Corporate Business Committee

Thursday 12 April 2001 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, McCabe, McCormick, McGraw, Nimmo, 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), Head of Accountancy Services, Head of Personnel Services and Head of Property Services.

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

Prior to the commencement of business, the Convener welcomed to the meeting Mr Alistair Buchanan, the interim Chief Financial Officer.

342

Managing Attendance - Absence Statistics

342

There was submitted a report dated 27 March 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services (1) advising the Committee of the Council’s absence statistics for the periods 3 July to 1 October 2000 and 2 October to 31 December 2000, and (2) detailing the annual statistics for 2000.

Noted

343

ICT Capital Programme 2000/2002

343

There was submitted a report by the Director of Information Services (1) advising of the progress to date of the ICT Capital Programme 2000/2001 and (2) seeking approval to progress a number of projects during 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee approve the projects contained in the ICT Capital Programme 2001/2002 incorporating those projects continued from 2000/2001 as outlined in the report;

(2)   that the projects be developed to tender stage as appropriate throughout the financial year 2001/2002 subject to the cost limit of £750,000;

(3)   that authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received in each case, in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Standing Orders Relating to Contracts;  and

(4)   that a draft e-Government strategy be submitted to COSLA by the end of April 2001 and thereafter to a future meeting of the Committee.

344

Scottish Arts Council - Support for the Development of a Corporate Arts Strategy

344

There was submitted a report by the Director of Information Services (1) advising of a new partnership scheme introduced by the Scottish Arts Council, “The Local Authority Partnership Scheme”, (2) outlining the allocation of funding for Inverclyde Council under the scheme and (3) detailing the associated funding implications of the project under consideration.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the provision of a grant of £19,000 from the Scottish Arts Council to assist the development of a Corporate Arts Strategy;

(2)   that authority be delegated to the Director of Information Services to recruit suitably experienced individuals as required on a short-term, activity-based focus to assist the realisation of the project in line with Scottish Arts Council recommendations and within the funding identified;

(3)   that the Committee agree the need for an integrated approach to the development of an Arts Strategy with other Council strategies and Events Programme;

(4)   that awareness-raising sessions for Members and Officers of the Council be approved;

(5)   that the Committee note the requirement for the development of Arts “taster” sessions as an outcome of the strategy and the need to secure funding in support of these;  and

(6)   that it be remitted to the Director of Information Services to submit a progress report to a future meeting of the Committee.

345

Development of Learning Centres in Libraries

345

There was submitted a report by the Director of Information Services advising of the proposal to develop Learning Centres in libraries.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee support the proposal to develop Learning Centres and Learning Access Points within libraries;

(2)   that the Committee support the bid to the New Opportunities Fund People’s Network Programme for funding the proposal;

(3)   that the Committee support the need for restructuring the service, and approve the redesignation of the IT Services Manager to Head of ICT Services and that a further report on the creation of a post to manage and develop Libraries, Arts and Museum Services be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee;  and

(4)   that the Committee note the intention to identify additional funding for the creation of Learning Centres within libraries as a matter of priority.

346

Economic Development Services - Property Services:  Posts of Senior Property Development Officer and Technical Officer

346

There was submitted a report dated 19 March 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services seeking approval of recommendations arising from the review of posts of one Senior Property Development Officer (Post No 01038) and one Technical Officer (Post No 01037) within Property Services.  The report advised that the cost of the proposals was £2,023, including employer’s costs which could be met from the Property Services Employee Budget.¹

Decided:  that the Committee agree that the posts of Senior Property Development Officer AP5 (£21,036-£22,959) and Technical Officer TG6 (£24,045-£26,301) be regraded to PO1/3 (£23,430-£26,979).

