7
BEST VALUE
& CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE - 9 SEPTEMBER 2004
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Best
Value & Corporate Services Committee Thursday
9 September 2004 at 3.00 pm |
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Present: Councillors
Fyfe, Hill, Hunter, McCabe, McCormick (M), McCormick (P), Moran, Nimmo,
Stewart and White. |
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Chair: Councillor
White presided. |
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In attendance: Depute
Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Legal &
Support Services, Head of Service (Support for Learning), Head of Financial
Services, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Property Services and Managing
Solicitor (Litigation/Advice). |
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Apologies:
Provost Rebecchi. |
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The following paragraphs are
submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers
delegated to the Committee. |
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622 |
Early Years Development
Proposals 2004/05 - Remit from Education & Lifelong Learning Committee |
622 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on a request from the Education & Lifelong Learning Committee of 24 August 2004 that approval be given to the Early Years Support Workers posts, the meals assistant and the additional post at Paton Street as part of the range of developments in 2004/05 targeted to meet the needs of young people and families and funded from Sure Start and Childcare Strategy. |
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Decided: that
it be noted that this will be the subject of a further report by the Director
of Corporate Services. |
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623 |
Social Worker Recruitment and
Retention - Remit from Health & Social Care Committee |
623 |
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There was submitted a report dated 1 September 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on a request from the Health & Social Care Committee of 31 August 2004 that the Committee consider proposed amendments to the existing Social Worker pay scale and Senior Practitioner Scheme as part of the proposals to ensure the recruitment and retention of qualified Social Work staff. |
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Decided:
that it be noted that this will be the subject of a further report by
the Director of Corporate Services. |
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624 |
Economic Development Service
Plans 2004/05 - Remit from Environment & Regeneration Committee |
624 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising that the Environment & Regeneration Committee of 7 September 2004 had remitted the Economic Development Service Plans 2004/05 to the Committee for consideration and approval. |
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Decided:
that the Economic Development Service Plans 2004/05 be approved. |
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625 |
ABC (Authorities Buying
Consortium) Roadshow Event |
625 |
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There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of an event being organised in conjunction with the Authorities Buying Consortium to encourage local businesses to become involved in tendering for ABC work and also to encourage all Officers of the Council to utilise ABC contracts when procuring goods and services. |
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Decided: (1) that
the Committee endorse the ABC Roadshow event to be held on 10 November 2004; and (2) that
the report be otherwise noted. |
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626 |
Housing Services - Rent
Accounting Section - Restructure |
626 |
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There was submitted a report dated 19 August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services recommending the establishment of a post of Resources and Systems Officer within the Rent Accounting Section of Housing Services. |
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Decided:
that approval be given to the establishment of the post of Resources
and Systems Officer at salary grade PO2 (£25,527 - £27,873). |
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627 |
Finance Services Performance
Report 2003/04 and Performance Plan 2004/05 |
627 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services (1) providing an update on the performance of Finance Services against key indicators in 2003/04 and (2) advising of the planned performance targets for 2004/05. |
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Decided:
that the Committee note the performance of Finance Services against
key indicators in 2003/04 and endorse the planned performance targets for
2004/05. |
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628 |
Renewal of Engineering
Insurance |
628 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services (1) requesting authority to issue tenders in respect of the Council’s engineering insurance and (2) seeking delegated authority to accept the tender which provides best value to the Council. |
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Decided: (1) that
approval be given to the issue of tenders in respect of the Council’s
engineering insurance; and (2) that
delegated authority be granted to the appropriate Officers to accept the
tender which delivers best value to the Council. |
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629 |
ICT Service - Progress |
629 |
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There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on progress made in the tendering exercise relative to the provision of ICT Services, as approved by the Council in June 2004. |
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Decided:
that the Committee note: (1) the
progress made to date in respect of the approved tendering exercise for ICT
Services; (2) the
proposed next steps in the exercise; and (3) the
anticipated requirement to call special meetings of the Committee and of The
Inverclyde Council prior to 30 December 2004 in order to consider
recommendations resulting from the exercise. |
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630 |
Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period
4 |
630 |
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There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at Period 4 (31 July 2004). |
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Decided: (1) that
the position of the Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at Period 4 be noted; and (2) that
the Policy & Strategy Committee be requested to provide a supplementary
budget of £25,000 to fund the projected overspend in Members’ allowances. |
