Economic Development Services Committee

Tuesday 5 March 2002 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Calvert, Campbell, Hill, McCormick, Morrison (M), O’Rourke and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor McCormick presided. 

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Miss M McKnight (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Mr J Aird (for Director of Finance Services), Head of Economic Development Service, Head of Property Services and Head of Transportation and Roads Service.

Apologies:  Councillors Jackson and McGhee.

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

216

Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 10

216

There was submitted a report dated 4 February 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2001/2002 as at Period 10 (9 January 2002).

Noted

217

Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress:  Transportation & Roads

217

There was submitted a report dated 18 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive on the position of the Capital Programme 2001/2002.

Noted

218

Capital Programme 2001/02 - 2003/04 - Financial Position

218

There was submitted a report dated 15 February 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the position of the Capital Programme 2001/02 - 2003/04.

Noted

219

Transportation & Roads Service

Capital Programme 2002/03 - Second Report

219

There was submitted a report dated 22 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking authority to proceed with project preparation for bridges/design, new construction, traffic/cycling, flooding and winter equipment projects funded from the Transportation & Roads Capital Programme 2002/03.

The Head of Transportation & Roads Service advised the Committee that the reference at paragraph 2.1 to the capital allocation for cycling, walking and safer streets for 2002/03 should in fact be £65,000 and that the reference at paragraph 3.1 to Baker Street/Dellingburn Street should read Baker Street/Drumfrochar Road.C

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee approve the projects listed in paragraph 3 of the report in respect of the Capital Programme 2002/03, based on the previously agreed three year Capital Programme, subject to the Policy and Strategy Committee confirming the Capital Programme 2002/03;  and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service to proceed to tender, or issue to the Council's contractor, in respect of the projects listed in paragraph 3 of the report and that authority to accept tenders be granted in terms of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations, with no tender acceptances being issued until capital funding is available.

220

New Deal - Environmental Task Force

220

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the progress of the Renfrewshire Environmental Task Force programme, a consortium involving Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Councils and (2) requesting continued support for the project in 2002/2003.

Decided:

(1)   that the Council continue to participate in the Renfrewshire Environmental Task Force consortium and that approval be given to the extension of the contract until March  2003;  and

(2)   that a contribution of £15,000 towards the development costs of delivering the programme be made in the financial year 2002/2003 and that the consortium investigate the potential of using this funding to extend the developmental work by applying for European funding.

221

Renfrewshire Local Economic Forum

221

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the current status of the Renfrewshire Local Economic Forum and the review of business development activity undertaken by the Business Support Action Team and (2) setting out the specific actions included within the business support action plan to be undertaken during 2002/2003.  The report advised that, while there were no immediate financial implications for the Council arising from the action plan, the current budget allocation for business development activity was being revised to respond to specific actions.

Decided:

(1)   that the contents of the report and the specific actions being undertaken in support of the Renfrewshire Local Economic Forum be noted;  and

(2)   that further participation in revision and review of economic development activity in line with the Ministerial Task Force recommendations be endorsed.

222

North Ayrshire Local Plan - Consultative Draft (Excluding Isle of Arran)

222

There was submitted a report dated 13 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the publication of the North Ayrshire Local Plan - Consultative Draft (Excluding Isle of Arran) in December 2001 and setting out for consideration a proposed response to the Plan on issues which may affect Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)   that the response to the North Ayrshire Local Plan - Consultative Draft (Excluding Isle of Arran) as set out in the report be approved and that the observations made in the report be endorsed;  and

(2)   that it be delegated to the Head of Planning Services to respond to North Ayrshire Council on the following matters:-

v      thanking them for the opportunity to comment on the plan, and commending them for its production;

v      welcoming the recommendation that the Scottish Executive assess the need for further improvements to the trunk road network, particularly the A78(T), and confirming that Inverclyde Council will continue to seek such improvements through its Finalised Local Plan;

v      requesting that the Plan's maps identify the boundaries of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and that consideration is given to including a policy reflecting the agreed land use strategy and design guidelines;  and

v      suggesting that the renewable energy policy (INF6) is altered to ensure that assessment is also made of the means of access to service and maintain renewable energy sites.

v

223

Building Standards - Scottish Type Approval Scheme

223

There was submitted a report dated 14 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of the dissolution of the Scottish Building Control Organisation, (2) seeking approval to participate in the Scottish Type Approval Scheme to be administered by the Scottish Association of Chief Building Control Officers and (3) outlining the financial implications.

