The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 4 February 1999, copies of which had previously been circulated, were confirmed.
2. Monitoring Reports
(a) Litter Awareness
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on litter awareness.
There have been no recent incidents of fly tipping and 5 calls were made to the Litter Hotline during January and February 1999.
Clarification was sought on who is responsible for clearing litter from railway footbridges. The Area Officer, Cleansing/Grounds Maintenance undertook to confirm the position on this matter.
Noted.
(b) Social Work Services
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Social Services) on service delivery within Social Work in the Three Towns.
The report provided an overview of childcare and community care issues, including the Harley Place/Garven Road Children’s Unit, joint working, occupational therapy services, services for people with learning disabilities, and the opening of the new Visual Impairment Service Centre within Currie Court, Ardrossan. Assurances were given that joint working would include Housing Services.
Noted.
(c) Educational Services
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on attendance, running costs and leaver destinations in relation to schools serving pupils from within the Committee’s area.
The Committee agreed that similar reports be submitted on an annual basis.
(d) Community Development Grants Scheme: Expenditure Analysis 1996/99
Submitted report by the Chief Executive on the disbursement of grant funding through the Community Development Grants Budget from 1996 to 1999.
Noted.
3. Community Development Grants Scheme: Applications for Grant Aid
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on applications received in respect of the Community Development Grants Scheme.
(a) Ardrossan Old Age Pensioners Club
The Committee agreed to award £500 to Ardrossan Old Age Pensioners Club; and
(b) Saltcoats Elderly Forum
The Committee agreed to award £200 to Saltcoats Elderly Forum.
4. Ardeer Thistle Football Club: Application for Financial Assistance
Submitted report by the Chief Executive on a request by Ardeer Thistle Football Club for financial assistance towards the cost of replacing equipment stolen in recent break-ins to Ardeer Stadium, Stevenston.
The Committee agreed (a) to award £100 to Ardeer Thistle Football Club from Stevenston Common Good Fund; and (b) that Strathclyde Police be requested to advise the Club on security measures.
5. Ardrossan Common Good Fund: Application by Mr & Mrs John Steele
Submitted report by the Chief Executive on a request by John and Noreen Steele for financial assistance from the Ardrossan Common Good Fund towards the cost of publishing a book on the History of Horse Island, Ardrossan.
The Committee agreed to award £1,000 to Mr and Mrs Steele.
6. Common Good/Trust Funds: Standard Application Form
Submitted report by the Chief Executive on the proposed introduction of a standard application form for requests for financial assistance from Common Good/Trust Funds with effect from 1 April 1999.
Noted.
7. Management Arrangements for Ardchoille Park and Portacabins
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Educational Services) on progress in implementing the management arrangements for the letting of Ardchoille Park, Stevenston and portacabin changing facilities.
On 10 July 1998, the Committee approved the purchase by Stevenston Common Good Fund of portacabin changing facilities and the location of 1 portacabin at Ardchoille Park, Stevenston, to be operated on a key holding basis.
Following a review of the operation of the facility it is proposed that (a) the facility be incorporated within the Council’s letting scheme for sports pitches; (b) Ardeer Rovers be given priority status as a registered team at Ardchoille Park; (c) caretaking, cleaning, maintenance and insurance costs be met by the Council; and (d) a record of income and expenditure be maintained annually, with any surplus to be transferred to the Stevenston Common Good Fund.
The Committee agreed to approve the incorporation of Ardchoille Park and the changing facilities within the Council’s letting scheme for sports pitches, as detailed above.
8. Junction Priorities: Burns Avenue/Simpson Drive, Saltcoats
Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on a proposal to amend the priorities at the junction of Burns Avenue/Simpson Drive, Saltcoats.
In 1997, the Committee agreed to alter the priorities at this junction so that traffic travelling from the direction of the new local distributor road link required to give-way to traffic travelling on Burns Avenue/Simpson Drive. At that time, the road link was not open. Since its opening, the situation has been reviewed and it is proposed to amend the priorities at the road junction.
After discussion, the Committee agreed (a) to continue consideration of this matter; and (b) that a report by Strathclyde Police, in conjunction with Roads Services, be submitted to the Corporate Strategy Committee.
9. Community Safety
(a) Strathclyde Fire Brigade: Fire Statistics for the Period 1 January to 28 February 1999
Submitted report by Strathclyde Fire Brigade on fire statistics within the Three Towns area from 1 January to 28 February 1999.
The Committee were further advised of Phoenix Project, which will be the setting-up of an interactive room in Kilwinning Fire Station, to which community groups, school children etc will be invited to learn about fire safety and prevention.
Noted.
(b) Strathclyde Police: Crime Statistics
Strathclyde Police reported on crime statistics in the Three Towns area and current Spotlight and other initiatives.
An update on progress on the Three Towns Town Centre CCTV Project was provided including the details of the locations of the cameras. A mobile camera will also be available. Assurances were given that strict security measures will be implemented by the Police in connection with the usage and storage of the videos.
Noted.
10. Urgent Items
The Chair agreed to hear the following item as a matter of urgency.
11. Stevenston Common Good Fund: Sale of Portacabin
With regard to the portacabins purchased in July 1998 by Stevenston Common Good Fund, one of which was located at Ardchoille Park, Stevenston, Councillor Munro reported that there were now two interests in purchasing the second portacabin.
The Committee (a) agreed to remit to the appropriate officers to finalise the sale of the portacabin prior to the end of this financial year; and (b) noted that the Stevenston Common Good Fund would receive the proceeds of the sale.
The meeting ended at 11.35 p.m.