Corporate Business Committee

Thursday 8 November 2001 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Hill, Jackson, Nimmo, O'Rourke, Robertson (Y) and White.

Chair:  Councillor Robertson (Y) presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillors Hunter, McCormick and Morrison (M).

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

980

PC and Associated Hardware Provision

980

There was submitted a report dated 21 October 2001 by the Head of Information Technology, consideration of which had been continued from the September meeting (para 846), (1) advising of the current requirement to establish a procurement method for the provision of all PC and associated hardware, (2) advising of the Office of Government Commerce's (OGC) announcement to revise the Government Product and Services Catalogue (GCat), and (3) seeking approval to register Inverclyde Council as a member of the new GCat agreement.

 Decided:

(1)   that Inverclyde Council be registered as a customer member of the new Office of Government Commerce (GCat) agreement;  and

(2)   that the Committee note that IT Services will monitor and assess the functionality of the scheme to ensure that it best provides for the Council's ICT requirements.

981

Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress

981

There was submitted a report dated 11 October 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1)   that the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2001/2002 be noted;  and

(2)   that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations, expenditure increases of £1,552 in respect of the demolition of blockwork walls at the Transfer Station and £1,715 for the supply and fixing of pre-cast concrete motorway crash barrier units within the loading bay of the Transfer Station;  and

(3)   that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations, accumulated variations in the alterations and repairs to the Transfer Station, Pottery Street which are 26.65% (£3,730) greater than the accepted tender amount.

982

Major Repairs Budget (2001/2002) - Request for Committee Approvals

982

There was submitted a report dated October 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to adjust the prioritised list of projects as part of the Major Repairs Budget 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee approve the adjustment of the prioritised list as detailed in the report;

(2)   that the Committee approve the adjustments in budget allocation as detailed within the report, subject to the overall financial limit of the allocation not being exceeded;

(3)   that it be remitted to the Policy & Strategy Committee to consider giving approval to accept the lowest tender;  and

(4)   that subject to the approval of the Policy & Strategy Committee, authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the lowest tender for the Gourock Municipal Buildings - Replacement Windows project, subject to the resolution of issues with Historic Scotland as outlined in the report.

983

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

983

There was submitted a report dated 19 October 2001 by the Director of Finance Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 2001/02-2003/04.

Noted

984

Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 6

984

There was submitted a report dated 11 October 2001 by the Director of Finance Services on the position of the Revenue Budget as at Period 6 (19 September 2001).

Noted

985

Council Tax/Non-Domestic Rates Section

Performance to 30 September 2001

985

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance Services advising the Committee of the Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates collection performance for the first six months of 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee welcome the ongoing improvement in Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates collection levels;  and

(2)   that the action being taken in introducing a paypoint collection option in Inverclyde be noted.

986

Community Planning, Chief Executive's Office - Post of Community Planning Officer

986

There was submitted a report dated 25 October 2001 by the Head of Personnel Services (1) recommending the establishment of a post of Community Planning Officer within the Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership, (2) revising the designation of the most senior post within the Partnership and (3) requesting that the job description of that post be altered to take account of the Community Planning process and related matters.  (Councillor White entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)   that a post of Community Planning Officer on salary grade PO5 (£26,301-£28,404) be established;  and

(2)   that the Committee agree to the redesignation of the post of Partnership Co-ordinator to Community Planning Manager.

987

Finance Services Office Accommodation Works:  Request for Virement

987

There was submitted a report dated 30 October 2001 by the Director of Finance Services requesting authority to approve virement to fund extra works identified as part of the capital contract ongoing within Finance Services.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee approve one-off virement of £38,000 to fund the additional works and associated expenditure arising from the refurbishment of Finance Services offices;  and

(2)   that, as the Architect's Instruction will lead to the contract variation exceeding 10%, the Committee approve the issuing of the instructions in line with Financial Regulations.

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)

Standing Restricted List of Contractors

6

Approval of Consultants

Quality Control - Gas Maintenance Contract -

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

6

Appointment of Civil/Structural Consultant

General Works - Time-to-Time Basis -

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

6

Regeneration of Development Land at Roxburgh Street and

Inverkip Street, Greenock

2 & 9

Proposed Consolidation of Finance Services

1

Treasury Policy

6 & 9

988

Standing Restricted List of Contractors

988

There was submitted a report dated 16 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising the Committee on the progress made with regard to the Council's Standing Restricted List of Contractors.

Decided:

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

(2)   that authority continue to be delegated to the Director of Legal & Support Services in the usual manner to add companies to the list.

989

Approval of Consultants

Quality Control - Gas Maintenance Contract:  Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

989

There was submitted a report dated 23 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to authorise the issue of tenders to consultants selected by the Head of Property Services for the carrying out of mechanical engineering services to provide quality control over the Council's Gas Maintenance Contract for a period of one year.

Noted

990

Appointment of Civil/Structural Consultant

General Works - Time-to-Time Basis:  Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

990

There was submitted a report dated 24 October 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to homologate the issue of tenders to consultants selected by the Head of Property Services for the appointment of a Civil/Structural Consultant for general works on a time-to-time basis.

Noted

991

Regeneration of Development Land at Roxburgh Street and Inverkip Street, Greenock

991

There was submitted a report dated 22 October 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the proposed timetable for securing vacant possession of all Council shops at Roxburgh Street and Inverkip Street (West Station), by terminating the monthly lets of the remaining occupied premises.

Decided:  that the Committee note the programme and confirm agreement to the timetable as detailed in the Appendix to the report.

992

Proposed Consolidation of Finance Services

992

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance Services providing an update on progress regarding the review of Finance Services and making recommendations for consideration as appropriate.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the reported outcome of the review of Finance Services and await further progress reports as appropriate;

(2)   that the Committee approve the need for one Head of Service, entitled Head of Financial Services, at salary grade CO25 (£49,254);

(3)   that the Committee agree to the creation of a third Manager post, entitled Exchequer Manager, at salary grade PO18 (£35,877 - £38,460);

(4)   that the Committee agree to the deletion of the vacant Head of Service post, entitled Head of Revenue Services, on salary grade CO18 (£41,601);

(5)   that the Committee agree to the creation of a second Assistant Team Leader (Master File) at salary grade AP2 (£14,484 - £17,717), the post to be filled by restricted interview amongst the six Senior Clerical Assistants currently on salary grade GS3 (£12,624 - £13,164);

(6)   that the Committee agree to the deletion of the ensuing vacant Senior Clerical Assistant post on salary grade GS3 (£12,624 - £13,164);

(7)   that the reshaping of the Finance Services structure and resultant changes in staff reporting lines as identified in Appendix 3 to the report be agreed;  and

(8)   that the Committee agree to the production of a detailed specification being advertised for an appropriate Financial Management System, funding being subject to successful prioritisation within the Capital Plan.

993

Treasury Policy

993

There was submitted a report dated 19 October 2001 by the Director of Finance Services outlining the Council's responsibilities for the Treasury Management Operation and recommending an appropriate procedure to ensure responsibilities are fulfilled.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee note the Council's responsibility for Treasury Management Operations;

(2)   that the Committee approve the Treasury Management Policy Statement as outlined in the report;  and

(3)   that it be agreed that the Director of Finance Services submit a further report outlining the Treasury Management Strategy to the next meeting of the Committee.