ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN REGENERATION COMMITTEE

THURSDAY 27 FEBRUARY 1997 - 3.00 pm

Present:- Provost Allan, Councillors Calvert, Morrison (M), McGhee, Mulholland, Sir Simpson Stevenson, Mitchell and Finnie, Councillor McGhee, Convener, in the Chair.

In attendance:- The Assistant Chief Executive (Economic Development and Urban Regeneration), the Director of Central Services, the Director of Economic Development, Mr A Puckrin (for the Director of Finance), Mr C Clelland (for the Director of Legal Services), the Director of Planning, Mr M A Ferguson (for the Director of Property and Technical Services), and the Chief Environmental Services Officer.

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor O'Rourke.

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

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PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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SUBMITTED: Reports by the Director of Planning on the following applications which were submitted, together with letters of objection and support where submitted, and dealt with as follows:-

(a)

Extension to Dwellinghouse:

7 Glenbervie Place, Gourock (IC/96/408)

DECIDED: That planning permission be refused as the proposed balcony, by reason of its size and design, would have a detrimental effect on the privacy currently enjoyed by the residents of 5 Glenbervie Place, Gourock.

(b)

Formation of Hardstanding:

24 Iona Crescent, Gourock (IC/97/5)

DECIDED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:-

(1) That the hardstanding shall be used for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling, in the interests of amenity; and

(2) That a footway crossover shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning in consultation with the Director of Transportation and Roads, in the interests of road safety.

(c)

Installation of Replacement Windows:

5C Barrhill Road, Gourock (IC/96/411 & LB/96/24)

DECIDED: That planning permission and listed building consent be refused for the following reasons:-

(1) As the windows by virtue of their design and method of opening have a detrimental impact on the architectural integrity of this Category C listed building; and

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(2) As the proposals are contrary to the advice contained within Historic Scotland's Memorandum of Guidance on Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas.

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(d)

Erection of Electricity Sub-Station:

Inverkip Road, Greenock (IC/96/390)

Councillor Rebecchi was present and with consent as Ward Member spoke on the matter.

DECIDED: That consideration of the application be continued for a site visit to be arranged by the Director of Central Services in consultation with the Convener and to afford the local Community Council a further opportunity to arrange with the applicants the holding of a public meeting to provide information on the application for those residing within the vicinity of the application site.

(e)

Erection of Spiral Staircase to Access Rear Garden together with Alterations to Bedroom Window:

75B Union Street, Greenock (IC/96/395)

DECIDED: That planning permission be granted subject to the condition that details of the colour finish of the spiral staircase and landing shall be submitted to and approved by the Director of Planning in writing prior to the commencement of development, in the interests of the amenity of the immediate area.

(f)

Change of Use from Shop Unit to Licensed Betting Office:

18 East Crawford Street, Greenock (IC/96/397)

DECIDED: That planning permission be granted subject to the condition that the premises shall not be open to the public outwith the hours of 10 am - 9.30 pm Mondays to Saturdays and shall be closed on Sundays, in the interests of amenity.

(g)

Erection of One Detached and Six Semi-detached Dwellinghouses (Amendment to Planning Permission IC/96/116):

Barr's Brae, Port Glasgow (IC/96/415)

DECIDED: That planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:-

(1) That no development shall begin until samples of all external materials have been submitted to and approved by the Director of Planning in writing;

(2) That no development shall begin until fully detailed landscape proposals have been submitted to and approved by the Director of Planning in writing; and

(3) That the approved scheme of landscaping shall be implemented in the first planting season following completion of the houses and any specimens that, in the subsequent five years, die, become diseased or are damaged shall be replaced in the next planting season with a similar specimen unless the Director of Planning gives his prior written consent to any variation that may be sought, conditions (1), (2) and (3) being imposed in the interests of amenity.

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PLANNING APPEAL: 64 ELDON STREET, GREENOCK

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SUBMITTED: Report dated 5 February 1997 by the Director of Planning advising that, following the decision of the Committee to refuse planning consent for the erection of two dwellinghouses at 64 Eldon Street, Greenock (IC/95/371), and the subsequent appeal by the applicant to the Secretary of State against that refusal, the Reporter appointed by the Secretary of State had issued his decision which was to dismiss the appeal.

NOTED

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STREET NAMING

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SUBMITTED: Report dated 29 January 1997 by the Director of Planning on the proposed naming of roads within the first phase of the new housing development at Hill Farm, Inverkip.

DECIDED: That the names Spey Road, Cullen Crescent, Findhorn Road, Sandend Place and Aberdour Place be adopted as shown on the plan appended to the report.

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REVENUE BUDGET 1996/97

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SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 February 1997 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget as at 1 January 1997.

