Economic Development Committee
MINUTE of MEETING of the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE held in the Town and County Hall, Forfar on Thursday 22 August 2002 at 4.20 pm.
Present: Councillors JACK GIBB, IAN ANGUS, JOY MOWATT, BILL CROWE, Provost Mrs FRANCES E DUNCAN OBE, IAN MACKINTOSH, The Hon R J LESLIE MELVILLE, BRIAN MILNE, ROB MURRAY, , GEORGE NORRIE MBE, HELEN OSWALD and SANDY WEST.
Apology: An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor PETER NIELD.
Councillor GIBB, Convener, in the Chair.
1. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of meeting of this Committee of 6 June 2002 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Convener.
2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNIT HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
With reference to Article 2 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 6 June 2002, there was submitted and noted Report No 971/02 by the Chief Executive identifying the highlights and achievements in the work of the Economic Development Unit for the period 7 June to 22 August 2002.
Arising therefrom, it was also noted that an invitation would be extended to members to an open day at Montrose Business Centre to be held on Friday 27 September 2002.
3. UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
With reference to Article 3 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 6 June 2002, there was submitted and noted Report No 895/02 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 persons, duration of unemployment and the number of vacancies in Angus and neighbouring authorities for the month of June 2002.
4. SMALL BUSINESS GATEWAY: PROPOSED MARKETING FACILITY TO ENHANCE LOCAL BUSINESS SERVICES
There was submitted Report No 972/02 advising members of the successful outcome of a bid for European funding towards the Council's financial contribution to the Small Business Gateway, Angus as part of the Tayside Business Gateway Network of business support and advice.
The Report indicated that as part of the Tayside Business Gateway Network, the Small Business Gateway Angus delivered a number of services throughout the Angus area which were offered by Business Gateways across Scotland, the aim of which was to increase the number of sustainable new business start-ups and to improve the competitiveness of small businesses.
In partnership with Perth and Kinross and Dundee City Councils, an application had been submitted for European funding to develop additional business services required outwith the scope of the Scottish Enterprise national programme and while each of the bids made by the Councils was specific to each local authority area, the applications had been evaluated as one for grant purposes and, in the case of Angus, the bid had been based on the Council providing match-funding equal to that portion of the Council's existing commitment of £110,000 per annum.
The Committee agreed:-
- to note the successful bid for a total of £218,705 from the European Regional Development Fund for a five year period until 31 December 2006 towards the Council's financial contribution to the Small Business Gateway Angus, including the creation of a new marketing facility;
- to note that a temporary post of Marketing Officer (Small Business Gateway), Grade AP5/6 had been established within the Economic Development Unit, working out of the Small Business Gateway; and
- to note that the costs of the new marketing post and operational budget (covering the geographical areas, included for eligible and transitional European Regional Development Fund funding) would be almost fully met from the award of the grant detailed at (i) above with the net additional cost of £3,345 during the period until 31 December 2006 to be met from the Economic Development Revenue Budget.
5. TAYSIDE CALL CENTRE FORUM FUNDING PROPOSAL 2002/2003
With reference to Article 14 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15 November 2001, there was submitted Report No 973/02 by the Chief Executive seeking approval to co-fund the new Tayside Call Centre Forum.
The Report indicated that Economic Development Minutes of the Forum would help strengthen and develop ties with public/private partners, building on the success of the Arbroath Call Centre initiative and would enable further development work to continue with regard to training, employment and inward investment opportunities.
The Committee agreed:-
-
to acknowledge the success of the Arbroath Call Centre initiative to date in terms of:
- gathering important local labour market intelligence; and
- creating a local database containing over 200 names of people interested in call centre employment;
- to note that Economic Development Minutes of the newly formed Tayside Call Centre Forum would enable the work already completed in the Arbroath Call Centre initiative to be further developed; and
- to approve annual expenditure of £1,500 for Economic Development Minutes to the new Tayside Call Centre Forum for an initial period of three years, subject to full participation by the Economic Development Manager in the executive decision making arrangements.
