Corporate Business Committee

Thursday 16 August 2001 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Hunter, Jackson, McCormick, Morrison (M), Nimmo, O'Rourke and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor Robertson (Y) presided.

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Mr H McNeilly (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Head of Accountancy Services, Head of Personnel Services, Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services) and the Head of Environmental and Consumer Services.

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

674

Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday - Monday 3 June 2002

674

There was submitted a report dated 5 July 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services (1) advising that an additional bank holiday has been designated for Monday 3 June 2002 to mark the Golden Jubilee of her Majesty the Queen’s Accession to the Throne and (2) proposing as a consequence of the granting of the Golden Jubilee bank holiday, that the Victoria Day holiday be moved to 4 June 2002.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the arrangements that will apply in respect of the Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday and Victoria Day Holiday;  and

(2)   that the agreement reached at the various Joint Negotiating Committees be noted.

675

Managing Attendance - Absence Statistics:  1 January to 1 April 2001 (First Period)

675

There was submitted a report dated 27 June 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services advising the Committee of the Council's absence statistics for the period 1 January to 1 April 2001.

Decided:

(1)   that the contents of the report be noted;  and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Head of Personnel Services to submit a report to a future meeting on proposals for a scheme of recognition for employees.

676

CoSLA - Scottish Office Joint Staffing Watches:  March 2001 and June 2001

676

There was submitted a report dated 10 July 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services advising the Committee of the workforce profile of Inverclyde Council as at 10 March and 9 June 2001.

Noted

677

Job Evaluation

677

There was submitted a report dated 3 August 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services on the progress to date in implementing the national Job Evaluation Project in line with the Single Status Agreement for Local Government Employees.

Decided:

(1)   that the contents of the report be noted;  and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Head of Personnel Services to submit further reports in due course in relation to the ongoing implementation of the scheme.

678

Legal & Support Services - Amendments to Establishment

678

There was submitted a report dated 1 June 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending the deletion of a Solicitor's post (Post No 14016) and the establishment of two Paralegal Officer posts, one full-time and one part-time, within Legal Services.  The report advised that the cost of implementing the revised structure could be met from within the Legal Services' employee budget.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee agree to the deletion of one Solicitor's post (Post No 14016);  and

(2)   that two posts of Paralegal Officer, one full-time and one part-time, at salary grade AP3 (£16,173-£17,796) be established.

679

Social Work Services - Post of Social Worker (Hospital Social Work Unit)

679

There was submitted a report dated 3 July 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending the establishment of one post of Social Worker within the Community Care section of Social Work Services.  The report advised that the cost of the proposal was £27,296 including employer's costs and could be met from the Acute Services Trust.

Decided:  that a post of Social Worker (Hospital Social Work Unit) at salary grade QSW (£18,378-£23,340) be established.

680

Social Work & Housing Services - Property Shop:  Post of Clerical Assistant

680

There was submitted a report dated 2 August 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending the establishment of a post of Clerical Assistant at the Property Shop, Greenock.  The report advised that the cost of the proposal was £11,636, including employer's costs, and could be met from the Housing Revenue Account.

Decided:  that a post of Clerical Assistant in Social Work and Housing Services - Property Shop at salary grade GS1/2 (£8,652-£11,685) be established.

681

Education Services - Post of Principal Officer (Planning & Resources)

681

There was submitted a report dated 5 July 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending the establishment of one post of Principal Officer within the Planning & Resources Section of Education Services.  The report advised that the cost of the proposal was £34,085, including employer's costs, and could be met from the Education Services 2001/02 Revenue Budget.

Decided:  that one post of Principal Officer (Planning & Resources), within Education Services at salary grade PO5/8 (£26,301-£30,504) be established.

682

Economic Development Services - Planning Services:  Amendments to Establishment

682

There was submitted a report dated 30 July 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending alterations to the establishment of Economic Development Services - Planning Services.  The report advised that the cost of the proposals was £3,461, including employer's costs, and could be met from the Planning Services employee budget.

Decided:  That subject to consultation with the Trades Unions:-

(1) one post of Supervisory Planner at salary grade PO6 (£26,979-£29,103) be established;

(2) one post of Senior Planner at salary grade PO1/3 (Post No 67033) be deleted from the establishment;  and

(3) the grade for the post of Building Control Manager (Post No 67003) be amended to salary grade PO18 (£35,877-£38,460).

683

Wemyss Bay Community Centre

683

There was submitted a report dated 26 June 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a remit from the Community & Protective Services Committee (para 524) requesting that a 21-year lease be offered to the Wemyss Bay Community Association subject to the application being successful.

Decided:  that the Committee grant a lease to Wemyss Bay Community Association for a period of 21 years, at a nominal rental, subject to the application being successful and on conditions considered appropriate by the Director of Legal and Support Services.

684

The Former Hector McNeil Baths Site

684

There was submitted a report dated July 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of the issues in respect of the sale of the former Hector McNeil Baths site and the alternative proposal to utilise the site in fulfilment of the Council's priority objective to provide a newbuild Home for the Elderly, (2) suggesting that the site remain in Council ownership and be designated for use as a Home for the Elderly, and (3) requesting that, as the Council would not be disposing of the site, the costs associated with the marketing exercise be referred to the Policy and Strategy Committee for consideration.

