Community Committee

Thursday 11 January 2007 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor White presided.

In attendance:  Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection, Head of Environmental Services, Mr H McNeilly (for Head of Legal & Administration), Mr M Thomson (for Head of Finance), Head of Economic & Social Regeneration, Head of Safer Communities, Libraries Manager and Ms M Paterson (for Community Support Services Manager).

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

28

Revenue Budget 2006/07 – Period 7

28

There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 2006/07 as at Period 7 (31 October 2006) which showed a projected underspend of £8,000.

Decided:

(1) that the current projected underspend of £8,000 for 2006/07, as at 31 October 2006, be noted;  and

(2) that the virement request detailed in appendix 2 be approved in order to address the various over/underspends.

29

Capital Programme 2006/07 to 2007/08 - Progress

29

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the current position of the Capital Programme 2006/07 to 2007/08.

(Councillor Robertson entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

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.

30

Street Sweeping and Ground Maintenance Business Plan 2006-2009

30

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection appending the Street Sweeping and Ground Maintenance Business Plan 2006-2009.

Decided:

(1) that the Street Sweeping and Ground Maintenance Business Plan 2006-2009 be approved; 

(2) that the Business Plan be referred to the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee for consideration;  and

(3) that the Committee’s thanks be extended to the Council’s outdoor staff for the high standard of work carried out during the recent severe weather conditions.

31

Grounds, Transport & Cleansing Business Plans - Progress

31

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the progress made in respect of the Business Plans for Transport, Refuse and Commercial Waste and the Burial and Cremation Services.

Noted

32

Street Washing/Chewing Gum Removal

32

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the progress of the work carried out under the contract for street washing/chewing gum removal.

Noted

33

National Awards

33

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection informing the Committee of (1) the successful partnership between Inverclyde Libraries and James Watt College which was recognised in the recent Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Annual Awards 2006 and (2) the awards made by the Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum (SURF) to two local initiatives in Inverclyde which recognise work done by Community Support Services with these projects.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee recognise the initiatives described in the report which have received national awards and the positive profile which these bring to Inverclyde;

(2) that the Convener extend official congratulations on behalf of the Committee to those involved in the initiatives;  and

(3) that the achievements be highlighted both within and outwith Inverclyde Council.

34

Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALN) Annual Report Evaluation Summary for  2005/06

34

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection (1) advising the Committee of the content of Inverclyde’s Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALN) Annual Report Evaluation from the Scottish Executive for 2005/06 and (2) highlighting Inverclyde Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnership’s key actions in response to the evaluation report.

Decided:  that the Committee note the report and the areas where action requires to be taken by the Partnership to ensure a full and accurate ALN Annual Report to the Scottish Executive for 2006/07.

35

Action Research Initiative – Engaging Young People

35

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection (1) advising of the successful bid to Learning Connections’ Progress Fund for the Action Research Initiative – Engaging Young People and (2) seeking the Committee’s support to ensure that Council Services put in place measures to listen and respond to the views of young people in the design and delivery of their services.

Decided:

(1) that the successful bid to Learning Connections’ Progress Fund for the Action Research Initiative – Engaging Young People be noted;

(2) that the various Services within the Council be required to put in place measures to listen and respond to the views of young people in the design and delivery of their services;  and

(3) that a progress report be submitted to the Committee in due course.

36

Understanding the Outcomes for Community Learning & Development

36

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection (1) advising of the findings of a recent research exercise undertaken by Communities Scotland into the impact of Community Learning and Development (CLD) and (2) seeking the support of the Committee to ensure that the impact of CLD is maximised in Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1) that the findings of Communities Scotland’s research reviewing the outcomes of Community Learning and Development be noted;  and

(2) that relevant Heads of Service be instructed to explore how best to maximise the impact of CLD in their service area.

37

Youth Consultation Event

37

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection (1) on progress made in relation to the young people’s consultation event held on 18 October 2006 with the aim of giving young people the opportunity to have their say and develop a “Youth Voice” for Inverclyde and (2) advising of the establishment of a young people led youth forum and (3) highlighting the response made by the Youth Work section to the consultation on the National Youth Work Strategy.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee acknowledge the contribution made by young people;  and

(2) that the Committee welcome the success of the initiative and commit itself to considering such practical proposals as may come forward from “Youth Voice”.