DECIDED:

(a) That the current position of the Revenue Budget 1996/97 be noted; and

(b) That the Committee endeavour to make savings wherever possible.

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CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1996/97 - FINANCIAL POSITION

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SUBMITTED: Report dated 12 February 1997 by the Director of Finance on the current position of the Capital Programme 1996/97.

NOTED

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CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1996/97 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS REPORT ON CRAIGMUSCHAT QUARRY

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SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 February 1997 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on the progress of the final capping contract at Craigmuschat Quarry.

NOTED

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STREET CLEANSING CONTRACT - MONITORING REPORT

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SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 February 1997 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on the operation of the street cleansing contract during the period 1 October - 31 December 1996.

The Chief Environmental Services Officer orally referred to a letter from Auchmountain Community Council, copies of which had been circulated to the Committee, commenting on the street cleansing contract.

DECIDED:

(a) That the terms of the report be noted; and

(b) That the Chief Environmental Services Officer respond to Auchmountain Community Council, copies of his response to be circulated to Members of the Committee for information.

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RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS - DOG KENNELLING AND SUPPLY OF PLASTIC REFUSE SACKS

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SUBMITTED: Report dated 13 February 1997 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer seeking authority to invite competitive tenders for the dog kennelling contract and for the supply of plastic refuse sacks.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the dog kennelling contract and the supply of plastic refuse sacks; and

(b) That reports on the tenders received be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

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REMEMBRANCE GARDEN FOR STILLBORN CHILDREN - DEVELOPMENT AND NAMING

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SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 February 1997 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on proposals for the development and naming of a remembrance garden for stillborn children at Greenock Cemetery, at an estimated cost of not more than £10,000, advising that preliminary work had commenced and that the garden should be completed and in full bloom by late May 1997.

DECIDED:

(a) That the progress to date be noted;

(b) That it be remitted to the Chief Environmental Services Officer to consult with local support and counselling agencies on appropriate names for the garden, a report with names for consideration to be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee; and

(c) That it be remitted to the Chief Environmental Services Officer to consult with the local churches on a dedication service, with a view to holding such a service in May 1997.

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TOURIST INFORMATION SERVICES

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SUBMITTED: Report dated 14 February 1997 by the Director of Economic Development on short term measures to ensure the continued provision of tourist information services in Inverclyde following the closure of the facility in Gourock at the end of the 1996 season due to the expiry of the temporary building warrant. The report suggested that a dedicated tourist information desk be located within the Council's Information and Advice Centre which would result in a saving as the element for property costs, included within the Council's contribution to the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, responsible for operating the service, would be paid to the Council for the use of space within the Information and Advice Centre.

DECIDED:

(a) That approval be given to transfer of the tourist facility to the Information and Advice Centre in Clyde Square, Greenock for the short term provision of tourist information services, at an estimated cost of £8,500 to be met from the Tourism Projects Budget, the facility to be staffed by area tourist board personnel; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development to report further on the future use of the Gourock facility.

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PORT GLASGOW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE - ASSIGNATION OF ADVANCE WORKS CONTRACT

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SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Economic Development on the assignation of the advance works contract for Port Glasgow Industrial Estate awarded to New Lands (Contracts) Ltd to Land Engineering (Scotland) Ltd, on the basis of existing rates, in terms of Standing Order 66.

DECIDED:

(a) That the assignation of the advance works contract for Port Glasgow Industrial Estate to Land Engineering (Scotland) Ltd be noted; and

(b) That it be noted arrangements are being made to progress the major works programme in respect of the upgrading of Port Glasgow Industrial Estate.

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RESOLUTION : EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

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On the motion of the Convener it was agreed unanimously that, in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the undernoted item of business on the grounds that consideration of the item involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

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GREENOCK TALL SHIPS 1999 LTD - BUSINESS PLAN

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SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Economic Development outlining the key elements of Greenock Tall Ships 1999 Ltd's business plan including goals and targets, contractual obligations and financial projections together with copies of the company's business plan, cash analysis and action plan for 1997.

DECIDED:

(a) That the business plan be endorsed as the basis for the ongoing development of the Greenock Tall Ships 1999 Event;

(b) That approval be given to a package of support up to a maximum of £296,790 over the next three years as outlined within the business plan, the allocation to be met from existing Council budgets;

(c) That it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development to progress arrangements for the secondment of an Administration Officer as part of the support package;

(d) That an early meeting be arranged between the Council and Board Members of Renfrewshire Enterprise; and

(e) That it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to pursue a full contribution of £296,000 from Renfrewshire Enterprise to reflect its commitment as a partner in the Tall Ships Company, in terms of the approved business plan.