Economic Regeneration Committee

Tuesday 4 November 2003 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Fyfe presided. 

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

With the exception of the decision marked "C", which is open for confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

791

Revenue Budget 2003/04 - Period 6

791

There was submitted a report dated 12 October 2003 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 2003/04 as at Period 6 (17 September 2003).

Noted

792

Capital Programme 2003/04 to 2005/06 - Progress

792

There was submitted a report dated 10 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive on the progress of the Capital Programme 2003/04 to 2005/06.

Noted

793

Redevelopment of 5-13 John Wood Street, Port Glasgow

793

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the redevelopment of 5-13 John Wood Street, Port Glasgow and (2) seeking approval for the invitation and acceptance of tenders for the works.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the position regarding reduced income to the Common Good Fund;

(2)      that approval be given to the invitation of tenders for the redevelopment of 5-13 John Wood Street, Port Glasgow with delegated authority being granted to the Director of Legal & 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 the Financial Regulations once the award of URBAN II funding is approved;

(3)      that the cost profile identified in paragraph 3.4 of the report be acknowledged and approved in terms of the End of Year flexibility for Social Inclusion Partnerships and the URBAN II Community Initiative Programme;

(4)      that negotiations in respect of the operational management arrangements for the project continue with the appropriate third sector/voluntary sector bodies and that appropriate funding streams be investigated to support an URBAN II revenue application;  and

(5)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to submit quarterly technical progress reports to the Committee and to report on the completion of the capital element of the project.

794

Urban Regeneration Companies Consultation

794

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval for (1) the submission of the response to the Scottish Executive's Urban Regeneration Company consultation paper as set out in the Appendix to the report and (2) the submission of an Expression of Interest for a pilot Urban Regeneration Company for the Inverclyde Waterfront area with key partners, Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire and Clydeport.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the submission of the response to the Scottish Executive's Urban Regeneration Companies consultation paper as set out in the Appendix to the report;  and

(2)      that the ongoing discussions regarding the establishment of an Urban Regeneration Company in Inverclyde be noted and that the Committee support the submission of an Expression of Interest from Inverclyde for a pilot Urban Regeneration Company for the Inverclyde Waterfront area from Port Glasgow to central Greenock with key partners.

795

Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership

795

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the Council's participation in the work of the Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the Council's involvement in the appropriate Member and Officer Working Groups;

(2)      that the Committee note the concentration on the specific areas of works and in particular item 6 of the Key Regenerative Projects, which includes the Inverclyde Waterfront;  and

(3)      that approval be given to the procurement of joint projects with the eight other local authorities and partners in the Clyde Valley Community Planning Partnership to further the economic and social regeneration of Inverclyde.

796

Area Renewal Plans:  Implementation Strategy

796

There was submitted a report dated 30 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the progress of the marketing initiative relative to the Communications and Implementations Strategy for the Area Renewal Plans and (2) seeking approval of the marketing proposal set out in the report.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to co-ordinate the management of the marketing initiative relative to the Communications and Implementations Strategy for the Area Renewal Plans and to seek appropriate funding from partner organisations.

797

Local Plan:  Annual Monitoring and Review of Housing Strategy

797

There was submitted a report dated 20 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive on the progress over the last year in implementing the Housing Strategy of the Local Plan and trends in take-up of housing land and house completions, by market sector and location across Inverclyde, over the last five years.

Decided:

(1)      that the findings of the annual monitoring exercise, in accordance with the requirements set out in Policy H7 of the Local Plan, be noted;

(2)      that the continuation of the Housing Strategy and Policies in the Local Plan: First Review, Final Draft (2002) in the light of these findings be endorsed;

(3)      that the Committee endorse, in principle, the implementation requirements outlined in section 5 of the report in order to achieve the objectives of the Housing Strategy which, in turn, will contribute greatly to the corporate partnership objectives enshrined in the Development Strategy of the Local Plan;  and

(4)      that it be remitted to the Head of Planning Services to submit a further annual progress report to the Committee at an appropriate time, in accordance with the provisions of Policy H7 in the Local Plan.

