The Inverclyde Council

Thursday 30 November 2006 at 4.00 pm

Present:  Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, Gallacher, Hill, Hunter, McCabe, McCormick (M), McCormick (P),  Mitchell, Moran, Nimmo, Roach, Robertson, Snoddy, Stewart, Tucker and White.

Chair:  Provost Rebecchi presided. 

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Corporate Director Education & Social Care, Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection, Corporate Director Improvement & Performance, Head of Legal & Administration, Head of Finance, Head of Community Care & Strategic Services, Head of Support & Development, Head of Property Services, Property Services Manager and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillor McKenzie.

Minutes of Meetings of

The Inverclyde Council, Committees and Sub-Committees

834

Appointment Panel – Corporate Director Education & Social Care – 21 September 2006

834

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair.

835

The Inverclyde Council – 5 October 2006

835

Approved on the motion of Provost Rebecchi.

836

Appointment Panel – Head of Planning & Transportation – 9 October 2006

836

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

837

Appointment Panel – Head of Environmental Services – 9 October 2006

837

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

838

Appointment Panel – Head of Safer Communities – 9 October 2006

838

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

839

Appointment Panel – Head of Schools – 10 October 2006

839

Approved on the motion of Councillor Mitchell.

840

Appointment Panel – Head of Support & Development – 10 October 2006

840

Approved on the motion of Councillor Mitchell.

841

Appointment Panel – Corporate Director Education & Social Care – 11 October 2006

841

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair.

842

Licensing & Registration Panel – 11 October 2006

842

Approved on the motion of Councillor Gallacher.

843

Appointment Panel – Head of Economic & Social Regeneration – 12 October 2006

843

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

844

Appointment Panel – Head of Organisational Development & HR – 12 October 2006

844

Approved on the motion of Councillor Snoddy.

845

Education & Lifelong Learning Committee – 17 October 2006

845

Approved on the motion of Councillor Mitchell.

846

Community Committee – 19 October 2006

846

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

847

Health & Social Care Committee – 24 October 2006

847

Approved on the motion of Councillor Nimmo.

848

Audit Committee – 26 October 2006

848

Approved on the motion of Councillor McCabe.

849

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee – 30 October 2006

849

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

850

Environment & Regeneration Committee – 31 October 2006

850

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

851

Planning & Traffic Management Committee – 1 November 2006

851

Approved on the motion of Councillor Forbes.

852

Grants Sub-Committee – 2 November 2006

852

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor White seconded by Councillor Stewart subject to correction to reflect that the interests intimated by Councillors Robertson and Stewart were in respect of the application by the Arts for Inverclyde Board rather than Port Glasgow Arts Guild.

Decided:  that the minute as corrected be approved.

853

Best Value & Corporate Services Committee – 2 November 2006

853

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Snoddy seconded by Councillor Stewart.  Councillor Snoddy seconded by Councillor Stewart moved with reference to paragraph 804 (Policy on Payment by Credit/Debit Card – Clarification) that the decision of the Committee as minuted be approved.  As an amendment, Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor McCormick (P) moved that the use of credit cards be not permitted for the payment of Council house rents and Council tax.  On a vote, 6 Members voted for the amendment and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute be approved.

854

Licensing & Registration Panel – 8 November 2006

854

Approved on the motion of Councillor Gallacher.

855

Policy & Strategy Committee – 14 November 2006

855

Approval of the minute as a correct record was moved by Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Hill.  Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Hill moved with reference to paragraph 819 (Christmas Lunches and Christmas Parcels) (1) that agreement be given to replace the Christmas parcel with a Christmas gift voucher, (2) that the value of the Christmas lunch subsidy and Christmas gift voucher be set at £12 each and (3) that it be remitted to Social Work Services to carry out a comprehensive review taking account of the concerns raised by Members to allow the Committee to determine the arrangements for future years, the review to incorporate a survey to ascertain the acceptability of the new gift voucher provision in comparison with the parcel delivery and that this be the subject of a further report to Committee.

As an amendment, Provost Rebecchi seconded by Councillor Roach moved (1) that subject to a reduction in the current delivery costs being achieved, the provision of Christmas parcels remain in place for 2006, (2) that the value of the Christmas parcel and the Christmas lunch subsidy be set at £12 each and (3) that a comprehensive review be carried out to allow the Committee to determine the appropriate arrangements for future years.  On a vote, 7 Members voted for the amendment and 12 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:  that the minute as adjusted by Councillor Blair’s motion be approved.

856

Appointment Panel – Head of Performance Management & Procurement – 24 November 2006

856

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair.

857

Appointment Panel – Head of Corporate Communications – 24 November 2006

857

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair.

858

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee – 27 November 2006

858

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

859

Appointment Panel – Head of Planning & Transportation – 28 November 2006

859

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

860

Appointment Panel – Head of Safer Communities – 28 November 2006

860

Approved on the motion of Councillor Hill.

861

Appointment Panel – Head of Economic & Social Regeneration – 30 November 2006

861

It was agreed that the minute of this meeting be submitted to the next ordinary meeting of the Council on 22 February 2007.

862

Appointment Panel – Head of Organisational Development & HR – 30 November 2006

862

It was agreed that the minute of this meeting be submitted to the next ordinary meeting of the Council on 22 February 2007.

