Angus CouncilTel: 08452 777 778
Email: accessline@angus.gov.uk
|
ANGUS COUNCIL
MINUTE of MEETING of the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held in the Town and County Hall, Forfar on Thursday 21 January 1999 at 4.00 pm.
Present: Councillors JACK GIBB, BRIAN MILNE, GEORGE ALLAN, WILLIAM CROWE, Provost Mrs FRANCES E DUNCAN, IAN MACKINTOSH, GEORGE NORRIE, DAVID SELFRIDGE, ALEX SHAND and SANDY WEST.
Apologies: Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors IAN HUDGHTON, ROB MURRAY and Mrs KATHLEEN RITCHIE
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 6 and 8.
2. PICTAVIA VISITOR CENTRE - PROGRESS
With reference to Article 9 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20 August 1998, there was submitted Report No 61/99 by the Chief Executive identifying progress to date with the Pictavia project and proposing an outline marketing and events plan, in the context of the Pictavia budget/trading account as appended to the Report.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the progress to date with the construction phase;
(ii) to authorise the implementation of the marketing and events plan covering the period to the formal launch of Pictavia and the initial operating year to end March 2000; and
(iii) to the appointment of two "New Deal" posts to provide operational support and customer care at Pictavia.
3. RURAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES - JOINT STAFFING PROPOSAL WITH SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE TAYSIDE
There was submitted Report No 68/99 by the Chief Executive detailing a proposal by Scottish Enterprise Tayside to create a new post of Rural Economic Development Officer on a joint basis with Angus Council. The Report indicated that the post would provide vital assistance in exploiting the ongoing opportunities for funding under various European Union Programmes and would also ensure that the Council's efforts to co-ordinate development support for the rural economy were strengthened.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to welcome the proposal by Scottish Enterprise Tayside to jointly address rural development issues; and
(ii) to authorise the appointment of a new post of Rural Economic Development Officer for a fixed term of 3 years, subject to a contribution of approximately two thirds of the cost being met by SET and the balance being funded from within the Chief Executive's Departmental Revenue Budget for Economic Development.
4. ELLIOT INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, ARBROATH - PROPOSED SALE OF SITE
There was submitted Report No 87/99 by the Chief Executive recommending the sale of a 0.164 hectare site at Elliot Industrial Estate, Arbroath and outlining the conditions of the sale and the financial implications.
The Committee agreed to authorise the sale of a site at Plot 4 Elliot Industrial Estate, Arbroath to Peter Grice, trading as P G Packaging, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Report.
The following matter was, on the determination of the Convener, dealt with as a matter of urgency, in order that no delay would occur in relation to the tendering process.
5. BRECHIN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT: PROGRESS REPORT
With reference to Article 2 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19 November 1998, there was submitted Joint Report No 67/99 by the Chief Executive and the Director of Property Services updating the Committee on progress in developing the new Brechin Industrial Park including information on the archaeological field evaluation at the site. The Report sought authority to incur expenditure and to conclude the terms of the proposed land acquisition.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the findings of the initial archaeological field evaluation and approve the proposed programme of archaeological excavation and publication as detailed in the Report;
(ii) to accept the tender and agree to appoint CFA (Centre for Field Archaeology, The University of Edinburgh) to carry out the programme of archaeological excavation and publication tendered at a cost of £57,500;
(iii) to note that Dalhousie Estates had indicated a willingness to amend the land acquisition terms agreed by the Committee on 19 November 1998, as a contribution to the Council for additional expenditure incurred on further archaeological works ;
(iv) that the terms of the land acquisition agreement should permit the Council to resile from the deal in the event of the archaeological excavation revealing other prohibitive cost implications; and
(v) to remit to the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance, the Director of Law and Administration and the Director of Property Services to conclude revisions to the acquisition agreement, in consultation with the Conveners of the Economic Development and the Policy and Resources Committees.
6. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of meeting of this Committee held on 19 November 1998 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Convener.
7. TAYSIDE EXPORT PARTNERSHIP AND FORUM
With reference to Article 7 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 10 October 1996, there was submitted Report No 59/99 by the Chief Executive seeking the Committee's homologation of a decision taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Convener of the Economic Development Committee, to contribute £4,250 towards the work of the Tayside Export Partnership and Forum for the 1998 calendar year.
Given that the financial statements on income and expenditure for the years 1997/98 had indicated that Angus Council's contribution in 1997 fell short of the contribution made by both Dundee City and Perth and Kinross Councils, it had become evident that the three year plan contributions agreed by Committee in 1996 did not take cognisance of the contribution required to Tayside Export Forum. The payment of £4,250 by Angus Council towards the Tayside Export Partnership and Forum costs for 1998 would redress the funding imbalance relative to the contributions of the other local authority partners.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to homologate the decision of the Chief Executive taken in consultation with the Convener of the Committee, to contribute £4,250 towards the Tayside Export Partnership and the Export Forum for the 1998 calendar year; and
(ii) to contribute up to £4,250 for the 1999 calendar year from the Economic Development Revenue Budget.
8. BROOMFIELD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MONTROSE - UPGRADING
There was submitted Report No 57/99 by the Chief Executive outlining proposals for the upgrading of Broomfield Industrial Estate, Montrose.
