Community & Protective Services Committee

Thursday 25 January 2001 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Hunter, Jackson, McGhee, McGraw, Morrison (M), Robertson (A) and White.

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (M) presided.

In attendance:  Director of Community & Protective Services, Mrs M Craig (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Miss E Di Murro (for Director of Resource Services), Head of Environmental and Consumer Services, Head of Property Services, Head of Grounds, Transport & Cleansing Services and Head of Leisure & Community Support Services.

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

100

Revenue Monitoring  Report 2000/2001 - Period 8

100

There was submitted a report dated 3 January 2001 by the Director of Resource Services on the position of the Community & Protective Services Revenue Budget as at period 8 (15 November 2000) and advising of the overspend of £86,000 which is an increase of £69,000 in period 8.

Noted

101

Increase in Waste Disposal Costs

101

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the current position with regard to the Waste Disposal Budget.

Decided:

(1)  that the contents of the report be noted with particular reference to (a) the projected overspend of £55,325 in the Waste Disposal Budget which is intended to be contained within the Grounds Transport & Cleansing Services Budget; and (b) the financial implications of the anticipated annual increase in waste rising by 2% which will be referred to in the budget process; and

(2)  that the virement of £10,000 from the Fly Tipping Budget and £15,000 from the Waste Strategy Budget to the Waste Disposal Budget be approved.

102

Waterfront Leisure Complex: Electricity Consumption

102

There was submitted a report dated 8 January 2001 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the electrical metering fault within the Waterfront Leisure Complex resulting in an underbilling of £150,051.85.   It was noted that a final payment of approximately £145,000 will be made to Scottish Power.

Decided:  that the contents of the report and the financial implications be noted.

103

Capital Programme 2000/2001: Technical Progress

103

There was submitted a report dated 15 December 2000 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the progress on site of current projects.

Noted

104

Capital Programme 2000/2001: Financial Progress

104

There was submitted a report dated 19 December 2000 by the Director of Resource Services advising of the financial position of current and proposed projects.

Noted

105

Adult Literacy 2000

105

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the current local provision for adults in respect of literacy and numeracy and requesting approval for the development of a local adult literacy team in line with Inverclyde's Community and Learning Strategy.

Decided:

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

(2)  that an Inverclyde adult literacy team be established to investigate how to take forward further development;

(3)  that an action plan be prepared detailing how services can develop in respect of literacy and numeracy and funding which will be required to make this achievable; and

(4)  that a further report be submitted to the Committee outlining the findings of the National Adult Literacy 2000 Team and advising when their local action plan is produced.

106

Leisure Management Facilities: Statistical Information

106

There was submitted a report dated 4 January 2001 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 2 October 2000 to 31 December 2000.  

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

107

Response to Consultation Paper - Civil Registration in 21st Century

107

There was submitted a report dated 4 January 2001 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the proposed response to the consultation paper from the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Scotland.

Decided:  that the response outlined in the report be agreed.

108

New Contaminated Land Regime

108

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising that the Scottish Executive had made a commencement order which brought into force the Contaminated Land Provisions of Part 11A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Contaminated Land (Scotland) Regulations 2000 and advising of the implications  for the Council.

Decided:

(1)  that the implications for the Council be noted;

(2) that a further report be submitted to the Committee detailing the proposed use of resources and the likely effect on the development of the strategy when the grant aided expenditure has been allocated; and

(3) that a draft of the Council's Strategy for the identification of contaminated land be submitted for approval before the end of July 2001 prior to publication by the required date of October 2001.

109

Refuse Collection Services: Effect of Adverse Weather Conditions during Christmas and New Year Holidays

109

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the measures taken by the Refuse Collection Services to minimise service disruption during the Christmas and New Year Holiday period and taking into account the adverse weather conditions during that period.

Noted

110

Ravenscraig Pitches and Surround

110

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the outcome of the environmental surveys undertaken at Ravenscraig pitches and surrounding area.

Decided:

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

(2)  that the action plan outlined in the report be approved.

111

Council Owned Bowling Greens

111

It was noted that this report was withdrawn.

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)

Inverclyde Indoor Bowling Company Ltd                                                   2, 4, 6 & 9

Closing Order - Property in Albert Road,Gourock                                    6 & 13

Closing Order - Property in Hope Street, Greenock                                 6 & 13

Leisure Management Facilities: Income Information                               8

DSO Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 8                                             8

Gourock Pool Mechanical Works Phase 2                                                 8

112

Inverclyde Indoor Bowling Company Ltd

112

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services on a request from Inverclyde Indoor Bowling Company Ltd for a reduction in their rent for their premises at Bogston, Greenock.   The Convener advised that this report would be continued to a further meeting for additional financial information. Following discussion Councillor Blair requested that his dissent to the lack of consideration of this report be noted.

Decided:  that the report be continued for further information and if the information is available prior to the meeting of Inverclyde Council a special meeting of the Community & Protective Services Committee would be arranged.

113

Closing Order - Property in Albert Road, Gourock

113

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services

requesting that a Closing Order be made in respect of the property at Albert Road, Gourock and this was agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix.

114

Closing Order - Property in Hope Street, Greenock

114

It was noted that this report was withdrawn.

115

Leisure Management Facilities: Income Information

115

There was submitted a report dated 4 January 2001 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of income from facilities run under the Leisure Management Contracts and Leisure Services from 2 October 2000 to 31 December 2000.

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

116

DSO Revenue Monitoring Report - Phase 8

116

There was submitted a report dated 3 January 2001 by Resource Services setting out the position of the DSO Revenue Budget as at 15 November 2000 (Period 8) and advising that the current overall projected position is a surplus of £779,000 which is an increase of £32,000 in Period 8.

Noted

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Community & Protective Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow action to be carried out.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

117

Gourock Pool Mechanical Works - Phase 2

117

There was submitted a report dated January 2001 by the Director of Community & Protective Services requesting additional funding for the mechanical works at Gourock Pool to be carried out.   It was noted that the overall over commitment in budget can be offset against a reduction in allocation for the Development of Parks which is in the uncommitted projects at £100,000.

Decided:

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

(2)  that approval be given for the additional funding of £35,000 in respect of the Gourock Pool Mechanical Works Phase 2 Project in accordance with the terms of the report; and

(3)  that approval be given to invite tenders for the work and that delegated authority be given to accept the lowest acceptable tender within 10% greater than the approved estimate all in accordance with the Financial Regulations.