ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

 

THURSDAY 13 AUGUST 1998 - 3.00 pm

 

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

 

In attendance:-  The Chief Executive, 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 H McNeilly (for the Director of Legal Services), the Director of Planning, Mr A Gerrard (for the Director of Property and Technical Services), the Director of Transportation and Roads and the Chief Environmental Services Officer.

 

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor Mulholland.

 

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

 

   801      REVENUE BUDGET 1998/99 - MONITORING REPORT                                                                    801

 

SUBMITTED:  Report by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 1998/99 as at 24 June 1998. 

DECIDED: 

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

(b)  That it be remitted to the Director of Planning to identify appropriate financing to meet the cost of additional overtime worked on the production of the Inverclyde Local Plan. 

 

   802      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS:                                                         802

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES & PLANNING

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 13 July 1998 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1998/99. 

NOTED

 

   803      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS:                                                         803

TRANSPORTATION AND ROADS

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 21 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1998/99.

DECIDED:  That approval be given to virement of £10,000 from the budget heading Bridge Assessment/Strengthening to finance site investigation work to enable project design for the realignment of Baker Street/Dellingburn Street, Greenock to be finalised and that otherwise the report be noted.

   804      CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - FINANCIAL POSITION                                                            804

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 22 July 1998 by the Director of Finance on the current position of the Capital Programme 1998/99.

NOTED

 

   805      COMMUNITY WOODLANDS                                                                                                             805

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 23 July 1998 by the Director of Planning on the community woodlands project approved by the Committee at the meeting held on 23 October 1997 (para 1169) and advising that while competitive tenders for the work at Kilmacolm Road, Knocknairshill Cemetery, and Wemyss Bay had been invited, due to external funding difficulties and the early end to the last planting season it had been necessary for the project to be carried forward to the current financial year.  In vew of the likelihood of 50% funding being made available by the Forestry Authority for the Wemyss Bay Community Woodlands Project, the report recommended that this be given priority over the other two proposed schemes.

DECIDED: 

(a)  That, in order to achieve best value for the money, the Wemyss Bay Community Woodlands proposals be progressed;

(b)  That the total monies available for the project be utilised; and

(c)  That authority be delegated to the appropriate Officers to re-negotiate with the lowest tenderer in respect of proceeding solely with the Wemyss Bay project, failing which 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 Wemyss Bay project.

 

   806      "MAKING THE CONNECTIONS" - A REPORT BY FORWARD SCOTLAND                                 806

ON BEST VALUE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 22 July 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer commenting on Forward Scotland's report "Making the Connections" which seeks to strengthen the links between best value and sustainable development and setting challenges in this connection for the organisation and other agencies, including local authorities.

DECIDED:

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

(b)  That the report's key conclusions and recommendations be referred to the Policy and Strategy Committee for consideration on future policy development and that a formal link between the Council's policies on corporate strategy, best value and Local Agenda 21 be established.

 

   807      LEGIONELLA INCIDENT - SS EDINBURGH CASTLE                                                                      807

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 23 July 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer detailing the background to the recent legionella incident linked to the SS Edinburgh Castle and the action taken by the Inverclyde Incident Control Team to ensure the safety of passengers and crew through the disinfection of the ship's water supply. The report indicated

that, with the exception of the provision of messing facilities, none of the costs of the operation incurred by the Council were recoverable from either the ship's owners or central government.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the actions taken by the Chief Environmental Services Officer as Chair of the Inverclyde Incident Control Team and the considerable contribution made to the successful management of the incident by various officers of the Council be noted; and

(b)  That the considerable assistance and co-operation afforded to the Inverclyde Incident Control Team by the other members of the Team representing Argyll and Clyde Health Board, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health and the Maritime Coastguard Agency be acknowledged.

 

   808      PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER - CUSTOM HOUSE WAY/BRYMNER                   808

STREET, GREENOCK

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 2 July 1998 by Director of Central Services recommending the making of a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce "no waiting, no loading at any time" restrictions in Custom House Way and Brymner Street, Greenock between their junctions with Container Way and Dalrymple Street.

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, no loading at any time" restrictions in Custom House Way and Brymner 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.

