Environment and Regeneration Committee

Tuesday 24 January 2006 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, Hill, McCabe, McCormick (P), Mitchell,  Roach, Stewart and White.

Chair:  Councillor Fyfe presided. 

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Mr G Douglas (for Solicitor to the Council), Head of Economic Development Service, Chief Financial Officer, Head of Housing Services, Head of Planning Services, Head of Property Services and Head of Transportation and Roads Service.

Apologies:  Councillor Gallacher.

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

  55

Revenue Budget 2005/06 - Period 8

55

There was submitted a report dated 14 December 2005 by the Chief Financial Officer on the position of the Revenue Budget 2005/06 as at Period 8 (30 November 2005).

Noted

  56

Transportation & Roads Service’s 2005/2006 Revenue Budget - Virement Request

56

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to vire £30,000 from the Transportation and Roads Service’s Revenue Budget 2005/2006 budget line for payments to other contractors to external consultants.

Decided:  that approval be given to virement of £30,000 from the Transportation & Roads Service’s 2005/2006 Revenue Budget line for payments to other contractors to external consultants.

  57

Housing Revenue Account Budget 2005/06 - Period 8

57

There was submitted a report dated 9 January 2006 by the Chief Financial Officer on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at Period 8 (30 November 2005).

Decided:

(1)      that the current budget monitoring position for 2005/06 be noted;  and

(2)      that the impact of further reduction in net rent on the projected level of HRA reserve at 31 March 2006 be noted.

  58

Revenue Budget 2005/06 - Period 8

58

Building Services and Roads Trading Accounts

There was submitted a report dated 4 January 2006 by the Chief Financial Officer on (1) the out-turn of the Building Services and Roads Trading Accounts 2004/05 and (2) the position of the Building Services and Roads Trading Accounts as at Period 8 (30 November 2005).

Decided:  that the Committee note the current projection for the rolling three year period for both Trading Accounts.

  59

Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2007/08 - Progress

59

There was submitted a report dated 22 December 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive on the position of the Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2007/08.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the progress on the specific projects detailed in appendices 1, 2 and 3 to the report;

(2)      that approval be given to an expenditure increase of £9,691 in the project for the tower office refurbishment at Greenock Municipal Buildings as the result of additional rot works/building fabric repairs and additional fees;  and

(3)      that the Committee otherwise note the report.

  60

HRA Capital Programme 2005/08 - Progress

60

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2005/08.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the progress of the projects detailed in the appendices to the report;  and

(2)      that approval be given to an expenditure increase of £21,600 in the Regeneration Demolition Phase 5 contract as the result of additional landscape works and fees.

  61

Water Charges Reduction Scheme

61

There was submitted a report dated 4 January 2005 by the Chief Financial Officer advising of (1) changes to the water and sewerage reduction scheme coming into effect on 1 April 2006 and (2) the impact of the changes on the Housing Revenue Account.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the terms of the report;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Executive to protest about the introduction of the requirement on the Council to pay full water service charges (previously 50%) on houses that have been empty for more than six months.

  62

Managing Attendance - Absence Statistics 4 July 2005 to 2 October 2005 (Period 3)

62

There was submitted a report dated 12 December 2005 by the Solicitor to the Council on absence statistics for employees within Environment and Regeneration Services for the period 4 July 2005 to 2 October 2005 (Period 3).

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the contents of the report;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to submit a detailed report to the Committee on causes of absence and action being taken to address absence levels within Environment and Regeneration Services.

  63

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley 2005 Structure Plan Alteration - Response to Draft Finalised Supplementary Written Statement (October 2005)

63

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the publication and placing on deposit for targeted public consultation the Draft Finalised Supplementary Written Statement for the 2005 Structure Plan Alteration and (2) seeking endorsement of the Alteration by the Council, as a member authority of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee agree that the contents of the report be submitted as the formal response of the Council endorsing the 2005 Alteration to the 2000 Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan;

(2)      that the amendments made by the Joint Committee to the 2005 Alteration to address the concerns expressed by the Council over the identification of Bishopton as a new Community Growth Area be welcomed;

