ANGUS COUNCIL
MINUTE of MEETING of the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held in the Town and County Hall, Forfar on Thursday 18 November 1999 at 4.30 pm.
Present: Councillors JACK GIBB, JOY MOWATT, IAN ANGUS, BILL CROWE, STEPHEN LESLIE, IAN MACKINTOSH, The Hon R J LESLIE MELVILLE, BRIAN MILNE, ROB MURRAY, PETER NIELD, GEORGE NORRIE and SANDY WEST.
Apology: An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Provost Mrs FRANCES E DUNCAN.
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 disclosure of information which was exempt in terms of Part I of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, paragraphs 6 and 8.
2. THE ANGUS COASTAL TECHNOLOGY SKILLS PILOT - REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
There was submitted Report No 1173/99 by the Chief Executive concerning a request for financial assistance from an Angus company aiming to provide a variety of training to residents from the Angus part of the Tayside/Fife PESCA Programme. This project had arisen through a need to provide relevant and accessible training to residents in areas particularly affected by the downturn in the fishing industry and beneficiaries would have the opportunity to obtain skills which would enhance the prospects of employment.
The Committee agreed to the financial contribution, as detailed in the Report, with the costs to be spread over two financial years, and payable as and when beneficiaries received training.
3. VACANT RURAL PROPERTY AUDIT - FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
There was submitted Report No 1174/99 by the Chief Executive containing details of a proposal by Scottish Enterprise Tayside to compile a data-base of under utilised rural properties which could be used for business development and proposing that funding be made available to assist this initiative. The Report indicated that a contribution from the Council would allow officers a degree of control over the input and access to the data.
The Committee agreed to authorise the expenditure as detailed in the Report to assist SET with the compilation of a data-base of under-utilised properties in rural areas.
4. ORCHARDBANK INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, FORFAR - PROPOSED EXTENSION
There was submitted Report No 1175/99 by the Chief Executive updating the Committee on progress made towards the extension of Orchardbank Industrial Estate, Forfar and seeking authority to prepare a Compulsory Purchase Order to be used if necessary for acquisition of land at this estate.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the current position regarding negotiations for the acquisition of industrial ground at Orchardbank, Forfar;
(ii) to remit to the Chief Executive, Director of Property Services and Director of Finance to bring forward site development proposals to the next Economic Development Committee outlining costs for the acquisition of all or part of the land allocated for the extension of Orchardbank Industrial Estate, and a programme for site servicing;
(iii) to approve in principle the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire ground at Orchardbank in the event that a satisfactory negotiated agreement could not be reached with landowners at the Estate; and
(iv) to remit to the Chief Executive, Director of Law and Administration, Director of Planning and Transport and Director of Property Services to commence preparation of a draft Compulsory Purchase Order for either one or both of the two landholdings shown on the plan appended to the Report and for the land required for the proposed access route.
5. LEASE OF UNIT 5, CUMBERLAND CLOSE, KIRRIEMUIR.
There was submitted Report No 1176/99 by the Chief Executive seeking approval to lease Unit 5 at Cumberland Close, Kirriemuir, on the terms and conditions referred to in the Report.
The Committee agreed to authorise the lease of Unit 5 to Kathleen Haden, trading as Glen Soaps, under the Council's standard terms and conditions.
6. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of meeting of this Committee of 7 October 1999 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Convener.
7. 2000/2001 REVENUE BUDGET
There was submitted Report No 1186/99 by the Director of Finance advising the Committee of the latest position with regard to the preparation of the Economic Development Unit's 2000/2001 Revenue Budget and associated issues, together with a summary of the Unit's provisional base budget for 2000/2001 as submitted to the Director of Finance and subsequently reviewed by the Technical Validation Group.
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.
8. 1999/2003 FINANCIAL PLAN AND 2000/2001 CAPITAL BUDGET
There was submitted Report No 1187/99 by the Director of Finance advising the Committee of the latest position with regard to the preparation of the 1999/2003 Financial Plan (incorporating the 2000/2001 Capital Budget) for the Economic Development Unit, together with the Unit's Financial Plan submissions for 1999/2003 as submitted to the Director of Finance and subsequently reviewed by the Technical Validation Group.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the contents of the Report for its interest at this stage in the Financial Plan process; and
(ii) to note that more detailed Reports with specific recommendations would be brought forward later in the budget cycle.