798

Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review, Final Draft 2002 - Update and Further Representation

798

There was submitted a report dated 24 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) providing an update on matters relating to the Local Plan and (2) requesting the Committee to consider a letter of representation from Stewart Milne Holdings in respect of an alternative additional Green Belt release for housing in Inverkip.

The Head of Planning Services advised that the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporter's Unit had recently indicated that the Local Plan Inquiry may now take place in April 2004 rather than July/August or October/November 2004 as previously indicated.

Decided:

(1)      that the April 2004 date for the Inverclyde Local Plan Inquiry be accepted and confirmed;

(2)      that the representation by Stewart Milne Holdings be noted;  and

(3)      that an amendment to the Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review, Final Draft (2002) be endorsed, and publicised in advance of the Local Plan Inquiry, as follows:

(i)       areas 2 (part) and 3 (the remaining undeveloped parts of site "ho78"), identified on the Map in Annex 2 to the report, be returned to Green Belt,

(ii)      areas 8 and 9 be zoned for housing and, as such, added to areas 5, 6 and 7 (housing site "ho84"),

(iii)      the Committee agree in principle to the revocation of the remaining area of the existing Planning consents, in addition to the undeveloped parts of site "ho78", referred to in (i) above, this area extending to approximately 73 hectares as identified on said Map, and returned to Green Belt,

(iv)     the Depute Chief Executive undertake further negotiations with Stewart Milne Holdings regarding the proposal that the total area under their ownership, extending to approximately 73 hectares, be sold to the Council at nominal value and, regarding the proposed method of future disposal of the woodland area, identified vertically hatched and shaded on the first plan in Annex 1 to the report.

799

Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee - Contribution by Inverclyde Council 2004-07

799

There was submitted a report dated 21 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the draft budget proposals of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee for 2004-07 and (2) seeking endorsement of the Joint Committee recommendation to increase the individual authority contributions by £6,900 to £72,400 for the financial year 2004-05.

Decided:

(1)      that the future planned commitments to the costs of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee for 2004-07, together with the comments of the Director of Finance, as set out in the report be noted and forwarded to the Joint Committee;  and

(2)      that the Policy & Strategy Committee be requested to make an additional allocation of £6,900 available in respect of an increase in the contribution for 2004-05.

800

Flood Prevention - Fourth Public Report

800

There was submitted a report dated 20 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval of the Flood Prevention - Fourth Public Report, and its publication in terms of the Flood Prevention Land Drainage (Scotland) Act 1997.

Decided:  that the contents of the Report be approved and that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation & Roads Service to publish the Flood Prevention - Fourth Public Report and to make it available on the Council's web site and for public inspection at suitable locations.

801

Street Lighting Electrical Power Expenditure

801

There was submitted a report dated 20 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to vire funding of £11,000 from the Transportation & Roads Service employee budget to the street lighting electrical power budget.

Decided:  that approval be given to the non-recurring virement of funding of £11,000 from the Transportation & Roads Service employee budget to the street lighting electrical power budget.

802

Road Safety Unit Progress Report - April 2003 to September 2003

802

There was submitted a report dated 20 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive on the work undertaken by the Road Safety Unit relative to schools' activities, cycling, publicity, the schools' working group, liaison activities, the West of Scotland Road Safety Forum, school crossing patrols and kerbcraft training.

Noted

803

20 mph Speed Limits Around Schools and Related Safety Projects

803

There was submitted a report dated 21 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of additional capital funding of £87,000 for 2003/04, £189,000 for 2004/05 and £189,000 for 2005/06 awarded by the Scottish Executive for capital projects relating to the introduction of 20 mph speed limits around schools and related safety projects and (2) seeking authority to investigate and implement schemes for the current year in consultation with Education Services and Strathclyde Police.

Decided:

(1)      that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation & Roads Service to investigate and implement schemes for 20 mph speed limits around schools and related safety projects to a total value of £87,000 for 2003/04 in consultation with Education Services and Strathclyde Police;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation & Roads Service to submit reports to the Committee in respect of the grant allocations of £189,000 for 2004/05 and  £189,000 for 2005/06.

