject to the cost limit of £200,000;

(c) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tender received in each case provided that it is no more than 10% greater than the estimate provided;

(d) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Social Work to carry out a continuous assessment of the priorities detailed in the report and to adjust these as required in the best interests of the Council and in conformity with the Best Value Regime; and

(e) That the Director of Property and Technical Services be requested to consider undertaking any projects included in the report which relate to building maintenance provided that these are within the limit of current available funding.

375 HRA REVENUE BUDGET 1997/98 375

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 March 1998 by the Director of Finance on the position of the HRA Revenue Budget 1997/98 as at 4 March 1998.

NOTED

376 HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS 376

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 March 1998 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1997/98.

DECIDED:

(a) That the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1997/98 be noted;

(b) That the Committee approve the following expenditure reductions and increase in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations:-

Project Effect on Expenditure

Belville Avenue Area, Greenock -Replacement Windows

Deletion of 2 closes from contract £16,100 reduction

Finneston Street/Lane, Greenock - Replacement Windows

Deletion of houses purchased by tenants £10,000 reduction

Cardwell Road, Gourock - Replacement Windows

Addition of close windows to contract £4,156 increase;

(d) That the variations in respect of the Gibshill New Build Housing Project be noted.

377 HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - FINANCIAL POSITION 377

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 March 1998 by the Director of Finance on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 1997/98.

DECIDED:

(a) That the current position of the HRA Capital Programme 1997/98 be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that the relevant Officers will control expenditure at the year end to ensure that the Scottish Office overspend limits are not exceeded.

378 PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING (NON-HRA) CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 378

FINANCIAL POSITION

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 March 1998 by the Director of Finance on the financial position of the Private Sector Housing (Non-HRA) Capital Programme 1997/98.

NOTED

379 GIBSHILL NEW BUILD HOUSING - VARIATIONS TO RETAINING WALLS - USE OF 379

EMERGENCY POWERS PROCEDURE

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 March 1998 by the Director of Central Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure as set out in Standing Order 66 to authorise additional expenditure estimated at £22,750 for additional trench fill to the retaining walls and the removal of excavated material off site in respect of the Gibshill New Build Housing Project.

NOTED

380 KILBLAIN COURT - CAR PARKING CONTROL 380

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on the current position of the project to introduce a controlled access system to the car park at Kilblain Court, Greenock and highlighting a number of matters which required attention.

DECIDED:

(a) That the current position of the Kilblain Court car parking control project be noted;

(b) That applications for car parking control units by tenants of Kilblain Court and Charles Place who are car owners be given priority over all other applications;

(c) That tenants who are car owners be supplied with a control unit free of charge but that any non-residents with an interest in Kilblain Court and Charles Place be charged a deposit equivalent to the cost of the control unit which would be refunded once the control unit was returned to the Council, each tenant being permitted to apply for no more than one control unit for non-resident family members or carers; and

(d) That the issuing of control units to non-residents be restricted to persons living within Inverclyde.

381 PROPOSED CHANGES TO RIGHT-TO-BUY REGULATIONS - COST FLOOR RULE 381

SUBMITTED: Report dated 11 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services advising of the main contents of the White Paper issued by the Scottish Office proposing changes to the right-to-buy cost floor rule in respect of which comments were sought by 15 May 1998.

DECIDED:

(a) That the proposed changes to the right-to-buy cost floor rule be noted;

(b) That the proposal to extend the period to which the cost floor rule applies from five years to ten years to enable investment to be "clawed back" over a longer period be welcomed;

(d) That a response incorporating these comments be submitted to the Scottish Office by 15 May 1998.

382 SCOTTISH OFFICE CONSULTATION - HOUSING AND NEIGHBOUR PROBLEMS 382

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services providing a summary of the Scottish Office Circular "Housing and Neighbour Problems : Dealing with Nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour" and of the new legislative measures detailed therein which are designed to deal with anti-social neighbour and nuisance problems. It was noted that responses to the Circular required to be submitted by 24 April 1998.

DECIDED:

(a) That the summary of the Scottish Office Circular "Housing and Neighbour Problems : Dealing with Nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour" set out in the report be noted;

(b) That the Committee welcome the proposed legislative changes outlined in Section 5 of the report; and

(c) That the various concerns outlined in Section 6 of the report be included within the response to the Scottish Office.

