Community Committee

Thursday  20 October 2005 at 3 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor White presided.

In attendance:  Director of Community Services,  Mr G Douglas (for Solicitor to the Council), Mr M Thomson (for Chief Financial Officer), Head of Environmental & Consumer Services, Head of Grounds, Transport & Cleansing Services, Community Support Services Manager and Co-ordinator, Cleaner, Greener, Safer Inverclyde.

Apologies:  Councillors Robertson and Tucker.

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

796

Miss Sandra Macdougall

796

The Committee asked that their condolences be conveyed to Miss Sandra Macdougall, the Libraries Manager, following her recent bereavement.

797

Household Survey

797

Councillor Stewart referred to and commended the very high net satisfaction scores received by Community Services in the recently returned Council household survey.  The Committee conveyed its thanks to the Director of Community Services and his staff for their work in achieving these results.

798

Revenue Budget 2005/06 - Period 5

798

There was submitted a report dated 27 September 2005 by the Chief Financial Officer on the position of the Revenue Budget 2005/06 as at Period 5 (31 August 2005) which showed a projected overspend of £172,000.

Decided:

(1)      that the projected overspend of £172,000 in the Community Services Revenue Budget 2005/06 be noted; and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to submit a detailed report to the next meeting of the Committee addressing the various issues raised in the report, including proposals to address the budget overspend.

799

Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2007/08 - Progress

799

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the current position of the Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2007/08.

Noted

800

Christmas Lights Switch On Events

800

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services providing details of the arrangements being made for the Christmas Lights Switch On Events 2005.

Noted

801

Skillseekers Scheme

801

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services providing information on the Community Support Services “Get Ready for Work” Skillseekers Training Scheme which showed an estimated budget shortfall of £20,000 in the current financial year.

Decided:

(1)      that the current projected shortfall of £20,000 in the Community Services “Get Ready for Work” Skillseekers Training Scheme be noted; and                                  

(2)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee with proposals on how to address the shortfall.

802

BNSF Capital Projects

802

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services seeking approval to progress the capital projects associated with funds allocated under the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.

Decided: 

(1)       that it be remitted to the Solicitor to the Council to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the Maukinhill Community Garden/Play Area Project, the Branchton Environmental Projects and the Robert Street Environmental Projects; and 

(2)      that it be remitted to the Solicitor to  the Council to arrange for the acceptance of the lowest tenders received in each case in accordance with the Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Financial Regulations and that in respect of any projects over £100,000, delegated authority be granted to the Solicitor to the Council in consultation with the Convener, Vice Convener and a Member of the Minority Group to accept the lowest tender received.

803

Collection Policies for Inverclyde Libraries and

the McLean Museum and Art Gallery

803

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services seeking approval of policies relating to the collections of Inverclyde Libraries and the McLean Museum and Art Gallery.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted; and

(2)      that the various policies relating to the collections of Inverclyde Libraries and the McLean Museum and Art Gallery set out in the appendices to the report be approved.

804

Community Learning and Development Strategy

804

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services seeking approval of the Community Learning and Development Strategy 2005-2008.

Decided:

(1)      that the Strategy for Community Learning and Development in Inverclyde appended to the report be approved for submission to Communities Scotland;

(2)      that agreement be given to the nomination of three Members of the Committee together with relevant senior officers to the Community Learning and Development Strategy Group and that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services in consultation with the Convener to confirm the Elected Member representation;

(3)      that agreement be given to support the public launch of the Strategy;  and

(4)      that regular progress reports be submitted to the Committee on implementation of the Strategy.

805

Cleaner, Greener, Safer Inverclyde - Update

805

There was submitted a report dated 30 September 2005 by the Director of Community Services (1) on the progress to date of the initiatives involved in the Cleaner, Greener, Safer Inverclyde campaign and (2) setting out proposals for work with individual groups and the wider community to persuade them of the benefits of recycling and preserving the environment.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the progress of the initiatives outlined in Section 3 of the report, the expenditure to date and planned expenditure and that further progress reports be submitted to future meetings of the Committee;

(2)      that a  report be submitted to the next meeting on proposals for the tree maintenance programme;

(3)      that the proposals for work with individual groups and the wider community as outlined in the appendix to the report be approved; and

(4)      that funding of £71,000 be confirmed for this financial year and that any remaining funds from this year’s £250,000 allocation be used to allow the continued operation of two clean up squads until the end of the financial year.

806

Waste Strategy: The First 6 Months

806

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the substantial progress made in the implementation of the Council’s Waste Strategy.

Decided:

(1)      that the success of the Waste Strategy to date be noted; and

(2)      that  the Committee recognise the contribution and support of the  people of Inverclyde and the Council’s own staff to the success of the Strategy.

807

Control of Mercury Emissions from Crematoria

807

There was submitted a report dated 16 September 2005 by the Director of Community Services (1) on the implications of statutory guidance issued by the Scottish Executive in terms of Section 24 of the Pollution and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2002 in relation to the control of mercury emissions from crematoria and (2) making recommendations in this regard.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to inform the Scottish Environment Protection Agency that the Council will meet its obligations with regard to the control of emissions from crematoria, as outlined in Process Guidance Note 5/2 (04) by participating in the CAMEO burden sharing scheme as outlined in the report.S

808

School Meals - Sourcing Supplies Locally and Cooking From Fresh - Pilot Project

808

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services seeking approval of a pilot project which will address the broader aspects of the Hungry for Success Programme by developing menus in which all dishes are prepared from fresh and by sourcing local produce where possible.

Decided:  

(1)      that approval be given to a pilot project for school meals incorporating local sourcing of supplies and the provision of a cook from fresh only menu; and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Director of Community Services to submit a report on the evaluation of the project in due course.

809

Library Customer Survey

809

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the main findings of the recent customer survey conducted throughout Inverclyde Libraries.

Decided:

(1)  that the results of the customer survey be noted; and

(2)  that approval be given to the progress made in improving service delivery within the Library Service and in introducing a performance monitoring framework in line with Best Value objectives.

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 item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 8 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act. 

810

Waste Disposal Contract

810

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the outcome of the tendering exercise for the disposal of  residual waste.

Decided:  that the contract for the disposal of residual waste from Inverclyde Council be awarded to Barr Environmental Ltd on a collect and disposal basis at the rate detailed in the report.

811

Maukinhill BNSF, Phase 2 - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

811

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to accept the lowest tender received for the Maukinhill BNSF Phase 2 project, that by Landscapes and Contracts Ltd in the sum of £134,351.48.

Noted