6. INTRODUCTION OF AN ANGUS BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME
There was submitted Report No 974/02 by the Chief Executive seeking authority to establish an Angus Grant Scheme in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise Tayside and seeking approval of a contribution of £30,000 to be made to this Scheme.
The Report indicated that the introduction of this Scheme would build on the considerable success of the Angus Rural Grant Scheme and would extend the availability of the Scheme to areas of southern Angus which were not previously eligible.
The Committee agreed:-
- to establish the Angus Grant Scheme in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Tayside;
- to note the successful application for a total of £79,750 from the European Regional Development Fund in request of this project for a five year period until 31 December 2006;
- to note that Scottish Enterprise Tayside had now made a contribution of £30,000 to the Scheme; and
- to approve a contribution of £30,000 from the Council to Angus Loan Fund Ltd, which would be the vehicle through which the Angus Grant Scheme would operate.
7. RURAL TAYSIDE LEADER+
With reference to Article 11 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28 February 2002, there was submitted Report No 975/02 by the Chief Executive providing details of the approval received from the Scottish Executive of the Rural Tayside LEADER+ Business Plan.
The Report indicated that securing additional funding would assist in developing and adapting the rural areas to changes lying ahead and approval of the Business Plan had the potential to benefit the communities of rural Angus as it increased access to European Union funding, particularly the Forfar and Montrose areas which were covered by LEADER+ for the first time.
The Committee agreed:-
- to note the success of the rural Tayside Local Action Group in securing approval of the LEADER+ Business Plan covering parts of the Angus and Perth & Kinross Council areas; and
- to approve an annual contribution of £5,000 to meet the secretariat costs of the Business Plan.
8. REFURBISHMENT OF UNIT 4, BROOMFIELD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MONTROSE
There was submitted Joint Report No 984/02 by the Chief Executive and the Director of Property Services advising the Committee of the proposed refurbishment of Unit 4, Broomfield Industrial Estate, Montrose and seeking approval to invite tenders for the project.
The Report indicated that, with the exception of Unit 4, all units at Broomfield Industrial Estate had now been comprehensively refurbished and It was considered that bringing this unit up to an improved standard would assist in facilitating future lettings.
The Committee agreed:-
- to approve the invitation of tenders from contractors on the Council's Standing List of Contractors for the refurbishment works; and
- to authorise to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Convener and the Director of Property Services to accept the most advantageous tender and report the details to a future meeting of this Committee for information.
9. BURKE'S PEERAGE: CARNOUSTIE COUNTRY ADVERTISEMENT
There was submitted Report No 985/02 by the Chief Executive seeking approval of a decision taken by the Economic Development Manager, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Convener, to place a Carnoustie Country advertisement/editorial in "Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee A Celebration" publication as the deadline for commitment of contributions had been 13 August 2002.
The Report indicated that this was an opportunity to secure high profile publicity for Carnoustie Country as the publication would be a high design, top quality, limited edition covering a broad range of topics.
The Committee agreed:-
- to note the opportunity presented by the Burke's Peerage publication to secure a high profile for the Carnoustie Country's Stay and Play range of products; and
- to approve the action taken by the Economic Development Manager, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Convener, to place an advertisement and associated editorial coverage in the publication "Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee A Celebration" in view of the commitment deadline of 13 August 2002.
10. NORTH SEA COMMISSION 11TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY NORFOLK 17-21 JUNE 2002 PROGRESS REPORT
With reference to Article 8 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25 April 2002, there was submitted Report No 976/02 by the Chief Executive highlighting the outcome of the 11th General Assembly of the North Sea Commission held in Norfolk from 17-21 June 2002 at which the Council had been represented by the Vice Convener and the Senior Development Officer of the Economic Development Unit.
The Report indicated that the benefit for the Council in this programme continued to be dependent on the development of contacts and networking, with the General Assembly again providing a convenient focus for developing such contacts and in sourcing key information on the eligibility for future project funding, together with vital information on the processes involved.
The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Report.
