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ANGUS COUNCIL
MINUTE of MEETING of the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held in the Town and County Hall, Forfar on Thursday 19 November 1998 at 4.00 pm.
Present: Councillors JACK GIBB, BRIAN MILNE, GEORGE ALLAN, WILLIAM CROWE, Provost Mrs FRANCES E DUNCAN, IAN MACKINTOSH, GEORGE NORRIE, Mrs KATHLEEN RITCHIE, DAVID SELFRIDGE, ALEX SHAND and SANDY WEST.
Apologies: Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors IAN HUDGHTON and ROB MURRAY.
Councillor GIBB, Convener, in the Chair.
1. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
The Committee resolved in terms of Standing Order 27(2) that the public and press be excluded during consideration of items 2-6 below so as to avoid the possible disclosure of information which was exempt in terms of Part I of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, paragraphs 6, 8 and 9.
2. BRECHIN INDUSTRIAL PARK: PROGRESS REPORT
With reference to Article 14 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 4 June 1998, there was submitted Joint Report No 1214/98 by the Chief Executive and the Director of Property Services updating the Committee on progress in developing the new Brechin Industrial Park and seeking authority to incur expenditure on professional fees to finalise plans for the development and to approve the acquisition of the land for the development.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note that deemed planning consent for the development had now been granted, and that all external funding sources were now in place;
(ii) to approve the acquisition of a site measuring 17 hectares or thereby located adjacent to the A935, Forfar Road, Brechin on the provisional terms and conditions contained in the Report;
(iii) as part of the land purchase, to negotiate where appropriate, the purchase of trees from Dalhousie Estates, provided the Director of Recreation Services was satisfied the price represented best value for the Council and that the specification of the trees matched the design needs of the development;
(iv) to authorise the Director of Law and Administration to formalise the proposed profit sharing arrangement with Scottish Enterprise Tayside;
(v) to grant authority to incur professional fees of up to £100,000 during the remainder of the financial year 1998/99;
(vi) to note that the gross cost of the development was projected at £2.5875m and that the net estimated cost to Angus Council (excluding Central Challenge Fund specific Section 94 Consent of £910,000) was £268,250, to be met from its general Section 94 Consent over the financial years 1998/99-2000/01; and
(vii) to note the impact of the phasing of the development on financial year 1999/2000 and remit to the Budget Review Group to consider the implications of the project on available capital resources and to amend the Council’s Capital Plan to accommodate the phasing of expenditure for the development.
3. ORCHARDBANK INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, FORFAR - LAND EXTENSION
With reference to Article 5 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20 November 1997, there was submitted Report No 1216/98 by the Chief Executive outlining proposals for the development of an extension to the existing Orchardbank Industrial Estate at Forfar. The Report detailed progress to date and sought approval to proceed with land acquisition and initial servicing.
The Committee, for its interest, agreed:-
(i) to proceed with the acquisition of approximately 16.2 hectares (40 acres) (Site 2) of ground in Forfar, subject to the successful outcome of a Notice of Intent to Develop procedure and to the price being to the satisfaction of the Director of Property Services, the Director of Finance and the Chief Executive;
(ii) to instruct the submission of a further Report detailing proposals and costings for realigning the existing electric cable and extending Orchardbank Road;
(iii) to submit a Notice of Intent to Develop as soon as practical and to avoid conflict with the Local Plan objection procedures; and
(iv) to remit to the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Directors of Planning and Transport, Recreation Services and Property Services to prepare a comprehensive site development brief, including proposals for landscaping the industrial site.
4. REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - PETER PAN GATEWAY TRUST - MAJOR VISITOR ATTRACTION
With reference to Article 7 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 29 May 1997, there was submitted Report No 1217/98 by the Chief Executive concerning a further request from the Peter Pan Gateway Trust for financial assistance towards the cost of preparing a comprehensive business plan for the establishment of the "Peter Pan Gardens" project as a major visitor attraction.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the findings of the pre-feasibility study for the "Peter Pan Gardens" project;
(ii) to provide a grant of one third of the actual costs incurred up to a maximum of £22,500 towards the costs of production of a comprehensive business plan, building design, fundraising campaign, establishment of a project office and appointment of a project manager; and
(iii) to an additional grant of £1,000 for the rental cost of leasing Unit 5, Cumberland Close, Kirriemuir, which it was proposed be made available to the Trust for an initial period until 31 December 1999, subject to planning approval being obtained, if necessary, for its proposed use as a project office.
5. SITE SURVEY: BRENT AVENUE, MONTROSE
With reference to Article 7 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20 August 1998, there was submitted Report No 1218/98 by the Chief Executive proposing expenditure of £1,310 to carry out a site survey on land at Brent Avenue, Montrose. The Report indicated that the information from the survey would be used to assist in the long-term development strategy and enable the Council to maintain a satisfactory supply of serviced industrial land for the Montrose area.
The Committee agreed to authorise expenditure of £1,310 on a survey by the Director of Roads into ground conditions at Brent Avenue, Montrose.
