CORPORATE BUSINESS COMMITTEE

 

THURSDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 1999 - 3.00 pm

 

Present:-  Provost Roach, Councillors Moody, Morrison (M), McCabe, O’Rourke, Jackson, Nimmo, Robertson (Y), Blair and White, Councillor McCabe, Vice-Convener, in the Chair.

 

In attendance:-  The Chief Executive, the Depute Chief Executive, Mr C Clelland (for the Executive Director Legal, Information & Support Services), Mr A Puckrin (for the Executive Director Resource Services), the Director of Information Technology Services, the Director of Personnel Services, Mr A Easton (for the Chief Planning Officer) and the Head of Property Services.

 

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor Mulholland.

 

With the exception of the decision marked “C” which is open for confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

 

   894      EDUCATION SERVICES - EARLY YEARS AND CHILD CARE STRATEGY -                                894

STAFFING IMPLICATIONS

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 1 September 1999 by the Executive Director Legal, Information & Support Services on a remit from the Education Services Committee of 31 August 1999 recommending the establishment of four posts in respect of the implementation of the Council’s Early Years and Child Care Strategy.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the following posts be approved:-

(i)  Early Years Development Manager at Grade PO16 (£31,239-£33,474)

(ii)  Early Years Development Officer (Information & Registration) at Grade AP5/PO2 (£19,194-£23,997), the post to be established initially on a temporary basis for two years

(iii)  Early Years Development Officer (Partnership) at Grade AP5/PO2 (£19,194-£23,997)

(iv)  Early Years Adviser (Curriculum & Quality Development) at Grade Adviser (£32,070);  and

(b)  That it be noted that the costs of the posts can be met from existing resources.

 

   895      YEAR 2000 PROGRESS REPORT                                                                                                         895

 

SUBMITTED:  Report by the Executive Director Legal, Information & Support Services advising of progress in respect of the Council’s preparations for the Year 2000, including status of preparedness and results of independent comparative Year 2000 Health Check and the Council’s Year 2000 Action Plan.

NOTED

 

   896      MILLENNIUM HOLIDAY WORKING ARRANGEMENTS:  AGREEMENT AT                                896

SCOTTISH JOINT COUNCIL FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 19 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services advising of the agreement reached by the Scottish Joint Council for Local Government Employees on pay and conditions applicable over the Millennium holiday period.

NOTED

 

   897      SOCIAL WORK SERVICES:  RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE WITH LEARNING                            897

DISABILITIES FROM HOSPITAL INTO THE COMMUNITY - STAFFING IMPLICATIONS

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 24 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services recommending the establishment of two posts of Qualified Social Worker within Social Work Services arising from the Council’s involvement in the resettlement of people with learning difficulties from hospitals into the community.  The report advised that the establishment of the posts would be funded from Resource Transfer monies from Argyll & Clyde Health Board.

DECIDED:  That the Committee approve the establishment of two posts of Qualified Social Worker at Grade QSW (£16,770-£21,378), both posts to be funded by Resource Transfer monies from Argyll & Clyde Health Board.

 

   898      ALTERATIONS TO JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES                                                           898

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 23 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services advising that, following the implementation of the Single Status Agreement, it was proposed to establish a Joint Consultative Committee (Employees) covering the former APT&C and Manual Worker categories as detailed in the appendix to the report.

DECIDED:

(a)  That approval be given to the establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee (Employees) for the former APT&C and Manual Worker employee categories;

(b)  That the constitution detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be approved;

(c)  That the Director of Personnel Services be instructed to make the necessary arrangements to revise the joint consultative arrangements at second tier level in accordance with the principles of the Single Status Agreement;  and

(d)  That it be noted that a revised constitution for the Joint Consultative Committee (Craft Operatives) will be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee following consultation with the Trade Union Joint Secretary.

