Community Committee

Thursday 9 March 2006 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor White presided.

In attendance:  Director of Community Services, Mr H McNeilly (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, Libraries Manager and Co-ordinator, Cleaner, Greener, Safer Inverclyde.

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

197

Revenue Budget 2005/06 - Period 10

197

There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2006 by the Chief Financial Officer on the position of the 2005/06 Community Services Revenue Budget as at Period 10 (31 January 2006) which showed a projected underspend of £6,620, a reduction in projected spend of £107,620 since the last meeting of the Committee.

Noted

198

Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2007/08 - Progress

198

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

Decided:

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

(2)      that the report be otherwise noted.

199

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

199

There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive since the last ordinary meeting of the Committee to accept tenders in respect of the following projects:-

(a)      BNSF - White Lighting (Phase 1);  (b) CRF - White Lighting; (c) BNSF - White Lighting (Phase 2); (d) BNSF - Robert Street Neighbourhood Centre; (e) BNSF - Branchton Play Area (Phase 2); and (f) BNSF - Robert Street Landscaping (Phase 2).

Noted

200

Managing Attendance - Absence Statistics 3 October to 31 December 2005

(Period 4)

200

There was submitted a report dated 13 February 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council on absence statistics for employees within Community Services for the period 3 October to 31 December 2005.

Noted

201

Charging Policy for Replacement Wheeled Refuse Containers

201

There was submitted a report dated 13 February 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council requesting the Committee to approve the introduction of a charging policy for replacement of wheeled refuse containers as recommended by the Waste Strategy Sub-Committee on 26 January 2006.  Following discussion, Councillor Moran moved that a decision on the introduction of a charging policy be deferred pending discussions with Housing Services and the local housing associations to ensure that adequate storage arrangements for wheeled refuse containers are in place.   As an amendment, Councillor Stewart moved that the charging policy as detailed in the appendix to the report be introduced subject to appropriate amendment to the wording to provide that a charge will only be imposed in circumstances where it can be demonstrated quite clearly that the householder was responsible for the loss of/damage to the wheeled refuse container.   On a vote, 2 Members voted for the motion and 8 for the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the charging policy as detailed in the appendix to the report be introduced subject to appropriate amendment to the wording to provide that a charge will only be imposed in circumstances where it can be demonstrated quite clearly that the householder was responsible for the loss of/damage to the wheeled refuse container. 

202

Progress on HMIe Action Plan for Community Learning and Development

202

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the progress made in implementing the Action Plan for Community Learning and Development produced by HM Inspectorate of Education.

Decided:  that the progress report as set out in the appendix to the report and the comments made by HM Inspectorate of Education following the meeting on 28 February 2006 be noted.

203

Cleaner, Greener, Safer Inverclyde - Update

203

There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2006 by the Director of Community Services providing a final update on the initiatives involved in the Cleaner, Greener, Safer Inverclyde campaign during 2005/06.

Noted

204

Former Janitor's House at Gourock High School

204

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the findings of the study carried out by staff within Community Support Services on possible future uses of the former janitor's house at Gourock High School.

Decided:

(1) that plans be prepared for the conversion of the janitor's house at Gourock High School into a youth facility; and y

(2) that a further report on progress be submitted within six months, failing which the original proposal to demolish the house be implemented.

205

Performance Management Information - 1 April to 30 September 2005

205

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services providing performance management information in respect of Community Services for the period 1 April 2005 to 30 September 2005.

Decided:  that consideration of the report be continued to the next meeting of the Committee.

206

Free Swimming Initiative

206

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services on the progress of the free swimming initiative.

Decided:

(1)      that the progress made to date be noted; and

(2)      that a further report be submitted to the Committee in early course providing statistical information for the full year.

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 2, 6, 9 and 12 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

207

Drumshantie Road Football Pitches, Gourock

207

There was submitted a report by the Director of Community Services (1) advising of interests expressed by two developers in relation to the Drumshantie Road football pitches, Gourock and (2) seeking approval of a proposed course of action in this regard.

Decided: 

(1)  that the interests of the two developers in the site of the Drumshantie Road football pitches be noted; and

(2)  that consideration be continued until the Sports Strategy for Inverclyde, which will include an audit of all pitches in the area, is approved.