ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

THURSDAY 12 MARCH 1998 - 3.00 pm

Present:- Provost Allan, Councillors Calvert, Morrison (M), Jackson, Roach, McGhee, Robertson (Y), Mulholland, Finnie and Campbell, Councillor McGhee, Convener, in the Chair.

In attendance:- The Assistant Chief Executive (Economic Development and Urban Regeneration), Mr A S Grant (for 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, the Director of Property and Technical Services, the Director of Transportation and Roads, the Chief Environmental Services Officer and the Chief Consumer Protection and Trading Standards Officer.

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

246 ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEM 246

Mr Grant referred to a report by the Director of Economic Development on additional staffing (secondments) within the Economic Development Department. The Convener indicated that consideration of the item was urgent to allow the necessary arrangements to proceed without delay and moved that the item be added to the Agenda. This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

247 REVENUE BUDGET 1997/98 - MONITORING REPORT 247

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget as at 7 January 1998.

NOTED

248 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS: 248

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND PLANNING

SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 February 1998 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1997/98.

NOTED

249 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS: 249

TRANSPORTATION AND ROADS

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 February 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1997/98.

NOTED

250 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - FINANCIAL POSITION 250

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 February 1998 by the Director of Finance on the current position of the Capital Programme 1997/98.

DECIDED: That the Committee note the significant level of expenditure required to achieve the expenditure levels for 1997/98 contained in the appendices to the report.

251 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - TRANSPORTATION AND ROADS 251

SUBMITTED: Report dated 13 March 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads requesting the Committee to determine spending priorities in respect of the Capital Programme 1998/99.

DECIDED:

(a) That the projects as detailed in priority order in the report be included in the Capital Programme 1998/99;

(b) That the reserve projects as detailed in priority order in the report be included in the Capital Programme 1998/99, should additional funding become available;

(c) That it be remitted to the Director of Transportation and Roads in consultation with the Chief Executive to determine the location and extent of the miscellaneous minor projects detailed in the report; and

(d) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tenders for each project, provided that the tender amounts are no more than 10% greater than the latest estimate approved by the Committee in accordance with the Financial Regulations and that the Capital Expenditure on the projects does not exceed the amount approved by the Policy and Strategy Committee.

252 REVENUE RESURFACING PROGRAMME 1998/99 252

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 February 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on proposals for the resurfacing of carriageways and footways at various locations in Inverclyde during 1998/99.

DECIDED: That approval be given to the resurfacing of carriageways and footways at the locations detailed in the report, the costs to be contained within the Revenue Budget 1998/99.

253 GREENOCK TOWN CENTRE INITIATIVE 253

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Economic Development on the formation of the Greenock Town Centre Initiative involving local traders and organisations operating within Greenock Town Centre and on a request for financial assistance towards the core costs of the organisation, including the employment of a part-time member of staff, together with a copy of the organisation's Business Plan 1998-2000.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee support the development of the Greenock Town Centre Initiative; and

(b) That a contribution of £5000 from the Business Support Programme Budget 1998/99 be made towards the organisation's core costs.

254 MARITIME PROMOTION - VISIT BY THEATRE SHIP - "WALK THE PLANK" 254

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Economic Development on proposals for a visit to Inverclyde by the theatre ship " Walk the Plank" during the period 25 May - 1 June 1998 to promote the area's maritime association and to develop visitor interest prior to the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race in 1999.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee support the proposal to commission the theatre ship "Walk the Plank" to undertake a week long programme during the period 25 May - 1 June 1998; and

(b) That a contribution of £3000 be made to the project from the Tourism Project Funding 1998/99.

255 SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT WITH GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL - 255

CALIBRATION AND TEST CENTRE

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 February 1998 by the Chief Consumer Protection and Trading Standards Officer advising of the arrangements in place for the provision of local standards, working standards and testing equipment for use by Officers of the Consumer Protection and Trading Standards Department.

DECIDED: That authority be delegated to the Chief Consumer Protection and Trading Standards Officer, after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups, to sign the Service Level Agreement with Glasgow City Council's Calibration and Test Centre on behalf of The Inverclyde Council.

256 WEST OF SCOTLAND ROAD SAFETY FORUM 256

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 February 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads advising of the formation of the West of Scotland Road Safety Forum, inviting the Council to become a Member authority and if so agreed, nominate one Member and one official as its representatives.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee nominate Councillor McGhee to represent The Inverclyde Council on the West of Scotland Road Safety Forum with Councillor Roach as substitute;

(b) That the Director of Transportation and Roads, or his representative, be approved as the senior roads official representative; and

(c) That approval be given to a contribution of £500 to the Forum, the cost to be contained within the Transportation and Roads Department's Revenue Budget.

257 LOW-COST 20MPH SCHEMES IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES 257

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 February 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on the introduction of the low-cost 20mph schemes in residential areas initiative being promoted by the Society of Chief Officers for Transportation - Scotland (SCOTS) and the Scottish Office and the introduction of local

trial schemes as part of the national trials.

