Environment and Regeneration Committee

Tuesday 5 September 2006 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Fyfe, 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), Chief Financial Officer, Head of Economic Development Service, Head of Housing Services, Mr F MacLeod (for Head of Planning Services), Head of Property Services and Acting Head of Transportation and Roads Service.

Apologies:  Councillors Forbes and Gallacher.

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

563

Revenue Budget 2006/07 - Period 3

563

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer on (1) the Revenue Budget 2005/06 out-turn and (2) the position of the Revenue Budget 2006/07 as at Period 3 (30 June 2006) which showed a projected overspend of £72,000.

Decided:

(1)      that the out-turn for 2005/06 and the current projected overspend of £72,000 for 2006/07, as at 30 June 2006, be noted;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to report back to the next meeting of the Committee showing either that the expenditure can be contained or identifying proposals as to how this can be achieved.

564

Housing Revenue Account Budget 2006/07 - Period 3

564

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer on (1) the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2005/06 out-turn and (2) the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at Period 3 (30 June 2006) which showed a projected underspend of £144,000.

Decided:

(1)      that the out-turn for 2005/06 and the current projected underspend of £144,000 for 2006/07, as at 30 June 2006, be noted;  and

(2)      that the projected balance on the Housing Revenue Account Reserve of £864,000 be noted.

565

Trading Account Revenue Budget 2006/07 - Period 3

565

There was submitted a report by the Chief Financial Officer on (1) the Trading Account Revenue Budget 2005/06 out-turn and (2) the position of the Roads and Building Services Trading Accounts as at Period 3 (30 June 2006) which showed a cash target projection as budget and a cash surplus of £160,000 respectively.

Decided:

(1)      that the out-turn for 2005/06 and the current projected position for 2006/07 be noted;  and]

(2)      that it be noted a more detailed analysis on the financial position of Building Services will be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.

566

Capital Programme 2006/07 to  2007/08 - Progress

566

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the position of the Capital Programme 2006/07 to 2007/08.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the progress of the specific projects detailed in appendices 1-4 of the report;  and

(2)      that approval be given to an expenditure increase of £19,718 in the project for the Burnside Road culvert as detailed in appendix 5 of the report.

567

HRA Capital Programme 2005/2008 - Progress

567

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2005/2008.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the progress of the projects detailed in appendices 1-5 of the report;  and

(2)      that approval be given to an expenditure increase of £228,000 in expenditure on the replacement of gas heating installations as set out in appendix 6 of the report.

568

Rent Arrears Update - Quarter 1, 2006/07

568

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the position with regard to the management and recovery of rent arrears and associated debt during Quarter 1, 2006/07.

Noted

569

Private Sector Housing Grant (PSHG) 2006/07 - Update

569

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive updating the Committee on the progress of the Private Sector Housing Grant funded projects approved by the Committee at the meeting on 21 March 2006 (para 254).

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the current position with regard to the funding and delivery of the Private Sector Housing Grant funded services;

(2)      that a Maximum Approved Expenditure Limit (MAEL) of £20,000 for owners benefiting from Private Sector Housing Grant be approved;

(3)      that approval be given to the inclusion of owners in wholly owned blocks as eligible for grant assistance within refurbishment schemes;

(4)      that approval be given to the virement of funds within the Private Sector Housing Grant projects to ensure maximum spend;  and

(5)      that a letter be issued to tenants in South Maukinhill advising of the availability of Private Sector Housing Grant, without commitment to making grant available, and that consideration be given to appropriate publicity for central heating grants.

570

Aids and Adaptations

570

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive providing details of the level and cost of delivering an adaptations service to Council tenants and houses in the private sector.

Decided:

(1)      that the current position with regard to the funding and delivery of the adaptations service to both Council tenants and private sector owners be noted;  and

(2)      that a report on the demand for aids and adaptations, identifying the funding available and the extent of the funding required to address the needs of those who require aids and adaptations, be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

571

Home Energy Conservation Act Strategy:  Review of Progress 2003/05

571

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval of the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) Strategy two year progress report April 2003 to 31 March 2005, a copy of which was appended to the report.

(Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that the Home Energy Conservation Act Strategy two year progress report April 2003 to 31 March 2005 be approved.

572

Electric Heat With Rent Update and Contract Extension

572

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) providing an update on heat with rent following substantial increases in February 2006 of the weekly charge to tenants participating in the schemes and (2) updating the Committee on the current electric heat with rent contract position.

Decided:

(1)      that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the most favourable tender received for the electric heat with rent contract;  and

(2)      that the update on the heat with rent scheme in terms of the uncertainty of the fuel markets and the consequences of this be noted.

573

Port Glasgow Town Centre

573

There was submitted a report by the Solicitor to the Council on a request from Councillor Robertson that the Committee instruct Officers to bring forward a detailed report outlining a strategy on the future sustainability of Port Glasgow Town Centre.

Councillor Robertson was present and spoke on the matter.

Decided:  that the Committee support the Port Glasgow Traders' Group in endeavouring to ensure the future sustainability of Port Glasgow Town Centre and that it be remitted to the Head of Economic Development Service to report back to the Committee on the recommendations of the Traders' Group.