11. PICTAVIA/PICTISH ARTS SOCIETY LECTURES 2002/03
With reference to Article 14 of the minute of meeting of the Recreation and Cultural Services Committee of 22 August 2002, there was submitted Report No 969/02 by the Director of Leisure Services informing members of the continuing partnership with the Pictish Arts Society in producing a second series of lectures at Pictavia and detailing the agreed dates for these lectures.
The Committee, for its interest, agreed to note the contents of the Report.
12. 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 13-19 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, 8 and 9.
13. PICTAVIA MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS UPDATE
With reference to Article 15 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 6 June 2002, there was submitted Report No 977/02 by the Chief Executive identifying progress to date in drawing up revised agreements with partners in respect of Patina and the requirement to have these in place.
The Committee agreed:-
- to note progress to date, including extension of the current arrangements from 31 August to a deadline of 30 September 2002; and
- to delegate powers to the Executive Sub-Committee to consider the revised agreements with the partners concerned.
14. EXTENSION TO FORTIES ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MONTROSE
There was submitted Report No 983/02 by the Chief Executive seeking approval of a decision taken by him, in consultation with the Convener, to commission a study into the feasibility of developing the remaining land allocated in the Angus Local Plan for employment development at Forties Road Industrial Estate, Montrose.
The Report indicated that it was considered that opportunities should now be taken to secure this site for such development which would enable Montrose to retain a high quality industrial land supply with which it might satisfy demand to attract major inward investors. It was also indicated that, in order to provide for a secure future level of land supply, it was considered necessary to extend the Council's ownership of land in order to make it readily available for development.
The Committee agreed:-
- to approve the decision by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Convener, to commission the Director of Roads to undertake a study into the technical feasibility of allocated land at Forties Road Industrial Estate, Montrose, at an estimated cost of £6,500;
- to note that exemption from normal contract arrangements had been applied in terms of Financial Regulations 16.1.3(b)(i) and (ii) due to the urgency and specialist nature of the project,
- to remit to the Director of Property Services to negotiate acquisition of the land, subject to a satisfactory outcome of the feasibility study; and
- to remit to the Director of Law and Administration and the Director of Property Services to commence compulsory purchase order proceedings should a negotiated acquisition of the land be unsuccessful.
15. SITE OF 0.5 HECTARES AT BRECHIN BUSINESS PARK PROPOSED SALE
There was submitted Report No 978/02 by the Chief Executive seeking approval to the sale of a site extending to 0.5 hectares at Brechin Business Park.
The Committee agreed to authorise the sale of this site to William Black & Son Ltd, Brechin on the terms and conditions referred to in the Report.
16. SITE OF 0.06 HECTARES AT ARBROATH ENTERPRISE PARK PROPOSED SALE
There was submitted Report No 979/02 by the Chief Executive seeking approval to the sale of a site at Arbroath Enterprise Park extending to 0.06 hectares.
The Committee agreed to authorise the sale of this site to Lift-Tech Services, Arbroath on the terms and conditions referred to in the Report.
17. LEASE OF UNIT 2, CUMBERLAND CLOSE, KIRRIEMUIR
There was submitted Report No 980/02 by the Chief Executive with regard to the lease of Unit 2, Cumberland Close, Kirriemuir.
The Committee noted that the Chief Executive, acting under delegated powers, had agreed to lease this Unit to Mearnscraft on the terms and conditions referred to in the Report.
18. LEASE OF UNIT 8, MONTROSE BUSINESS CENTRE
There was submitted Report No 981/02 by the Chief Executive with regard to the lease of Unit 8 at Montrose Business Centre.
The Committee noted that the Chief Executive, acting under delegated powers, had agreed to lease this Unit to Mr Robert Stevenson, trading as Convergis, on the terms and conditions referred to in the Report.
19. LEASE OF UNITS 10 AND 12, MONTROSE BUSINESS CENTRE
There was submitted Report No 982/02 by the Chief Executive with regard to the lease of Units 10 and 12 at Montrose Business Centre.
The Committee noted that the Chief Executive, acting under delegated powers, had agreed to lease these units to Classic Catering Ltd on the terms and conditions referred to in the Report.
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