(a) That the action being taken by the Director of Transportation and Roads and the Director of Planning to address the projected overspends in their services be noted; and

(b) That the report be otherwise noted.

966 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS: ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND PLANNING

SUBMITTED: Report dated 21 August 1998 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1998/99.

DECIDED:

(a) That the current position of contracts on site which are financed through the Capital Programme 1998/99 as detailed in the report be noted; and

(b) That the use of the emergency powers procedure in terms of Standing Order 66 to approve additional expenditure of £15,900 in respect of the supply and installation of a replacement electrically operated gate and £2,000 in respect of the supply and installation of lighting ducts at Kingston Industrial Estate, at no additional cost to the Council, be noted and that a full report thereon be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

967 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS: TRANSPORTATION

AND ROADS

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 August 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1998/99.

NOTED

968 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - FINANCIAL POSITION

SUBMITTED: Report dated 27 August 1998 by the Director of Finance on the current position of the Capital Programme 1998/99.

NOTED

969 STRATEGIC AGREEMENT: REGIONAL ECONOMIC STRATEGY AND ECONOMIC

FORUM

SUBMITTED: Report dated 1 September 1998 by the Depute Chief Executive on a request from Renfrewshire Enterprise that the Council participate in a joint strategic agreement with it and East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Councils to develop a joint economic strategy for the Inverclyde and Renfrewshire areas. A copy of the draft agreement was appended to the report.

DECIDED: That the Council agree in principle to subscribe to the joint strategic agreement with Renfrewshire Enterprise and East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Councils and that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to submit a further report detailing the scope and extent of the agreement for consideration and final decision by the Committee.

970 STREET NAMING

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 August 1998 by the Director of Planning on the proposed naming of the housing development between 93/95 and 97/115 Slaemuir Avenue, Port Glasgow.

DECIDED: That the name Slaemuir Gardens be adopted as shown on the plan appended to the report.

971 SCOTTISH OFFICE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL AUDIT OF INVERCLYDE COUNCIL

SUBMITTED: Report dated 1 September 1998 by the Director of Planning setting out the findings of an audit of the Council's development control service carried out by the Scottish Office and recommending action to be taken in response to the audit.

DECIDED:

(a) That the departmental administrative proposals the Director of Planning intends to undertake, as detailed in the report, be noted;

(b) That authority be granted to the Director of Planning to consult with other local authorities, various departments and Members with a view to compliance with the recommendations of the audit report, as detailed in the report;

(c) That the Committee support the principle of investment in new technology, the details to be the subject of a report to Committee in due course with a view to inclusion in the appropriate budget 1999/2000;

(d) That the Corporate Management Team be requested to consider an increase in the hours of employment of the Senior Planner/Enforcement Officer from 2.5 days to 3.5 days per week; and

(e) That the Committee support the need for additional storage and office space and that the Accommodation Working Party be instructed to address this requirement.

972 GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPERS ON TRANSPORT STRATEGY AND DRAFT

GUIDANCE ON TRANSPORT AND PLANNING

SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 September 1998 by the Directors of Planning and Transportation and Roads on the contents of the Government's White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" and Scotland's transport action plan "Travel Choices for Scotland" and advising of the implications for Inverclyde. The report also advised of draft National Planning Policy Guidelines and a draft Planning Advice Note relative to Transport and Planning, in respect of which the Scottish Office sought comments, and appended a report to Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee setting out a proposed response to the draft National Planning Policy Guideline Document.

DECIDED:

(a) That the issues raised in the Government's White Papers on an integrated transport strategy for the United Kingdom and Scotland be welcomed and that their relevance for development of the Council's own Local Transport Strategy for Inverclyde be noted;

(b) That it be noted that many of the matters raised seek formal consultation with the Council and that further reports recommending specific responses to such consultation will be submitted to the Committee; and

(c) That the Committee adopt as the Council's response the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee response to the draft National Planning Policy Guideline Document "Transport and Planning", as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

973 PATHWAYS PROJECT/WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTRE

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Economic Development on difficulties encountered in the operation of the Women's Business Centre and recommending termination of the project. The report also advised of a funding shortfall arising from lack of European Social Fund assistance for 1998 affecting the Pathways project which provides support to young people and recommended the transfer of resources allocated to the Women's Business Centre to this project.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Women's Business Centre project be terminated with immediate effect and that the net budget in the sum of £15,300 for 1998/99 be redistributed;

(b) That the shortfall experienced in the Pathways project budget for 1998/99 be augmented by a contribution from Inverclyde Council, limited to the value of £15,300; and

(c) That the Director of Economic Development submit a further report to the Committee outlining the future operation of the Pathways project beyond April 1999.

974 DEVELOPMENT STUDY FOR VISITOR CENTRE AT EAST INDIA/VICTORIA

HARBOUR

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Economic Development on the current position relative to the Council's proposals for the development of a visitor centre at Greenock Waterfront and on proposals to examine the potential incorporation of a major arts facility as part of the visitor centre. It was indicated that Renfrewshire Enterprise had agreed to fund 50% of the cost of a development and design study, up to a maximum contribution of £25,000.