347

Major Repairs 2001/2002 - Request for Committee Approval

347

There was submitted a report dated March 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive detailing major repairs projects required to be carried out and listing the projects in order of priority with estimated costs.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee approve the list of Major Repairs projects in the order of priority as follows:-

347

Projects Carried Forward from 2000/2001 (to be set against the allocation - £686,000)

Priority

Location

Description

Value

a

Cathcart House

Estates Asset Register (Consultant appointment - balance)

£16,000

b

Lynedoch Industrial Estate

Additional CCTV

£12,000

c

Gourock Municipal Buildings

(Electrical Rewire)

£30,000

d

Gourock Municipal Buildings

(Replacement Windows)

£35,000

e

Watt Complex Office

(Roof Renewal Phase 1)

£40,000

f

Transfer Station

(Repairs to Loading Bay Walls)

£20,000

g

Crematorium

Roof Repairs

£21,000

h

Greenock Municipal Buildings

Rewire Phase 4

First floor room around lift

NW wing refurbishment

Corridor to 1st floor gents’ toilet

£148,000

i

Greenock Municipal Buildings

Basement Joiner’s Shop

Conversion to decant office accommodation

£22,000

j

Greenock High School

Drainage

£25,000

k

Highlanders Academy

Replace roof covering

(including additional allocation 2001/2002)

£150,000

Sub-Total (value of re-prioritised Carried Forward projects)

£519,000

New Projects for 2001/2002 (to be set against the balance of the Carried Forward allocation and the new allocation of £400,000)

1

Minor Repairs

(at discretion of Head of Property Services)

£100,000

Projects currently under consideration for this Minor Repairs allocation

a      Hardridge Farm (March Fence)

£4,000

b     Minor Demolitions

£10,000

c      Safety Escape Signage

(Upgrade) £15,000

d     McLean/Watt Complex

Mechanical Services £10,000

upgrade

e      Port Glasgow Town Hall

Cladding repairs £15,000

f      Ardgowan Primary School

Inspection works £8,000

g      Clyde Square

Waterproofing works £15,000

2

Reservoirs

(General maintenance by T&R)

£50,000

3

Reservoirs Maintenance

(Slope Stability Repairs Phase 1)

£90,000

4

Ladyburn Business Centre

Refurbishment

£50,000

5

Greenock Municipal Buildings

(Repairs to carriageway cupola, 3rd floor windows and fire escape)

£65,000

6

Greenock Municipal Buildings

(Heating Phase 7)

£135,000

(NB  This will complete this project)

  7*

General

Large maintenance works

£100,000

Sub Total:     £1,109,000

* Limit of currently available funding;

347

(2)   that all projects listed be developed to tender stage as appropriate, with a view to their completion throughout the financial year 2001/2002 subject to a cost limit of £1,100,000;

(3)   that authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received in each case, in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Standing Orders Relating to Contracts;  and

(4)   that authority be delegated to the Head of Property Services to adjust the priority of those individual projects in the list by maintaining a continuous assessment of the said priorities in pursuance of the requirements of the Council and Best Value.

348

Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Technical Progress

348

There was submitted a report dated 15 March 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Noted

349

Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Financial Position

349

There was submitted a report dated 21 March 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Noted

350

Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 12

350

There was submitted a report dated 9 April 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the position of the Revenue Budget as at Period 12 (7 March 2001).

Decided:

(1)   that the current position of the Revenue Budget 2000/2001 be noted;  and

(2)   that approval be given to virement of £8,500 from Typing Equipment Purchase and Promotions & Publicity to Employee costs within Legal and Support Services.

351

Group Life Assurance Scheme

351

There was submitted a report dated 27 March 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services advising of amendments to the Council’s Group Life Assurance Scheme.

Noted

352

Council Tax Service Update

352

There was submitted a report dated 22 March 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services advising the Committee of the current position with regard to the Council Tax Section following the Unison strike action.

Decided:  that the Committee note the contents of the report and the action being taken to improve in year Council Tax collection rates.

353

Municipal Buildings - Alterations to Heating System in Basement

353

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to instruct a contractor on works in excess of £5,000 to undertake alterations to the heating system in the basement of the Municipal Buildings, Greenock.

