Community Committee

Thursday 13 January 2005 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Hunter presided.

In attendance:  Director of Community Services, Mr H McNeilly (for Director of Corporate Services), Head of Environmental & Consumer Services, Community Support Services Manager, Libraries Manager, Mr J Aird (for Director of Corporate Services) and Head of Grounds, Transport & Cleansing.

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

21

Capital Programme 2004/05 - 2006/07

21

There was submitted a report dated October 2004 by the Director of Community Services on the up to date position of the Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07 and highlighting the overall financial position.

Decided:

(1)      that the progress on the specific projects detailed in the appendices to the report be approved; and

(2)      that the report be otherwise noted.

22

Revenue Budget 2004/05

22

There was submitted a report dated 20 December 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Revenue Budget at Period 8 to 30 November 2004.

Noted

23

Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill

23

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the proposals of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill and the implications for the enforcement of its provisions for Inverclyde Council.

Decided:

(1)  that the implications of the introduction of the Bill be noted; and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to submit a further report on the full implications for the Environmental Health Service and consultation proposals for local businesses and premises affected by the proposals.

24

The Anti Social Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 - Application for Grant Funding and Adoption of Powers in Respect of Noise Nuisance

24

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services requesting the Committee to consider adopting the noise control powers as set out in the Act and recommending that the Council make a resolution to that effect.

Decided:

(1)  that the noise control provisions provided in Section 39 to 42 of the Anti Social Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 be adopted; and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services to draft the appropriate resolution in terms of Section 41 of the Act for submission to the Scottish Ministers.

25

Environmental Health Service Delivery Plan

25

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services requesting the Committee to approve the service delivery plan for the Environmental Health Unit and Environmental & Consumer Services to comply with the outstanding action point from the Food Standards Agency Audit.

Decided:  that the service delivery plan be approved.

26

Consultation on the Landfill Allowance Scheme Regulations

26

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the likely impact of the Landfill Allowance Scheme Regulations on the Council and the response to the consultation.

Decided:

(1)  that the likely impact of the regulations on the Council be noted if the waste strategy proposals are not fully implemented: and

(2)  that the response to the Scottish Executive consultation on the regulations be noted.

27

Domestic Refuse Collection Policy

27

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of changes required to some of the current policies/practices in respect of the Domestic Refuse Collection Service and outlining the existing policies in respect of the bulk uplift service and provision of containers (sacks/bins).

Decided: 

(1)  that the proposed changes to the collection system as outlined in paragraph 3 of the report be approved; and

(2)  that the policy for the bulk uplift service and replacement of containers be approved.

28

Performance Management - Introduction of Standard Appraisal System for Community Services

28

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the introduction of a robust mechanism for reporting plans and performance.

Decided:  that the proposed performance management systems and the use of service specific measures be approved and that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to submit a report to the Committee every six months or at an appropriate time during the year.

29

Local Environmental Audit & Management System 2003/04

29

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the level of cleanliness within Inverclyde in comparison to other local authority areas using local Environmental Audit and Management System (Leams) Performance Indicator.

Decided:  that the improving cleanliness standards within Inverclyde be noted.

30

Operational Management of Auchmountain Hall

30

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the arrangements proposed for the operational management of Auchmountain Hall following its refurbishment.

Decided:

(1)  that the principle of managing the  new Auchmountain Hall as outlined in the report be approved; and

(2)  that it be delegated to the Director of Community Services after consultation with the relevant services to finalise the service legal agreement with the Maukinhill BNSF Panel regarding the future operational management of Auchmountain Hall.

31

New Strategy for the Enforcement of Health and Safety at Work

31

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the new strategy for the enforcement of Health and Safety at Work to make authorities more effective in improving Health and Safety and the instances at work relating to injury and ill health and requesting approval for the outline proposals, taking into account changes brought about by the merger of Trading Standards into the commercial section of Environmental Health and the removal of the current strategy performance indicator.     

Decided:  that the approach suggested by the Director of Community Services to achieve the implementation of the Health and Safety Commission and Department for Work and Pensions new strategy to improve future standards of workplace health and safety by refocusing and maintaining the current resources allocated to the enforcement of health and safety legislation be approved.

32

Local Authority Internal Waste Audit

32

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the funding available from the Scottish Executive for local authorities to carry out Internal Waste Audits and requesting commitment from the Council to implement the resultant action required.

Decided: 

(1)  that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to submit a bid to the Scottish Executive for funding; and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services, on approval of the bid, to arrange and appoint staff/consultants to carry out the audit and prepare the action plan.

33

Waste Strategy Implementation - Request for Virement

33

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services requesting virement to assist and support the implementation of the Council’s Waste Strategy.

Decided:  that the content of the report be noted and that the request for virement of £56,000 from the Fridge Disposal Budget towards the costs of implementing the Council’s Waste Strategyl be approved.

34

Materials Recycling Facility: Report on Tenders for Operating Partnership

34

It was agreed that this item be continued to a special meeting of the Committee to be held on 27 January 2005 at 2 pm within the Municipal Buildings, Greenock.

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 during consideration of the following items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective of Paragraph(s) of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item                                                                                                                Paragraph(s)                                                                                                                  

Better Neighbourhood Services Fund - Acceptance of Tenders 6, 8 & 9

Request for Payment of Recycling Credits                                      6, 8 & 9

Waste Disposal Contract                                                                    1

35

Better Neighbourhood Services Fund -

Acceptance of Tenders

35

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services requesting approval to use virement to transfer funds between the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund Budgets and to accept tenders in relation to the Robert Street BNSF area.

Decided: 

(1) that it be agreed to transfer £120,560 from the BNSF Health Theme to the BNSF Neighbourhood Services Theme to offset the costs of the Robert Street BNSF area projects; and

(2)  that the tenders be accepted as follows:-

Project

Contractor

Amount

Woodland Environment

Improvements

Stewart Landscapes

£186,880.24

Neighbourhood Centre

Elim Construction

£161,277.30

Home Zone Project

Ashbury Contracts Ltd

£967,590.02

36

Request for Payment of Recycling Credits

36

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on a request for payment of recycling credits received from the Light Trust and making recommendations regarding the payment of recyling credits.

Decided:

(1)  that the criteria for the payment of recycling credits to the Light Trust and Rainbow Friends be agreed; and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to contact the Light Trust and Rainbow Friends with a view to ensuring that they can meet the criteria as outlined in the report.Â

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 contract for Waste Disposal within Inverclyde.   This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

37

Waste Disposal Contract

37

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising that the contract with Barr Environmental Ltd for the haulage and disposal of waste at the Refuse Transfer Station at Pottery Street, Greenock was due to terminate on 31 March 2005 and that the Council had received expressions of interest from a number of companies.

Decided:

(1)  that the Council include an option for tenderers to carry out the loading operation and that it be remitted to the Head of Grounds Transport & Cleansing to consult with employees accordingly; and

(2)  that the options for the management of the Civic Amenity Site be explored with the successful tenderer and reported to the Committee at a later date.