(3)      that the amendments made by the Joint Committee to the Plan which should assist the future planning of Inverclyde and, in particular, the augmented strategic planning policy context, which should assist both the short-medium term regeneration of the Inverclyde Waterfront and the medium-long term area renewal initiatives for the new neighbourhood in Greenock and Port Glasgow, be welcomed;

(4)      that the inclusion of “Greenock - Port Glasgow” in Strategic Policy SP2, to provide the authority with the means to plan long term for its future growth and development, while maintaining the investment focus on urban brownfield land and in particular the Waterfront, be welcomed;  and

(5)      that the report awaited on the vacant commercial premises at Port Glasgow Town Hall be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

  64

Renfrewshire Heights Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Potential Special Protection Area (pSPA)

64

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on notification received from Scottish Natural Heritage relative to the proposed designation of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the potential Special Protection Area (pSPA) at Renfrewshire Heights as shown on the plan appended to the report and (2) seeking approval of the comments set out in the report as the Council’s formal response to Scottish Natural Heritage.

Decided:  that the Committee note the contents of the report and agree to offer no objection to Scottish Natural Heritage with regard to the designation of a SSSI and pSPA at Renfrewshire Heights.

  65

Provisional Tree Preservation Order No. IC 20, Shambala, Cloch Road, Gourock

65

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the current situation with regard to the making of a Provisional Tree Preservation Order at Shambala, Cloch Road, Gourock and (2) seeking approval to confirm the Order.

Decided:  that The Inverclyde Council be recommended to confirm The Inverclyde Council (Shambala, Cloch Road, Gourock) (First) Tree Preservation Order No. IC 20 as shown on the plan appended to the report.

  66

Funding from Scottish Executive to WESTRANS for Projects in 2005/2006

66

There was submitted a report dated 11 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive on a programme of projects to be undertaken in 2005/2006 using funding granted by the Scottish Executive to WESTRANS.

Decided:  that the programme of projects listed in appendix 1 to the report be noted.

  67

Circulatory System, Greenock

67

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive on the progress of the introduction of a permanent traffic management system following the proposed reopening of Inverkip Street railway bridge, Greenock.

Noted

  68

Cove Road Flood Prevention Scheme - Feasibility Study

68

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the outcome of the feasibility study to examine problems associated with tidal flooding in and around Cove Road, Gourock and (2) outlining the implications of the options proposed by the consultant.

Decided:

(1)      that the consultant’s recommendations as set out in section 4.1 of the report be noted;  and

(2)      that the Committee agree (a) that the costs of the implementation of any physical measures for the properties which may be affected by future flooding as set out in section 3.4 of the report not be borne by the Council  and (b) that it be remitted to the Head of Transportation and Roads Service to inform affected current property owners of sources for door and vent barriers.

  69

Transportation & Roads Service Trading Account - Operational Performance Report

69

There was submitted a report dated 23 December 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive on the operational performance of the Transportation & Roads Service Trading Account.

Noted

  70

Rent Arrears Update - December 2005

70

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) advising of rent arrears performance as at 31 December 2005 and (2) outlining the actions taken to improve performance.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the level of rent arrears and associated debts as at 31 December 2005;

(2)      that the actions being taken to improve performance be noted;  and

(3)      that approval be given to the commencement of a monthly draw scheme as set out in section 5.1 of the report, with the winning tenant receiving a cheque for £100, the cost to be met from within the existing Housing Revenue Account Budget.

  71

Area Renewal Update

71

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive updating the Committee with regard to the progress of the Area Renewal Strategy.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the demolition of the properties identified in appendix 1 to the report;

(2)      that Property Services be authorised to undertake design work relating to the likely future demolitions in Woodhall, Belville Street and the Peat Road areas;

(3)      that approval be given to discussions with Communities Scotland on virement between budget lines of the Early Action Fund to ensure that maximum benefit is gained from the Fund;

(4)      that approval be given to the demolition areas at Upper Bow, Lynedoch Street car park and Glasgow Road being landscaped as open space;

(5)      that authority be given to the invitation of competitive tenders in respect of the environmental and painterwork proposals for the tenemental properties on the south side of Drumfrochar Road;  and

(6)      that authority be given to the implementation of a Decoration Allowance Scheme for void houses on a trial basis of around three months.