The Report indicated that Broomfield Industrial Estate had originally been acquired for redevelopment by Angus District Council in the early 1980s. However, conditions had deteriorated considerably since the original investment had been made. In consultation with the Director of Roads, a minimal upgrading scheme had been prepared to try and alleviate flooding and for resurfacing a portion of the estate roadway.
In order to facilitate completion of the works during the current financial year, the Chief Executive had, in consultation with the Convener of the Economic Development Committee, taken a decision to instruct that the contract be carried out by Tayside Contracts at an estimated cost of £47,875, half of which would be contributed by Scottish Enterprise Tayside.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to homologate the decision by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Convener of the Economic Development Committee, to proceed with the upgrading of Broomfield Industrial Estate access road and surface water drainage, as detailed in the Report; and
(ii) to note that Scottish Enterprise Tayside would contribute half of the cost of this development.
9. OVERSEAS TRADE PROMOTION SCHEME FOR 1999/2000
With reference to Article 14 of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 10 February 1998, there was submitted Report No 58/99 by the Chief Executive seeking approval for the Overseas Trade Promotion Schedule for 1999/2000.
The Report indicated that the Council was required to submit proposals for trade promotion on an annual basis to the Scottish Trade International (STI), seeking the Secretary of State's approval for its programme. The Schedule, outlined in Appendix 1 to the Report detailed a programme of the Overseas Trade Promotion events reflecting the Council's trade development strategy. It was proposed to promote these events to local companies and, where appropriate, to offer subvention to companies as an incentive for them to become involved in exporting activities. In addition, an allowance in the programme had been made for a trade mission to China in March 2000 as a follow up to the Council's successful trade mission to China in 1998.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to authorise the implementation of the Overseas Trade Promotion Schedule for 1999/2000, as detailed in the Report with the addition of a member representative for the Trade Mission to Latvia, 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 staff with an appropriate remit, to attend the trade promotion events included in the Schedule.
10. INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION - ADVERTISING SCHEDULE 1999/2000
With reference to Article 10 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 22 January 1998, there was submitted Report No 60/99 by the Chief Executive outlining the 1999/2000 industrial promotion advertising schedule. The Report indicated that the programme, as appended to the Report, was intended to stimulate industrial development prosperity in Angus by raising the profile of Angus locally, nationally and internationally and advertising the Council's industrial properties and sites to potential tenants and developers.
The Committee agreed to note the Chief Executive's intention to proceed with the advertising schedule as detailed in the Report.
11. OFFSHORE SOUTH EAST ASIA CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION, SINGAPORE - DECEMBER 1998
With reference to Article 15 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20 August 1998, there was submitted Report No 64/99 by the Chief Executive outlining the Council's participation in the Offshore South East Asia Conference and Exhibition (as part of the Dundee and Angus Oil Venture Group stand) which had been held in Singapore from 1-5 December 1998.
The Report indicated that attendance at the Oil and Gas Exhibition was part of an overall calendar of events to promote the interests of the oil and gas related engineering and service industry in Angus.
The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Report.
12. GASTRONOMADES FOOD FESTIVAL IN ANGOULEME, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 1998
With reference to Article 16 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8 October 1998, there was submitted Report No 63/99 by the Chief Executive concerning a visit to the Gastronomades Festival in Angouleme, France by an Angus delegation.
The Report indicated that participation at the Festival had provided a shop window for Angus food produce and the presence of two pipers and "Smokie Joe" had created a unique focus and interest in the Angus exhibition at the festival. The Angus delegation had been well received, both by local dignitaries and the public at large.
The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Report.
13. SCOTTISH PROPERTY NETWORK
There was submitted Report No 69/99 by the Chief Executive proposing that the Council subscribe to Scottish Property Network's internet service, in order to provide a cost effective property information service to Angus Companies.
The Report indicated that Scottish Property Network (SPN) had been established by the University of Paisley and Scottish Enterprise with the intention of providing a comprehensive source of information about vacant and occupied industrial and commercial property across Scotland. The provision of accurate, up to date property information was a vital part of the economic development service offered by Angus Council and it was considered that subscription to SPN was an extremely cost effective way of providing this service.
The Committee agreed that Angus Council subscribe to Scottish Property Network to provide unlimited internet access to the SPN property database, covering all vacant properties in the Angus area at a cost of £1,000, to be met from the Chief Executive's 1999/2000 Departmental Budget for Economic Development.
14. TRAINING FOR RURAL ANGUS BUSINESSES
With reference to Article 25 of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 10 February 1998, there was submitted Report No 70/99 by the Chief Executive detailing proposals by the Angus Agricultural Task Group to provide business support training courses for Rural Angus businesses.
The project would provide training for a range of land-based skills, as well as business development courses, and would enable rural businesses to be more competitive at local and national levels leading to sustainable and viable businesses, so safeguarding employment and rural communities.
The Committee agreed to proceed with the LANTRA project outlined in the Report at a cost of £2,000 which would be met from the 1999/2000 Departmental Budget for Economic Development.
15. KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 19 NOVEMBER 1998 TO 21 JANUARY 1999
With reference to Article 9 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19 November 1998, there was submitted Report No 62/99 by the Chief Executive identifying key highlights and achievements in the work of the Economic Development Unit for the period 19 November 1998 to 21 January 1999.
The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Report.
16. UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
With reference to Article 14 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19 November 1998, there was submitted and noted Report No 56/99 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 month of November 1998.