Economic Regeneration Committee

Tuesday 9 September 2003 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Forbes, Fyfe, Hill, Hunter, McCormick (P), McKenzie, Mitchell, Roach, Snoddy and Stewart.

Chair:  Councillor Fyfe presided. 

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

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

635

Revenue Budget 2003/04 - Period 4

635

There was submitted a report dated 12 August 2003 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 2003/04 as at Period 4 (23 July 2003).

Noted

636

Capital Programme 2003/04 - Progress

636

There was submitted a report dated 25 August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive on the progress of the Capital Programme 2003/04.

Noted

637

Post of Senior Mechanical Engineer

637

There was submitted a report dated July 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to vire funding in excess of £10,000 within Property Services budgets to allow the post of Senior Mechanical Engineer to be filled.

Decided:  that approval be given to vire funding from Property Services fee income to the Property Services salaries budget to allow the post of Senior Mechanical Engineer to be filled.

638

Minute of Meeting of Clyde Urban Waterfront Regeneration Zone Working Group

638

There was submitted minute of meeting of the Clyde Urban Waterfront Regeneration Zone Working Group held on 18 June 2003.

Noted

639

Use of Emergency Powers - Farmers' Market

639

There was submitted a report dated 25 August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of emergency powers to (1) approve the holding of the Farmers' Market on 19 July 2003 and (2) delegate authority to the Depute Chief Executive to review the future provision of the Farmers' Market.

(Provost Rebecchi entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)      that the use of emergency powers be noted;  and

(2)      that approval be given to the holding of the Farmers' Market on a date to be arranged prior to Christmas 2003.

640

Use of Emergency Powers - Unit 31 Lynedoch Industrial Estate - Office Formation

640

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of emergency powers to (1) authorise the Economic Development Service to progress with the development proposals at Unit 31 Lynedoch Industrial Estate, (2) authorise the Depute Chief Executive to procure all contract works in line with the Council's Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Financial Regulations and (3) approve in principle management arrangements to be regulated by the Economic Development Service and Property Services.

Noted

641

Clyde Festival Powerboat Event

641

There was submitted a report dated 27 August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive outlining proposals for a Clyde festival powerboat event and discussions to date with potentially interested parties.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the Depute Chief Executive to enter into negotiations to seek to secure a Clyde festival powerboat event;  and

(2)      that it be noted that should the proposals progress the Council may be required to commit expenditure in future years and that this would be the subject of further reports to Committee in accordance with the Financial Regulations.

642

Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review, Final Draft 2002 - Proposed Draft Modifications

642

There was submitted a report dated 27 August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking endorsement of proposed draft modifications to the Local Plan, details of which were appended to the report.

Councillor Fyfe declared an interest in this matter and took no part in its consideration or decision.  Councillor Fyfe vacated the Chair and Councillor Forbes took the Chair for this item.

After discussion, Councillor Forbes moved (1) that the proposed draft modifications to the Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review, Final Draft (2002) as set out in Annex One, subject to the deletion of site ho97 Port Glasgow Road (plots) Kilmacolm from Schedule 7.1.(b) and its retention as greenbelt and the continued inclusion of the ground at Langbank Drive, Kilmacolm (Table 4.1) in the greenbelt, be endorsed all for publication and publicity in advance of the preliminary meetings for the Local Plan Inquiry;  and (2) that the other relevant issues, outlined in Section 4.0 of the report, which will have a bearing on the issues to be put before the Local Plan Inquiry, its length, organisation and management be noted.  As an amendment, Councillor Roach moved that the recommendations as set out in the report be approved.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1)      that the proposed draft modifications to the Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review, Final Draft (2002) as set out in Annex One, subject to the deletion of site ho97 Port Glasgow Road (plots) Kilmacolm from Schedule 7.1.(b) and its retention as greenbelt and the continued inclusion of the ground at Langbank Drive, Kilmacolm (Table 4.1) in the greenbelt, be endorsed all for publication and publicity in advance of the preliminary meetings for the Local Plan Inquiry;  and

(2)      that the other relevant issues, outlined in Section 4.0 of the report, which will have a bearing on the issues to be put before the Local Plan Inquiry, its length, organisation and management be noted.

Councillor Fyfe then resumed the Chair.

643

Wemyss Bay Woodland

643

There was submitted a report dated August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the progress of the development of community facilities at Wemyss Bay Woodland in partnership with the local community, (2) seeking delegated authority to accept the lowest tender received for the works and (3) requesting approval in principle for the designation of the site as a Local Nature Reserve.

(Provost Rebecchi left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)      that the funding package assembled for the works be noted;

(2)      that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal and Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Financial Regulations provided this is within the budget and that, thereafter, approval be given to implementation of the works;  and

(3)      that it be remitted to the Head of Planning Services and the Lower Clyde Greenspace Manager to progress the Local Nature Reserve designation of Wemyss Bay Woodland and to report to the  Committee on feasibility and progress at the earliest opportunity.

644

River Clyde Flood Management Strategy

644

There was submitted a report dated 25 August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on a study being carried out by consultants appointed by Glasgow City Council on the threat of tidal flooding and (2) recommending the development of a Shoreline Management Plan to adequately assess the threat of coastal flooding and identify measures required to safeguard the coastline.