 

   809      MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE STRATHCLYDE PASSENGER                                                       809

TRANSPORT AUTHORITY

 

SUBMITTED:  Minute of meeting of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority of 3 April 1998.

NOTED

 

   810      TRUNK ROADS MANAGEMENT AGENCY CONTRACT 1999/2001                                              810

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 23 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on the current position regarding the 1996/99 Trunk Roads Management Agency contract held by the South West Local Authority Consortium, of which Inverclyde Council is a partner, and seeking authority to pursue the contract for 1999/2001 as a partner in the Consortium.

DECIDED:

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

(b)  That approval be given to the Council's continuation as a partner in the South West Local Authority Consortium and that authority be delegated to the Director of Transportation and Roads and the appropriate Officer of the Council to sign the relevant Forms of Agreement for the new Consortium;

(c)  That the Committee confirm acceptance of Dumfries and Galloway Council, or any other Council that the members of the Consortium jointly agree, as the lead authority of such a Consortium;

(d)  That authority be delegated to the Director of Transportation and Roads in consultation with the Director of Finance to agree the pricing strategy for the tender submission for the 1999/2001 Trunk Road Management Agency Contract;

(e)  That authority be delegated to the Director of Transportation and Roads to provide such assistance as considered necessary to complete the tender submission; and

(f)  That it be remitted to the Director of Transportation and Roads to submit a further report to the Committee on the staffing implications for his Department should the tender submission be successful.

 

   811      OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CROSS                                            811

BOUNDARY ROAD BRIDGES - PROGRESS REPORT

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 20 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads advising of the progress of negotiations relative to responsibility for ownership and maintenance of nine road bridges which straddle the boundary between Inverclyde Council and neighbouring local authorities.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the transfer of two structures to the Scottish Office be noted;

(b)  That approval be given to retention by the Council of management and maintenance responsibility for the Rottenburn Bridge on the boundary with North Ayrshire Council; and

(c)  That it be remitted to the Director of Transportation and Roads and the appropriate Officer of the Council to enter into agreement with Renfrewshire Council in relation to responsibility for the six bridges on the boundary between the two authorities as detailed in the report.

 

   812      ROAD LIGHTING IN PRIVATE ROADS - FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS                                        812

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 27 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on proposals for a phased programme of replacement and upgrading of road lighting in private roads, to the Council's minimum standards, together with the financial implications relative thereto.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the Committee note and endorse the costs associated with the installation and adoption of a new road lighting network on private roads within Inverclyde;

(b)  That the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to include provision for the works within the Capital Plan for a period of 5 years, commencing 1999/2000, with corresponding provision within the Revenue Budget; and

(c)  That, subject to approval of the additional funding by the Policy and Strategy Committee, approval be given to the programme of road lighting improvement in private roads.

 

   813      BUS SHELTER PROVISION PROGRAMME 1997/98 AND 1998/99                                                  813

WITHIN INVERCLYDE

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 21 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on the provision of new and replacement bus shelters in Inverclyde by the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority during 1997/98 and advising of proposed replacement bus shelter sites for 1998/99.

NOTED

   814      20MPH SPEED REDUCTION INITIATIVE                                                                                          814

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 13 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on the progress of the 20mph speed reduction initiative to be introduced on a trial basis at Bow Farm, Greenock, Woodhall, Port Glasgow and Lomond Road, Wemyss Bay.

DECIDED:

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

(b)  That the Director of Transportation and Roads submit an interim report to update the Committee on the progress of the initiative.

 

   815      SIGNS TO CEMETERIES                                                                                                                      815

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 13 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads seeking approval for the erection of direction signs to cemeteries within Inverclyde. 

DECIDED: 

(a)  That the Director of Transportation and Roads arrange for the erection of direction signs to cemeteries within Inverclyde, the relative costs to be met from the current Revenue Budget; and

(b)  That it be remitted to the Director of Transportation and Roads to seek Scottish Office approval where signs are located on trunk roads.

 

   816      REVIEW OF PROVISION OF SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL SERVICE FOR                               816

PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 29 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads detailing the findings of the review of the school crossing patrol service on the basis of the Guidelines for the Management and Operation agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 29 January 1998 (para 91) and making a number of recommendations in connection therewith.