 

   899      MANAGING ATTENDANCE:  ABSENCE STATISTICS                                                                     899

5 APRIL TO 4 JULY 1999

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 25 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services advising the Committee of the Council’s absence statistics for the period 5 April to 4 July
1999.  The Director of Personnel Services orally advised the Committee that the figure 7.35 should be included in Appendix 2 under the heading Period 2 (Social Work & Housing).

NOTED

 

   900      MAJOR REPAIRS PROJECTS                                                                                                               900

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated August 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive advising the Committee of the need for a legal commitment to be given by the Policy & Strategy Committee to undertake the projects within the Major Repairs Budget 1999/2000 as listed below:-

 

              Category 1                                                                                                                                                   

 

	Priority	Location	Description		Value
	2	Greenock Municipal Buildings	Rewiring Phase 4		£50,000
	6	Murdieston Cottage	Roof Works and Windows		£20,000
	19*	Lynedoch Industrial Estate	Refurbishment of Units 16-22 & 29		£15,000
	22	Octavia Tenants Hall	Replace Roof Covering		£25,000
	**	St Mary’s Primary School	Replacement Windows		£32,000

*                 The previously reported budget amount for this project was £30,000.  The works have been split into parts and the £15,000 above covers the works to Units 21 & 22.

 

**               Part funded from Education capital.

 

Category 2

 

	Priority	Location	Description		Value
	1e*	Larkfield Primary School	Decoration/Plaster Repairs/Carpets		£7,500

*                 Part funded from Education revenue.

 

DECIDED:

(a)  That it be remitted to the Policy & Strategy Committee to approve the making of a legal commitment in respect of the projects as detailed;

(b)  That the Committee homologate the decision to commit the project in Category 2 as listed above;  and

(c)  That the Committee approve the addition of St Mary’s Primary School Window Replacement Works to the programme and the consequent reduction in finance available for minor repairs projects.

 

   901      ACCOMMODATION WORKS PROJECTS                                                                                         901

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated August 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive advising the Committee of the need for a legal commitment to be given by the Policy & Strategy Committee to undertake the projects listed below:-

 

              Category 1                                                                                                                                                   

 

	Priority	Location	Description		Value
	4	Greenock Municipal Buildings, Southwest Wing Accommodation, Third Floor	Refurbishment		£50,000

 

              Category 2                                                                                                                                                   

 

	Priority	Location	Description		Value
	*	Greenock Municipal Buildings, First Floor	Refurbishment (Minor Works)		£15,000

DECIDED:

(a)  That it be remitted to the Policy & Strategy Committee to approve the making of a legal commitment in respect of the projects as detailed;  and

(b)  That the Committee homologate the decision to commit the project in Category 2 as listed above.

 

   902      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS                                                      902

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 16 August 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

NOTED

 

   903      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - FINANCIAL POSITION                                                        903

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 26 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the current position of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

NOTED

   904      REVENUE BUDGET 1999/2000 - MONITORING REPORT                                                                904

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 26 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 1999/2000 as at 21 July 1999.

NOTED

 

   905      RESOLUTION:  EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS                                                                    905

 

On the motion of the Chairman it was agreed unanimously that, in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the undernoted items of business on the grounds that consideration of the items 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)

 

Proposed Disposal:  Former St Saviour’s Primary School, Greenock                          2, 6 & 9

New Lease:  Lynedoch Industrial Estate, Greenock                                                    2, 6 & 9

Review of Post:  Social Work and Housing Services (Building Services)                      6

Review of Post:  Chief Executive’s Office                                                                   6

Rankin Park, Greenock                                                                                              2, 6 & 9

Proposed Disposal:  Ground at Kinross Avenue, Port Glasgow                                   2, 6 & 9

Struthers Memorial Church, Greenock:  Proposed Minute of Waiver                           9

Hector McNeil Baths/Balrossie School:  Security Options                                           8 & 10

New Lease:  Roof of Prospecthill Court, Greenock                                                     2, 6 & 9

 

   906      PROPOSED DISPOSAL:  FORMER ST SAVIOUR’S PRIMARY SCHOOL,                                      906

GREENOCK

 

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on an offer received for the former St Saviour's Primary School, Burns Road, Greenock and the Committee agreed to take action, all as detailed in the Appendix.