383 EMPTY HOMES INITIATIVE - BID FOR FUNDING 383

SUBMITTED: Report dated 3 April 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services advising that the Council, in conjunction with Scottish Homes and James Watt Housing Association, had made a bid for empty homes initiative funding of £163,588 for 1997/98 based on (i) the appointment of an Empty Homes Initiative Officer on a fixed term basis for one year to carry out research and co-ordinate and develop an Empty Homes Strategy at a cost of £22,588 and (ii) funding to bring back into use 10 ground floor flats by making them available for low cost home ownership in partnership with James Watt Housing Association at a cost of £141,000.

DECIDED: That the Committee note and welcome the bid made for empty homes initiative funding in conjunction with Scottish Homes and James Watt Housing Association.

384 IRRECOVERABLE RENT ARREARS - WRITE OFF 384

SUBMITTED: Report dated 11 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on the position in respect of arrears of rent as at 31 March 1998.

DECIDED: That arrears of rent of former Council tenants totalling £145,908.03 be written off without prejudice to any future recovery of the debts should that prove possible.

385 BROADFIELD EXTERNAL RENDERING/INSULATION PROJECT, PHASE 3 385

SUBMITTED: Report dated 31 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on proposals for Phase 3 of the Broadfield External Rendering/Insulation Project.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for Phase 3 of the Broadfield External Rendering/Insulation Project; and

(b) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tender received.

386 RESOLUTION : EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS 386

On the motion of the Convener it was agreed unanimously that, in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the undernoted items of business on the grounds that consideration of the items 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)

Arrears of Rent - Detailed List 2 & 6

Appointment of Safeguarders - Use of Emergency

Powers Procedure 6

Residential Project for Young People with Disabilities 3

Heat Leasing - Invitation of Tenders 6

Belville Street Roofs - Phase 3 6 & 9

King Street Library, Port Glasgow - Conversion 2 & 8

Bay Area, Port Glasgow - Heating Replacement Project 6, 8 & 9

Inverclyde Centre, Greenock 6, 8 & 9

Ad-Hoc Replacement of Gas Appliances - Report on Tenders 6 & 8

Greenock Town Centre - Repainting Works, Phase 1 - Report

on Tenders 6 & 8

Greenock Town Centre - Repainting Works, Phase 2 -

Report on Tenders 6 & 8

Selected Schemes of Improvement - Approvals 4

Port Glasgow Town Centre - Repainting Works, Phase 2 -

Report on Tenders 6 & 8

387 ARREARS OF RENT - DETAILED LIST 387

SUBMITTED: Appendix setting out details of arrears of rent.

NOTED

388 APPOINTMENT OF SAFEGUARDERS - USE OF EMERGENCY POWERS PROCEDURE 388

SUBMITTED: Report dated 25 March 1998 by the Director of Central Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure as set out in Standing Order 66 for the appointment of safeguarders as listed in the Appendix to the report for the year 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999 for the purposes of children's hearings and proceedings in the Sheriff Court.

NOTED

389 RESIDENTIAL PROJECT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 389

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work advising of a proposed development in partnership with Quarriers to provide a small residential unit located in a Victorian house in Quarriers Village for young people with disabilities.

DECIDED:

(a) That approval be given to the development, in partnership with Quarriers, of a small residential unit to meet the individual needs of young people for whom the Council has a statutory responsibility; and

(b) That it be noted that the new service will meet the objectives of the Children's Services Plan and the requirements of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

390 HEAT LEASING - INVITATION OF TENDERS 390

SUBMITTED: Report dated 23 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services advising that following advertisement in the OJEC (European Journal) inviting indications of interest from gas heating contractors for the heat leasing project at Eastern View, Gourock, and, if funding is available, Royal Court, Greenock, only 3 responses had been received and requesting the Committee to homologate the decision to invite tenders from these 3 contractors only.

DECIDED: That the action taken in inviting 3 firms to tender for the heat leasing project be homologated for the purposes of the Council's Financial Regulations and that it be noted that a report on the tenders received will be reported to the Committee in due course.

391 BELVILLE STREET ROOFS - PHASE 3 391

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 March 1998 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on proposals for Phase 3 of the Belville Street roofing project which will comprise work to one further roof and seeking authority to negotiate a price from the contractor engaged to undertake Phases 1 and 2 of the project.

