Community Committee

Thursday 12 June 2003 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Fyfe, Hunter, McCormick (M), Moran, Roach, Robertson, Stewart and White.

Chair:  Councillor Hunter presided.

In attendance: Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Miss M McKnight (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Head of Financial Services, Head of Leisure & Community Support Services, Head of Environmental & Consumer Services, Mr W Rennie (for Head of Grounds, Transport & Cleansing Services) and Libraries Manager.

Apologies:  Councillor Tucker.

With the exception of the decision marked "C" which is open for confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

461

Grants Sub-Committee

461

It was agreed that membership of the Grants Sub-Committee comprise Councillors Hunter, Stewart, White, Tucker and Moran.

462

Arts Strategy

462

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services (1) advising of the progress to date in producing an Arts Strategy for Inverclyde and (2) seeking approval for adopting and implementing the Strategy.

Decided:

(1)      that the draft Arts Strategy for Inverclyde be approved;

(2)      that Councillors Hunter, Stewart and Robertson serve on the Arts Strategy Partnership Forum, a decision making body with powers to implement the Arts Strategy in Inverclyde with the exception of those matters falling within the remit of the Council; and

(3)      that it be approved in principle that Inverclyde Council bids for a Scottish Arts Council Partnership Grant on the understanding that a further report will be presented to Committee prior to the submission of the bid.

463

Safe and Healthy Working Service

463

There was submitted a report dated 23 May 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services (1) advising of the launch of the Safe and Healthy Working Service in Scotland and (2) requesting that the decision to afford a base within the Council’s Environmental Health Service for the Regional Advisor for the Argyll and Clyde Health Board area be ratified.

Decided:

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

(2)      that the decision to afford a base within the Council’s Environmental Health Service for the Regional Advisor for the Argyll and Clyde Health Board area be ratified.

464

Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003

464

There was submitted a report dated 22 May 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the staffing and resource implications for Inverclyde Council when the provisions of the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act come into force on 22 October 2003.

Decided:

(1)      that a Working Group be set up comprising Council Officers, Members and Strathclyde Police to determine the Council’s approach to implementing the Act, the Council Members being Councillor Stewart and Councillor Moran; and

(2)      that the Working Group report back to the Committee with recommendations to enable the Council to carry out the new duties effectively and to identify funding and resource requirements.

465

Local Air Quality Management

Updating and Screening Assessment 2003

465

There was submitted a report dated 21 May 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the requirement that local authorities must review and assess air quality within their area and updating the Committee on the position relating to Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)      that the current level of air quality monitoring for nitrogen dioxide, fine particles, benzine and carbon monoxide be continued;

(2)      that the strategy identified in the report to validate benzine monitoring be carried out; and

(3)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services to submit an annual progress report on local air quality to the Committee for consideration.

466

Inverclyde Voluntary Sector Compact

466

There was submitted a report dated 23 May 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the Inverclyde Voluntary Sector Compact and seeking approval to finalise, implement and promote the Compact.

Decided:

(1)      that the draft Inverclyde Voluntary Sector Compact be noted;

(2)      that the Compact be completed by September 2003;

(3)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services to nominate a Voluntary Sector Liaison Officer from within current staff levels to lead the implementation of the Compact; and

(4)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services to promote the Compact to all Council Services and other public sector agencies.

467

Summer Playschemes and Activities 2003

467

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the various play centres and special events scheduled for 2003 and proposals to increase the entry fee to playschemes from 70p to 80p.

Decided:

(1)      that the ongoing partnership arrangements of the Voluntary Playschemes Forum be noted and supported;

(2)      that the programme of activities being organised by Leisure & Community Support Services be approved;

(3)      that the entry fee to playschemes be increased to 75p per session; and

(4)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services to examine the possibility of offering a discount for entry into playschemes for families in future years.

468

Community Learning & Development - Working Draft Guidance

468

There was submitted a report dated May 2003 by the Director of Community Protective Services advising of the development taking place in the area of Community Learning & Development at national level and seeking approval for the actions taken to date within Leisure & Community Support Services to co-ordinate this work throughout Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)      that the “Working Draft Guidance” and the key role that Community Learning & Development will play within Inverclyde be noted;

(2)      that the action taken to date within the Community Learning & Development Strategy Group to take forward the initiative within Inverclyde be approved; and

(3)      that the lead role being taken by Leisure & Community Support Services in this regard be noted.

469

Community Learning & Development Outreach Work

469

There was submitted a report dated May 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the development of an inter agency approach to adult learning outreach work.

Decided:   that the action taken by Community Support Services to co-ordinate the outreach work in the community in collaboration with the Council’s partners be endorsed.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted item by the Director of Community & Protective Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the proposals to reintroduce flower tubs and beds on the central reservation of the A8 trunk road.   This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

470

Flower Beds and Tubs - A8 Corridor

470

There was submitted a report dated 11 June 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the proposal to reintroduce flower tubs and beds on the central reservation of the A8 corridor as agreed by The Inverclyde Council at its special meeting on 22 May 2003. 

Following discussion Councillor Blair moved (1) that the Committee note the decision of the Council to take on responsibility for maintenance of the central reservations on the A8 corridor; (2) that officers be instructed to implement the same in the current planting season; (3) that officers be instructed to ensure that the current negotiations with the Scottish Executive to reintroduce the floral displays on the central reservations of the A8 are concluded in the most financially advantageous manner for the Council; (4) that investigations into the traffic management costs associated with the proposal be continued; (5) that the Convener, Vice-Convener and Councillor Moran be kept advised of progress; and (6)  that a further report be brought to the Committee confirming the cost of the exercise and how such costs will be contained within existing budgets.    

As an amendment Councillor Roach moved that a request be made to the Council to suspend Standing Orders in order that the previous decision made on 22 May 2003 can be reconsidered.   On a vote 3 Members voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried.

Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.

C

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the decision of the Council to take on responsibility for maintenance of the central reservations on the A8 corridor;

(2)      that officers be instructed to implement the same in the current planting season;

(3)      that officers be instructed to ensure that the current negotiations with the Scottish Executive to reintroduce the floral displays on the central reservations of the A8 are concluded in the most financially advantageous manner for the Council;

(4)      that investigations into the traffic management costs associated with the proposal be continued;

(5)      that the Convener, Vice-Convener and Councillor Moran be kept advised of progress; and

(6)      that a further report be brought to the Committee confirming the cost of the exercise and how such costs will be contained within existing budgets.    

C