Economic Development Services Committee

Tuesday 7 March 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Campbell, Hunter, Jackson, 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 Property Services and Head of Transportation and Roads Service.

Apologies:  Councillor Mulholland.

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

211

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Technical Progress

211

There was submitted a report dated 11 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.  (Provost Roach and Councillor Rebecchi entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Noted

212

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

212

There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

213

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Financial Position

213

There was submitted a report dated 16 February 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.  (Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Noted

214

Flood Defence and Flood Prevention

214

There was submitted a report dated 23 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the effects of flooding incidents in Inverclyde, (2) identifying areas of concern, (3) detailing action taken including investigation and remedial works at various locations and (4) making recommendations in respect of a co-ordinated multi-agency approach to responding to and dealing with flooding.

Decided:

(1)  that the Committee  note that guidelines will be prepared for public issue detailing the Council’s duties, obligations and policies in relation to flood defence and prevention, both to be the subject of a further report to the Committee;

(2)  that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service and the Emergency Planning Officer to agree and prepare intervention levels and responsibility transfers in flood situations; and

(3)  that it be agreed to continue the multi-agency approach to flood prevention and that this be co-ordinated by the Depute Chief Executive, in consultation with other Council officers, West of Scotland Water, Strathclyde Police and other appropriate agencies.

215

A78 Inverkip Street Bridge and B7054 “High Route”

215

There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the outcome of discussions with the Scottish Executive relative to the condition of the A78 Inverkip Street Bridge, (2) advising of and commenting on the options for repair/replacement offered by the Scottish Executive which would meet all associated costs and (3) outlining the effect of the temporary circulatory system introduced in and around Greenock Town Centre.

Decided:

(1)  that the Committee request the Scottish Executive to consider replacing the existing Inverkip Street structure with an on line replacement capable of carrying all trunk road traffic;

(2)  that the formation of a permanent circulatory system in and around Greenock Town Centre be approved;

(3)  that the Committee restate its through route strategy utilising the existing B7054 (High Route);

(4)  that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service to petition the Scottish Executive to upgrade the B7054 to trunk road whilst retaining the A8/A78 trunk road status; and

(5)  that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service to petition the Scottish Executive to promote an order extending the existing A78 trunk road order to include a full circulatory system, these to be approved by the Council and to have regard to all relevant factors including the views and interests of affected traders.

216

Trunk Road Contracts 2001-2006

216

There was submitted a report dated 18 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising that the trunk roads contracts held by the Clyde Premium and South West Consortia of which the Council is a member were due to expire on 31 March 2000 and (2) outlining the arrangements for the new contracts, in respect of which the Council together with ten other local authorities had formed the Clyde Solway Consortium to submit a tender, including the timescales and financial implications.

Decided:(1)  that the terms of the report and the consequences of failure to win the new contracts be noted;

(2)  that the amount of time and effort spent so far by the services staff in preparing for the tender submission be noted; and

(3)  that the name of the new consortium and its private partners be noted.

217

Traffic Signal Maintenance

216

There was submitted a report dated 14 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising that the current contracts for traffic signal maintenance were due to expire on 31 March 2000 and (2) indicating that the Council together with North, East and South Ayrshire Councils (NESI), was preparing tenders for maintenance, emergency call out and bulk lamp changing, with Inverclyde Council as the lead authority.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service, following consultation with the Director of Legal and Support Services, to let the tender for traffic signal maintenance on behalf of all the authorities (NESI).

218

Lighting Column Failures

218

There was submitted a report dated 14 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive detailing the current position in respect of structural failure of road lighting columns in Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)  that the potential danger to the public from road lighting columns which have reached the end of their useful life and the actions being taken by the Head of Transportation and Roads Service in the interest of public safety be noted; and

(2)  that the virement of £20,000 from other lines of the Transportation and Roads Service’s Revenue Budget 1999/2000, being transport and plant (£17,500) and lighting supplies (£2,500), be approved.

219

Private Roads (Unadopted in terms of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984)

218

There was submitted a report dated 16 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the current position in respect of private roads unadopted in terms of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and (2) recommending that the Council continue the existing policy as agreed by the Transportation and Roads Committee at the meeting held on 13 June 1996 (para 492).

Decided:

(1)  that the existing policy in terms of Sections 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 be continued;

(2)  that the Council only consider serving notice to bring a road up to adoptable standard where at least 70% of the frontagers are agreeable to paying the appropriate costs;

(3)  that the Council continue to advise owners of their responsibilities to make safe where an emergency situation exists on a private road; and

(4)  that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service to submit a report to the Committee on the particular situation existing at Dalmoak Road and Arden Road, Greenock.

220

Traffic Regulation Orders - Changes to Hearing Procedure

220

There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive outlining changes to the hearing procedure relative to the promotion of permanent traffic regulation orders by the Council in terms of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 - Code of Practice - Procedure for Hearings.

Decided:

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

(2)  that all requirements to hold a public hearing be reported to the Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee for information; and

(3)  that all decisions relative to the optional holding of a public hearing be remitted to the Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee for consideration.

221

Minute of Meeting of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority

220

There was submitted minute of meeting of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority of 3 December 1999.

Noted

222

Pottery Street Demolitions

222

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive advising the Committee of the use of the emergency powers procedure as set out under Standing Order 66(a) for the issue and acceptance of tenders for demolition works in the Pottery Street area, with all costs being reimbursed to the Council by Renfrewshire Enterprise.

Noted

223

Evaluation of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races in Greenock in 1999

223

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the outcome of the economic impact evaluation of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races in Greenock in 1999 carried out by Segal Quince Wicksteed Ltd, economic development consultants, to determine the economic, social and community benefits of hosting the event, together with copy of the consultants’ executive summary.

Decided:

(1)  that the findings of the Segal Quince Wicksteed evaluation of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races in Greenock 1999 be adopted;

(2)  that due to the contribution made by the event and the positive way it was received by locals and visitors, the Economic Development Service explore the possibility of hosting other major events in Inverclyde; and

(3)  that a working group, chaired by the Depute Chief Executive, be formed to prepare a bid for the Tall Ships Races in 2005.

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

Item                                                                                                      Paragraph(s)

East India Harbour                                                                             6 & 9

Projected Overspend in Lighting Revenue Budget and

Proposed Virement                                                                             9

224

East India Harbour

224

There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the comprehensive redevelopment of the East India Harbour area, agreed by the Committee at the meeting held on 11 September 1997 (para 1014) and (2) setting out in detail development options and commenting thereon.  (Councillor Hunter left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Following consideration, the Committee agreed (1) that East India Harbour and the neighbouring development areas be developed as part of a comprehensive development and (2) that the Depute Chief Executive in consultation with the Director of Legal and Support Services be authorised to take action and report back thereon for approval in due course, all as detailed in the Appendix.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Depute Chief Executive relative to a predicted overspend in the Lighting Revenue Budget and Proposed Virement was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the current position.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

225

Projected Overspend in Lighting Revenue Budget and Proposed Virement

225

There was submitted a report dated 6 March 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of a projected overspend in the Lighting Revenue Budget, (2) detailing the reasons for the overspend including contractual matters, increased maintenance arising from storm damage and vandalism and delays in processing invoices, (3) outlining immediate and future action to deal with the situation and (4) setting out proposals for virement.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the virement as detailed in Section 5 of the report.