574

Proposed Stopping Up of Road:  Dellingburn Street, Greenock

574

There was submitted a report by the Solicitor to the Council recommending the making of a Stopping Up Order to stop up a length of road at Dellingburn Street, Greenock.

Decided:  that the Committee confirm the Stopping Up of Roads, Inverclyde (Dellingburn Street, Greenock) Order 2006 and authorise the Solicitor to the Council to take all necessary action in connection therewith.Î

575

Building Services Operational Performance

575

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the operational performance of Building Services as at Period 3.

Noted

576

Building Services Operational Performance Report 2005/06

576

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the operational performance of Building Services during 2005/06 detailing the significant improvements achieved by management and employees.

Decided:  that the Committee note the contents of the Building Services Operational Performance Report 2005/06 and the improvements achieved.

577

Building Services Tenant Satisfaction Survey

577

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive appending copy of the Building Services Tenant Satisfaction Survey carried out in accordance with the approved 2006/09 Business Plan.

Decided:

(1)      that the contents of the Building Services Tenant Satisfaction Survey appended to the report be noted;  and

(2)      that it be noted that in accordance with the approved Business Plan, Building Services intends to undertake a similar survey later in the year to measure any change in the level of tenant satisfaction.

578

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

578

There was submitted a report 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 (1) allow the issue of the Stage 1 Notice for the transfer of housing stock in Maukinhill to Cloch Housing Association on receipt of the Minister's consent to proceed, (2) approve Riverside Inverclyde's participation in Waterfront Expo 2006 and (3) promote a provisional Tree Preservation Order at "The Spinney", Castlehill Road/Broomknowe Road, Kilmacolm.

Decided:

(1)      that the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive be noted;

(2)      that it be delegated to the Depute Chief Executive to issue the Stage 2 Notice and to take all the necessary steps required for the formal ballot process relative to the transfer of housing stock in Maukinhill to Cloch Housing Association;  and

(3)      that the Committee recommend to The Inverclyde Council that the Inverclyde Council ("The Spinney", Castlehill Road/Broomknowe Road, Kilmacolm) (First) Tree Preservation Order No. 31 be confirmed.

579

Area Renewal Update

579

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive updating the Committee with regard to progress of the Area Renewal Strategy (1) advising of the expenditure against the Early Action Fund and (2) seeking approval for expenditure variations as set out in appendix 2 of the report."

Decided:

(1)      that the progress being made on the various projects be noted;

(2)      that approval be given to the clearance and demolition of Ettrick Place and Duns Place;

(3)      that consideration of the disposal of land at 6-12 Bawhirley Road to Cloch Housing Association for new build of social rented housing to facilitate the clearance of East Crawford Street etc and the regeneration of the east end of Greenock be continued for a further report, including an options appraisal;  and

(4)      that approval be given to the following expenditure variations:-

Project                                                                                          Expenditure Variation

Regeneration Demolition Phase 12

Branchton Road Shop Unit, 103-107 Stafford Road,

22-24, 29-39 Gilmour Street and 11-27 Corlic

Street, Greenock                                                                           +£74,800 (including fees)

Regeneration Demolition Phase 15

Various Properties at Sunnyside Avenue, Pleasantside

Avenue and Woodhall Terrace, Port Glasgow                             +£14,100 (including fees)

Regeneration Demolition Phase 7

3  Hole Farm Road, 2-28 Kenilworth Crescent and

shop unit 9 Kenilworth Crescent, Greenock                                 +£21,306

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 4 relative to Agenda Item 17 providing details

of the disposal of land to Cloch Housing Association           2, 6 and 9

Disposal of land at Gibshill, Greenock                                    2, 6 and 9

Lease of Shop Premises:  Angus Road, Greenock                2, 6 and 9

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive                 6 and 8

580

Appendix 4 Relative to Agenda Item 17

580

There was submitted appendix 4 relative to agenda item 17 providing details of the disposal of land to Cloch Housing Association.

Noted

581

Disposal of Land at Gibshill, Greenock

581

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive seeking consent to amend the area of land at Gibshill, Greenock to be disposed of for the construction of housing and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the appendix.

582

Lease of Shop Premises:  Angus Road, Greenock

582

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive (1) seeking consent to the early termination of the lease of shop premises in Angus Road, Greenock and (2) requesting the Committee to note the transfer of use of shop premises in Angus Road, Greenock and the Committee agreed to the action recommended, all as detailed in the appendix.

583

Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

583

There was submitted a report 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 (1) extend the existing gas maintenance contract, (2) appoint a specialist VAT consultant to provide joint advice to the Council and River Clyde Homes, (3) accept a tender for Phase 4 of the refurbishment of houses in Gibshill, (4) accept a tender for painterwork at 89-105 Drumfrochar Road, (5) issue and accept tenders in connection with Riverside Inverclyde consultancies, (6) accept a tender for Phase 2 of the works at Pottery Street, (7) enter into a professional services partnership with Glasgow City Council to provide design and supervision services for a lighting capital project, (8) accept a tender for works to a number of footpaths within housing estates and (9) accept a quotation in connection with the rewiring project at Lower Bow Farm, Drumfrochar Road and Highholm Street.

Noted