Economic Regeneration Committee

Tuesday 10 September 2002  at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Calvert, Jackson, Hill, McCormick, McGhee, O'Rourke and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor McGhee presided. 

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

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

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

706

Revenue Budget 2002/03 - Period 4

706

There was submitted a report dated 22 August 2002 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 2002/03 as at Period 4 (24 July 2002).

Noted

707

Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04 - Progress

707

There was submitted a report dated 30 August 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive on the progress of the Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04.

Noted

708

Gourock - Dunoon Ferry Services

708

There was submitted a report dated 22 July 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive on the Scottish Executive Development Department consultation paper "Proposals for Tendering Clyde and Hebrides Lifeline Ferry Services" (1) outlining the options for future service provision and (2) commenting on the impact of the proposal to proceed with a passenger only Public Service Obligation between Gourock and Dunoon.  There was also submitted a letter dated 1 September 2002 from Councillors White, Blair and Hunter suggesting that contact be made with Argyll and Bute Council, which was promoting a campaign to retain a passenger and vehicular ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon, and also the relative MPs and MSPs.

Councillor White was present and spoke on the matter.

Decided:

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

(2)   that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to respond to the Scottish Executive by 27 September 2002 as outlined in the report and indicating that Option B was the Council's preferred option for future service provision;

(3)   that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to write to Argyll and Bute Council and the relative MPs and MSPs expressing support for the retention of a passenger and vehicular ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon;

(4)   that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Executive expressing the Council's views on the matter;  and

(5)   that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to report further to the Committee following the meeting to be held on 25 September 2002 with the Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning and representatives from the other affected local authorities.

709

Minute of Meeting of Clyde Urban Waterfront Regeneration Zone Working Group

709

There was submitted minute of meeting of the Clyde Urban Waterfront Regeneration Zone Working Group of 4 July 2002.

Noted

710

European Funding

710

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive providing details of applications to the European Structural Funds from the Inverclyde area.

Decided:

(1)   that the efforts of partner organisations in Inverclyde in bringing additional resources to the area be acknowledged;  and

(2)   that the need to identify potential match funding from Council resources to maximise the benefits of European funding for Inverclyde be recognised.

711

The Way Forward - Greenock East Business Area Study

711

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the findings and recommendations of the report "Greenock East Business Area Study - The Way Forward" by Roger Tym and Partners, Planning and Development Economists, which proposed a number of actions to reinforce and enhance the economic sustainability of the Baker Street/ Greenock East industrial area and (2) recommending that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to make available the sum of £50,000 from the Area Renewal Budget 2002/03 for an initial phase of works.

Decided:

(1)   that the Committee endorse the contents of the report, confirming the findings of the Greenock East Business Area Study, and that reports be submitted to the Committee at a later date on the further phases of work to be submitted for European funding;  and

(2)   that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to make available the sum of £50,000 from the Area Renewal Budget 2002/03 for the initial phase of works comprising signage, security and general maintenance of roads and landscaped areas.

712

Pottery Street Development Area - Appointment of Consultants:

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

712

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to homologate the invitation of tenders for the appointment of consultants for the Pottery Street development project and for approval to accept a tender in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Standing Orders relating to Contracts.

Noted

713

Inverclyde Farmers' Market - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

713

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) for approval to hold Farmers' Markets in July and August 2002 and (2) seeking approval to hold Farmers' Markets on a number of dates to the end of 2002.

(Councillor Robertson left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)   that the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) be noted;

(2)   that approval be given to the holding of Farmers' Markets on 21 September, 19 October and 16 November 2002;  and

(3)   that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to investigate the holding of a pilot market in Port Glasgow and to request the Policy and Strategy Committee to allocate funding from the Common Good Fund to meet the associated costs.

714

Proposed Draft Modifications to the Argyll and Bute Structure Plan

714

There was submitted a report dated August 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive on proposed draft modifications to the Argyll and Bute Structure Plan, advising that the Council's representations to the Finalised Draft of the Plan on housing land provision, business and industrial land allocations and populations had been adequately addressed.

Decided:  that the Scottish Ministers and Argyll and Bute Council be advised that Inverclyde Council has no wish to lodge objections to the Scottish Ministers' draft modifications to the Argyll and Bute Structure Plan.

