1. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 25 November 2003, copies of which had previously been circulated, were confirmed.
2. Skateboard Facilities in the Largs Area
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the proposed location for a skateboard facility in the Largs area.
On 24 November 2003 the Council, following receipt of a petition from Largs Skaters on a planning application for a skateboarding facility at the Pencil in Largs, (a) noted the withdrawal of the application; and (b) agreed (i) to approve in principle the provision of skateboard facilities at an alternative site at Mackerston Pond, Largs; and (ii) to remit consideration of the detail of the proposals to this Committee.
Planning permission has already been issued for the traditional play area at Mackerston Pond, Largs. The area to the south of the Pond is appropriate for a skateboard facility and this should not conflict with the traditional play area.
A separate application for planning permission will be required and this will include provision for the skateboarding equipment to be removed within 24 hours, if necessary. The ground at Mackerston Pond is in the ownership of the Council.
The Committee (a) agreed to approve the area south of Mackerston Pond, Largs for the development of a skateboard facility; and (b) noted that an application for planning permission would now be submitted.
3. Brodick Landfill, Market Road, Isle of Arran: Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the Landfill of Wastes
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on proposals in relation to the Brodick Landfill site.
On 17 June 2003 the Committee considered a report on SEPA's intention to require the Council to close the Landfill site at Market Road, Brodick, Isle of Arran and to restore it by 31 August 2006.
On 7 October 2003 the Committee was advised of the following three options open to the Council:-
- to fully prepare the site in accordance with the requirements of the Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003;
- to provide a transfer station at Brodick to transfer the waste to suitable vehicles for onward transportation to the mainland; and
- to submit an appeal against the Closure Notice on the grounds that the landfill may pose no potential hazard to soil, groundwater or surface water.
These options have now been considered in conjunction with Halcrow Consultants and an Environmental Assessment of Brodick Landfill Site has been carried out by them. This concluded that site upgrading would be complex, time consuming, costly and may not necessarily be approved by SEPA. The Assessment, however, supports the closure of Brodick Landfill site for waste disposal by no later than 31 August 2006.
It is proposed that there be a properly engineered closure of the site by 31 August 2006. Alternative waste disposal sites are currently being considered but it is unlikely that an alternative site will be available by August 2006. Waste will therefore require to be shipped off the island for a limited period.
Noted.
4. Abandoned Vehicles
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on proposed charges for the uplift, storage and disposal of abandoned vehicles.
Cleansing Services remove and dispose of abandoned vehicles and impose a charge of £120 for the uplift. Where vehicles are deemed to be of value they are transported to the Pulverisation Plant and a storage charge is imposed of £12 per day.
It is proposed that the current charges be maintained during the financial year 2004/05 and that the revenue generated be used to offset the running costs associated with this service.
The Committee agreed to maintain the current charges during 2004/05.
5. Strategic Waste Fund: Kerbside Collection Scheme
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on progress towards the introduction of a kerbside collection scheme for North Ayrshire.
On 7 October 2003, the Committee was advised of the award of £19,532,000 from the Strategic Waste Fund to introduce a kerbside collection scheme. This award will be paid in annual instalments over the financial years 2003/04 to 2019/20.
The Council should meet its target to recycle 18% of its Municipal Solid Waste by the end of the current financial year. The Scottish Executive has set a recycling target of 25% by 2006 and proposes to reduce the total amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill sites to 1.5 million tonnes per year by 2006.
It is proposed to retain a weekly collection for residual waste, to provide a weekly collection for garden waste from April to October, to introduce a fortnightly kerbside collection service for newspapers, magazines and glass cullet, and to discontinue the collection of side waste, with the exception of Christmas and New Year. In exceptional cases the current bulky household uplift service is available.
The kerbside collection programme will be publicised during February 2004 and will commence as follows:-
Phase 1 - Kilbirnie, Beith, Dalry & Kilwinning - March 2004;
Phase 2 - Skelmorlie, Largs, Fairlie, Seamill, West Kilbride & Ardrossan - May 2004;
Phase 3 - Saltcoats & Stevenston - August 2004; and
Phase 4 - Irvine, Dreghorn, Springside, Broomlands, Bourtreehill & Girdle Toll - November 2004.
Cleansing Services will place advertisements to employ 25 staff to operate the system.
Noted.
6. Private Sector Housing Grants
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on proposals for the allocation of the Private Sector Housing Grant (PSHG).
With effect from the financial year 2004/05, the PSHG will be administered by Communities Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive. Funding will be allocated to the Council for 2004/05 and 2005/06 as follows:-
- Baseline figure - £1.248 million
Councils will be invited to submit bids by 3 March 2004. These should be based on the authority's strategic investment intentions in the private housing sector and should detail how the Council intends to use the combined resources from the baseline and bid allocations to support its strategy.
The Council's bid for PSHG in 2004/05 and 2005/06 is currently being prepared and details of the bid will be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee for approval.
Noted.
7. West Kilbride: Town Centre Traffic Management: Formation of Car Park at Glen Road
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on proposals and objections to the formation of a car park at Glen Road, West Kilbride.
On 9 December 2003 the Corporate Policy Committee approved a traffic management scheme in West Kilbride town centre following comprehensive public consultation and a Public Inquiry held in 2003.
Roads Services have held discussions involving the local Member in relation to the provision of additional parking in the town centre. The preferred option is for a new car park situated in the grounds behind Kirktonhall. A planning application was subsequently submitted for this location. Objections were received which made reference to the site's Title restrictions and the application was withdrawn to allow the legal issues to be resolved.
It is now proposed that a consultation exercise be carried out with the local community to seek their views on two options for car parks to the rear of Kirktonhall. A public exhibition will be organised and preferences sought from the options detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.
The Committee agreed that a public exhibition be held on these car park options.
8. Revenue Budget 2003/04: Budgetary Control
Submitted report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Finance) on the budgetary control position for Property Services at the end of November 2003 and projections for the financial year 2003/04.
Noted.
The meeting ended at 2.40 p.m.