Community Committee

Thursday 8 March 2007 at 3 pm

Present:  Councillors Fyfe, 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, Mr D Hall (for Head of Safer Communities) and Community Support Services Manager.

Councillor White referred to the fact that this would be the last meeting of the Committee prior to the local government elections on 3 May 2007 and he asked that his thanks be conveyed to the other Elected Members and Officers for their assistance to him as Convener.   Councillors Robertson, Roach and Hunter, as retiring Members, asked that their appreciation also be conveyed to the Officers and other Members, particularly the Convener, for his chairmanship of the Committee.

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

221

Revenue Budget 2006/07 – Period 9

221

There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 2006/07 as at Period 9 (31 December 2006) which showed a projected overspend of £30,000.

Decided:

(1) that the current projected overspend of £30,000 for 2006/07 as at 31 December 2006 be noted; and

(2) that it be noted that Officers within the relevant Services had been instructed by their Corporate Director to restrict all but essential expenditure in order to bring the projected outturn back in line with the budget.

222

Capital Programme 2006/07 to 2007/08 - Progress

222

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.

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.

223

An Arts Festival for Inverclyde

223

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration & Resources (1) on a proposal for an Inverclyde Arts Festival to be held from Friday 2 November to Sunday 4 November 2007, (2) setting out the associated costs and (3) requesting the Committee to provide its support for the Festival.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee approve and support the proposals from Inverclyde Arts Board for an Inverclyde Arts Festival to be held from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 November 2007; and

(2) that agreement be given to the rescheduling of the annual fireworks display from Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 November in support of the Festival.

224

Clune Park Resource Centre

224

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Regeneration & Resources seeking approval to develop a management agreement between Community Support Services and the Voluntary Management Committee relative to the day to day management of Clune Park Resource Centre.

Decided:

(1) that it be agreed that Community Support Services continue to work in partnership with the Voluntary Management Committee regarding the day to day operation of the Clune Park Resource Centre; and

(2) that an agreement be developed between the Head of Finance, Head of Legal & Administration, Head of Economic & Social Regeneration and the Voluntary Management Committee to distribute any income generated through use of the Centre in order that it can be utilised by both the Council and the Voluntary Management Committee to further the aims of the Clune Park Resource Centre.

225

Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Stronger Inverclyde – Update 2006/07

225

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection providing a final update on the initiatives involved in the Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Stronger Inverclyde Campaign during 2006/07.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that approval be given to the expenditure on the various initiatives outlined in Section 5 of the report.

226

Cleaner, Greener, Safer, Stronger Inverclyde – Update on Free Swimming Initiative

226

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection providing an update on the Free Swimming Initiative.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted;

(2) that agreement be given to the expenditure on the Free Swimming Initiative as detailed in the report; and

(3) that regular update reports on the Council’s investment in the Free Swimming Initiative be submitted to the Committee.

227

Charitable Organisations – Commercial Waste Collection

227

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection requesting the Committee to determine a policy for the collection of commercial waste from charitable organisations.

Decided:  that it be agreed to continue the discretionary exemptions from waste collection charges awarded to a number of registered charities within Inverclyde, based on charitable status and waste arising, subject to the charities agreeing to participate in a recycling scheme.

228

Climate Change Working Group – Initial Progress Report

228

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection on the progress of the Climate Change Officer/Member Working Group agreed by the Committee on 11 January 2007 in support of the Council’s commitment to Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration Scoping Report.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted;

(2) that the Committee reaffirm its support for the work of the Climate Change Working Group; and

(3) that regular progress reports on the development of an action plan to assist the Council in meeting the requirements of the Climate Change Declaration be submitted to the Committee.