8
CORPORATE BUSINESS COMMITTEE - 23 JANUARY 2003
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Corporate
Business Committee Thursday
23 January 2003 at 3.00 pm |
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Present: Provost Roach, Councillors Hill,
Hunter, McCormick, Morrison (M), O'Rourke, Robertson (Y) and White. |
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Chair: Councillor Robertson (Y) presided. |
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In attendance: Depute Chief Executive, Mr W Wilson
(for Director of Community & Protective Services), Mr H McNeilly
(for Director of Legal & Support Services), Head of Financial Services,
Head of Personnel Services, Head of Property Services and Acting Head of
Information Technology. |
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Apologies: Councillors Jackson and Nimmo. |
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The following
paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under
the powers delegated to the Committee. |
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56 |
Managing
Attendance: Absence Statistics - 1 July to 29 September 2002 (Period 3) |
56 |
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There was submitted a report dated 13 December 2002 by the Head of Personnel Services advising the Committee of the Council's absence statistics for the period 1 July to 29 September 2002. |
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Noted |
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57 |
Social
Work & Housing Services - Establishment of Posts Use
of Emergency Powers Procedure |
57 |
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There was submitted a report dated 13 December 2002 by the Head of Personnel Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to approve:- (i) one post of Social Worker, Older Persons Team (Mental Health) on salary grade QSW (£18,878-£23,930), (ii) one post of Assistant Service Manager (Training) on salary grade PO2 (£24,545-£26,801) (part-time) and (iii) one post of Resource Worker (Sensory Impairment) on salary grade AP4/5 (£18,878-£23,459). |
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Noted |
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58 |
Finance Services:
Establishment of Posts for a Debt Recovery Service Use of Emergency
Powers Procedure |
58 |
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There was submitted a report dated 20 December 2002 by the Head of Personnel Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) for the establishment of six posts of Debt Recovery Assistant within Finance Services on salary grade AP1 (£13,664 - £14,618). |
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Noted |
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59 |
Social Work & Housing Services Amendment to Establishment |
59 |
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There was submitted a report dated December 2002 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending the establishment of one post of Administrative Assistant within Social Work & Housing Services. The report advised that the cost of the proposal was £16,421 including employers' costs and could be funded in the current financial year from the grant for tenant participation received from the Scottish Executive, with future years funding being made from the grant available to FITRA by the Council. |
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Decided: that the Committee approve the
establishment of one post of Administrative Assistant on salary grade AP1
(£13,664-£14,618). |
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60 |
National Priorities
Action Fund - Nursery Nurses |
60 |
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There was submitted a report dated 19 December 2002 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending the establishment of 15 posts of Nursery Nurse on a permanent basis within Education Services. The report advised the cost of the proposals would be met from the transfer funds from the former Excellence Fund to the Council's GAE. |
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Decided: that the Committee approve the
establishment of 15 posts of Early Intervention Nursery Nurse, on a permanent
basis, within Education Services. |
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61 |
Social Work &
Housing Services Establishment of Two
Posts of Local Area Co-ordinator |
61 |
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There was submitted a report dated 6 January 2003 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending the establishment of two posts of Local Area Co-ordinator within Social Work & Housing Services. The report advised that the cost of the proposals was £50,610 including employers' costs and could be met from the Change Fund Revenue. |
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Decided: that the Committee approve the
establishment of two posts of Local Area Co-ordinator on salary grade AP5
(£21,536-£23,459). |
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62 |
Establishment of
Post of Team Manager - Joint Older Persons Community Mental Health Team
within Social Work & Housing Services |
62 |
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There was submitted a report dated January 2003 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending the establishment of a post of Team Manager for the Joint Older Persons Community Mental Health Team within Social Work & Housing Services. The report advised that the cost of the proposal was £34,783 including employers' costs and could be met from Resource Release Funding. |
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Decided: that the Committee approve the
establishment of one post of Team Manager - Joint Older Persons Community
Mental Health Team within Social Work & Housing Services on salary grade PO7
(£28,187-£30,323). |
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63 |
Replacement of
Garage/Store at Ravenscraig Stadium Use of Emergency
Powers Procedure |
63 |
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There was submitted a report dated November 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to invite tenders for the dismantling of the fire damaged garage/store at Ravenscraig Stadium and for the replacement of the new buildings through direct instruction to the system building supplier. |