DECIDED: That the Committee agree to make a contribution of up to £25,000 from the Capital Programme 1998/99 towards the cost of a detailed study and preparation of design proposals for a combined visitor/arts facility in preparation for appropriate funding submissions.

975 ANNUAL STATISTICAL RETURN TO DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

SUBMITTED: Report dated 24 August 1998 by the Chief Consumer Protection and Trading Standards Officer on the Annual Statistical Return for 1997/98 required under Section 70 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry.

DECIDED: That the Committee approve the submission to the Department of Trade and Industry of the Annual Statistical Return for 1997/98 under Section 70 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985, as detailed in the report.

976 CONTRACT PERFORMANCE MONITORING REPORT

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 August 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer commenting on complaints monitoring, service defects and enquiries, requests for service, investigation analysis and non-CCT activities carried out by his Department during the period April-June 1998 in comparison with the periods January-March 1998 and April-June 1997.

NOTED

977 FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF KNOCKNAIRSHILL CEMETERY

SUBMITTED: Report by the Chief Environmental Services Officer on proposals for further development at Knocknairshill Cemetery in respect of which the Committee at the meeting held on 4 June 1998 (para 634) had agreed to make a capital allocation from the Capital Programmes 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. The report advised that, as the developed area of Knocknairshill had limited capacity, further development was essential to provide lairs for future interments and the estimated costs of developing the remainder of the site and the next section (Section D) to provide an additional 700 lairs were appended to the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the sum of £1.5 million be allocated in the capital plan for the further development Knocknairshill Cemetery; and

(b) That works to Section D to provide a further 700 lairs be funded from this sum for the commencement of work in 1999/2000.

978 ANNUAL CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND

PELICAN CROSSING EQUIPMENT

SUBMITTED: Report dated 24 August 1998 by the Director of Transportation and Roads seeking approval for the continued support of the annual contract consortium for the supply and installation of traffic signal and pelican crossing equipment led by Glasgow City Council and advising of contracts awarded for the period 1 August 1998 - 31 March 2000.

DECIDED:

(a) That approval be given to the continued use of annual contracts for the supply and installation of traffic signal and pelican crossing equipment; and

(b) That the Committee support Glasgow City Council as the lead authority for the preparation of the annual contracts.

979 MINUTE OF MEETING OF STRATHCLYDE PASSENGER TRANSPORT AUTHORITY

SUBMITTED: Minute of meeting of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority of 5 June 1998.

NOTED

980 RESOLUTION: EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

With reference to the Agenda Item on James Watt Dock, Councillor Finnie moved that consideration and discussion thereon be held in public and that the relative report be made available to the public. As an amendment, Councillor McGhee moved that consideration and discussion thereon be held in private and that the report remain confidential as it contains exempt information in terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended. On a vote, 3 Members voted for the motion and 3 for the amendment. There being equality in voting, the Convener exercised his casting vote in favour of the amendment which was declared carried.

Following discussion and a vote and on the motion of the Convener it was agreed 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)

Environment Act 1995: Local Air Quality Monitoring -

Joint Bid for Additional Capital Consent 6 & 8

James Watt Dock 4 & 6

981 ENVIRONMENT ACT 1995: LOCAL AIR QUALITY MONITORING - JOINT BID FOR

ADDITIONAL CAPITAL CONSENT

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 August 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer advising of the successful outcome of the Council's bid in partnership with North Ayrshire Council for funding to purchase a continuous mobile air pollution monitoring unit and recommending that an order be placed for the equipment.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Council enter a formal partnership with North Ayrshire Council in respect of the air quality monitoring equipment, to include matters such as usage, maintenance costs, etc; and

(b) That the Council in conjunction with North Ayrshire Council place an order for the specialist equipment with the ETI Group Ltd at an estimated cost of £47,608.

982 JAMES WATT DOCK

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Economic Development advising of the current condition of the James Watt Dock Enterprise Zone site and detailing proposals and estimated costs for infrastructure works at the site to improve access arrangements and to develop a formal internal road system. Although the site was in private ownership, the report indicated that without public sector support towards the cost of the works it was unlikely the site would be developed and brought into productive use. In view of the expiry of Inverclyde Enterprise Zone in March 1999 and potential changes in European Structural Fund support it was essential for potential development opportunities to be progressed as a matter of urgency.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee support the project for infrastructure works at James Watt Dock Enterprise Zone site and the allocation of £50,000 from the Capital Programme 1998/99 towards the cost of the works;

(b) That the Council act as the applicant body for the submission of funding under the European Regional Development Fund; and

(i) That a formal agreement be put in place between Clydeport plc and Inverclyde Council confirming that the offer of assistance is in relation to the infrastructure work. Confirmation will be required that the site will be developed in line with current provisions set out under the Enterprise Zone designation;

(ii) That the offer of assistance be the subject of a claw back provision, as determined by the Executive Director Legal , Information and Support Services, which would be applicable in the event of the site being developed for any alternative commercial use other than that specified within the Enterprise Zone designation; and

(iii) Clydeport plc agreeing to cover all capital and revenue costs incurred by Inverclyde Council over and above the net contribution of £50,000 towards the project and agreeing to underwrite any future liabilities arising as a result of Inverclyde Council acting as the applicant body for ERDF and other funding.