Community Committee

Thursday 25 March 2004 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Fyfe, Hill, Hunter, McCormick (M), Moran, Robertson, Stewart, White and Tucker.

Chair:  Councillor Hunter presided.

In attendance:  Director of Community Services, Miss M McKnight (for Director of Legal & Support Services),  Mr M Thomson (for Director of Corporate Services), Head of Environmental & Consumer Services, Head of Grounds Transport & Cleansing Services, Community Support Services Manager, Libraries Manager and Head of Property Services.

Apologies:  Councillor Roach.

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

244

Revenue Budget 2003/04 - Period 11

244

There was submitted a report dated 16 March 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Revenue Budget as at period 11 (to 29 February 2004).

Decided:  that the projected overspend and the 2004/05 budget decisions to address the areas of budget shortfall be noted.

Provost Rebecchi and Councillor Blair entered the meeting at this point.

245

Capital Programme 2003/04 - 2004/05

245

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the up to date position in respect of the Capital Programme 2003/04 to 2004/05.

Decided: that the report be approved.

246

Membership of Grants Sub-Committee

246

There was submitted a request by Councillor Moran and Councillor Roberston that a second member of the Labour Group be appointed to the Grants Sub-Committee to reflect the political balance of the Council in terms of Standing Order 60a.

Decided:  that Councillor Robertson be appointed to the Grants Sub-Committee.

247

Consultation -  Environmental Levy Bill

247

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services seeking the Council’s view on an Environmental Levy Bill as proposed by Mr Mike Pringle MSP.

Decided:  that the suggested responses to questions 1 - 9 outlined in the report together with a letter of support to the Bill be agreed.

248

Scottish Executive Guidance for Community Learning and Development

248

There was submitted a report dated March 2004 by the Director of Community Services advising of the Guidance issued by the Scottish Executive on Community Learning and Development and requesting approval of the arrangements in place to take the work forward.

Decided: 

(1)      that the Scottish Executive Guidance for Community Learning and Development be endorsed;

(2)      that the structures established to take the work forward in Inverclyde including the lead role taken by Community & Support Services be approved; and

(3)      that a report be submitted to the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee for noting.

249

Lower Clyde Trading Standards Consortium Working Group

249

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services seeking approval for participation in the Lower Clyde Trading Standards Consortium Working Group.

Decided:  that the participation by Environmental and Consumer Services in the Lower Clyde Trading Standards Consortium Working Group be approved.

250

Service Standards for Pest Control and Dog Warden Service

250

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the limitations of the merged Dog Warden Service and Pest Control Service and proposing minimum response standards for both pest control and stray dogs.

Decided:  that the measures taken to implement the budget decision in respect of the service be noted and the response times detailed in paragraph 4 of the report be approved.

251

Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 - Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation

251

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising that the Scottish Executive had set up a grant scheme for Councils to fund awareness raising campaigns in relation to the mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation, Inverclyde Council’s grant being £15,000.  The report advised that the grant allocation was announced in December 2003 and that the funding for 2003/2004 would be have to be spent within 3 months.

Decided:  that the Programme identified in paragraph 2 of the report be approved and the progress made in the limited time available be noted.

252

Commercial Waste Services

252

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the viability of entering into an agreement with external companies or the not for profit sector, with a view to either selling or leasing the commercial waste service.

Decided:

(1)      that the work that has commenced to consolidate and where possible improve the financial viability of the commercial waste service be noted; and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to report any significant changes to the commercial waste services.

253

SAC Local Authority Partnership

253

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the success of the Scottish Arts Council Local Authority Partnership application.

Decided: 

(1)      that a public meeting be held on 26 May 2004 to launch the Arts Strategy for Inverclyde, the LAP programme and the logo and branding of the Arts in Inverclyde; and

(2)      that the success of the LAP bid be noted and the proposals for the Kixt Art Programme be approved.

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)

Bowling Greens - Transfer of Management to Clubs                           6

Collection and Treatment of Green Garden Waste                               6 & 8

Tender -  BNSF Environmental Improvement Works at Maukinhill     6 & 8

254

Bowling Greens - Transfer of Management to Clubs

254

There was submitted a report dated 17 March 2004 by the Director of Community Services advising of the responses received by Bowling Clubs to the proposal to transfer management of the facility to respective clubs and seeking approval to conclude discussions and enter into agreements with those clubs willing to take on new management of establishments, and close those establishments where the club is unwilling or unable to take on management of the establishment.

Decided:

(1)      that authority be delegated to the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and the Head of Property Services, to conclude discussions and enter into agreements with those bowling clubs willing to take on the management of their respective bowling establishment;

(2)      that the request for financial assistance from Wellington Bowling Club be refused; and

(3)      that approval be given to the closure of those establishments where the clubs are unwilling or unable to take on the management subject to a meeting being arranged with the club, the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillor McCormick (M) prior to any closure taking place to discuss the position.

Provost Rebecchi and Councillor Blair left the meeting at this point.

255

Collection and Treatment of Green Garden Waste

255

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services requesting that the decision taken by Councillors Hunter, Stewart and Moran agreeing that Inverclyde Council participate in developing a joint tender for the collection and treatment of green garden waste from individual local authorities for a period of between three to five years be homologated.

Decided:  that the decision taken in respect of the proposed joint tender exercise be homologated and that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to pursue a joint tender with other local authorities within the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Waste Strategy Area for the collection and treatment of green waste.

256

Tender -  BNSF Environmental Improvement Works at Maukinhill

256

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services seeking permission to accept the lowest tender for the first phase of environmental improvements that are being planned for the Maukinhill area as part of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal and Support Services to accept the lowest tender being that submitted by Stewart Landscape (Contracts) Ltd in the sum of £74,971.39.