Corporate Business Committee

Thursday 25 May 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Jackson, McCabe, McCormick, Moody, O'Rourke, Robertson (Y) and White.

Chair:  Councillor Robertson (Y) presided.

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Director of Information Services, Mr H McNeilly (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Resource Services and Head of Property Services.

Apologies:  Councillors Blair and Mulholland.

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

497

Social Work & Housing Services

Modernising Community Care - An Action Plan:  Staffing Implications

497

There was submitted a report by the Director of Resource Services recommending the establishment of three posts within Social Work and Housing Services to meet legislative requirements in respect of public information standards and to carry out work on commissioning with partner authorities.  The report advised that the cost of the proposals was £57,976 which could be met from the Social Work and Housing Services budget.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the establishment of:-

(1)   one post of Co-ordinator (Commissioning) at salary grade PO5 (£24,789-£26,769);

(2)   one post of Resource Worker (Public Information) at salary grade AP4/5 (£17,322- £21,636);  and

(3)   one post of Clerical Assistant at salary grade GS1/2 (£8,376-£11,313).

498

ICT Development Programme 2000/2003

498

There was submitted a report by the Director of Information Services advising of (1) the proposed ICT Development Programme for 2000/2003, (2) items for inclusion within the ICT Capital Programme 2000/2001 and (3) a value proposition model for assessing service specific requests.  The report indicated that any opportunities for alternative funding proposals would be considered.  (Provost Roach entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)   that the ICT Development Programme for 2000/2003 as detailed in Appendix 3 to the report be approved;

(2)   that the proposals outlined in section 8 of the report be included within the ICT Capital Programme 2000/2001;  and

(3)   that the value proposition framework for assessing ICT related service specific requests as detailed in Appendix 4 to the report be approved.

499

Implementation of Computerised Library Management System

499

There was submitted a report by the Director of Information Services on (1) the current position in respect of the implementation of the computerised library management system, (2) identifying additional revenue funding required for the implementation of the system and (3) proposing changes to the existing library management rules relative to operating procedures and practices and the introduction of new library rules relating to operational practice and standards as detailed in the appendices to the report.

Decided:

(1)   that the revised library management rules as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved and that authority be delegated to the Director of Information Services to implement these following a public consultation exercise and the satisfactory resolution of any issues arising therefrom;

(2)   that the new library rules as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report be approved;

(3)   that the revised estimate of £50,000 be included as a legally committed spend item within the ICT Capital Programme 2001/2002;

(4)   that the Policy & Strategy Committee be requested to approve the additional funding required for one-off and revenue costs as detailed in sections 4.3 and 4.5 of the report;  and

(5)   that it be remitted to the Head of Property Services to assess the accommodation requirements and associated costs in line with the implementation and timetable outlined in the report.

500

COSLA - Scottish Office Joint Staffing Watch 1999/2000

500

There was submitted a report dated 9 May 2000 by the Director of Resource Services advising the Committee of the workforce profile of Inverclyde Council for 1999/2000.

Decided:

(1)  that the staffing details for 1999/2000 be noted; and

(2)  that it be noted staffing watch reports will be submitted to the Committee on a quarterly basis.

501

Joint Consultative Committee for Craft Operatives - Revised Constitution

501

There was submitted a report dated 5 May 2000 by the Director of Resource Services together with revised Constitution for the Joint Consultative Committee for Craft Operatives.

Decided:  that the revised Constitution as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

502

Code of Conduct for Employees

502

There was submitted a report dated 10 May 2000 by the Director of Resource Services recommending approval of a Code of Conduct for Employees to implement the recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, as endorsed by COSLA, and to satisfy the requirements of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

Decided:  that the Code of Conduct for Employees be approved.

503

Education Services - Pre-Five Services:

Staffing Requirements of Pre-School Developments

503

There was submitted a report by the Director of Resource Services recommending the establishment of nine posts of Nursery Nurse and one post of Gaelic Nursery Development Officer within Education Services.  The report advised that the cost of the proposals was £141,089 which could be met from additional resources allocated within the Section 23 Pre-School Education Grant and the Gaelic Pre-School Education grant.  (Councillor White entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)   that nine posts of Nursery Nurse at salary grade DG1 (£9,591-£12,120) and one post of Gaelic Nursery Development Officer at salary grade DG3 (£12,405-£16,242) be established;  and

(2)   that it be noted that funding for the posts is available from within existing resources.