 

   907      NEW LEASE:  LYNEDOCH INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, GREENOCK                                                    907

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 27 August 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive on an application from Chicony Electronics (UK) Ltd for the lease of Unit 29, Lynedoch Industrial Estate, Greenock.  The report advised of the use of the emergency powers procedure as set out in Standing Order 66(a) to authorise the lease of the premises to the company at a rental of £48,000 per annum and as detailed in the report.

Councillor Blair declared an interest in this matter and took no part in its consideration.

NOTED

   908      REVIEW OF POST:  SOCIAL WORK AND HOUSING SERVICES (BUILDING SERVICES)          908

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 23 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the regrading of a post within Social Work and Housing Services (Building Services).

DECIDED:  That the post of Trainee Estimator be redesignated Estimator and regraded from Grade AP2 (£13,215-£14,337) to Grade AP3 (£14,754-£16,233) with immediate effect and to Grade AP4 (£16,770-£18,604) from 1 April 2000.

 

   909      REVIEW OF POST:  CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE                                                                          909

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 23 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the regrading of a post within the Chief Executive’s Office.

DECIDED:  That the post of Emergency Planning Officer be regraded from Grade AP4 (£16,770-£18,609) to Grade PO1 (£21,378-£23,241) with effect from 1 April 1999.

 

   910      RANKIN PARK, GREENOCK                                                                                                              910

 

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the outcome in respect of the marketing of Rankin Park, Greenock.  The Committee agreed, following a vote, to take action,

              all as detailed in the Appendix.                                                                                                                      C

 

   911      PROPOSED DISPOSAL:  GROUND AT KINROSS AVENUE, PORT GLASGOW                           911

 

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on an offer to purchase an area of ground at Kinross Avenue, Port Glasgow.

Councillor Blair declared an interest in this matter and took no part in its consideration or decision.

The Committee agreed to take action, all as detailed in the Appendix.

 

   912      STRUTHERS MEMORIAL CHURCH, GREENOCK:  PROPOSED MINUTE OF WAIVER              912

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 20 August 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to vary title restrictions in respect of Struthers Memorial Church, Greenock to permit use of the premises as a school.

DECIDED:  That a minute of waiver be granted to Struthers Memorial Church to extend the permitted use of the premises at Lothian Road, Greenock to include purposes of public worship, religious instruction and provision of education (whether or not specifically religious) including a school for a premium of £1,000 and the Council’s reasonable surveyor’s fee and legal costs to be met by the Church and on such other conditions considered appropriate by the Executive Director Legal, Information & Support Services in conjunction with the Head of Property Services.

   913      HECTOR McNEIL BATHS/BALROSSIE SCHOOL:  SECURITY OPTIONS                                      913

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 24 August 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive on existing security arrangements at Hector McNeil Baths and Balrossie School and outlining alternative options together with the financial implications.

The Head of Property Services orally advised the Committee that the purchase of CCTV equipment was recommended.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the Policy & Strategy Committee be requested to approve a supplementary revenue estimate of £62,000 for the purchase of CCTV equipment for Hector McNeil Baths and Balrossie School;  and

(b)  That, subject to the approval of the Policy & Strategy Committee, it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the provision of CCTV equipment.

 

   914      NEW LEASE:  ROOF OF PROSPECTHILL COURT, GREENOCK                                                    914

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 23 August 1999 by the Depute Chief Executive on an offer for the lease of an area of roof at Prospecthill Court, Greenock.

DECIDED:  That it be remitted to the Head of Property Services to offer the lease of an area of roof at Prospecthill Court, Greenock to Mercury One-2-One for a period of 20 years at a rental of £5,000 per annum, subject to five-yearly reviews, the first five years’ rental payable in advance of entry, and an additional payment of £3,000 in respect of an early access agreement on the appropriate terms and conditions.