Economic Development Services Committee

Tuesday 25 January 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Campbell, Hunter, McCormick, McGhee, Rebecchi and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor McGhee presided. 

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Mr C Clelland (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Mr J Aird (for Director of Resource Services), Head of Economic Development Service, Head of Planning Services, Head of Property Services and Head of Transportation and Roads Service.

Apologies:  Councillors Morrison (M) and Mulholland.

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

66

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Technical Progress

66

There was submitted a report dated 6 January 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on the  technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

67

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Technical Progress:  Transportation & Roads

67

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

68

Capital Works - Hillside Avenue Area Kilmacolm:  Relighting Project

68

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of an overspend of £1,977.25 on the Hillside Avenue area Kilmacolm relighting project arising from an unforseen increase in the excavation of rock and (2) indicating that the total project costs would be contained within the sum previously approved by the Committee.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the overspend and note that the total project costs would be contained within the sum previously approved by the Committee.

69

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Financial Position

69

There was submitted a report dated 6 January 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

70

European Structural Funds 2000-2006

70

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the status of the new European Structural Fund programme for the period to 2006 in respect of which 18 of Inverclyde's 20 wards had been proposed as eligible for Objective 2 funding, (2) outlining the likely timetable for implementation and (3) advising of the implications for Inverclyde.  The report indicated that a European Strategy Group had been established to formulate a joint strategic approach to programme development and accessing funding. (Councillor Hunter entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)  that the terms of the report be noted and that it be remitted to the Head of Economic Development Service to inform the Committee when the structural funding map is ratified by the European Commission and at the conclusion of the Single Programme Document consultation process;

(2)  that the Committee support the Economic Development Service in taking the lead in a move to combine the major players in a partnership designed to maximise funding through a joint strategic approach; and

(3)  that the Committee remit it to the Head of Economic Development Service to compile a schedule of potential programmes and the match funding the Council will be required to contribute.

71

Scottish Parliament Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee - Inquiry into Economic Development Activity

71

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the Scottish Parliament Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee - Local Development Inquiry (1) advising of the remit and phasing of the inquiry and (2) appending the Council's response to the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee and that Committee's Interim Conclusions - Phase 1.

Decided:

(1)  that the Committee note the content of the report and appendices; and

(2) that the Head of Economic Development Service be instructed to prepare a further report for submission to the Committee on the conclusion and publication of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee - Interim Conclusions Phase 2.

72

The Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997

72

There was submitted a report dated 12 January 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to publish a Flood Prevention - Second Public Report in terms of the Flood Prevention and Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997.

Decided:  that the contents of the report be approved and that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service to publish the Flood Prevention - Second Public Report and to make it available for public inspection at suitable locations.

73

Earnhill Road, Greenock - Flood Prevention Scheme

73

There was submitted a report dated 6 January 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on the promotion of a flood prevention scheme to resolve the recurring problems of flooding at Larkfield Road/Earnhill Road, Greenock, (1) outlining the procedures and timescales and (2) providing details of the financial implications.

Decided:

(1)  that the terms of the report be noted; and

(2)  that the Committee approve the allocation of an additional £30,000 to the 2000/01 Capital Allocation in respect of the Flood Prevention Order.

74

Contract for the Supply of Coated and Uncoated Stone and Other Services

74

There was submitted a report dated 6 January 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the annual contract for the supply of coated and uncoated stone, the provision of plant hire services and the provision of planing services and related factors which may impact upon the Council's operations and (2) recommending action to minimise such factors.

Decided:

(1)  that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to agree, in terms of clause 2.3 of Standing Orders Relating to Contracts, to exempt as an interim measure current and future contracts for the supply of coated and uncoated stone, the provision of plant hire and planing services from Standing Orders Relating to Contracts in view of the special circumstances outlined in paragraph 2 of the report to secure the supply of the materials and services;

(2)  that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service in consultation with the Directors of Legal and Support Services and Resource Services to agree appropriate procedures in respect of ordering the materials and services to ensure that the lowest available tender is utilised on all occasions; and

(3)  that, subject to (1) and (2) above it be recommended to the Policy and Strategy Committee that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal and Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest 3 tenders for the above materials and services.

75

Minute of Meeting of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority

75

There was submitted minute of meeting of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority of 1 October 1999.

Noted

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.

Item                                                                                                                      Paragraph(s)

Bus Shelter Advertising Contract                                                               6 & 8

Acquisition of Land and Buildings at East Hamilton Street,

Greenock                                                                                                      6

76

Bus Shelter Advertising Contract

76

There was submitted a report dated 14 January 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive advising the Committee of the use of the emergency powers procedure for the award of the bus shelter advertising contract to JC Decaux UK Ltd for a 15 year period, subject to appropriate terms and conditions, and to approve subject to discussion with Strathclyde Passenger Transport, payment to Strathclyde Passenger Transport in respect of contract management for the contract.

The Committee was advised that the recommendation detailed at paragraph 6.2 of the report had been withdrawn.

Decided:

(1)  that the use of the emergency powers procedure for the award of the bus shelter advertising contract and payment in respect of contract management be noted; and

(2)  that it be noted the recommendation detailed at paragraph 6.2 of the report had been withdrawn.

77

Acquisition of Land and Buildings at East Hamilton Street, Greenock

77

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive advising the Committee of the use of the emergency powers procedure in respect of the acquisition of land and buildings at East Hamilton Street, Greenock, there being no direct cost implications for the Council.

Noted