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ANGUS COUNCIL
MINUTE of MEETING of the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held in the Town and County Hall, Forfar on Thursday 15 April 1999 at 4.00 pm.
Present: Councillors JACK GIBB, BRIAN MILNE, GEORGE ALLAN, WILLIAM CROWE, Provost Mrs FRANCES E DUNCAN, IAN MACKINTOSH, ROB MURRAY, GEORGE NORRIE, DAVID SELFRIDGE, ALEX SHAND, MRS KATHLEEN RITCHIE and SANDY WEST.
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 2-5 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 4, 6, 8 and 9.
2. LEASES
(a) Units 2 & 4 Cumberland Close, Kirriemuir
There was submitted Report No 413/99 by the Chief Executive seeking approval to lease the vacant units at 2 and 4 Cumberland Close, Kirriemuir on the terms and conditions referred to in the Report.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to authorise the lease of 2 Cumberland Close, Kirriemuir to Mr Colin MacFarlane; and
(ii) to authorise the lease of 4 Cumberland Close, Kirriemuir to Ms Sarah Chapman.
(b) Unit 6, Brechin Business Centre
With reference to Article 4 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 4 March 1999, there was submitted Report No 417/99 by the Chief Executive seeking approval for the lease of Unit 6, Brechin Business Centre to a self-employed business consultant.
The Committee agreed to authorise the lease of Unit 6, Brechin Business Centre, to Mr Kenneth D Hanton, under the Council's standard terms and conditions.
3. REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
(a) Angus Farmers Market
There was submitted Report No 414/99 by the Chief Executive concerning a request for financial support for the marketing and promotion of a one day Farmers Market in Forfar and Kirriemuir.
The Committee agreed to authorise expenditure of £500 to assist with the marketing and promotion of a one day Farmers Market in Forfar and "Berries, Beef and Barrie" Street Market in Kirriemuir on 10 July 1999.
(b) Montrose Heritage Trust Empty Shop Window Project
Councillor Mrs Kathleen Ritchie declared an interest in the following item and took no part in the decision.
There was submitted Joint Report No 416/99 by the Chief Executive and the Director of Planning and Transport concerning a proposal to improve the image and facilities of the High Street, Montrose by using empty window space to promote Angus Council streetscapes and other local facilities.
The Committee agreed to authorise a financial contribution of up to £1,000 to Montrose Heritage Trust to meet the costs of their Empty Shop Display Scheme.
4. INWOOD LIMITED INSOLVENCY
With reference to Article 12 of the minute of meeting of the Personnel and Property Services Committee of 16 March 1999, there was submitted Report No 382/99 by the Director of Property Services reporting on the situation in relation to Inwood Limited, who were currently in receivership following a request by the Company to its Bank.
The Committee, for its interest, agreed:-
(i) to note that Inwood Limited, Forfar, had ceased work on all Council projects on Monday 22 February 1999 and that Joint Receivers had been appointed on Friday 26 February 1999;
(ii) to note the Council properties which were affected and the responsive action taken by the Property Services Department; and
(iii) to note the current situation.
5. PICTAVIA, PICTISH VISITOR CENTRE, BRECHIN - COMPLETION CONTRACT AND FITTING - OUT CONTRACTS
With reference to Article 5 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 4 March 1999, there was submitted Report No 418/99 by the Director of Property Services reporting on tenders received for completion of the Pictavia project and seeking homologation of the award, following the appointment of joint receivers in respect of Inwood Limited, Forfar of contracts for completion and fitting out works. The Convener advised the Committee of revisions to the Report, which primarily referred to a proposed funding package that had been prepared to meet the overall cost increase.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to homologate the decision to approve the acceptance of the tender for completion of the project, that of Forman Construction Limited, Dundee in the amount of £561,408.81, amended to £491,307.04 after correction and adjustment for contingencies, daywork allowances and outstanding instructions;
(ii) to homologate the decision to accept the tender submission by Campbell and Company, Edinburgh for the internal fit-out in the amount of £318,808.53;
(iii) to note that the estimated revised total cost of £1,314,503 was an increase of £158,503 over the original project cost;
(iv) to note that a proposed funding package had been prepared to meet this overall project cost increase as detailed in the Report;
(v) to note that an allowance of £1,156,000 for this project had been made in the approved Financial Plan 1998/2002 and Provisional Capital Budget 1999/2000; and
(vi) to note that the revenue implications arising from this project (first full year 2000/2001) in respect of loan charges amounted to £41,000 per annum (calculated over 40 years on the estimated net cost of £401,000) with the operational costs having already been provided for in the Economic Development Revenue Budget provision, as previously reported.
6. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of meeting of this Committee held on 4 March 1999 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Convener.
7. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
With reference to Article 23 of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 9 February 1999, there was submitted Report No 445/99 by the Chief Executive identifying the requirement for a study to be undertaken, which would include an audit of local economic development activity and the provision of advice on appropriate measures. The Report indicated that the stimulation of local economic development activity in Angus communities was an important component of the Council's community development strategy. The study was necessary to provide a sound basis for implementing the strategy and for providing the basis for an ongoing programme for monitoring and evaluation.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the actions for the implementation of proposals for local economic development; and
(ii) to commission a study by appropriately experienced consultants at a cost of up to £7,500.
8. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 5 MARCH TO 15 APRIL 1999
With reference to Article 11 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 4 March 1999, there was submitted Report No 415/99 by the Chief Executive identifying key highlights and achievements in the work of the Economic Development Unit for the period 5 March to 15 April 1999.
The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Report.
9. UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
With reference to Article 12 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 4 March 1999, there was submitted and noted Report No 396/99 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 months of January and February 1999.
10. VALEDICTORY REMARKS
As this was the last meeting of this Committee to be held before the elections, the Convener thanked all the officers for the support which he and the Committee had received over the last four years.