Community Committee

Thursday 20 May 2004 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Hunter presided.

In attendance:  Director of Community Services, Miss M McKnight (for Director of Legal & Support Services),  Mr J Aird (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.

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

It was noted that Item 6a was withdrawn.

401

Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07 - Progress

401

There was submitted a report by the Director Community Services on the current position of the Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07. 

Decided:  that the progress on the specific projects detailed in the Appendices to the report be approved and that the report be noted.

402

Follow-up Visit by HM Inspectors

402

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the follow-up inspection of Community Learning and Development in the Port Glasgow area which took place in December 2003.

Decided:

(1)      that the submission made by Community Support Services to the HM Inspectors and the report by the Inspectors be noted;

(2)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to submit an additional report on staffing resources to the Committee in six months; and

(3)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to submit an improvement plan as soon as possible highlighting how progress will be made and the main points for action in the next twelve months.

403

Summer Playschemes and Activities 2004

403

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the various play centres and special events scheduled for summer playschemes and activities in 2004.

Decided:

(1)      that the ongoing partnership arrangements with the Voluntary Playscheme Forum be noted;

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

(3)      that the entry fees be increased to eighty pence per session; and

(4)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to consider the merits of using St Kenneth’s school as a venue for a playscheme.

404

Regional Development Challenge Fund

404

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the Regional Development Challenge Fund Initiative and the role of Inverclyde Council in the proposed three year project.

Decided: 

(1)      that Inverclyde Council’s participation in the three year project led by Glasgow Museums to access the Regional Development Challenge Fund be approved; and

(2)      that the proposals to draw up a Local History Strategy for Inverclyde with links to the wider West of Scotland Local History and Archaeology Strategy be noted.

405

Services Standard Pest Control - Wasp Control Services

405

There was submitted a report dated 29 April 2004 by the Director of Community Services advising of the likely effects on wasp control resulting from the reduction of service.

Decided:  that the measures taken to implement the budget decision in respect of the wasp control services be noted and that the measures outlined in sections 3, 4 and 5 of the report be approved.

406

Local Air Quality Management Progress Report - April 2004

406

There was submitted a report dated 29 April 2004 by the Director of Community Services advising that the progress report for 2004 had been completed and was available for inspection.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be approved;

(2)      that the proposals for further monitoring of nitrogen dioxide be approved; and

(3)      that it be noted that the progress report for next year will advise of the outcome of the additional nitrogen dioxide monitoring.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Community Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider the difficulties associated with the Able to Play Playscheme 2004.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

407

Able to Play Playscheme 2004

407

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising that the Council could no longer provide the Able to Play Playscheme during the 2004 summer holidays due to criteria set out by the Care Commission which the Council were unable to implement.

Decided:

(1)      that the Able to Play Playscheme be cancelled in 2004;

(2)      that interested parties be advised of this decision; and

(3)      that further discussions be held over the next twelve months to establish if an alternative provision can be held next year.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Community Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the agreement in principle received from the Scottish Executive to fund containers and a refuse collection vehicle through the Executive’s Waste Strategy fund.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

408

Strategic Waste Fund - Interim Award

408

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the recent agreement in principle received from the Scottish Executive to fund containers and a refuse collection vehicle through the Executive’s Strategic Waste fund and advising that as a result of the interim approval which had been given on the bid submitted by the Council it could now proceed with tendering for the containers and vehicle purchase.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to invite tenders for wheeled bins and a refuse collection vehicle in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Financial Regulations and that authority be delegated in the usual manner to accept the lowest or most economically advantageous tender.

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 item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

409

Revocation of Closing Order

409

There was submitted a report dated 29 April 2004 by the Director of Community Services requesting that the Council make the necessary order to revoke the closing order in respect of Flat 1/2, 201 Roxburgh Street, Greenock.

Decided:  that the closing order in respect of Flat 1/2, 201 Roxburgh Street, Greenock be revoked.