  72

Care Commission Inspection of Sheltered Housing Services

72

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the outcomes of the first inspection of Inverclyde Sheltered Housing Services East and West carried out by the Care Commission in November 2005 and (2) detailing the recommendations from the Care Commission’s Inspection Report and action taken by Housing Services in response to the comments and recommendations made.

Decided:

(1)      that approval be given to the following:-

(a)      the introduction of an Appendix to the Inverclyde Council Scottish Secure Tenancy agreement for Sheltered Housing Tenants setting out the Housing Support Services that tenants will receive;

(b)      the adoption of the Procedure Manual for Sheltered Housing and the Tenant’s Welcome Pack to meet National Care Standards and the requirements of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001;

(c)      the introduction of the Guide to Sheltered Housing;

(d)      the adoption of new recording mechanisms for service provision to meet Care Commission Inspection and Regulation requirements;  and

(e)      the completion of a review of line management structures for Sheltered Housing Services and the implementation of a training and development programme for all relevant staff by the Head of Housing Services in response to Care Commission recommendations and statutory requirements;  and

(2)      that the Committee commend the Sheltered Housing staff and management on the terms of the report.

  73

Building Services Operational Performance

73

There was submitted a report dated 4 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive on the operational performance of Building Services as at Period 8.

Noted

  74

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

74

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive since the last ordinary meeting of the Committee to authorise (1) the proposed stopping up of footpaths at Holmscroft Street/Mount Pleasant Street, Greenock, (2) the engagement of a sole supplier for the provision of new bus shelters and (3) the acceptance of a tender for resurfacing of footways, carriageways and car parks.

Noted

  75

Former Janitor’s House at Gourock High School

75

There was submitted a report dated 17 January 2006 by the Solicitor to the Council on a remit from the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee of 10 January 2006 requesting the Committee to consider further the position relative to the former janitor’s house at Gourock High School.

Decided:  that the matter be referred to the Community Committee to allow that Committee the opportunity to explore possible uses of the premises by young people.

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 I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item             Paragraph(s)

Appendix 3 relative to Agenda Item 20 Providing

Details of Tenders Submitted for the Resurfacing of

Footways, Carriageways and Car Parks                                            6 and 8

Stanners Lane/Cartsburn Street, Greenock                                    2, 6 and 9

Neil Street, Greenock, Heritage Surplus to Requirements           2, 6 and 9

Proposed Lease - Former Monitoring Post, Tower

Hill, Gourock                                                                                         2, 6 and 9

Building Services Working Group Update                                       1

  76

Appendix 3 Relative to Agenda Item 20 Providing Details of Tenders Submitted for the Resurfacing of Footways, Carriageways and Car Parks

76

There was submitted appendix 3 relative to Agenda Item 20 (Use of  Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive) providing details of tenders submitted for the resurfacing of footways, carriageways and car parks.

Noted

  77

Stanners Lane/Cartsburn Street, Greenock

77

There was submitted a report dated 9 December 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking consent to declare a garage and land at Stanners  Lane/Cartsburn Street, Greenock surplus to requirements with a view to marketing and disposal and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the appendix.

  78

Neil Street, Greenock, Heritage Surplus to Requirements

78

There was submitted a report dated 12 December 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive (1) on the marketing/redevelopment of a site at Neil Street, Greenock and (2) seeking consent to declare the site surplus to requirements with a view to disposal and the Committee agreed to action, all as detailed in the appendix.

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

  79

Proposed Lease - Former Monitoring Post, Tower Hill, Gourock

79

There was submitted a report dated 5 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking consent to grant a lease of the former Monitoring Post at Tower Hill, Gourock and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the appendix.

  80

Building Services Working Group Update

80

There was submitted a report dated 4 January 2006 by the Depute Chief Executive appending (1) approved minute of meeting of the Building Services Working Group held on 3 October 2005 and (2)  the current action plan update.

Noted