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631 |
Service Development and
Improvement Plan - Corporate Services - 2004/07 |
631 |
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There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the 3 Year Service Development and Improvement Plan 2004/05 to 2006/07 for Corporate Services. |
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Decided: (1) that
the Committee approve the Corporate Services Development and Improvement Plan
2004/05 to 2006/07; and (2) that
it be agreed that annual monitoring reports on the Plan be submitted to the
Committee. |
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632 |
Legal and Support Services
Performance Report 2003/04 and Performance Plan 2004/05 |
632 |
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There was submitted a report dated 1 September 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) providing an update on the performance of Legal & Support Services against key indicators in 2003/04 and (2) advising of the planned performance targets for 2004/05. |
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Decided:
that the Committee note the performance of Legal & Support
Services against key indicators in 2003/04 and endorse the planned
performance targets for 2004/05. |
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The Convener being of the
opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Corporate Services was
relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee
to consider the establishment of the proposed posts at the earliest possible
date. This was unanimously agreed in
terms of the relevant Standing Order. |
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633 |
Finance Services: Establishment of Posts - Debtors Section |
633 |
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There was submitted a report dated September 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services requesting the Committee to approve the creation of two posts within the Council’s Finance Services Debtors Section to assist in improving the sundry debt collection performance of the Council. |
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Decided:
that approval be given to the establishment of the following posts: (1) 1
post of Senior Clerical Officer at salary grade GS3 (£13,650 - £14,211); (2) 1
post of Clerical Assistant at salary grade GS1/2 (£9,083 - £13,416). |
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634 |
Renewal of Banking Tender - Use
of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive |
634 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to advertise in the European Journal for the renewal of the Council’s Banking Services. |
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Noted |
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635 |
COSLA - Scottish Executive Joint
Staffing Watch June 2004 |
635 |
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There was submitted a report dated 23 August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the number of Council employees as at 12 June 2004 as reported to COSLA under the Joint Staffing Watch arrangements. |
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Noted |
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636 |
Finance Management System - Update |
636 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services providing an update on the progress made following implementation of the Finance Management System in December 2003. |
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Noted |
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637 |
Treasury Management - Annual Report
2003/04 |
637 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services monitoring compliance with the Council’s Treasury Policy Statement for 2003/04 as required under Treasury Management Practice Statement 6, 6.3. |
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Decided:
that the annual report on Treasury Management for 2003/04 be noted. |
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638 |
Treasury Management Monitoring
Report 2004/05 - Quarter 1 |
638 |
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There was submitted a report dated 18 August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the Treasury Management function for the period 1 April to 30 June 2004. |
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Noted |
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639 |
Debt Recovery Performance
2003/04 |
639 |
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There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) on the progress made in respect of debt recovery during 2003/04 and (2) advising the Committee of intended action during 2004/05. |
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Noted |
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640 |
Revenues Section Performance -
Quarter Ended 30 June 2004 |
640 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Corporate Services on the Council Tax and Rates performance for the quarter ended 30 June 2004. |
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Decided: that
the Committee note the report and the continued improvement in Council Tax
collection. |
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641 |
Housing Benefit Control Team -
Performance 2003/04 |
641 |
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There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Director of Social Work Services providing management and performance information on the Council’s Benefit Control Team and its anti-fraud work during the financial year 2003/04. |
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Noted |
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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 for 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. |
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Item Paragraph(s) |
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Building
Services Review of Staffing Structure 1 Approval to
Use Specialist Consultants - Demolition Design and Contract
Procurement 6 Standing
Restricted List of Contractors 6 Housing
Benefits - Review of Management Structure - Use of
Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive 1 Request to
Extend Appointment - Energy Management Consultants
- Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive 6 and 8 Approval to
Use Specialist Consultants - Capital Programme - Use of
Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive 6 Approval to
Use Specialist Consultants for Specific Civil/ Structural
Engineering Design Services - Use of Powers Delegated to
the Chief Executive 6 Architectural
Partial Service Consultant’s Appointment - Use of
Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive 6 Surveys to Inform
the Stock Transfer Process - Use of
Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive 6 |
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642 |