DECIDED:

(a) That agreement in principle be given to negotiate a price for Phase 3 of the Belville Street roofing Project with the contractor engaged to undertake Phases 1 and 2 of the work; and

(b) That the outcome of the negotiations be reported to the next meeting of the Committee for consideration.

392 KING STREET LIBRARY, PORT GLASGOW - CONVERSION 392

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on the present position of the proposed project to convert the former library at King Street, Port Glasgow to provide a flat suitable for a disabled tenant and requesting the Committee to agree to the invitation of competitive tenders from selected contractors for the conversion works.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the conversion of the library premises at King Street, Port Glasgow.

393 BAY AREA, PORT GLASGOW - HEATING REPLACEMENT 393

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on proposals for the replacement of the heating and hot water systems currently serving the 187 flats at Heather, Thistle and Rowan Courts and Court Road, Port Glasgow.

It was noted that during the plumbing works it was likely that tenants would require to vacate their houses for a day and that arrangements may be made to ensure that the elderly and infirm tenants are provided with alternative accommodation during that time.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the new heating and hot water installations within the flats at Heather, Thistle and Rowan Courts and Court Road, Port Glasgow;

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Housing and Customer Services to accept the quotation in the sum of £145,263 from Scottish Power as the Council's contribution to the Scottish Power's infrastructure costs;

(c) That Scottish Power be granted the necessary wayleaves for installation of electric cables as appropriate and that agreement be given to the lease/sale of the 2 sites detailed in the report which are required for the erection of electricity sub-stations on terms to be negotiated by the Director of Legal Services in consultation with the Director of Property and Technical Services; and

(d) That it be agreed to consult formally with the 3 owners who are currently users of the system with a view to reaching agreement on the cost implications of the new system and other associated matters.

394 THE INVERCLYDE CENTRE, GREENOCK 394

SUBMITTED: Report dated 12 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services advising of the requirement to increase the staff coverage at the Inverclyde Centre, Greenock and proposing that the services provided by the Centre be reviewed.

DECIDED:

(a) That approval be given to the proposed additional staffing at the Inverclyde Centre comprising 3 additional Project Workers and 2 Night Security staff for a period of up to 12 months and to the consequent increased contribution of £170,000 to the Council's agents, the Salvation Army in 1998/99;

(b) That it be noted that a review of the role of the Inverclyde Centre will be undertaken in conjunction with the Social Work Department in the light of the Council's current responsibilities in relation to homelessness etc;

(c) That it be agreed to give the Salvation Army 12 months notice of the Council's intention to terminate the current Management Agreement and that competitive tenders be sought with a view to commencing new management arrangements at the expiry of the notice of termination; and

(d) That it be noted that a further report will be submitted to the Committee on how the increased costs will be financed in the Budget for 1998/99.

395 AD-HOC REPLACEMENT OF GAS APPLIANCES - REPORT ON TENDERS 395

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on 4 tenders received for the one-off replacement of gas appliances for a 12 month period from 1 April 1998.

DECIDED: That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the Directors of Housing and Customer Services, Finance and Legal Services to accept the tender from Gasheat Ltd on a suitable start date to comply with the Council's legal and financial obligations.

396 GREENOCK TOWN CENTRE - REPAINTING WORKS, PHASE 1 - REPORT ON TENDERS 396

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on 6 tenders received for Phase 1 of the repainting works in Greenock Town Centre.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the lowest tender, that by the Bell Decorating Group Ltd in the sum of £35,955.14.

397 GREENOCK TOWN CENTRE - REPAINTING WORKS, PHASE 2 - REPORT ON TENDERS 397

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 March 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on 6 tenders received for Phase 2 of the repainting works in Greenock Town Centre.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the lowest tender, that by Brawley Brothers Ltd in the corrected sum of £28,715.50.

398 SELECTED SCHEMES OF IMPROVEMENT - APPROVALS 398

There was submitted a report by the Director of Housing and Customer Services requesting the Committee to approve selected schemes of improvement and this was agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix.

399 PORT GLASGOW TOWN CENTRE - REPAINTING WORKS, PHASE 2 - REPORT ON 399

TENDERS

SUBMITTED: Report dated 6 April 1998 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on 6 tenders received for Phase 2 of the repainting works in Port Glasgow Town Centre.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the lowest tender, that by Brawley Brothers Ltd in the corrected sum of £23,957.60.