Economic Regeneration Committee

Tuesday 27 January 2004 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor Fyfe presided. 

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Director of Legal & Support Services, Mr J Aird (for Director of Finance), Mrs R Hall (for Head of Economic Development Service), Head of Planning Services, Head of Property Services, Head of Transportation and Roads Service, Managing Solicitor (Litigation/Advice) and Managing Solicitor (Contracts/Conveyancing).

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

  76

Remit from Community Committee - Gibshill Community Centre

76

There was submitted a report dated 27 November 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a remit from the Community Committee at the meeting held on 6 November 2003 regarding regeneration work taking place within the Gibshill area and the future use of community facilities in the area.

Decided:  that approval be given to the decision of the Community Committee to agree in principle to close the Gibshill Community Centre and Gibshill Sports Barn and that the facilities be declared surplus to requirements after consultation with Property Services once future plans for the regeneration of the area, including a new community facility, have been agreed.

77

Revenue Budget 2003/04 - Period 9

77

There was submitted a report dated 16 January 2004 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 2003/04 as at Period 9 (3 December 2003).

Decided:  that the Committee note the projected overspend in the current budget monitoring position.

78

Capital Programme 2003/04 to 2005/06 - Progress

78

There was submitted a report dated 12 January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive on the progress of the Capital Programme 2003/04 to 2005/06.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the progress on the specific projects detailed in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report;  and

(2)      that the Committee note the spend projection contained within paragraph 6.1 of the report.

79

Abolition of the Feudal System

79

There was submitted a report dated 8 December 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on the consequences of the introduction of legislation to abolish the current system of land ownership in Scotland.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the consequences of the abolition of the feudal system for the Council;

(2)      that approval be given to the service of notices in appropriate cases to preserve existing title conditions;  and

(3)      that the Director of Legal & Support Services in consultation with the Head of Property Services be authorised to determine the appropriate method of disposing of land to ensure the effective imposition of burdens, it being noted that this will normally be by the imposition of economic development burdens or by means of the grant of a long lease.

80

Minute of Meeting of Clyde Urban Waterfront Regeneration Zone Working Group

80

There was submitted minute of meeting of the Clyde Urban Waterfront Regeneration Zone Working Group held on 8 January 2004.

Decided:

(1)      that the minute be noted;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to report on progress in attracting match funding for projects.

81

Street Naming - Housing Development at Levan Farm, Gourock

81

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the proposed naming of streets within the housing development at Levan Farm, Gourock.

Decided: 

(1)      that the names suggested in the report be not adopted and that it be remitted to the Head of Planning Services to submit further suggestions for approval by the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups;  and

(2)      that the Head of Planning Services report to the Committee advising of the names adopted.

82

Inverclyde Local Plan:  First Review, Final Draft 2002 - Update on Latest Position

82

There was submitted a report dated 15 January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the current position with regard to the Local Plan Inquiry and responses to the three modifications to the Final Draft Local Plan relative to “The Plots”, Port Glasgow Road, Kilmacolm; Langbank Drive, Kilmacolm; and Hill Farm, Inverkip and (2) outlining the legal implications of the Inquiry.

Decided:

(1)      that the updated position regarding the Local Plan Inquiry and the responses to the three modifications to the Final Draft Local Plan be noted;  and

(2)      that it be agreed to appoint external legal representation for the Local Plan Inquiry and that it be remitted to the Policy & Strategy Committee to identify the necessary funding of £40,000 - £60,000 for the appointment.

83

Surface Water Management for Proposed Developments

83

There was submitted a report dated 15 January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval of guidelines for surface water management.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the interim guidelines set out in Appendix 1 to the report;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation & Roads Service in consultation with the Head of Planning Services to implement the SCOTS guidelines on surface water management for new developments when available, provided that such guidelines do not contain major changes to the terms of the interim guidelines.

84

Road Lighting Design in Inverclyde

84

There was submitted a report dated 15 January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive recommending changes to current lighting design policy and criteria to reflect current best practice.

Decided:

(1)      that the actions taken to improve the night time environment in Inverclyde by increasing the relative colour rendering of light sources whilst reducing light pollution and minimising increase in energy costs be noted;

(2)      that approval be given to the use of pure light sources only in areas of high concern, as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of the report, pending the review of current standards;

(3)      that approval be given to the dimming of road lighting during the hours of darkness, as detailed in paragraph 4.4 of the report, only after discussion with the Police, local Member, Convener and the Chief Executive (or when a separate report has been submitted to and approved by the Committee) and where the light reduction achieves a reduction in energy charges;  and

(4)      that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation & Roads Service to implement the revisions of the British Standard Code of Practice for Lighting Design where such revisions provide increased levels of light and improved colour rendering but do not increase energy charges per unit.

