Community & Protective Services Committee

Thursday 27 January 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Calvert, Hunter, Jackson, McCormick, Morrison (M), Robertson (A) and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (M) presided.

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Mr C Clelland (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Miss E Di Murro (for Director of Resource Services), Director of Leisure Services, Chief Environmental Services Officer, Head of Property Services, Head of Grounds, Transport & Cleansing Services and Head of Community Support Services.

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

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the Waste Disposal Contract was relevant, competent and urgent authorised its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the up to date position.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

  78

Capital Programme 1999/2000:  Financial Progress

78

There was submitted a report dated 12 January 2000 by the Director of Resource Services detailing the financial position in respect of the current and proposed projects included in the 1999/2000 Capital Programme.

Noted.

  79

Capital Programme 1999/2000:  Technical Progress

79

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the progress on site of current projects.

Noted.

  80

Community Centres Membership System

80

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the outcome of the review of the membership system operating within community centres.

Decided:  that the existing membership system be continued.

  81

Waterfront Leisure Complex:  Renfrewshire Excellence Awards 2000

81

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of a request by Renfrewshire Enterprise to stage the Renfrewshire Excellence Awards 2000 on Friday 17 March at the Waterfront Leisure Complex and the need to remove the curling pad ice in order to hold the event.

Decided: 

(1) that the closure of the curling pad for the event be approved and that the Council become venue sponsors of the event; and

(2) that in view of the closure of the curling pad, the staging of the Sports Personality Awards 1999 the following evening should also take place within the Waterfront Leisure Complex.

  82

Sports Personality of the Year Awards

82

There was submitted a report dated 14 December 1999 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the arrangements being made to hold the Sports Personality of the Year Awards to take place on Saturday 11 March 2000 at Greenock Waterfront Leisure Complex.

Decided: that the contents of the report be agreed and that Councillor Robertson (Y) be included in the awards judging panel.

  83

Waterfront Leisure Complex:  Update

83

There was submitted a report dated 6 January 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the action taken to promote and develop the complex.

Noted

  84

Play Strategy

84

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the Play Strategy being considered for adoption by Leisure Services which will require input and co-operation from other Departments and external agencies.

Decided:  that the Play Strategy be supported and that it be remitted to the Director of Leisure Services to develop the Play Strategy on an Inverclyde wide basis.

  85

Leisure Management Facilities:  Statistical Information

85

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the number of users of facilities run under the Leisure Management Contract in respect of Leisure Services for the period from 5 November 1999 to 2 January 2000.

Decided: that the contents of the report be noted and the action taken to ensure target attendances be approved.

  86

Millennium Events Programme

86

There was submitted a report dated 13 January 2000 advising of current arrangements to provide a programme of events in Inverclyde throughout the Millennium.  It was noted that the Sports Personality Awards would be held on 18 March 2000 and the Gourock Highland Games would take place on 14 May 2000 and that the Comet would be included in the Millennium events programme.

Decided: 

(1) that the proposals outlined in the report to celebrate the Millennium be agreed;

(2) that it be recommended to the Policy and Strategy Committee that additional finances be made available to provide additional events as described in the report;

(3) that subject to the approval of the Policy and Strategy Committee the services of an experienced events organiser be made available in order to progress the Millennium Events Programme, such a programme to be progressed by the Director of Leisure Services; and

(4) that the report be submitted to the Policy and Strategy Committee for consideration.

  87

Devol Tenants’ Hall:  Capital Improvement

(Councillor Robertson (Y) left the meeting at this point in the proceedings).

87

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the progress to date with regard to the Devol Tenants’ Hall.  With permission, Councillor Moody spoke with regard to the views of the Tenants’ Association and requested that the project be funded from the Capital Programme.  Following discussion Councillor Moody was advised that the sum allocated for the work would remain within the Capital Programme until a decision of the National Lotteries Charities Board had been made with regard to the lottery application for funding to progress these improvements to the Devol Tenants’ Hall.

Decided:  that the contents of the report be noted and that the application be resubmitted to the National Lotteries Charities Board on the basis of 100% funding.