715

Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review - Final Draft (2002)

715

There was submitted a report dated 29 August 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review - Final Draft (2002), comprising Written Statement and Proposals Maps, and the report on consultation and publicity and (2) advising of the statutory framework, statutory process and timescales to adoption.

(Councillor Robertson returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)   that the Final Draft Plan (Written Statement and Proposals Map) and report on consultation and publicity be approved and that approval be given to advertisement of the Local Plan and its placing on deposit for public consultation for a minimum period of six weeks, commencing mid October 2002;  and

(2)   that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning Services to carry out any further minor editing of the document which may be required at the final proof reading stage.

716

Street Naming - Housing Development off South Street, Greenock

716

There was submitted a report dated 9 August 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive on the proposed naming of the housing development off South Street, Greenock.

Decided:  that the name Greenbank Lane as shown on the plan appended to the report be adopted.

717

Street Naming - Hill Farm Development, Inverkip

717

There was submitted a report dated 31 July 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive on the proposed naming of two streets within the housing development off Spey Road, Inverkip.

Decided:  that the names Forres Place and Sandhaven Place as shown on the plans appended to the report be adopted.

718

Public Transport Fund Projects Commencing 2002/03

Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Allocation - Additional Funding

718

There was submitted a report dated 30 August 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive recommending works to be undertaken in 2002/03 using additional funding of £13,000 from the Public Transport Fund Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Fund.

Decided:

(1)   that approval be given to the project detailed in the report, all costs being contained within the additional Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets allocation;  and

(2)   that the Head of Transportation and Roads Service proceed to tender (or issue to the Council's contractor) for the project and that approval be granted to accept a tender in terms of the Financial Regulations and Standing Orders relating to Contracts.

719

Pilot 20 MPH Speed Limits - Signing of Trial Sites

There was submitted a report dated 30 August 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising that the Scottish Executive had granted authority to retain traffic signing at the 20 mph speed limit trial sites up to and including 5 July 2007 and (2) advising of the proposal to introduce 20 mph signing at a limited number of schools using the current allocation of additional resources from the Scottish Executive.

Decided:

(1)   that it be noted the Scottish Executive had granted authority to retain traffic signing at the 20 mph speed limit trial sites up to and including 5 July 2007;  and

(2)   that should there be any slippage in utilising the additional resources from the Scottish Executive, consideration be given to introducing 20 mph zones at schools.

719

720

Alterations to School Crossing Patrol Service

720

There was submitted a report dated 30 August 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) indicating that Strathclyde Police would be withdrawing regular provision of support for school crossing patrols with effect from the autumn term 2002 and (2) advising of measures being taken to retain adequate cover.

Decided:

(1)   that the withdrawal of relief cover by Strathclyde Police for school crossing patrols commencing from August 2002 be noted;

(2)   that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service, in consultation with the Director of Finance, to negotiate with security companies and to make appointments in terms of the Financial Regulations and Standing Orders relating to Contracts for the provision of emergency assistance;  and

(3)   that the Head of Transportation and Roads Service submit a further report to the Committee on progress.

721

Minutes of Meetings of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority

721

There were submitted minutes of meetings of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority of 5 April 2002 and 7 June 2002.

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)

Award of Contract for the B788 Auchenfoyle Bridge

Replacement - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure                          6 & 8

Award of Contract for the Completion of Leapmoor Drive/Burns

Drive, Wemyss Bay - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure              6 & 8

DLO/DSO Performance Reports - Roads Direct and Cleaning          8

722

Award of Contract for the B788 Auchenfoyle Bridge Replacement - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

722

There was submitted a report dated 30 August 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on tenders received for the B788 Auchenfoyle Bridge replacement and (2) advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) for approval to accept the lowest tender received, that by Raynesway Construction Ltd in the sum of £222,827.\

Noted

723

Award of Contract for the Completion of Leapmoor Drive/Burns Drive, Wemyss Bay - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

723

There was submitted a report dated 30 August 2002 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on tenders received for the completion of Leapmoor Drive/Burns Drive, Wemyss Bay and (2) advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) for approval to accept the lowest tender received, that by JRB Construction in the sum of £187,380.88.

Noted

724

DLO/DSO Performance Reports - Roads Direct and Cleaning

724

There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance providing information on the performance of the Roads Direct DLO and Cleaning DSO for the period to 24 July 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.