	Corporate Business Committee Thursday 3 August 2000 at 3.00 pm
	Present: Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Jackson, McCabe, McCormick, Nimmo, O'Rourke, Robertson (Y) and White.
	Chair: Councillor Robertson (Y) presided.
	In attendance: Depute Chief Executive, Mr C Clelland (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Resource Services, Mr C Struthers (for Director of Social Work & Housing Services), Mr A Moore (for Head of Personnel Services) and Head of Property Services.

	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.
659	Managing Attendance: Absence Statistics - 1 January to 2 April 2000	659
	There was submitted a report dated 2 July 2000 by the Director of Resource Services advising the Committee of the Council's absence statistics for the period 1 January to 2 April 2000. Noted
660	Christmas and New Year Holidays 2000	660
	There was submitted a report dated 10 July 2000 by the Director of Resource Services recommending arrangements for the 2000 Christmas and New Year holidays. Decided: (1) that the locations detailed in Appendix 1 to the report close on Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 December 2000; and (2) that those employees whose work location is closed on the three days will require to use two days of their annual leave entitlement and that the Council grant a third day as a day of no work requirement.
661	Economic Development Services - Property Services: Review of Post of Property Development Officer	661
	There was submitted a report dated 2 July 2000 by the Director of Resource Services recommending the review of a post of Property Development Officer within Property Services. The report advised that the cost of the proposal was £3,288, including employers' costs, and could be met from the Property Services employee budget. Decided: that the post of Property Development Officer (Post No 01055) at salary grade Technical 3/4 (£14,811-£19,224) be deleted and replaced by a post of Electrical Engineer at salary grade PO1/3 (£22,083-£25,425).
662	Social Work & Housing Services: Administrative Support for the Criminal Justice Team	662
	There was submitted a report dated 9 June 2000 by the Director of Resource Services recommending the establishment of posts within the Criminal Justice Team of Social Work & Housing Services. The report advised that the cost of the proposal was £22,580, including employers' costs, and could be met from the Social Work Services budget. (Provost Roach and Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business.) Decided: (1) that a post of Administrative Assistant at salary grade AP1 (£12,405-£13,305) be established; (2) that two posts of Senior Clerical Assistant at salary grade GS3 (£11,898-£12,405) be established; and (3) that two full-time equivalent posts of Clerical Assistant at salary grade GS1/2 (£8,652- £11,685) be deleted from the establishment.
663	Former Hector McNeil Baths, Brachelston Street, Greenock	663
	There was submitted a report dated 30 June 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive following the remit from the March meeting of the Committee (para 201) to report further on the options for the future use of the former Hector McNeil Baths and requesting the Committee's preferences for development of the site in respect of possible uses for housing, including sheltered housing, or for public open space or leisure or community purposes and the approval of a development brief for marketing of the site. (Councillor Mitchell entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business.) Decided: (1) that the development brief promote leisure development as the Council's preferred use and that the draft brief appended to the report be adapted accordingly, with the other possible uses being use for residential and non-residential institutions and residential housing development which could include general needs housing and specialist housing provision and that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to market the premises forthwith on the basis that the Council's evaluation of any offers received will involve assessment of the social and financial benefits of the proposals in terms of the Council's preferences for the site; (2) that the Committee assess any future proposals having regard to their social and financial benefits to meet the Council's preference for predominantly leisure uses, with the Council not being bound to accept the highest or any offer; and (3) that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to report to the January 2001 meeting of the Committee on the offers received for the Committee's consideration.
664	Gourock Primary School, Binnie Street, Gourock	664
	There was submitted a report dated 30 June 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive following the remit from the May meeting of the Committee (para 512) to report further on the long-term use of Gourock Primary School, Binnie Street, Gourock and requesting the approval of a development brief for marketing the property. The Convener informed the Committee of the receipt of a petition from residents within the area. Following discussion, Councillor Robertson (Y) moved the disposal of the property for sale or lease on the open market now for either a use within Class 10 of the Use Classes Order, as specified within the report, or for housing. As an amendment, Councillor White moved that the marketing of the property be delayed for a period to permit reasonable time for Gourock Community Councils to assess and bring forward their proposals for community use of the school building. On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried. Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.
