	Community Committee Thursday 6 November 2003 at 3.00 pm
	Present: Councillors Blair, Fyfe, Hill, McCormick (M), Moran, Roach and Stewart.
	Chair: Councillor Stewart presided.
	In attendance: Director of Community & Protective Services, Mr G Douglas (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Head of Financial Services, Head of Environmental & Consumer Services, Head of Grounds, Transport & Cleansing Services, Community Support Services Manager, Libraries Manager and Mr S MacDonald (for Head of Property Services).
	Apologies: Councillors Hunter and Robertson.
	The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.
818	Capital Programme 2003/04 - 2004/05	818
	There was submitted a report dated November 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services on the up-to-date position in respect of the Capital Programme 2003/04 to 2004/05. Noted
819	Revenue Budget 2003/04 - Period 6	819
	There was submitted a report dated 17 October 2003 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget as at Period 6 (17 September 2003).
	Decided: (1) that the Committee note with concern the projected overspend in the current budget monitoring position; and (2) that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services to advise the Committee of the actions being taken to address the position.
820	Implementation of the Arts Strategy	820
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the progress made in implementing the Arts Strategy and the Scottish Arts Council Local Authority Partnership Grant submission.
	Decided: (1) that the Committee approve a bid of £120,000 to the Scottish Arts Council for a Local Authority Partnership Grant; (2) that the Committee agree in principle to financially support the LAP bid from the Council and to remit this to the Corporate Management Team for consideration as part of the budget setting process for 2004/2005; (3) that the Committee note that a public meeting wll be held by the end of 2003 to set up the Arts Strategy Partnership Forum to clarify its remit and responsibilities; and (4) that Councillors Hunter, Stewart and Robertson be nominated as members of the Arts Strategy Partnership Forum.
821	Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003	821
	Councillor Blair entered at this item of business.
	There was submitted a report dated 21 October 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 which came into force on 22 October 2003 and the implications of the Act.
	Decided: (1) that the implementation strategy outlined in paragraph 2 of the report be approved subject to the submission and approval of a policy regarding persons aged under sixteen by the appropriate Council Committee; (2) that it be delegated to the Director of Community & Protective Services and the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to appoint and authorise suitably qualified Officers to undertake the duties detailed in the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003; and (3) that the Committee consider the future funding of an out of hours response for this service and remit it to the Corporate Management Team to consider the provision of £10,000 from the Quality of Life funding for 2004/2005 to resource appropriate out of hours working.
822	National Performance Framework for Trading Standards Services - Approval of Development Plans	822
	There was submitted a report dated 20 October 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services requesting approval of the development plans within the National Performance Framework for Trading Standards Services.
	Decided: that the actions detailed in the development plans outlined in the report be approved.
823	Strategic Waste Fund Bid	823
	There was submitted a report dated 20 October 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the progress of the Strategic Waste Fund Bid and recommending the formation of a Member/Officer Group to oversee the implementation of the project.
	Decided: (1) that the progress of the Waste Fund Strategy Bid be noted; and (2) that an implementation group be formed comprising Councillors Fyfe, Hunter, McCormick (M), Moran and Stewart.
824	Flower Beds and Tubs A8: Compensatory Savings
	There was submitted a report dated 15 October 2003 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the compensatory savings associated with the re-introduction of the floral displays on the A8. Noted	824
825	Gibshill Community Centre	825
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the current regeneration work taking place within the Gibshill area and the impact on the Gibshill Community Centre.
	Decided: (1) that it be agreed in principle to close the Gibshill Community Centre and Gibshill Sports Barn and that the facilities be declared surplus to requirements after consultation with Property Services once future plans for the regeneration of the area including a new community facility have been agreed; (2) that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services to submit a report detailing the future plans to the Committee in due course; and (3) that the report be remitted to the Economic Regeneration Committee for approval.
826	Devol Tenants' Hall	826
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the progress to secure funding from the National Lottery for the refurbishment of the Devol Tenants' Hall and proposing a way forward for the project.
	Decided: (1) that the action taken to secure funding for the project from the National Lottery be noted; and (2) that it be noted that the project will now be considered for inclusion on the Council's Capital Programme.
827	New Application for Let Form and Procedures	827
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services requesting approval of the new Application for Let Form and Associated Conditions note which accompany the new form.
	Decided: that the new Application for Let and Associated Conditions detailed in Appendices A and B of the report be approved.
	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 tenders to be sought for the works to refurbish the Auchmountain Halls at the earliest opportunity. This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.
828	Refurbishment of Auchmountain Halls	828
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services requesting permission to tender for the works to refurbish the Auchmountain Halls as part of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund initiative.
	Decided: (1) that approval be given to proceed to tender for the project; and (2) that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received.
	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 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act as are set opposite each item.
	Item Paragraph (s) Budget Overspend - Proposed Savings 6 and 8 Commercial Waste Services 1 Closing Order - Property in Clune Park Street, 13 Port Glasgow Closing Order - Property in Roxburgh Street, 13 Greenock
829	Budget Overspend - Proposed Savings	829
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services recommending savings to address the projected budget overspend of £212,000.
	Decided: (1) that the actions being taken to address the projected overspend be noted and approved; (2) that it be noted that a further report on progress with implementation of the savings will be presented to the next Committee in January 2004; and (3) that it be remitted to the Director of Community & Protective Services in consultation with the Director of Finance to submit a report on the proposal for the Indoor Bowling Club premises at Bogston, Greenock to the next meeting of the Committee.
830	Commercial Waste Services	830
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services requesting the Council to consider the viability of entering into a partnership arrangement with the private or not-for-profit sector with a view to either selling or leasing the commercial waste service.
	Decided: (1) that it be remitted to the Head of Grounds, Transport & Cleansing to seek expressions of interest in accordance with the proposals detailed in the report and consult affected employees accordingly; and (2) that the result of the exercise be reported to Committee prior to issuing invitations to tender.
831	Closing Order - Property in Clune Park Street, Port Glasgow	831
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services requesting a Closing Order be made in respect of a property in Clune Park Street, Port Glasgow and this was agreed all as detailed in the Appendix.
832	Closing Order - Property in Roxburgh Street, Greenock	832
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services requesting that a Closing Order be made in respect of a property in Roxburgh Street, Greenock and this was agreed all as detailed in the Appendix.