804

Westrans

804

It was noted that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

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)

Replacement Footpath for Alleged Public Right of Way

at Hill Cottage, by Inverkip                                                                                 6 & 8

Use of Emergency Powers and Request for Additional

Approval - Lynedoch Industrial Estate                                                             6 & 8

Lower Lynedoch Street, Greenock                                                                   2, 6 & 9

Disposal of Premises - Davidson Drive, Gourock                                          2, 6 & 9

Clyde Muirshiel Park

Heritage Surplus to Requirements                                                                   2, 6 & 9

Use of Emergency Powers - URBAN II Scheme for Central

Port Glasgow - Termination of Lease of Premises in John

Wood Street and New Lease of Premises in Bay Street, Port

Glasgow                                                                                                                2, 6 & 9

Additional Costs for the Completion of Leapmoor Drive/Burns

Drive, Wemyss Bay                                                                                              6 & 8

(Councillor Blair left the meeting at this juncture).

805

Replacement Footpath for Alleged Public Right of Way at Hill Cottage, by Inverkip

805

There was submitted a report dated 23 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive on an alleged right of way at Hill Cottage, by Inverkip in respect of which the Committee at the meeting held on 24 October 2000 (para 952) had agreed that the Head of Planning Services and the Director of Legal & Support Services take all necessary steps to assert the route as a right of way (1) updating the Committee on the current position and (2) seeking approval to construct an alternative footpath.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee agree to the construction of the alternative footpath as shown on the plan appended to the report;

(2)      that agreement be given to the Council acquiring the solum of the proposed path at a nominal cost; and

(3)      that agreement be given to a Public Path Diversion Order being made.

806

Use of Emergency Powers and Request for Additional Approval - Lynedoch Industrial Estate

806

There was submitted a report dated October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of the use of emergency powers to accept a tender for works to the premises at 29 Lynedoch Industrial Estate, Greenock and to accept a quotation for the works from a single supplier and (2) seeking endorsement of the rental of the premises.

Decided:

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

(2)      that £18,500 be allocated from existing budgets to meet the cost of the works; and

(3)      that approval be given to lease the premises at 29 Lynedoch Industrial Estate, Greenock to Pack-2-Solutions Ltd for use as a bottle inspection and packaging facility at a rental of £32,500 per annum on the terms set out in the report and subject to other conditions considered appropriate by the Director of Legal & Support Services in consultation with the Head of Property Services.

807

Lower Lynedoch Street, Greenock

807

There was submitted a report dated 22 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive on offers to purchase premises in Lower Lynedoch Street, Greenock following advertisement and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

808

Disposal of Premises - Davidson Drive, Gourock

808

C

There was submitted a report dated 20 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive on offers to purchase premises in Davidson Drive, Gourock following advertisement of the premises.  The Committee agreed, following a vote which those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment requested be submitted to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment, to accept an offer all as detailed in the Appendix.

C

809

Clyde Muirshiel Park

Heritage Surplus to Requirements

809

There was submitted a report dated 22 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive requesting that the Council’s land and heritage at Clyde Muirshiel Park be declared surplus to requirements with a view to disposing of the land and heritable interests and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

810

Use of Emergency Powers - URBAN II Scheme for Central Port Glasgow - Termination of Lease of Premises in John Wood Street and New Lease of Premises in Bay Street, Port Glasgow

810

There was submitted a report dated October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of emergency powers in respect of termination of the lease of premises at 7A John Wood Street, Port Glasgow, a new lease of premises in Bay Street, Port Glasgow and provision of a limited trade shelter.

The Head of Property Services advised the Committee that the interest in the premises in Bay Street had now been withdrawn.

Decided:

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

(2)      that the withdrawal of interest in the premises in Bay Street be noted.

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 completion of the works at Leapmoor Drive/Burns Drive, Wemyss Bay at the earliest opportunity subject to the agreement of the Committee.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

811

Additional Costs for the Completion of Leapmoor Drive/Burns Drive, Wemyss Bay

811

There was submitted a report dated 29 October 2003 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to incur additional expenditure of £24,742.72, to be contained within the Transportation and Roads Service Capital Budget 2003/04, to allow completion of Leapmoor Drive/Burns Drive, Wemyss Bay.

Decided:  that approval be given to the additional expenditure incurred in the contract for completion of Leapmoor Drive/Burns Drive, Wemyss Bay.