C	Decided: (1) that the Committee agree to the sale or lease of the property on the open market for either a use within Class 10 of the Town & Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997 or for housing and that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to market the property accordingly; and (2) that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to report to a future meeting on the offers received for the Committee's consideration.	C
665	Mearns Street, Greenock	665
	There was submitted a report dated 13 July 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting that a site as outlined in the plan to the report at Mearns Street, Greenock be redesignated as operational property. Decided: that the site at Mearns Street, Greenock be redesignated as operational property to be used for the construction of a new pre-five educational establishment.
666	Major Repairs Budget (2000/2001): Request to undertake an Additional Project	666
	There was submitted a report dated July 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to undertake an additional project as part of the Major Repairs Budget (2000/2001). Decided: (1) that the Committee approve the undertaking of the additional project as outlined in paragraph 2.2 of the report and its addition to the prioritised list; (2) that the Head of Property Services be remitted to adjust the overall programme of major repairs to ensure the allocation is not exceeded; and (3) that authority be granted for the additional project to be dealt with as part of the major repairs budget and progressed with regard to development to tender stage, and that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in consultation with the appropriate officers to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the project and that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender for the project in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations.S
667	Capital Programme 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 - Technical Progress	667
	There was submitted a report dated 10 July 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. Decided: (1) that the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 be noted; and (2) that the following accumulated variations which are outwith the accepted tender amount by more than 10% be approved in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations:-
	Project Effect on Expenditure Port Glasgow Town Hall - Bay Window Concrete Repairs Anticipated final account 49.26% less than accepted tender £5,020 reduction Refurbishment (3rd Floor Southwest Wing) - Greenock Municipal Buildings Anticipated final account 12.91% greater than accepted tender £3,676 increase

668	Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Financial Position	668
	There was submitted a report dated 13 July 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 2000/2001. Decided: (1) that the sum of £96,000 not required for the survey of educational properties be returned to the Policy & Strategy Committee; and (2) that the contents of the report be otherwise noted.
669	Revenue Budget 2000/2001 - Monitoring Report	669
	There was submitted a report dated 10 July 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2000/2001 as at 28 June 2000. Noted
	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) Ice Rink/Refrigeration Maintenance Contract - Use of Specialist Contractors 6 Port and Harbour Bar - Minute of Waiver 6 & 9 New Lease: Shop Premises, Bay Street, Port Glasgow 2, 6 & 9 St John's Primary School: Concrete Repairs - Completion Works 6 & 8 Balrossie School/Hector McNeil Baths and Gourock Primary School - Security Arrangements 8 Property Register 2, 6 & 9 Gas Heat Leasing Project - Tender List 6 & 8
670	Ice Rink/Refrigeration Maintenance Contract - Use of Specialist Contractors	670
	There was submitted a report dated 29 June 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to allow specialist contractors to be included in the tender list for the Ice Rink/Refrigeration Maintenance Contract. Noted
671	Port and Harbour Bar - Minute of Waiver	671
	There was submitted a report dated 21 July 2000 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to authorise the grant of a Minute of Waiver for the Port & Harbour Bar. Noted
672	Shop Premises: 6 Bay Street, Port Glasgow	672
	There was submitted a report dated 14 July 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on an application by Mr Mazzoni to extend his existing lease of premises at 6 Bay Street, Port Glasgow for a further period of 20 years. Decided: that approval be given to the extension of the current lease to Mr Mazzoni for a period of 20 years at an initial rental of £6,500 per annum, subject to 5 yearly rent reviews on the appropriate terms and conditions.
673	St John's Primary School: Concrete Repairs - Completion Works	673
	There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive recommending the appointment of the contractor R J McLeod through novation of the contract with DB Contract Services Ltd to facilitate the completion of works at St John's Primary School. Decided: that approval be given to the novation of the contract to R J McLeod.
674	Balrossie School/Hector McNeil Baths and Gourock Primary School - Security Arrangements	674
	There was submitted a report dated July 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to allow the implementation of revised security arrangements at Hector McNeil Baths and Balrossie School and the new security arrangements for the former Gourock Primary School and obtaining authorisation for the modification of the funding arrangements for the security at the above properties from that agreed by the Committee. Noted
675	Property Register	675
	There was submitted a report dated 13 July 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of property transactions dealt with under delegated authority. Noted
	The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow tenders to be issued without delay. This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.
676	Gas Heat Leasing Project - Tender List	676
	There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking approval to include a contractor on the tender list for Phase 2 of the Gas Heat Leasing Project and the Committee agreed to the request, all as detailed in the Appendix.