9. EUROPEAN STRUCTURAL FUNDS 2000-2006 - UPDATE ON THE ANGUS CASE
With reference to Article 4 of the minute of meeting of the Council of 4 May 1999, there was submitted Report No 1179/99 by the Chief Executive advising the Committee that the Department of Trade and Industry had announced the submission of the proposed Objective 2 coverage in the UK to the European Commission on 8 October 1999. The Report updated members on the Angus position and the actions taken to ensure the best possible Structural Funds coverage during the 2000-2006 funding period.
The Economic Development Manager advised the Committee that Angus was one of only three authorities who had made representations on the submission and that a meeting had been held earlier this day, at officer level, with the Scottish Executive.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the progress made to date, as set out in the Department of Trade and Industry paper, submitted to the European Commission in October 1999;
(ii) to authorise the Chief Executive to pursue appropriate actions to lobby for Objective 2 status, including joint action with adjoining Councils where appropriate, to ensure the best Structural Funds coverage possible for Angus in the forthcoming funding period; and
(iii) to authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Convener of the Economic Development Committee and appropriate officers, to negotiate the most advantageous arrangements for Angus in adjustment to the eligible area.
10. INTERREG IIc NORTH SEA PROGRAMME 2006 ON REVITALISATION OF HARBOUR TOWNS
There was submitted Report No 1180/99 by the Chief Executive advising members that the Council had been successful in attracting funding, with partners from Scotland, Holland and Germany under the INTERREG IIc Programme 1997/99, for a project looking at developing strategies for the sustainable revitalisation of harbour towns, which could cope with identified problems and deliver new approaches on revitalising the economic base. The Report highlighted that this multi-national approach would contribute in taking forward the Council's key strategic and European objectives.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the progress made so far in developing the Council's participation in the Revitalisation of Harbour Towns and Cities Project; and
(ii) to authorise the Council's participation in this initiative, subject to the costs being met from the Interreg IIc North Sea European Programme.
11. ANGUS AHEAD INITIATIVE - ANGUS ACHIEVERS AWARDS CEREMONY
With reference to Article 7 of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 27 October 1998, there was submitted Report No 1181/99 by the Chief Executive advising the Committee of progress made with regard to the first Angus Achievers Awards Ceremony to be held in the Carnoustie Golf Links Hotel on 30 November 1999.
The Report advised members that the objective of the scheme was to reward significant achievements by Angus citizens and organisations in six separate categories of activity, with nominations to be judged by a panel consisting of one expert in each of the six categories and chaired by the Provost. Magnus Magnusson had agreed to attend the event as a guest speaker and it was hoped that the scheme would be seen as a further medium for raising the profile of Angus within the overall Angus Ahead Programme. The Economic Development Manager advised members that over 100 very good quality nominations had so far been received.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the progress made to establish the Angus Achievers Award Scheme as an integral part of the Angus Ahead Initiative; and
(ii) to note the estimated net cost of £7,500 in respect of the Scheme, which would be met from the 1999/2000 policy led budget allocated to Angus Ahead.
12. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 8 OCTOBER 1999 TO 18 NOVEMBER 1999
With reference to Article 15 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 7 October 1999, there was submitted and noted Report No 1182/99 by the Chief Executive identifying key highlights and achievements in the work of the Economic Development Unit for the period 8 October to 18 November 1999.
13. OVERSEAS TRADE PROMOTION SCHEDULE FOR 2000/2001
With reference to Article 8 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21 January 1999, there was submitted Report No 1183/99 by the Chief Executive seeking approval for the Overseas Trade Promotion Schedule for 2000/2001 which, it was hoped, would contribute significantly to the realisation of the Council's Economic Development Strategy, in terms of assisting firms and promoting inward investment. The submission of the proposed Schedule was a legal requirement and, while it would be possible to amend it at a later date, it had to be submitted now for approval by Scottish Trade International or the Council would be unable to participate in any overseas activities in 2000/2001.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to authorise the implementation of the overseas Trade Promotion Schedule for 2000/2001 as outlined in the Report, subject to implementation being dependent on the outcome of the budget negotiations currently under consideration; and
(ii) to authorise the Chief Executive to approve attendance of appropriate staff at the trade promotion events detailed in the Schedule to the Report.
14. SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT - ENTERPRISE AND LIFELONG LEARNING INQUIRY - RESPONSE
There was submitted Report No 1184/99 by the Chief Executive concerning the Inquiry by the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee of the Scottish Parliament into the delivery of economic development, post school vocational education and training and business support services at local level throughout Scotland, together with the Council's response.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the content of the Council's response which had been prepared in consultation with the Convener; and
(ii) to extend congratulations to all staff concerned who had contributed to the response within the agreed timescale.
15. UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this matter to a later date.