Property Services Committee
7 March 2006
IRVINE, 7 March 2006 - At a Meeting of the Property Services Committee of North Ayrshire Council at 2.00 p.m.
Present
John Bell, Stewart Dewar, Gordon Allison, Margie Currie, Drew Duncan, Jane Gorman, Margaret Munn, David O'Neill, Nan Wallace and Richard Wilkinson.
In Attendance
T. Orr, Corporate Director, R. Small, Head of Roads, J. Currie, Head of Cleansing, Grounds Maintenance and Transport, J. Paul, Head of Technical Services, and M. Cashmore, Principal Officer (Property Services); D. Nibloe, Chief Accountant (Finance); J. Stevenson, Communications Officer, G. Lawson, Head of Corporate and Democratic Support, and M. McKeown, Corporate and Democratic Support Officer (Chief Executive's).
Chair
Councillor Bell in the Chair.
Apologies for Absence
Elizabeth McLardy, Samuel Taylor and John Reid.
1. Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 24 January 2006, copies of which were previously circulated, were confirmed.
2. Property Services Standing Sub Committee
Submitted the annexed report (Appendix PS1) being the Minutes of the Meeting of the Property Services Standing Sub Committee held on 22 February 2006.
The Committee agreed to approve the Minutes.
3. Revenue Budget 2005/06: Budgetary Control
Submitted report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Finance) on the budgetary control position for Property Services at the end of January 2006, and on projections to the end of financial year 2005/06.
Noted.
4. Roads Management and Maintenance Revenue Budget Programme 2006/07
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the proposed Programme of Roads Management and Maintenance works for 2006/07.
The programme appended to the report was been drawn up taking account of a number of factors such as the Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey, reports by Inspectors following routine inspection of roads and footways in their relevant area, information received from accident and damage claims from members of the public, complaints received via the Roads and Lighting Faults System (RALF), requests and suggestions from elected Members, traffic volumes, and consultations with other Council Services and outside agencies.
Approximately £1.6m of works are planned across each of the three areas covered by the Council's Area Committees. As the proposed works are subject to a tendering process, the exact number of contracts carried out will be affected by the tender prices received, and also any price increases for materials during the year. In addition, increased expenditure due to severe winter conditions and other major emergency work may also limit the number of contracts able to be funded. Any contracts delayed as a result of these considerations will automatically be carried forward into the subsequent year's programme and undertaken at an early stage.
The Committee agreed to approve the Roads Management and Maintenance Programme for 2006/07 as detailed in the Appendix to the report.
5. Burial Fees 2006 to 2009
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the proposed fees for burial services from 2006 to 2009.
The current burial fees were set by the Council in 2002 as part of a phased programme of increases aimed at bringing the Council's fee levels in to line with the Scottish average. The current burial fee of £260 equates to 78% of the Scottish average of £330. The appendix to the report set out a proposed programme of increases covering the period 2006/07 to 2008/09 which will bring the Council's fee levels in to line with the Scottish average by 2009. Only the fees for sale of right of burial, cremated remains interments, and disinterments are increased. Income generated will support the ongoing development of the quality and standards within cemeteries.
The Memorial Inspection Programme currently underway in North Ayrshire cemeteries has demonstrated that Memorial Staff have the required skills to re-erect memorials in accordance with the industry standard. A new fee for memorial foundation and re-installation works will be introduced which is competitive with commercial stonemasons.
The Committee agreed to approve the fee structure as set out in the appendix to the report.
6. Strategic Review of Waste Management Needs in Ayrshire
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the submission of the Strategic Outline Case to the Scottish Executive.
At its meeting on 6 December 2005, the Corporate Policy Committee approved the terms of a draft Strategic Outline Case (SOC) drawn together by the three Ayrshire Councils and their consultant Entec UK Ltd., for presentation to the Scottish Executive by 31 January 2006. The SOC requires the three Councils to consider what waste management techniques and technologies will assist them in meeting their statutory obligations for recycling and diversion of waste from landfill over the next 15 years. The Scottish Executive is currently considering the SOC, which will form the basis of a further funding application to the Strategic Waste Fund to allow the Councils to provide long term waste management solutions for municipal solid waste generated in Ayrshire.
In order to facilitate the preparation of the SOC and progress actions arising from it the Ayrshire Joint Strategic Waste Management Group has been established. Councillor J. O'Neill of East Ayrshire Council has been appointed as Chair of the Group, and Councillor S. Taylor of North Ayrshire Council as Vice Chair.
Entec UK Ltd., have now fulfilled their original obligations in terms of assisting the three authorities to develop the SOC. The company has however been requested to provide further consultancy support and advice on any further negotiations or clarifications in respect of the submission made to the Scottish Executive. Entec have indicated their willingness to do so and have suggested that the level of support be capped at £5,000, excluding VAT, against each Council. Any further fees in excess of this amount will require to be agreed in writing.
The Committee agreed to (a) note the submission of the draft SOC to the Scottish Executive; (b) note the appointment of Councillor Taylor as the Vice Chair of the Project Group; and (c) approve the retention of Entec UK Ltd., as consultants, on the terms and conditions outlined in the report.
7. Tenders for Vehicles
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on tenders received in respect of the replacement vehicles programme for 2005/06.
The Committee agreed to (a) accept the tender of £93,626 from Johnston Engineering Ltd., for the supply of a heavy duty suction sweeper; and (b) accept the tender of £52,888 from Lex Commercials Ltd., for the supply of a skip lifter vehicle.
8. Closing Order: West Kilbride: 37 Cubrieshaw Street (Ground Left Flat)
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the proposed serving of a Closing Order in respect of a flatted property at 37 Cubrieshaw Street (ground floor left), West Kilbride, which, following inspection, has been determined to be below the tolerable standard as defined by Section 86 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.
The Committee agreed that a Closing Order in terms of Section 114 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 Act, be served on the owner of the flatted property at 37 Cubrieshaw Street (ground floor left), West Kilbride, to prevent the property being occupied.
9. Children's Residential Unit at Nelson Road, Saltcoats
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on tenders received for the construction of a Children's Residential Unit at Nelson Road, Saltcoats.
The Committee agreed to accept the tender of £989,865.87 from McLaughlin Construction, Ardrossan.
The meeting ended at 2.20 p.m.