DECIDED:

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

(b)  That it be remitted to the Director of Transportation and Roads to undertake a review of the sites detailed in the report which did not meet the criteria contained in the Guidelines for the Management and Operation of the School Crossing Patrol Service and to review safe routes to schools and to report thereon in due course.

 

   817      SCHEME OF DELEGATION                                                                                                                 817

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 29 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads seeking delegated powers to apply section 1(4) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to add parts of a private road to the list of public roads in circumstances where no objections had been received.

DECIDED:  That delegated powers be granted to the Director of Transportation and Roads to apply Section 1(4) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to add parts of a private road to the list of public roads in appropriate circumstances as advised by the Director of Legal Services.

 

   818      OVERHEAD CABLE REPLACEMENT PHASE 4, GREENOCK                                                         818        

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 13 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads advising of an increase of 36.98% in committed expenditure for the project for overhead cable replacement Phase 4, Greenock and requesting the Committee to homologate action taken to deal with the additional costs, on the basis that they be contained within the Department's Capital Allocation 1998/99.

DECIDED:  That the action taken to deal with additional expenditure for the project for overhead cable replacement Phase 4, Greenock, to be contained within the Transportation and Roads' Capital Allocation 1998/99, be homologated.

 

   819      PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED BUSINESS CENTRE                                     819

 

SUBMITTED:  Report by the Director of Economic Development on proposals to establish an integrated business centre, in partnership with Renfrewshire Enterprise and other relevant agencies, for the provision of a full range of business support services on a fully co-ordinated basis, together with indicative costings and timescales.  The report indicated that the Council and Renfrewshire Enterprise proposed to engage a consultant to prepare a detailed operational plan for the facility, the cost to be shared on an equal basis, with the Council's contribution to be met from the Economic Development Revenue Budget 1998/99.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the establishment of a new integrated business centre within Inverclyde be approved in principle; and

(b)  That it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development to prepare a detailed operational plan, capital and revenue costings and a proposed funding package to be submitted to a future meeting of the Economic Development Committee for consideration.

 

   820      ADDITIONAL STAFFING (SECONDMENTS)                                                                                    820

 

SUBMITTED:  Report by the Chief Executive on the present position regarding secondments to the Economic Development Department and advising that due to the impact which secondments would have upon existing Departmental service provision it had not been possible to agree the transfer of staff who had expressed an interest.  Consequently, if secondments were to be progressed, appropriate supplementary finance would be required.

DECIDED:  That the Committee agree to progress with secondments to the Economic Development Department and that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to approve a supplementary revenue estimate of up to £50,000 in 1998/99, with a full year cost of £75,000 in 1999/2000, to ensure that the secondments can be progressed.

 

   821      GLASGOW AND CLYDE VALLEY STRUCTURE PLAN - THE STRATEGIC                                  821

ISSUES CONSULTATIVE REPORT

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 20 July 1998 by the Director of Planning setting out for consideration a detailed response to the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee's Strategic Issues Draft Consultation Document "A Common Development Framework for the Next 20 Years:  The Strategic Issues". 

DECIDED:

(a)  That, subject to the Council confirming its view that the southern extension to the M74 is essential for Inverclyde's economy, the contents of the report be approved as the Council's considered response to the Joint Structure Plan Committee's Strategic Issues Report;

(b)  That responsibility for ensuring the continuing dialogue required for the preparation of the new joint Structure Plan takes account of the inter-relationships between strategic and local planning be delegated to the Director of Planning; and

(c)  That the Director of Planning be authorised to make available the necessary staff and resources from his Development Plan Team to ensure effective dialogue on those matters of particular relevance to the Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review raised in the report.

 

   822      CONSULTATIVE DRAFT ON AYRSHIRE JOINT STRUCTURE PLAN:                                           822

A RESPONSE

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 10 June 1998 by the Director of Planning advising of the publication of the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan:  Consultation Draft 1998 and setting out for consideration a proposed response to the Plan on issues which may affect Inverclyde.