Building Services - Review of
Staffing Structure |
642 |
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There was submitted a report dated 31 August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services recommending a number of revisions to the Building Services staffing structure. |
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Decided: (1) that approval be given to the following revisions to the staffing structure within Building Services:- |
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(a) establishment of a post of Operations Manager at salary grade PO10 (£31,536 - £33,729); |
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(b) establishment of a post of Business Manager at salary grade PO8 (£30,060 - £32,244); |
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(c) establishment of three posts of Controller at salary grade PO1 (£24,888 - £27,015); |
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(d) establishment of a post of Health & Safety Co-ordinator at salary grade AP1/4 (£14,211 - £21,732); |
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(e) establishment of two supervisory posts at salary grade AP3/4 (£17,340 - £21,732); |
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(f) establishment of two posts of Technical Assistant at salary grade Tech 3/4 (£16,866 - £21,732); |
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(g) redesignation and regrading of two posts of Clerical Assistant to Stores Administrators at salary grade AP1 (£14,211 - £15,204); |
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(h) deletion of three Area Officer posts at salary grade PO1/2 (£24,888 - £27,873); |
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(i) deletion of four Senior Supervisor posts at salary grade Tech 3/5 (£16,866 - £23,052); |
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(j) deletion of post of Store Keeper at salary grade AP1 (£14,211 - £15,204); |
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(k) deletion of four posts of Clerical Assistant at salary grade GS1/2 (£10,068 - £13,416); |
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(l) deletion of post of Business Support Manager at salary grade PO14 (£34,554 - £36,951); and |
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(2) that
approval be given to the revised establishment detailed in Appendix 4 to the
report. |
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643 |
Approval to Use Specialist
Consultants - Demolition Design and Contract Procurement |
643 |
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There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive seeking approval to issue tenders from specialist consultants for duties, predominantly demolition design and contract procurement. |
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Decided:
that approval be given to the issue of fee tenders to the consultants
detailed in the report to assist with the implementation of the Regeneration
Programme. |
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644 |
Standing Restricted List of
Contractors |
644 |
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There was submitted a report dated 18 August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on the position of the Council’s Standing Restricted List of Contractors. |
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Decided: |
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(1) the report be noted; and |
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(2) that
delegated authority in the usual manner continue to be granted to the
Director of Corporate Services to add undertakings to the List. |
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645 |
Housing Benefits - Review of
Management Structure - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive |
645 |
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There was submitted a report dated August 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to amend the current management structure within the Housing Benefits Service. |
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Noted |
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646 |
Request to Extend Appointment -
Energy Management Consultants - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief
Executive |
646 |
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There was submitted a report dated 30 June 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to extend the appointment of the Council’s energy management consultants for a further two years with the option of a third year extension by mutual agreement. |
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Noted |
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647 |
Approval to Use Specialist
Consultants - Capital Programme - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief
Executive |
647 |
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There was submitted a report dated 24 August 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to homologate the decision to seek tenders from specialist consultants for various duties in connection with the Council’s Capital Programme. |
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Noted |
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648 |
Approval to Use Specialist
Consultants for Specific Civil/Structural Engineering Design Services - Use
of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive |
648 |
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There was submitted a report dated 25 August 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to approve the use of specialist consultants for ad hoc, non project specific civil/structural engineering design services following a recent fee tender exercise. |
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Noted |
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649 |
Architectural Partial Service
Consultant’s Appointment - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive |
649 |
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There was submitted a report dated 19 August 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to engage consultants for architectural services. |
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Noted |
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650 |
Surveys to Inform the Stock
Transfer Process - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive |
650 |
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There was submitted a report dated 24 August 2004 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to approve the inclusion of specialist contractors, not on the Council’s List of Approved Contractors, in the tender lists for stock condition and other surveys to inform the stock transfer process. |
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Noted |
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BV&CS-9SEP04/2