Decided:

(1)      that the Transportation and Roads Service continue to liaise with Glasgow City Council with regard to the River Clyde Flood Management Strategy;  and

(2)      that the Transportation and Roads Service explore possible funding sources for a Shoreline Management Plan, it being recommended that such a plan be commenced and completed over the course of the next three years.

645

Strategic Transport Authority

645

There was submitted a report dated 25 August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive informing the Committee of proposals by the Scottish Executive to establish a National Strategic Transport Authority.

Noted

646

Road Adoptions

646

There was submitted a report dated 25 August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of additions to Inverclyde's list of public roads in accordance with the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

Noted

647

Minutes of Meetings of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority

647

There were submitted minutes of meetings of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority of 4 April 2003, 30 May 2003 and 27 June 2003.

Noted

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Legal and Support Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider any appropriate action at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

648

Remit from Health Improvement Committee - Area Renewal:  Communications and Implementation Strategy

648

There was submitted a report dated 3 September 2003 by the Director of Legal and Support Services on a request from the Health Improvement Committee at its meeting on 2 September 2003 that the report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the development of a general communication strategy relative to the area renewal process together with the proposed consultations with Inverclyde Council's tenants and residents and information on Communities Scotland's three year investment strategy be remitted to the Economic Regeneration Committee for information and action as appropriate.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to report to the Economic Regeneration Committee on the progress and implementation of the strategies and development opportunities as outlined in paragraph 3.4 of the area renewal report.

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)

Pottery Street Redevelopment Area                                                 6

Disposal of Land at McPherson Drive, Gourock                             6 and 9

Disposal of Land at Newark Works, Port Glasgow                           6 and 9

DLO/DSO Performance Reports - Roads and Cleaning                 8

Remit from Health Improvement Committee -

Structural Settlement - Old Inverkip Road, Greenock                    6

Remit from Health Improvement Committee -

Dalrymple Street, Greenock                                                               6 and 8

Central Gourock Development                                                          6 and 12

649

Pottery Street Redevelopment Area

649

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the current status of Phase 1 of the Pottery Street Redevelopment Area project and (2) seeking approval to proceed with Phase 2 of the works.

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

Decided:

(1)      that the current status of Phase 1 of the Pottery Street Redevelopment Area project be noted;

(2)      that approval be given for the maximisation of grants from Europe for Phase 2 of the works, using the allocation from the Scottish Executive and any additional funding secured by the Council and Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire, and if successful that approval be given to the invitation and acceptance of tenders in accordance with the Standing Orders relating to Contracts and Financial Regulations;  and

(3)      that the land occupied by two Council owned industrial units on the site be incorporated into the overall redevelopment proposals.

650

Disposal of Land at McPherson Drive, Gourock

650

There was submitted a report dated 18 August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting that an area of land at McPherson Drive, Gourock be declared surplus to requirements and that consent to dispose of the land be granted and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

651

Disposal of Land at Newark Works, Port Glasgow

651

There was submitted a report dated 18 August 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting that an area of land at Newark Works, Port Glasgow be declared surplus to requirements and that consent to dispose of the land be granted and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

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

652

DLO/DSO Performance Reports - Roads and Cleaning

652

There was submitted a report dated 18 August 2003 by the Director of Finance providing information on the performance of the Roads DLO and Cleaning DSO for the period to 23 July 2003.

Noted

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Legal and Support Services was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow progress to be made at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

653

Remit from Health Improvement Committee - Structural Settlement - 217 Old Inverkip Road, Greenock

653

There was submitted a report dated 3 September 2003 by the Director of Legal and Support Services on a remit from the Health Improvement Committee at its meeting on 2 September 2003 requesting the Committee to consider whether the vacant house at 217 Old Inverkip Road, Greenock should be declared surplus to the Council's requirements, offered for sale and thereafter remitted to the Director of Legal and Support Services to accept the most favourable offer.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee declare the Council-owned property at 217 Old Inverkip Road, Greenock surplus to requirements;  and

(2)      that the property be offered for sale and thereafter that it be remitted to the Director of Legal and Support Services to accept the most favourable offer received.

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Legal and Support Services was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow, if agreed by the Committee, the completion of lease formalities at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

654

Remit from Health Improvement Committee - Dalrymple Street, Greenock

654

There was submitted a report dated 3 September 2003 by the Director of Legal and Support Services on a request from the Health Improvement Committee at its meeting on 2 September 2003 that the Economic Regeneration Committee complete the lease formalities in relation to premises in Dalrymple Street, Greenock and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Depute Chief Executive was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised of the use of the Chief Executive's emergency authority to conclude appointments to progress the Gourock Transport Interchange as required in terms of the authority delegated to him.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

655

Central Gourock Development

655

There was submitted a report dated 9 September 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of the use of the Chief Executive's emergency authority to conclude appointments to progress the Gourock Transport Interchange and (2) recommending that authority be delegated to the Depute Chief Executive to enter into contracts within the overall allocations for any minor works required to complete the detailed design proposals.

Decided:

(1)      that the actions taken under the Chief Executive's emergency authority be noted;  and

(2)      that authority be delegated to the Depute Chief Executive to enter into contracts within the overall allocations for any minor works required to complete the detailed design proposals.