Economic Development Services Committee

Tuesday 18 April 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present: Councillors Blair, Campbell, Hunter, Jackson, McCormick, McGhee 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, Mr P Christy (for Head of Planning Services), Head of Property Services and Head of Transportation and Roads Service.

Apologies:  Provost Roach, Councillors Morrison (M) and Mulholland.

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

373

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Technical Progress

373

There was submitted a report dated 30 March 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Decided:

(1)  that the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000 be noted; and

(2)  that the following accumulated variations which are outwith the accepted tender amount by more than 10% be approved in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations:-

Project

Effect on Expenditure

Culvert Diversion, Newark Culvert, Port Glasgow

Anticipated final account 14.63% less than accepted tender.

£6,032.50 reduction

Kingston Industrial Estate - Landscaping Works

Agreed final account 10.03% greater than accepted tender.

£24,700 increase

374

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

374

There was submitted a report dated 31 March 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

375

Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Financial Position

375

There was submitted a report dated 30 March 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).

Decided:  that the financial position of the Capital Programme 1999/2000 be noted and that it be noted that from the next meeting of the Committee reports will be based on the Capital Programme 2000/2001.

376

Transportation and Roads Service Capital Programme 2000/2001

376

There was submitted a report dated 6 April 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive together with fresh appendix/table requesting the Committee to determine priorities in respect of the Capital Programme 2000/2001. 

The Head of Transportation and Roads Service advised the Committee that the proposed programme total, detailed at paragraph 1.2 of the report, should in fact read £1,301,000.

Decided:

(1)  that the projects and priorities listed in paragraph 2 of the report in respect of the Capital Programme 2000/2001 be approved;

(2)  that it be noted that work will proceed on previously approved projects carried over from the Capital Programme 1999/2000; and

(3)  that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to approve the projects detailed in paragraph 2 of the report proceeding the tender, issue to the Council’s contractor or design in house and to approve acceptance of tenders in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations and Standing Orders Relating to Contracts.

377

Economic Development Service and Planning Services Capital Programme 2000/2001

377

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive seeking authority to proceed with the Economic Development New Starts and Planning Services Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Decided:

(1)  that the prioritised projects listed in paragraph 4 of the report be approved and their inclusion in the New Starts Capital Programme 2000/2001 be endorsed; and

(2)  that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to approve the projects identified in paragraph 4 of the report proceeding to implementation, procedures for tender, design and appointments being in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations and Scheme of Delegation.

378

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board

378

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) detailing the circumstances relative to the closure of Greenock Tourist Information Centre by Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, (2) advising that since 1996 Inverclyde Council had made an annual contribution of £100,000 towards core funding and that the Tourist Board had declined an offer of £80,000 for 2000/2001, (3) indicating that as no service level agreement for 2000/2001 had been signed the contribution would be retained by the Council and (4) outlining the services which had been provided through the Tourist Information Centre and additional tourism development promoted by the Economic Development Service.

Decided:

(1)  that the action taken by Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board in declining the offer of contribution for the forthcoming year be noted;

(2)  that the position regarding the closure of Greenock Tourist Information Centre be noted;

(3)  that the contribution drawn from the Economic Development Service Revenue Budget be retained and that the Head of Economic Development Service investigate and report to the Committee on the appropriate use of this budget to increase tourism development, events, publications and marketing; and

(4)  that the potential increase in demand and responsibilities arising from the closure of Greenock Tourist Information Centre be noted.

379

(Notified) Inner Clyde Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

(Proposed) Inner Clyde Special Protection Area (SPA)

(Proposed) Inner Clyde Ramsar Site (RAM)

379

There was submitted a report dated 20 March 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the outcome of discussion with Scottish Natural Heritage relative to proposed Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area and Ramsar designations for the Inner Clyde following the decision of the Committee at the meeting held on 7 December 1999 (para 1243) that the holding objection be withdrawn on the clear understanding that shoreline developments would not be adversely affected by the designations and (2) advising that, while the Council’s concerns could not be met, Scottish Natural Heritage had clarified that only the inter-tidal mudflats and sandflats exposed at low tide within the delineated boundaries were to be covered by the proposed designations.

Decided:  that the outcome of the Council's representations on the Inner Clyde nature conservation proposals and the subsequent confirmation of these designations be noted.

380

Road Safety Targets and Casualty Reduction Targets for 2010

380

There was submitted a report dated 31 March 2000 by the Depute Chief Executive on the Government’s road safety strategy and casualty targets for 2010, outlining the targets and the strategy to achieve the targets.

Decided:

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

(2)  that the Committee support the road safety strategy and casualty reduction targets for 2010;

(3)  that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service to arrange a meeting with RoSPA and appropriate Members and officers to discuss RoSPA’s input to the road safety strategy; and

(4)  that the Head of Transportation and Roads Service report as and when appropriate on any financial implications arising from measures required to meet the casualty reduction targets.

381

Minute of Meeting of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority

381

There was submitted minute of meeting of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority of 4 February 2000.

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 item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 & 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

382

Acquisition of Building at East Hamilton Street, Greenock

382

There was submitted a report dated 31 March 2000 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 acquisition of a building at East Hamilton Street, Greenock with Renfrewshire Enterprise fully funding the purchase of the building.

Noted