863

Appointment Panel – Head of Property Resources & Facilities Management – 30 November 2006

863

It was agreed that the minute of this meeting be submitted to the next ordinary meeting of the Council on 22 February 2007.

864

Waste Strategy Sub-Committee – 30 November 2006

864

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

865

Elections:  Appointment of Returning Officer

865

There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal & Administration requesting the Council to appoint a Returning Officer for the purpose of all elections held within Inverclyde.

Decided:  that agreement be given to the appointment of the Chief Executive, John W Mundell, as the Returning Officer for all relevant elections held within Inverclyde.

866

Polling Scheme:  Greenock & Inverclyde and West Renfrewshire Constituencies – Scottish Parliament and Local Government Elections 3 May 2007

866

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval for the proposed arrangements for the use of polling places and polling stations in connection with the Scottish Parliament and Local Government Elections which will be held on 3 May 2007.

Decided:  that the polling scheme appended to the report be approved and that the Chief Executive be empowered to amend the scheme in the event of changes becoming necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.

867

Clyde Muirshiel Park:  Review of Charter Aims

867

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection seeking approval for a revised set of Park Charter Aims which will require a modification of the original Minute of Agreement, as approved by the Clyde Muirshiel Park Joint Committee at its meeting on 15 September 2006.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to the revised Charter Aims as recommended by the Clyde Muirshiel Park Joint Committee;  and

(2) that the Corporate Director Environment & Community Protection and the Head of Legal & Administration be authorised to modify the Minute of Agreement to reflect the revised Charter Aims and to take all other necessary action in connection therewith.

868

Council of Europe:  The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities – Declaration Against Human Trafficking

868

There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal & Administration advising the Council of a declaration made by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities as part of the Council of Europe, following a request made by Councillor McCabe.

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

Decided:

(1) that the Council agree to support and sign the Declaration on the fight against trafficking in human beings;  and

(2) that a report be submitted to the Policy & Strategy Committee on proposed action which can be taken to support the implementation of the Declaration.

869

Inverclyde Community Health Partnership – Scheme of Establishment

869

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on the detailed arrangements for the Inverclyde Community Health Partnership Scheme of Establishment.

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

Decided:

(1) that the detailed arrangements for the Inverclyde Community Health Partnership contained in Appendix 1 to the report be noted;

(2) that the Convener of the Health & Social Care Committee be nominated to take up the local authority place on the Community Health Partnership Committee once this is convened;  and

(3) that it be remitted to the Leader of the Council to write to the Chair of the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board seeking an increase in local authority representation on the Community Health Partnership to a minimum of 3 Members, including 1 Member from the Minority Group, to reflect the balance of political representation.

The Provost being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Head of Legal & Administration was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Council to consider making a donation to the Farepak Response Fund at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

870

Farepak Response Fund

870

There was submitted a report by the Head of Legal & Administration advising of a request received from Councillor McCabe that the Council consider making a donation to the Farepak Response Fund established to assist those persons who have lost funds as a result of the company’s financial failure.

Following discussion, Councillor McCabe seconded by Councillor Robertson moved that a donation of £5,000 be made to the Farepak Response Fund.  As an amendment, Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Mitchell moved that no action be taken.  On a vote, 6 Members voted for the motion and 11 for the amendment which was declared carried.

Decided:  that no action be taken.

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 on the grounds that consideration of the following item involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act and that consideration of the item thereafter involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act, as detailed in the minute of the relevant Committee or Sub-Committee.

871

Suitable Alternative Employment (Temporary) Proposal

871

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive providing the Council with the details of the interim arrangements for filling the proposed post of Head of Implementation & Development Projects Officer following the decision of the Council on 5 October 2006 (Para 679 (4)).  The Council agreed to the proposals contained in the report, all as detailed in the appendix.

Appendices to Minutes

872

Appointment  Panel – Corporate Director Education & Social Care – 21 September 2006

872

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair.

873

Appointment Panel – Head of Planning & Transportation – 9 October 2006

873

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

874

Appointment Panel – Head of Safer Communities – 9 October 2006

874

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

875

Appointment Panel – Corporate Director Education & Social Care – 11 October 2006

875

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair.

876

Appointment Panel – Head of Economic & Social Regeneration – 12 October 2006

876

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

877

Appointment Panel – Head of Organisational Development & HR – 12 October 2006

877

Approved on the motion of Councillor Snoddy.

878

Community Committee – 19 October 2006

878

Approved on the motion of Councillor White.

879

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee – 30 October 2006

879

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

880

Environment & Regeneration Committee – 31 October 2006

880

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

881

Best Value & Corporate Services Committee – 2 November 2006

881

Approved on the motion of Councillor Snoddy.

882

Policy & Strategy Committee – 14 November 2006

882

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair seconded by Councillor Hill.

883

Appointment Panel – Head of Performance Management & Procurement – 24 November 2006

883

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair.

884

Appointment Panel – Head of Corporate Communications – 24 November 2006

884

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair.

885

Personnel (Appeals & Applied Conditions of Service) Sub-Committee – 27 November 2006

885

Approved on the motion of Councillor Stewart.

886

Appointment Panel – Head of Planning & Transportation – 28 November 2006

886

Approved on the motion of Councillor Fyfe.

887

Appointment  Panel – Head of Safer Communities – 28 November 2006

887

Approved on the motion of Councillor Blair.