Decided:

(1) that the site of the former Hector McNeil Baths site be approved as an operational property and that it be designated for use as a Home for the Elderly;  and

(2) that the marketing costs amounting to £9,000 be referred to the Policy & Strategy Committee for funding to be set against other Capital Receipts.

685

Purchase of Data and Software Extension for Contaminated Land Analysis - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

685

There was submitted a report dated 31 July 2001 by the Director of Community & Protective Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) for the appointment of the Babtie Group to provide data collection and preparation services for contaminated land analysis. 

Noted

686

Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress

686

There was submitted a report dated 20 July 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2001/2002.

Noted

687

Capital Programme 2001/02-2003/04 - Financial Position

687

There was submitted a report dated 26 July 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 2001/02-2003/04.

Noted

688

Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 3

688

There was submitted a report dated 27 July 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the position of the Revenue Budget as at Period 3 (27 June 2001).

Decided:

(1)   that the current position of the 2001/2002 Revenue Budget be noted;  and

(2)   that virement of £1,500 from Legal Services Sundries to Support Services Overtime, within Legal & Support Services be approved.

689

Council Tax Collection Performance 2001/02

689

There was submitted a report dated 26 July 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services (1) outlining the Council Tax collection performance for the first 16 weeks of 2001/02 and (2) requesting approval to agree to revise the payment date for the remainder of 2001/02 and the first payment date for 2002/03.  Councillor Rebecchi was present and with consent spoke on the matter.

Following discussion, Councillor Robertson (Y) moved (1) that the payment date for the remainder of 2001/02 be the 28th day of the month; (2) that approval be given to advance the first due date for Council Tax payment to 7 April 2002 for 2002/03 and subsequent years;  and (3) that the Committee welcome the improvements in Council Tax collection in the first 16 weeks of 2001/02 and that further updates of Council Tax collection performance be presented to the Committee throughout 2001/02.  As an amendment, Councillor Nimmo moved (1) that the payment date for the remainder of 2001/02 be the 28th day of the month; (2) that the Committee agree there be no change to the payment date for 2002/03 onwards; and (3) that the Committee welcome the improvements in Council Tax collection in the first 16 weeks of 2001/02 and that further updates of Council Tax collection performance be presented to the Committee throughout 2001/02.  On a vote, 2 Members voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1)  that the Committee agree that the payment date for the remainder of 2001/02 be the 28th day of the month;

(2)   that approval be given to advance the first due date for Council Tax payment to 7 April 2002 for 2002/03 and subsequent years;  and

(3)   that the Committee welcome the improvements in Council Tax collection in the first 16 weeks of 2001/02 and that further updates of Council Tax collection performance be presented to the Committee throughout 2001/02.

690

Economic Development Services - Transportation & Roads:  Alterations to Establishment

690

There was submitted a report dated 3 August 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending alterations to the establishment of Transportation & Roads Service.  The report advised that the cost of the proposals was £15,834, including employer's costs, and could be met from existing budgetary provision.

Decided:

(1)   that one post of Administration Officer at salary grade AP1 (£13,164-£14,118) be established;  and

(2)   that one post of Senior Clerical Assistant (Post No 50041) at salary grade GS3, and one post of Administration Officer (Post No 50061) at salary grade AP3, be deleted from the establishment.

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)

Arran and Bute Court Demolition - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

6

Contract for Road Markings and Road Studs - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

6

Annual Contract for Sign Maintenance - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

6

Proposed Disposal of Ground - Regent Street, Greenock

6 & 9

Disposal of Land - Hastie Street, Greenock

6 & 9

Former Cleansing Depot, Public Convenience and Yard, Port Glasgow Road, Kilmacolm

6 & 9

Property Register

2, 6 & 9

Disposal of Premises:  Former Gourock Primary School, Binnie Street, Gourock

6 & 9

691

Arran and Bute Court Demolition - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

691

There was submitted a report dated July 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to issue tenders for the demolition of Arran and Bute Courts to contractors not on the Council's Approved List of Contractors.

Noted

692

Contract for Road Markings and Road Studs (1 October 2001 - 31 March 2003) - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

692

There was submitted a report dated 26 July 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to invite specialist contractors to tender for the annual contract for road markings and road studs.

Noted

693

Annual Contract for Sign Maintenance (1 October 2001 - 31 March 2003) - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

693

There was submitted a report dated 26 July 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to invite specialist contractors to tender for the annual contract for sign maintenance.

Noted

694

Proposed Disposal of Ground - Regent Street, Greenock

694

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the disposal of an area of ground at Regent Street, Greenock and the Committee agreed to the disposal, all as detailed in the Appendix.

695

Disposal of Land - Hastie Street, Greenock

695

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the disposal of an area of land at Hastie Street, Greenock and the Committee agreed to the disposal, all as detailed in the Appendix.

696

Former Cleansing Depot, Public Convenience and Yard, Port Glasgow Road, Kilmacolm

696

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on offers received in respect of the remarketing of the former cleansing depot, public convenience and yard, Port Glasgow Road, Kilmacolm and the Committee agreed to the sale, all as detailed in the Appendix.

697

Property Register

697

There was submitted a report dated 26 July 2001 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 Depute Chief Executive was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the disposal of the premises at the former Gourock Primary School without delay.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

698

Proposed Disposal of Premises:  Former Gourock Primary School, Binnie Street, Gourock

698

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the disposal of the former Gourock Primary School and the Committee agreed to the disposal, all as detailed in the Appendix.