DECIDED:

(a)  That approval be given to the response to the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Consultation Draft 1998 as set out in the report and that the observations on the Plan made in the report be endorsed; and

(b)  That it be delegated to the Director of Planning, either acting on behalf of the Council or jointly through the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan Committee, to liaise with the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan Team on matters of common interest arising from the publication of the draft Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan.

 

   823      INVERCLYDE LOCAL PLAN:  FIRST REVIEW - REPORT ON                                                        823

CONSULTATION PERIOD

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 20 July 1998 by the Director of Planning on the public consultation exercise carried out in respect of the Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review - Consultative Draft.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the progress made in publishing the Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review - Consultative Draft be noted;

(b)  That the programme of consultation which took place over late Spring/early Summer 1998 be acknowledged; and

(c)  That the continuing programme of work essential to the preparation of the final draft, anticipated to be early in 1999, be endorsed.

 

   824      RESOLUTION:  EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS                                                                    824

 

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 paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item                                                                                                                   Paragraph(s)

East India Harbour:  Greenock Waterfront                                                          6 & 9

Central Gourock Redevelopment                                                                        6

Revenue Resurfacing Programme 1998/99                                                          6 & 8

Flooding at Earnhill Road, Greenock                                                                  12

Modification of Paladin Bins                                                                               6 & 8

 

   825      EAST INDIA HARBOUR, GREENOCK WATERFRONT                                                                    825

 

There was submitted report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Economic Development and Urban Regeneration) on the present position in respect of negotiations with Renfrewshire Enterprise for acquisition of the refurbished East India Harbour area and seeking confirmation to conclude the acquisition on appropriate terms and conditions.  The Committee agreed to confirm that the Council conclude acquisition of the East India Harbour area from Renfrewshire Enterprise on appropriate terms and conditions and that a report be submitted in due course in respect of future development proposals relative to the visitor centre, hotel and marina developments, all as detailed in the Appendix.

 

   826      CENTRAL GOUROCK REDEVELOPMENT                                                                                        826

 

There was submitted report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Economic Development and Urban Regeneration) on proposals for the redevelopment of the central Gourock area, which had been reviewed by the Members' Working Group, providing detailed assessment of the proposals and making recommendations relative thereto and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

 

   827      REVENUE RESURFACING PROGRAMME 1998/99                                                                           827

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 20 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads seeking authority to carry out a small programme of specialised proprietary surface treatments to carriageways and footways in Gourock, Greenock, Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm. 

DECIDED:  That it be remitted to the Director of Transportation and Roads to evaluate and recommend negotiated tenders from the two specialised contractors detailed in the report for a small programme of specialised proprietary surface treatments to carriageways and footways in Gourock, Greenock, Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm, all costs to be contained within the Department's current Revenue Budget.

 

   828      FLOODING AT EARNHILL ROAD, GREENOCK                                                                               828

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 28 July 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads setting out for consideration technical solutions and options to resolve the recurring flooding problem at Earnhill Road, Greenock together with details of the legal position relative thereto.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the Director of Legal Services be authorised to reach agreement with the relevant owner with a view to the Council gaining access to the land to enable the works identified in paragraph 3.3 of the report to be undertaken;

(b)  That, if necessary, a flood prevention scheme incorporating the proposals specified in paragraph 3.3 of the report be promoted;

(c)  That, in the event of access arrangements being agreed or a flood prevention scheme being confirmed by the Secretary of State, it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the works proposed; 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 tender received provided that it is no more than 10% greater than the estimated cost.

 

   829      MODIFICATION OF PALADIN BINS                                                                                                 829

 

SUBMITTED:  Report dated 30 July 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on a remit from the Corporate Business Committee of 9 June 1998 (Para 653) requesting the Economic Development Committee to consider the operational requirements of paladin bins and to determine the necessary funding to meet the cost of modifications.

DECIDED:  That, following the decision of the Corporate Business Committee to purchase new lift mechanisms as part of the vehicle replacement programme and the subsequent requirement to modify the existing paladin bins to make them compatible with this equipment, the matter be remitted to the Policy and Strategy Committee with the recommendation that an additional Capital Allocation of £30,000 be made available to finance the required modifications.