The Director of Transportation and Roads orally advised the Committee that the Brightside/Sunnyside/Pleasantside, Port Glasgow, Bow Farm, Greenock and Lomond Road, Wemyss Bay areas had been approved as sites for trial schemes.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee note the terms of the report and approve the Council's participation in the trial schemes; and

(b) That the Director of Transportation and Roads report further to the Committee on progress of the three trial schemes.

258 PARKING BAYS FOR DISABLED DRIVERS 258

SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 February 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on the provision of parking bays for disabled drivers and recommending that provision be extended to disabled orange badge holders who are not the drivers of vehicles.

DECIDED:

(a) That approval be given to the provision of parking bays to the holders of disabled orange badges who are not the drivers of vehicles but who have special needs, subject to the discretion of the Director of Transportation and Roads and relevant supporting evidence from appropriate agencies; and

(b) That the service be provided free of charge, subject to periodic review under the Revenue Budget.

259 PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER - GEORGE ROAD, GOUROCK 259

SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 February 1998 by the Director of Central Services recommending the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce "no waiting at any time" restrictions on George Road, Gourock.

DECIDED: That The Inverclyde Council be recommended to make a Resolution under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 in relation to a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce "no waiting at any time" restrictions on George Road, Gourock and thereafter that it be remitted to the Directors of Transportation and Roads and Central Services to arrange for implementation of the Order.

260 PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER - LAIRD STREET, GREENOCK 260

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 February 1998 by the Director of Central Services recommending the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce "no waiting at any time" restrictions on Laird Street, Greenock.

Mr Grant orally advised the Committee that no objections to the proposals had been received by the required date.

DECIDED: That The Inverclyde Council be recommended to make a Resolution under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 in relation to a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce "no waiting at any time" restrictions on Laird Street, Greenock and thereafter that it be remitted to the Directors of Transportation and Roads and Central Services to arrange for implementation of the Order.

261 CONTRACT PERFORMANCE MONITORING REPORT 261

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 February 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer commenting on complaints monitoring, requests for service and investigation analysis relative to the refuse collection and street cleaning contracts and non-CCT activities carried out by his Department during the period October - December 1997 in comparison with the period October - December 1996 and July - September 1997.

NOTED

262 PENNINGTON INTERIM AND FINAL REPORTS: ADDITIONAL FUNDING 262

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 February 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on the use of additional funding amounting to £19,198 made available for 1997/98 to help meet the cost of full implementation of the recommendations of the Pennington Report on E Coli 0157.

DECIDED: That approval be given to the use of the additional funding for 1997/98 as detailed in the report.

263 THE FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY - WHITE PAPER CONSULTATION 263

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 February 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on the white paper The Food Standards Agency: A Force for Change published on 14 January 1998 and detailing the functions, role and structure of the Agency and how it is to be funded.

DECIDED:

(a) That The Inverclyde Council supports the creation of a Foods Standards Agency as a positive and necessary step in protecting public health and in restoring public confidence in the food industry and, in particular, the Council welcomes the Government's recognition of the key role which local authorities play as food enforcement authorities;

(b) That The Inverclyde Council supports the Government's view that funding to local authorities for food safety enforcement should not be ring-fenced, nonetheless the Council supports giving the Agency powers to audit Councils on all aspects of their performance as food authorities, including the appropriate provision of resources;

(c) That, whilst supporting the granting of powers of audit of performance to the Agency, the Council does not support the extension of the existing default powers contained in the Food Safety Act 1990, considering these to be adequate and, in particular, the Council considers that the radical step of taking over the powers of a food authority should only be taken by a Minister preferably after a local inquiry as provided for in the Act and the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973;

(d) That The Inverclyde Council supports, in principle, the introduction of a registration or licensing fee but the Council recommends that, in its detailed consultation on the proposal, the Government considers the introduction of a graded fee structure reflecting the relative risk and size of the premises and the possible consolidation of other licensing schemes, such as late hours catering, relative to the businesses; and

(e) That the Council supports the proposed review of Scientific Services but recommends that there should be widespread consultation of food authorities on the recommendation of the review group.

264 FOOD SAFETY ENFORCEMENT POLICY 264

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 February 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on the food safety enforcement procedures currently in place together with proposals to ensure that the Council fulfils its statutory duties in terms of the Food Safety Act 1990 and subsequent regulations. The report referred to the implications of a change in Government Policy on the enforcement of Regulation 4(3) of the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 (Risk Assessment) as a result of the Pennington Reports and set out proposed enforcement policy statement for Regulation 4(3).

DECIDED: That the Committee endorse the enforcement policy statement and approve the approach of the Environmental Services Department in respect of the implementation of Regulation 4(3) of the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 (Risk Assessment).

265 FORMER CLEANSING DEPOT AND PUBLIC CONVENIENCES, 265

PORT GLASGOW ROAD, KILMACOLM

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 February 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer advising that the site of the former cleansing depot and public conveniences at Port Glasgow Road, Kilmacolm was surplus to his Department's requirements and advising of options for the future of the site.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee confirm that the site of the former cleansing depot and public conveniences at Port Glasgow Road, Kilmacolm is surplus to requirements; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Corporate Business Committee to market the site.