504

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Technical Progress

504

There was submitted a report dated 27 April 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

505

Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Financial Position

505

There was submitted a report dated 10 May 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Noted

506

Central Purchasing Unit

506

There was submitted a report dated 3 May 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on (1) the role of the Central Purchasing Unit and (2) the creation of a Standing Restricted List of Tenderers.

Decided:

(1)   that the proposed programme for involving local companies in the creation of a Standing Restricted List of Tenderers be endorsed;  and

(2)   that otherwise the Committee note the contents of the report.

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Depute Chief Executive was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the works if agreed to proceed without delay.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

507

Accommodation and Disabled Access Works (2000/2001)

507

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive detailing a list of accommodation and disabled access works which require to be carried out and listing the projects in order of priority, together with the estimated costs.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee approve the list of accommodation and disabled access works in order of priority as follows:-

Accommodation Works

507

507

507

Priority

Location

Description

Value

1.

Minor Repairs

(At discretion of Head of Property Services)

£20,000

Projects currently under consideration for this Minor Repairs allocation.

a.     Greenock Municipal                    Creation of                      £4,000

       Buildings Town Hall                     Occupational

                                                          Health room

b.    Greenock Municipal                    New Corridor to             £5,500

       Buildings First Floor                     Gents

c.     Greenock Municipal                    Refurbishment                  £6,500

       Buildings Ground/First Floor

       (NW Wing)

d.    Greenock Municipal                    Creation of new               £3,500

       Buildings                                      Trade Union room

2.

Central Library

Service delivery accommodation improvements

£10,000

3.

Cathcart House

Estates Asset Register (Consultant appointment)

£20,000

4.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Second Floor (NW Wing)

Refurbishment

£26,500

5.

Crematorium

Refurbishment of offices

£35,000

6.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Third Floor (West Wing)

Refurbishment

£10,000

7.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Town Hall

Health & Safety measures

£42,000

8.a

Greenock Municipal Buildings

Relocate printing facility (project split between two financial years)

£  36,500

*

                               Sub Total:

£200,000

8.b

Greenock Municipal Buildings

Relocate printing facility (project split between two financial years)

£63,500

9.

Greenock Municipal Buildings First Floor

New link corridor

£25,000

10.

Greenock Municipal Buildings North West Staircase

Refurbishment

£30,000

11.

William Street Offices

Create Reception area

£13,500

12.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Ground Floor (West Wing)

Toilet facilities

£29,000

13.

Greenock Municipal Buildings North West Wing Second Floor

Toilet facilities

£50,000

14.

Greenock Municipal Buildings District Court Witness Areas

Security/Reorganisation Consultant appointment as part of old Police Building Refurbishment cost estimate

£80,000

15.

Port Glasgow Municipal Buildings

Provide accommodation on upper floor.  Consultant appointment.  Design.  Full feasibility to working drawings stage and costing

£25,000

16.

Greenock Municipal Buildings General

Fire door upgrading Phase 1

£30,000

17.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Town Hall Kitchen

Upgrade (Phase 1)

£90,000

18.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Town Hall Kitchen

Delivery access (Phase 2)

£35,000

19.

Greenock Municipal Buildings First Floor Kitchen

Conversion to office (Phase 3)

£15,000

20.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Ground Floor (West Hall)

Reorganisation

£40,000

21.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Town Hall

New lift

£150,000

22.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Grand Corridor

Ceiling/lighting works

£35,000

23.

St Stephen's High School

Department relocation

£300,000

24.

St Columba's High School

Department relocation

£300,000

Total:     £1,511,000

* Limit of available funding

Disabled Access Works

Priority

Location

Description

Value

1.

Minor Works

(At discretion of Head of Property Services)

£10,000

It is intended to undertake a review of disabled access issues for all property in the ownership of the Council.

2.

Town Hall

Disabled access

£15,000

3.

Housing Benefit

Disabled access

£25,000

4.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Foyer Phase 1

Entrance doors

£  50,000

*

                                Sub Total:

£100,000

5.

Rent Collection Office

Disabled access

£95,000

6.

Waterfront Complex

Disabled access

£15,000

7.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Foyer Phase 2

Link to staff entrance

£40,000

8.

Greenock Municipal Buildings Foyer Phase 3

Staff entrance

£30,000

9.