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Noted |
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64 |
Capital Programme
2002/2003 to 2003/2004 - Progress |
64 |
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There was submitted a report dated 20 December 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive on the progress of the Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04. |
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Decided: (1) that the contents of the report be noted; and (2) that the Committee note that the overspend of £7,000 within IT
Services budget would be funded from current revenue budgets. |
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65 |
Vacancy Levels
within Inverclyde Industrial Estates |
65 |
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There was submitted a report dated
January 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive updating the Committee (1) on the
current increase in void rates which have arisen in industrial premises
throughout Inverclyde including the Council's three industrial estates at Lynedoch,
Drumfrochar and Larkfield Estates and (2) highlighting a deficit of £129,000
in rental income which cannot be contained within existing budget
allocations. During the course of discussion,
Councillor Robertson welcomed the suggestion set out in the report on the
subdivision and resizing of large factory space and wished all options
including a review of the Council's property portfolio to be considered as
Council priorities. (Councillor Roach entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business). |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee note the current position with regard to the
vacancy levels within Inverclyde; (2) that the Policy & Strategy Committee be asked to consider
the budgetary constraints deriving from the shortfall in rental income of
£129,000; and (3) that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to review
options for the future of the Council's industrial portfolio. |
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66 |
Revenue Section
Performance to 31 December 2002 |
66 |
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There was submitted a report dated 8 January 2003 by the Director of Finance advising the Committee of the council tax and non domestic rates performance for the period to 31 December 2002 and highlighting other relevant issues. |
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Decided: that the Committee note the contents of the
report and the measures being taken to ensure the improvement in council tax
collection is maintained. |
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67 |
Debt Arrangement
and Attachment (Scotland) Bill |
67 |
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There was submitted a report dated 20 December 2002 by the Director of Finance highlighting issues raised by the change in legislation following approval by the Scottish Executive of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Bill 2002. |
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Decided: that the Committee note the impact of the
Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Bill 2002 and the issues which
require to be clarified. |
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68 |
Treasury Management
Monitoring Report 2002/2003 - Q3 |
68 |
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There was submitted a report dated 31 December 2002 by the Director of Finance advising the Committee on matters relating to the Treasury Management Function. |
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Decided: that the Committee note the quarterly
monitoring report to 31 December 2002 on the Treasury Management Function. |
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69 |
Revenue Budget
2002/2003 - Period 9 |
69 |
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There was submitted a report dated 8
January 2003 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget
as at Period 9 (11 December 2002). During the course of discussion, Councillor Robertson stated that it was essential that Officers identify proposals to address any potential overspends. |
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Decided: (1) that the current position of the 2002/03 Revenue Budget be
noted; (2) that the virement of £17,500 within Information Services be
approved; (3) that the Committee note the hardware and software maintenance costs
will be contained within the budget; and (4) that the Committee note the position in respect of Industrial
and Commercial Rent Income. |
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70 |
Community &
Protective Services - Library Service - Alterations to Establishment |
70 |
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There was submitted a report dated 13 January 2003 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending alterations to the establishment of the Library Service. The report advised that the cost of proposals was £1,850 including employers' costs and could be met from existing budgetary provision. |
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Decided: that the Committee recommend the regrading
of one post of Senior Library Assistant from salary grade AP1
(£13,664-£14,618) to AP2 (£14,984-£16,217). |
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71 |
Social Work & Housing Service Review of Delivery of Homelessness
Service |
71 |
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There was submitted a report dated 14 January 2003 by the Head of Personnel Services recommending the establishment of posts within Social Work & Housing Services. The report advised that the cost of the proposals was £166,254 including employers' costs and could be found through termination of the management agreement with the Salvation Army and an extra budget allocation from the Scottish Executive. |
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Decided: that the Committee approve the establishment of the following posts within Social Work & Housing Services:- |