6. ANGUS MEDIA CENTRE: DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
With reference to Article 8 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20 August 1998 and Article 11 of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 23 October 1998, there was submitted Report No 1021/98 by the Chief Executive advising on progress to date on the Angus Media Centre project and requesting that the Committee agree the bid submission for Capital and Revenue funding.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note that at its meeting on 23 October 1998 the Policy and Resources Committee had agreed that a preferred property option be identified and detail design undertaken and that a specialist consultant be engaged to take the Angus Media Centre project forward to implementation, with the associated costs of £30,000 to be funded from identified slippage in the 1998/99 Capital Programme;
(ii) to note that "Asylum Pictures" Limited had been invited to provide specialist support;
(iii) to note that the capital cost for undertaking the physical works (subject to the property option identified and adaptation costs required) was likely to be in the order of £345,000;
(iv) to note that the Budget Review Group would shortly be considering the 1998/2002 Financial Plan, which included a bid to accommodate the development;
(v) to note that the revenue cost to Angus Council, to meet the projected running costs of the project, would require to be provided for outwith the Department’s revenue budget and that a full Report on the detailed financial implications would be submitted to the Committee, in due course;
(vi) to note and agree that the Angus Media Centre met the policy led budget criteria and to refer the Report to the Policy and Resources Committee for its consideration with a recommendation for approval; and
(vii) to note that full commencement of the project was subject to detailed consideration as part of the budget process and appropriate European Regional Development Funding being secured.
7. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of meeting of this Committee of 19 November 1998, was accepted as a correct record and signed by the Convener.
8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 1999/2000 REVENUE BUDGET AND ASSOCIATED ISSUES
There was submitted Report No 1192/98 by the Director of Finance advising the Committee of the latest position with regard to the preparation of the Economic Development Unit’s 1999/2000 revenue budget and associated issues. Summaries detailing provisional base budgets for 1999/2000 were circulated to members of the Committee for information.
Given that the 1999/2000 base budgets were still subject to the budget review process, the figures shown in the summary for 1999/2000 were very much provisional in nature and could be subject to alteration as the budget process moved forward. Any alterations considered necessary would be brought before the Committee for consideration.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the contents of the Report for its interest at this stage in the budget process; and
(ii) to note that more detailed Reports with specific recommendations would be brought forward later in the budget cycle.
9. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS DURING OCTOBER 1998
With reference to Article 13 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8 October 1998, there was submitted Report No 1212/98 by the Chief Executive identifying key highlights and achievements in the work of the Economic Development Unit during October 1998.
The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Report.
10. ANGUS RURAL GRANTS SCHEME: FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
There was submitted Report No 1213/98 by the Chief Executive proposing a contribution of £10,000 to the Angus Rural Grants Scheme. The Report indicated that the Angus Rural Grants Scheme had been introduced in 1997 and was operated by the Business Shop Angus as a joint venture between Angus Council, Scottish Enterprise Tayside and the private sector.
As all funds in the Angus Rural Grants Scheme had been committed, the Business Shop Angus was now seeking access to more funds to enable this highly successful project to continue. As Scottish Enterprise Tayside had made the entire contribution to the first phase of the funding, Angus Council was now being requested to make the second phase contribution.
The Committee agreed to make a contribution of £10,000 to the Angus Rural Grants Scheme which was operated by the Business Shop Angus, subject to grant awards being approved by the Convener of the Economic Development Committee.
11. OFFSHORE EUROPE 1999
With reference to Article 11 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9 October 1997, there was submitted Report No 1215/98 by the Chief Executive outlining the arrangements required to ensure a presence for the Council and other relevant Angus companies and organisations at Offshore Europe 1999. The Report indicated that Offshore Europe was one of the world’s foremost exhibitions for the oil and gas industries and represented a valuable opportunity for the Council to promote Angus as a desirable location for inward investment and to promote the products and services of Angus companies.
It was proposed that the Council enter into a partnership arrangement with Dundee City Council and Dundee and Angus Oil Venture Group to provide a service co-ordinating the presence of Angus and Dundee companies and organisations wishing to exhibit at Offshore Europe 1999.
The Committee agreed to authorise officials to proceed with partnership arrangements as outlined in the Report, to ensure a presence for the Council and for relevant Angus companies and organisations at Offshore Europe 1999.
12. ASSISTED AREAS MAP SUBMISSION
With reference to Article 10 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8 October 1998, there was submitted Report No 1219/98 by the Chief Executive outlining the action taken in making a joint submission with Dundee City Council in response to the invitation by the Scottish Office to put forward representations on the Assisted Area Map review. The main purpose of the joint submission was to secure maximum coverage of assisted area status for Angus Council. Attached to the Report was the response to the Scottish Office consultation document submitted by Angus Council and Dundee City Council.
The submission represented the best case possible for the retention of assisted area status in Angus and the work undertaken to date would continue to be developed relative to the Angus case for continued European assistance, post 1999.
The Committee agreed to note the action taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Convener of the Economic Development Committee, in submitting the joint response (with Dundee City Council) to the government’s review of the Assisted Areas Map.
13. RURAL ISSUES CONFERENCE: FARMING ON THE BRINK
With reference to Article 17 of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 27 October 1998, there was submitted Report No 1220/98 by the Chief Executive highlighting the main points raised at the Rural Issues Conference hosted by the Council in the Royal Hotel, Forfar on 23 October 1998.
The Report indicated that it was proposed to set up an Angus Agricultural Task Group with five public sector agencies/individuals and five agencies representing the private sector, with the aim of completing an Action Plan for implementation, before the end of the current financial year.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the discussion points raised at the Angus Rural Conference;
(ii) to authorise the Chief Executive to convene a multi-agency Angus Agricultural Task Group, in accordance with the principles laid down in the Report; and
(iii) that a further Report on progress be submitted to the Committee meeting on 21 January 1999.
14. UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
With reference to Article 12 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8 October 1998, there was submitted and noted Report No 1222/98 by the Director of Planning and Transport providing various statistics, graphs and charts showing unemployment rates by travel to work areas, numbers and ages of unemployed, duration of unemployment and number of vacancies in Angus and neighbouring authorities for the month of September 1998.