Central Library

Lift installation

£120,000

                                       Total:

£400,000

* Limit of available funding

507

507

507

(2)   that all projects listed be developed to tender stage as appropriate and that the works be programmed and tendered for completion throughout the financial year 2000/2001;

(3)   that the acceptance of tenders for all projects detailed in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Section 12 of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts be approved;

(4)   that the number of projects tendered and subsequently accepted be subject to the cost limit of £200,000 (being the allocation for accommodation works in 2000/2001) and £100,000 (being the allocation for disabled access in 2000/2001) in accordance with the Financial Regulations;  and

(5) that authority be delegated to the Head of Property Services to adjust the priorities detailed in the report by maintaining a continuous assessment of the priorities in pursuance of the requirements of the Council and Best Value.

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 for 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)

Former John Reid Library, Burns Square, Greenock

2, 6 & 9

Scottish Power plc Sub-Station Site, Bawhirley Road/Finneston Street, Greenock - Proposed Minute of Waiver

6 & 9

Hector McNeil Baths and Balrossie - Insurance Status and Security Arrangements

8

Property Valuation Tenders - Properties between £125,000 and £1,000,000

6 & 8

Gourock Primary School, Binnie Street, Gourock

8

508

Former John Reid Library, Burns Square, Greenock

508

There was submitted a report dated 4 May 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the current position in respect of the marketing of the former John Reid Library as agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 3 November 1998 (para 1181), (2) advising of three expressions of interest received prior to the marketing of the premises and (3) setting out options for consideration.

Decided:  that the Head of Property Services be authorised to enter into direct negotiations with the Larkfield Youth Cafe Project with a view to securing the future of this community facility, subject to Best Value criteria being met.

509

Scottish Power plc Sub-Station Site, Bawhirley Road/Finneston Street, Greenock - Proposed Minute of Waiver

509

There was submitted a report dated 4 May 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to vary the title restriction to permit a small area of ground at Bawhirley Road/Finneston Street, Greenock to be disponed and utilised as garden ground/path.

Decided:  that a Minute of Waiver be granted to Scottish Power plc for variation of the title restriction for the sum of £100 and the Council's surveyor's fee and reasonable legal costs being met by the proposed purchaser of the ground and on such other conditions considered appropriate by the Director of Legal & Support Services in conjunction with the Head of Property Services.

510

Hector McNeil Baths and Balrossie - Insurance Status and Security Arrangements

510

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on current security arrangements at Hector McNeil Baths and Balrossie and (2) identifying additional works to meet insurance requirements.  The Head of Property Services orally advised the Committee that discussion with the Insurers was ongoing.

Decided:  that, subject to further discussion with the Insurers, approval be given to the additional works identified in the report at a cost of £91,000 and that the Policy & Strategy Committee be requested to approve an additional allocation of £91,000 for the works.

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted reports by (1) the Director of Resource Services and (2) the Depute Chief Executive were relevant, competent and urgent, moved their consideration to allow (1) the tender to be awarded and negotiations to commence, if agreed, without delay and (2) the action recommended, if agreed, to proceed at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

511

Property Valuation Tenders - Properties between £125,000 and £1,000,000

511

There was submitted a report dated 22 May 2000 by the Director of Resource Services (1) setting out for consideration tenders received for property reinstatement valuations for properties currently valued between £125,000 and £1,000,000 and (2) recommending that the Committee authorise negotiations with the lowest tenderer for the remaining revaluations of all properties excluding Council houses not yet revalued.

Decided:

(1)   that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the lowest tender received for property reinstatement valuations for properties currently valued between £125,000 and £1,000,000, that by D M Hall in the sum of £17,500;  and

(2)   that authority be delegated to the Head of Exchequer Services to negotiate with D M Hall to carry out the remaining revaluations of all properties, excluding Council houses not yet revalued.

512

Gourock Primary School, Binnie Street, Gourock

512

There was submitted a report dated May 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on (1) the closure of Gourock Primary School, (2) proposed security arrangements and (3) potential future uses of the building.

Decided:

(1)   that the proposed closure of Gourock Primary School, Binnie Street, Gourock be noted;

(2)   that approval be given to the works detailed in the report at a cost of £94,000;

(3)   that approval be given to proceed to tender for the works and that authority be delegated to the Director of Legal & Support Services in accordance with Standing Orders Relating to Contracts and Financial Regulations to accept the tender;

(4)   that the Policy & Strategy Committee be requested to provide an additional allocation of £94,000 for the works;

(5)   that the Gourock Primary School and janitor's house be declared surplus to requirements;  and

(6)   that it be remitted to the Head of Property Services in consultation with the Head of Planning Services to report further on the long-term use of the property in the form of a development brief.