  88

Inverclyde Cemeteries and Crematorium:  Request by Councillor Hunter

88

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services following a request from Councillor Hunter that the Committee consider the condition of the cemeteries and crematorium roads, car parks, buildings and general surrounds.  The Chief Environmental Services Officer and the Director of Community & Protective Services spoke with regard to the content of the letter.

Noted

  89

National Waste Strategy Scotland

89

There was submitted a report dated 15 December 1999 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the launch of the National Waste Strategy Scotland on Thursday 9 December 1999.

Decided: 

(1) that the launch of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland and the possible financial and operational implications for Inverclyde Council be noted;

(2) that the development in respect of the Waste Strategy areas with regard to meetings initiated in respect of area 10 be noted; and

(3) that a Waste Strategy for Inverclyde be developed by all relevant Services of the Council by the end of the year 2000.

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 for 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)

Ravenscraig Pitches                                                                                    6, 8 & 9

Fitness Centres                                                                                            9

Waterfront Leisure Complex:  Marketing Tender                                    6, 8 & 9

Leisure Management Facilities Income Information                                 9

Waste Disposal Contract:  Acceptance of Tenders                                   6, 8 & 9

  90

Ravenscraig Pitches

90

There was submitted a report dated 6 January 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the current position with regard to the Ravenscraig Pitches and advising of the lowest tender received to undertake environmental surveys and assessments of the ground.

Decided: 

(1) that the content of the report be noted and that subject to approval by the Policy and Strategy Committee the tender submitted by the consultant on the terms identified in the report be accepted to carry out an updated environmental study at the Ravenscraig Pitches; and

(2) that a request be made to the Policy & Strategy Committee for funding from the current Non-HRA Capital Programme for the environmental study as funding cannot be met from existing resources.

  91

Fitness Centres

91

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the up to date position with regard to the provision of high-tech fitness centres within Greenock Sports Centre, Boglestone Community Recreation Centre and Gourock Pool together with proposals to create a high-tech fitness studio within Ravenscraig Recreation Centre at a total cost of £98,331.

Decided:

(1) that the contents of the report be noted;

(2) that it be remitted to the Director of Leisure Services in conjunction with the Director of Resource Services, the Director of Legal & Support Services and other Officers as required to enter into further negotiations with Pulse Fitness for the construction and installation of a fitness studio and the renewal of the main hall floor within Ravenscraig Recreation Centre;

(3) that subject to agreement by all Officers and to Pulse Fitness the Committee give authorisation to the Director of Leisure Services to conclude an agreement with Pulse Fitness in appropriate terms; and

(4) that it be remitted to the Director of Leisure Services to agree with Pulse Fitness a programme of work to allow for the construction and installation of the fitness studio at the time which least affects operational use.

  92

Waterfront Leisure Complex:  Marketing Tender

92

There was submitted a report dated 13 December 1999 by the Director of Community & Protective Services seeking approval from Committee to invite tenders for the Marketing Contract in respect of the Waterfront Leisure Complex and outlining the companies which would be invited to tender.

Decided:

(1) that the 5 companies outlined in the report be invited to tender for the Marketing Contract; and

(2) that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services to submit a report at a future date advising of the outcome of the tender process.

  93

Leisure Management Facilities Income Information

93

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the income from facilities run under the Leisure Management Contract in Leisure Services for the period from 15 November 1999 to 2 January 2000.

Decided:  that the contents of the report be noted and that the action taken to ensure the achievement of target income be approved.

  94

Waste Disposal Contract

94

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the tenders returned for the above contract which (i) sought approval to accept the tender submitted by Malcolm in the sum of £46,094 for road waste haulage and tipping contract; and (ii) requested that in relation to the contract for the disposal of Municipal Waste the Committee decide whether to accept the tender from Barr Environmental for the haul  and tip operation or accept the tender for the tip only operation from Shanks and McEwan.  In relation to the contract for the disposal of Municipal Waste, Councillor Jackson indicated that consultation with the Trade Union has to be concluded and the future of the employees determined before any tender can be accepted.

Decided: 

(1) that the tender for road waste haulage and tipping submitted by Malcolm in the sum of £46,094 be accepted; and

(2) that it be remitted to the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to decide which of the tenders, if any, are to be accepted relative to the contract for the disposal of Municipal Waste following conclusion of the consultation procedure with Trade Unions and after the future of the employees has been determined.