266 SUPPLY OF WHEELED REFUSE CONTAINERS 266

SUBMITTED: Report dated 13 February 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer seeking permission to invite competitive tenders for the supply of 6000 wheeled refuse containers and the provision of essential spare parts.

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 provision of 6000 wheeled refuse containers and essential spare parts; and

(b) That a report on tenders received be submitted to the Committee for consideration in due course.

267 RESOLUTION: EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS 267

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 as amended, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the undernoted items of business on the grounds that consideration of the items 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)

Award of Refuse Collection/Street Sweeping Contract 6 & 8

Bay Hotel, Gourock/Purchase of Property in Central Gourock 2, 6 & 9

East India Harbour: Greenock Waterfront 6 & 9

Renewal of Contract for the Supply of Plastic Sacks 6

Scrap Metal Contract 6 & 8

Revenue Resurfacing Programme 1997/98 - Use of Emergency Powers

Procedure 6 & 8

Economic Development Department - Additional Staffing (Secondments) 1

268 AWARD OF REFUSE COLLECTION/STREET SWEEPING CONTRACT 268

SUBMITTED: Report dated 5 March 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on tenders received for the provision of the refuse collection/street sweeping contract.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the tender submitted by the Contract Services Division, Inverclyde Council for the provision of refuse collection and street cleaning services, as detailed in the report, the street cleaning contract to commence on 1 April 1998 and the refuse collection contract to commence on 1 October 1998 or such other date agreed dependent on the provision of new vehicles;

(b) That the rates for the provision of the refuse collection service continue to be paid on the same basis as the previous contract for refuse collection awarded by the former Inverclyde District Council, with an appropriate adjustment for inflation, until the new contract is implemented;

(c) That the rates for the provision of the street cleaning service for the period 1 November 1997 to 31 March 1998 be paid on the same basis as the previous contract awarded by the former Inverclyde District Council;

(d) That it be remitted to the Members Working Group on Best Value, to consider the re-negotiation of aspects of the tender to fund the shortfall of £52,000 in available positive variations to cover open space and back court cleaning;

(e) That, on final implementation of the joint contract for refuse collection and street cleaning, the contract rates be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that improvements in efficiency and contract performance are utilised to the benefit of the Council and in the interests of Best Value; and

(f) That, in the interests of Best Value, the monitoring of this contract by the client officer be carried out on an "open book" basis with access to all relevant information.

269 BAY HOTEL, GOUROCK/PURCHASE OF PROPERTY IN CENTRAL GOUROCK 269

There was submitted report by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the use of the emergency powers procedure set out in Standing Order 66 giving approval in principle and authority for action taken in connection with the Bay Hotel, Gourock and advising of the present position together with supplementary report dated 12 March 1998 on proposed acquisition of premises in central Gourock.

Councillor Campbell declared an interest in this matter and took no part in its consideration or decision.

The Committee noted the use of the emergency powers procedure involving the Bay Hotel, Gourock and agreed to proceed with the acquisition of premises in Central Gourock, all as detailed in the Appendix.

270 EAST INDIA HARBOUR: GREENOCK WATERFRONT 270

There was submitted report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Economic Development and Urban Regeneration) on the present position regarding negotiations with Renfrewshire Enterprise in respect of acquisition by the Council of the refurbished harbour area. The Committee agreed to confirm its commitment to acquire the East India Harbour upon completion of site assembly by Renfrewshire Enterprise and to take action, all as detailed in the Appendix.

271 RENEWAL OF CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF PLASTIC SACKS 271

SUBMITTED: Report dated 17 February 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer seeking authority to invite competitive tenders for the supply of plastic 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 supply of plastic sacks from April 1998 the tender document to give options for the length of the contract period;

(b) That the organisation detailed in the report be given the opportunity to price on the specifications required; and

272 SCRAP METAL CONTRACT 272

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 February 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on tenders received for the scrap metal contract.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the tender submitted by Clyde Metals for a period of one year on the basis of guaranteed income; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Chief Environmental Services Officer to co-ordinate scrap metal recycling activities on behalf of the Council.

273 REVENUE RESURFACING PROGRAMME 1997/98 - USE OF 273

EMERGENCY POWERS PROCEDURE

SUBMITTED: Report dated 24 February 1998 by the Director of Central Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure set out in Standing Order 66 for approval of virement of £20,000 from Supplies and Services (in relation to Winter Maintenance Materials) to Payments to Contractors for partial funding of a small programme of specialised proprietary surface treatments to carriageways and footways in Greenock, Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm and to remit to the Director of Transportation and Roads to evaluate and recommend negotiated

tenders from two specialised contractors for acceptance, all costs to be contained within the Transportation and Roads Department's revenue allocation for 1997/98.

NOTED

274 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - ADDITIONAL 274

STAFFING (SECONDMENTS)

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Economic Development on the current staffing position within his Department and recommending the appointment of additional staff under the Council's Secondment Programme. It was noted that the total cost of the additional posts, including the provision of formal training, would be met from within existing departmental budgets.

DECIDED: That the Committee agree to progress with the appointment of the posts of Economic Development Officer - Physical Development, Economic Development Officer - Training and European Officer as outlined in the report, the costs to be met from within existing departmental budgets.