38

Community Learning & Development – Awareness Raising Event

38

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection advising of the Awareness Raising Event which took place on 17 October 2006 and the associated follow-up action.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the successful Awareness Raising Event held on 17 October 2006;

(2) that the plans for follow-up action as outlined in the report be approved;  and

(3) that regular progress reports be submitted to the Committee.

39

Voluntary Sector Compact

39

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection (1) advising Members of the progress being made in the implementation of the Voluntary Sector Compact and (2) recommending approval of action to promote and implement the Compact throughout the Council.

Decided:

(1) that the progress made in the implementation of the Voluntary Sector Compact to date be noted;

(2) that the proposed actions detailed in the report to promote and implement the Compact throughout the Council be approved;  and

(3) that the Council’s Communication Strategy be used to promote the Compact both within and beyond the Council.

40

Community Engagement in Inverclyde

40

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection (1) advising of the progress being made in implementing the Community Engagement Strategy and (2) recommending the appointment of “Community Engagement Connectors” to promote the principles of community engagement within each Head of Service area.

Decided:

(1) that the progress being made in implementing the Community Engagement Strategy be noted;

(2) that it be remitted to the Corporate Directors to appoint Community Engagement Connectors for each Head of Service area;  and

(3) that the Council’s Communication Strategy be used to promote Community Engagement.

41

Delegated Powers – Authorisation of Officers

41

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection requesting the Committee to renew and update the delegated powers of the Head of Safer Communities with regard to the authorisation of officers.

Decided:  that the Head of Safer Communities be granted delegated powers to authorise officers under the various actions listed in appendix 1 to the report.

42

Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration Scoping Report

42

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection (1) seeking approval in principle for the Council to be a signatory of Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration and (2) outlining the commitments which the Council would require to make as a result of being a signatory.

Decided:

(1) that approval in principle be given to the Council becoming a signatory of Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration;

(2) that it be remitted to the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection to establish an Officer/Member Working Group with cross-service representation and that Councillors Stewart and Moran be appointed to serve on the Working Group;

(3) that the first meeting of the Working Group take place at 2 pm on Tuesday 16 January 2006 and that a local signing ceremony be arranged at that time;  and

(4) that the Working Group provide an interim report to the next meeting of the Committee on the implications of and necessary actions required by the Climate Change Declaration.

43

Public Health Legislation in Scotland – A Consultation

43

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director  Environment & Community Protection (1) advising of the review of public health legislation in Scotland and (2) setting out a proposed response to the consultation process.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted;  and

(2) that the response to the consultation process as set out in the appendix to the report be approved.

44

Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) – Updating and Screening Assessment 2006

44

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection advising of the Updating and Screening Assessment of Local Air Quality in Inverclyde carried out in 2006.

Noted

45

Reports Measuring the Impact of CCTV on Crime and Disorder

45

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection advising of the research which had been carried out to measure the impact of CCTV on crime and disorder in the Inverclyde area and across Scotland.

Decided:

(1) that it be remitted to the Officers Group of the Community Safety Partnership to convene a CCTV Evaluation Group to identify local performance indicators to measure the impact of CCTV and compare the results with the period prior to the installation of CCTV;

(2) that the Officers Group ensure that links are made with the National Group tasked with setting indicators for all local authorities;

(3) that the Officers Group report back on progress on a six monthly basis;  and

(4) that the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection provide all Members of the Committee with statistics on the use of CCTV footage as evidence in criminal investigations.

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 paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item

Paragraph(s)

Synthetic Football Pitch and Associated Accommodation at Battery Park

6 and 12

Library Management System

6 and 8

Waste Management Budgets

6

46

Synthetic Football Pitch and Associated Accommodation at Battery Park

46

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration & Resources advising of a legal dispute which had arisen relative to the synthetic football pitch and associated accommodation at Battery Park and the Committee agreed to take action all as detailed in the appendix.

Councillors Blair, Forbes, Hunter, Robertson and White declared an interest in this item as Directors of the Board of Inverclyde Leisure.

47

Library Management System

47

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration & Resources seeking approval to select a preferred supplier for the Council’s Library Management Solution following a tendering exercise.

Decided:  that the SPYDUS LMS from Civica Ltd be selected as the Council’s Library Management Solution.

48

Waste Management Budgets

48

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the position relating to the combined Waste Management Budget which showed an overall shortfall of £174,000.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted;  and

(2) that it be remitted to the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection to contain the anticipated level of overspend within the existing Environment & Community Protection budget.