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)

Computer Virus

12

Sub-Lease of Premises at Cathcart Street, Greenock

2, 6 & 9

Late Tenders - Postal Dispute

9

Clyde Square - Upper Concourse, Greenock

6, 8 & 9

Invervision Maintenance

6, 8 & 9

Asset Utilisation

2, 6 & 9

Land at Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm:

The Birkmyre Trust:  Acquisition of Servitude

2, 6 & 9

Approval of Specialist Contractor and Specialist Suppliers

of Equipment

6, 8 & 9

354

Computer Virus

354

The Depute Chief Executive gave an update on a malicious virus which had attempted to attack the Council’s network and outlined the action taken by Officers to deal with the situation.

355

Sub-Lease of Premises at 68-70 Cathcart Street, Greenock by The Inverclyde Council from Royal London Mutual Assurance Society Ltd

355

There was submitted a report dated 11 April 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a remit from the Social Work and Housing Committee seeking approval for Inverclyde Council to sub-lease accommodation from Royal London Mutual Assurance Society Ltd to Inverclyde Carers Council on the basis of a sub-rent to be negotiated by the District Valuer, who is currently retained by the Carers Council.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the sub-lease by Royal London Mutual Assurance Society Ltd to Inverclyde Carers Council for an initial period of up to three years for use as a carer centre as detailed in the service specification which is being negotiated on a partnership basis with Inverclyde Carers Council, the Prince's Royal Trust and Inverclyde Council.

356

Late Tenders - Postal Dispute

356

There was submitted a report dated 23 March 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to recommend that the Council suspend Standing Order 9.1 of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts to allow tenders received late for the supply of unmetered electricity contract and the supply and delivery of coated and uncoated roadstone contract to be opened and considered as part of the tender process.

Noted

357

Clyde Square - Upper Concourse, Greenock

357

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive updating the Committee on the current position with the defects at Clyde Square, Upper Concourse, Greenock and recommending works required to complete the project and conclude the contract.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the current position with regard to the contract;  and

(2)   that the Committee approve the proposal to instruct the repair and protection works to the parapet to the contractor, Industrial Floor Treatments Ltd, and that the works are carried out simultaneously with the contract for deck repair at a cost of £15,000 inclusive of fees.

358

Invervision Maintenance

358

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive outlining proposals for the future maintenance of the Invervision CCTV system, and the Committee agreed to take action, all as detailed in the Appendix.

359

Asset Utilisation

359

There was submitted a report dated 26 March 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting the inclusion of additional land and heritage considered suitable for disposal as outlined in the report without prejudice to those items of land and property, the disposal of which has already been arranged.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee agree to the disposal of the properties as detailed in the Appendix to the report and that, where appropriate, any sales of property to existing tenants be settled by negotiation in the first instance;

(2)   that all expenses associated with disposals be met from the sales proceeds;  and

(3)   that the relevant properties be advertised at future appropriate dates, subject to the Head of Property Services (1) consulting with Railtrack with regard to the site at the West Station shops in respect of parking provision, (2) noting the Carers’ interest with regard to premises at 68-70 Cathcart Street, Greenock and (3) in assessing the utilisation and sale of public toilets, taking full cognisance of possible uses of sites and reporting thereon to a future meeting of the Committee.

360

Land at Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm:  The Birkmyre Trust:  Acquisition of Servitude

360

There was submitted a report dated 23 March 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive advising the Committee of the outcome of negotiations to secure a servitude right of access to land subject to a disposal at Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm.

Decided:  that the Committee note the circumstances necessitating the required servitude purchase and approve the expenditure of £30,000 or thereby, all to be deducted from those Capital Receipts previously reported to the Committee.

361

Approval of Specialist Contractor and Specialist Suppliers of Equipment

361

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services seeking approval to appoint a contractor as sole supplier for a “cashless” card payment system for a pilot healthy eating project at St Columba’s High School and requesting approval to invite tenders from four companies who are not currently on the Council’s List of Approved Contractors for shop fitting and catering equipment supplies.

Decided: that the Committee approve (1) the designation of CRB Solutions Ltd as sole supplier for the cashless equipment for the proposed project and (2) the invitation of tenders to the four companies as outlined in the report for the tender for shop fitting and catering equipment supplies, who are not currently on the Council’s List of Approved Contractors.