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(i) one post of Assistant Homelessness Manager (Temporary Accommodation) on salary grade PO1 (£23,930-£25,976); |
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(ii) one post (part-time) of Assistant Homelessness Manager (Resettlement) on salary grade PO1 (£23,930-£25,976); |
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(iii) two posts of Resettlement and Support Officer on salary grade AP4 (£18,878-£20,897); |
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(iv) two posts of Prevention Officer on salary grade AP4 (£18,878-£20,897); and |
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(v) two posts of Clerical Assistant Officer on salary grade GS1/2
(£9,680 - £12,889). |
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72 |
Request to Proceed
to Tender - Insurance Premium |
72 |
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There was submitted a report dated 14 January 2003 by the Director of Finance (1) advising that at the September meeting (para 693) the Committee agreed that it be remitted to the Director of Finance to consider alternative insurance strategies and report back to Committee and (2) updating the Committee on relevant matters. |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee agree that Council-wide Insurance tenders be
sought on two possible scenarios:- (i)
current levels of cover and deductibles and (ii) levels of cover and
deductibles recommended by the Brokers:
and (2) that a further report be submitted to the Committee prior to any
decision being taken on which Insurance strategy to adopt. |
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73 |
Extra Resources - Council Tax
Collection/Non Domestic Rates |
73 |
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There was submitted a report dated 13 January 2003 by the Director of Finance advising the Committee of the recent grant award from the Scottish Executive and seeking approval for the use of the resources. |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee welcome the increase in resources awarded in
the current financial year by the Scottish Executive; and (2) that the Committee approve the use of the resources as set out
in the report. |
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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. |
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Item Paragraph(s) |
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Victoria Tower,
Greenock 6 Birkmyre Trust,
Kilmacolm 6
& 12 Proposed Lease of
Foreshore - Gourock Outdoor Pool 2,
6 & 9 Use of Emergency
Powers Procedure Redevelopment of
John Wood Street Shops, Port Glasgow 6 Appointment of
Consultants Land Assembly at
Central Port Glasgow 6
& 9 Proposed Land
Disposal |
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74 |
Victoria Tower,
Greenock |
74 |
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There was submitted a report dated January 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising the Committee on the current position with the repairs project for the Victoria Tower and (2) requesting approval to invite tenders to contractors not currently on the Council's Approved Contractors List, subject to the companies attaining the necessary inclusion prior to tender acceptance. |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee note the current position with regard to the
contract; (2) that the Committee note the adjustments to the Essential Large
Maintenance Budget as managed by the Head of Property Services; and (3) that the Committee approve the inclusion of two contractors not
currently on the Council's Approved Contractors List to be given the
opportunity to tender, subject to their being included on the Approved
Contractors List prior to acceptance of the tender. |
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75 |
Birkmyre Trust,
Kilmacolm |
75 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Community & Protective Services updating the Committee on the findings of the Members/Officers Working Group established to examine the future of the Birkmyre Trust, Kilmacolm. |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee note the action taken to date by the Working
Group to progress issues relating to the Birkmyre Trust and the summary of
Counsel's opinion set out in the report, including the suggested scheme for
submission to the Court; (2) that the Committee agree to formally discuss with Inverclyde
Leisure Trust the transfer of the Birkmyre Trust, Kilmacolm to the Trust; and (3) that it be remitted to the Director of Community &
Protective Services to submit a report to Committee in due course following
discussions with Inverclyde Leisure Trust. |
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76 |
Proposed Lease of
Foreshore - Gourock Outdoor Pool Use of Emergency
Powers Procedure |
76 |
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There was submitted a report dated November 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to obtain approval for the lease of an area of foreshore at Ashton Road, Gourock to enable engineering works at Gourock Outdoor Swimming Pool to proceed. |
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Noted |
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77 |
Redevelopment of
John Wood Street Shops, Port Glasgow Appointment of
Consultants |
77 |
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There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers under Standing Order 66(a) to homologate the issue of tenders to consultants for the refurbishment of shop units at John Wood Street, Port Glasgow. |
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Noted |
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78 |
Land Assembly at
Central Port Glasgow Proposed Land
Disposal |
78 |
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There was submitted a report by the
Depute Chief Executive updating the Committee (1) on the land assembly
needs of the developer and (2) seeking approval of the revised disposal
terms provisionally agreed with the Agent for the developer and the Committee
agreed to the revised disposal, all as detailed in the Appendix. |
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CORP-23JAN03/8