Decided:  that the dissolution of the Scottish Building Control Organisation be noted and that approval be given to participation in the Scottish Type Approval Scheme under the remit of the Scottish Association of Chief Building Control Officers, including the payment of annual charges and confirmation of insurance.

224

Getting Involved in Planning -

Scottish Executive Consultation Paper

224

There was submitted a report dated 15 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive setting out for consideration a proposed response to the questions posed in the Scottish Executive consultation paper "Getting Involved in Planning" reviewing existing arrangements for enabling people to become involved in planning issues.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Head of Planning Services to make a presentation to Members of the Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee on the Scottish Executive consultation paper "Getting Involved in Planning" in the first instance and to submit a further report to the Committee for consideration thereafter.@

225

Inverclyde Access Strategy - Action Plan:

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

225

There was submitted a report dated 19 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) for approval to extend the contract with the consultants who prepared the Inverclyde Access Strategy to develop an action plan.

Noted

226

Waterfront Regeneration - Staffing

226

There was submitted a report dated 21 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the staffing requirements to progress proposals for the regeneration of Greenock and Port Glasgow waterfronts and (2) recommending the establishment of the post of Waterfront Development Officer located within Planning Services at salary grade PO15 for an initial period of three years.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee approve in principle the appointment of a Waterfront Development Officer;

(2)   that the report be remitted to the Policy Review Group for consideration in due course;  and

(3)   that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to negotiate with Clydeport plc and Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire to seek financial contributions towards the cost of the post.

227

Golden Jubilee Quay Festival - Inverclyde

227

There was submitted a report dated 12 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the progress of the Golden Jubilee celebrations agreed by the Committee at the meeting held on 13 November 2001 (para 998), (2) advising of the outcome of liaison with the relevant parties to ensure co-ordination of the event with local events and (3) outlining the key elements and timetable for the holding of a Golden Jubilee Quay Festival which it was recommended be held on 14, 15 and 16 June 2002.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the arrangements for the Golden Jubilee Quay Festival as outlined in the report.

228

Proposed Stopping-Up of Roads and Footpaths:  Main Street to Main Road, Inverkip

228

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2002 by the Director of Legal and Support Services advising that, following the decision of the Planning and Traffic Management Sub-Committee at the meeting held on 7 February 2001 (para 133 (d)) to instigate the stopping-up procedure for an area of road and footpath at Main Street to Main Road, Inverkip in terms of the Town & Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, no objections had been received following advertisement of the proposals.è

Decided:  that the Stopping-Up of Roads and Footpaths, Inverclyde (Main Street to Main Road, Inverkip) Order 2001 be confirmed and that the Director of Legal and Support Services be authorised to take all necessary action in connection with the Order.

229

Road Adoptions

229

There was submitted a report dated 14 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of additions to Inverclyde's list of public roads in accordance with the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

Noted

230

Minute of Meeting of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority

230

There was submitted minute of meeting of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority of 7 December  2001.

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 during 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)

DLO/DSO Performance Reports - Roads Direct and Cleaning                8

Acquisition of Premises - Ladyburn Street, Greenock                              2, 6 and 9

231

DLO/DSO Performance Reports - Roads Direct and Cleaning

231

There was submitted a report dated 7 February 2002 by the Director of Finance Services providing information on the performance of the Roads Direct and Cleaning DSOs for the period to 9 January 2002.

Decided:

(1)   that the current position with regard to the performance targets be noted;  and

(2)   that it be noted the business plan targets and key performance measures will be further developed as a result of the approval of the business plans in due course.

232

Acquisition of Premises - Ladyburn Street, Greenock

232

There was submitted a report dated 25 February 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) seeking approval for the acquisition and demolition of premises at Ladyburn Street, Greenock and (2) outlining the financial implications.

Decided:

(1)   that approval be given to the extinguishment of the business at the premises in Ladyburn Street, Greenock and the acquisition of the premises on the basis of costs agreed with the District Valuer;  and

(2)   that approval be granted in the usual manner for the invitation and acceptance of tenders for the demolition of the premises in Ladyburn Street, Greenock.