85

Additional Funding from Scottish Executive to WESTRANS for Projects in 2003/2004

85

There was submitted a report dated 12 January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive appending details of a programme of projects to be undertaken in 2003/2004 using the Council’s share of additional funding granted by the Scottish Executive to WESTRANS.

Noted

86

Use of Emergency Powers - Bouverie Burn Flood Alleviation Phase 2 - Additional Costs

86

There was submitted a report dated 9 January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of emergency powers in respect of additional expenditure incurred in the Bouverie Burn Flood Alleviation Phase 2 project.

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 consideration of the following items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item                                                                                                   Paragraph(s)

Use of Emergency Powers - Acquisition of Building at

Port Glasgow Road, Greenock                                                     2, 6 and 9

Use of Emergency Powers - Disposal of Shop

Premises - Fancy Farm Road, Greenock                                     2, 6 and 9

Proposed Acquisition of Land - Newark Castle Park,

Port Glasgow                                                                                   2, 6 and 9

Servitude at Glenpark Drive, Port Glasgow                               6 and 9

Disposal of Land - Larkfield Road, Greenock                            6 and 9

Disposal of Shop Premises - Cathcart Street, Greenock         2, 6 and 9

Lease of Shop Premises - Tower Drive, Gourock                     2, 6 and 9

Relocation of Public Toilet Facilities - Campbell

Street, Greenock                                                                            6 and 9

Proposed Provisional Tree Preservation Order                       13

Planning Appeal:  Proposed Residential Development of

Four Detached Dwellinghouses at Hydro House, West Glen

Road, Kilmacolm                                                                             6 and 9

Disposal of Premises - Old Inverkip Road, Greenock              2, 6 and 9

Employment in Inverclyde                                                             6

87

Use of Emergency Powers - Acquisition of Building at Port Glasgow Road, Greenock

87

There was submitted a report dated 12 January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of emergency powers to approve the acquisition of premises at Port Glasgow Road,  Greenock and the invitation and acceptance of tenders in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Standing Orders relating to Contracts.

Noted

88

Use of Emergency Powers - Disposal of Shop Premises - Fancy Farm Road, Greenock

88

There was submitted a report dated November 2003 by the Head of Property Services advising of the use of emergency powers to declare shop premises at Fancy Farm Road, Greenock surplus to requirements and to dispose of the premises.

Noted

89

Proposed Acquisition of Land - Newark Castle Park, Port Glasgow

89

There was submitted a report dated January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to acquire land at Newark Castle Park, Port Glasgow and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

90

Servitude at Glenpark Drive, Port Glasgow

90

There was submitted a report dated January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking consent to grant a servitude right of access at Glenpark Drive, Port Glasgow.  (Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

The Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

91

Disposal of Land - Larkfield Road, Greenock

91

There was submitted a report dated January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking consent to (1) dispose of an area of land at Larkfield Road, Greenock and (2) grant a temporary right of access and licence agreement over land at the same location and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

92

Disposal of Shop Premises - Cathcart Street, Greenock

92

There was submitted a report dated January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive on offers to purchase premises in Cathcart Street, Greenock following advertisement of the premises and the Committee agreed, following a vote, to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

93

Lease of Shop Premises - Tower Drive, Gourock

93

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on offers to lease shop premises in Tower Drive, Gourock following readvertisement of the premises and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

94

Relocation of Public Toilet Facilities - Campbell Street, Greenock

94

There was submitted a report dated 14 January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive on relocation of the public toilet facilities in Campbell Street, Greenock to a suitable adjacent site and the Managing Solicitor (Contracts/Conveyancing) updated the Committee on the current position.

The Committee agreed to take action, all as detailed in the Appendix.

95

Proposed Provisional Tree Preservation Order

95

There was submitted a report dated 15 January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive on proposals relative to the making of a provisional Tree Preservation Order and the Committee agreed to recommend to The Inverclyde Council the making of a provisional Tree Preservation Order at the area detailed in the report, all as detailed in the Appendix.

96

Planning Appeal:  Proposed Residential Development of Four Detached Dwellinghouses at Hydro House, West Glen Road, Kilmacolm

96

There was submitted a report dated 10 December 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on the present position with regard to the appellant’s expenses in respect of the planning appeal relative to the proposed residential development of four detached dwellinghouses at Hydro House, West Glen Road, Kilmacolm and the Committee agreed that the Policy & Strategy Committee be requested to homologate the action taken by Officers, 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 purchase of the premises to proceed at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

97

Disposal of Premises - Old Inverkip Road, Greenock

97

There was submitted a report dated January 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive on offers to purchase premises in Old Inverkip Road, Greenock following advertisement of the premises and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted item was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be apprised of the up-to-date position with regard to employment in Inverclyde at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

98

Employment in Inverclyde

98

The Depute Chief Executive advised the Committee of the up-to-date position with regard to employment in Inverclyde and, in particular, action taken by the Council and its partners following recent announcements of redundancies.

Noted