APPROVED Minutes IRED 6 11 24
West Dunbartonshire Council · 6 November 2024
Back to Infrastructure, Regeneration & Economic Development Committee — 6 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
INFRASTRUCTURE, REGENERATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE At a Hybrid Meeting of the Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee held in the Civic Space, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton on Wednesday, 6 November 2024 at 10.00 a.m. Present: Provost Karen Murray Conaghan* and Councillors David McBride, Michelle McGinty, Lawrence O’Neill, Lauren Oxley, Chris Pollock, Martin Rooney, Hazel Sorrell, Clare Steel and Sophie Traynor. *Arrived later in the meeting Attending: Gail Macfarlane, Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood; Laurence Slavin, Chief Officer – Resources; Alan Douglas, Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration; Michelle Lynn, Assets Co-Ordinator; Gillian McNamara, Economic Development Manager; Nicola Moorcroft and Lynn Straker, Committee Officers. Also Attending: Yvonne O’Neill, Clydebank East Community Council Apologies: Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors John Millar and Gordon Scanlan. Councillor David McBride in the Chair STATEMENT BY CHAIR – AUDIO STREAMING Councillor David McBride, Chair, advised that the meeting was being audio streamed and broadcast live to the internet and would be available for playback. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST It was noted that there were no declarations of interest in any of the items of business on the agenda. RECORDING OF VOTES The Committee agreed that all votes taken during the meeting be done by roll call vote to ensure an accurate record.
Page 2
OPEN FORUM The Committee noted that no open forum questions had been submitted by members of the public. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The Minutes of Meeting of the Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee held on 14 August 2024 were submitted and approved as a correct record. VARIATION IN ORDER OF BUSINESS Having heard the Chair, the Committee agreed to vary the order of business as hereinafter minuted. DISPOSAL – FORMER CLYDEBANK EAST COMMUNITY CENTRE A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources seeking approval to dispose of the former Clydebank East Community Centre to IA Real Estate Limited. Chair invited Yvonne O’Neill (on behalf of Clydebank east Community Council) to address the Committee. Ms O’Neill was heard and requested that the Committee delay any decision regarding the sale of the former Clydebank East Community Centre until further information has been gathered and other avenues for disposal explored. After discussion and having heard the Assets Co-ordinator in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, Councillor David McBride, seconded by Councillor Lawrence O’Neill moved that: The Committee approve the disposal of the former Clydebank East Community Centre to IA Real Estate Limited for a figure of £150,000; authorise the Chief Officer Resources to conclude negotiations; and authorise the Chief Officer Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude the transaction on such conditions as considered appropriate. As an amendment, Councillor Lauren Oxley, seconded by Councillor Sophie Traynor, moved: The committee notes the strong feeling from Clydebank East Community Council, Whitecrook Community Action Group, and local residents that Clydebank East Community Centre should remain somewhere that offers community-based activities and opportunities to the people of Whitecrook and Clydebank, regardless of ownership. The recommended sale of the Community Centre for commercial use means that there would be very little opportunities for local groups, some of which
Page 3
were previous users of the Centre before it closed, to use the space, limiting the benefits it brings to the community. Additionally, this report lacks sufficient information and detail about the other offers to purchase, as well as the bid from a local community group for a Community Asset Transfer. Therefore, committee requests that this item is continued to the next IRED Committee scheduled for 5th February 2025 to allow further information to be provided to committee members and the public so that an informed decision can be made. On a roll call vote being taken 3 Members voted for the amendment, namely Councillors Oxley, Pollock, and Traynor and 6 Members voted for the motion namely, Councillors McBride, McGinty, O’Neill, Rooney, Sorrell and Steel. The motion was, accordingly, declared carried. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned and reconvened at 10.40 a.m. with all those Members listed in the sederunt in attendance. REGULATION AND REGENERATION 24/25 DELIVERY PLAN 24/25 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – MID YEAR PROGRESS A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration setting out the mid-year progress of the 2024/25 Plan in relation to Economic Development. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to note the progress achieved at mid-year. ROADS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN 24/25 MID YEAR PROGRESS A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood setting out the midyear progress of the Roads and Neighbourhood Delivery Plan 2024/25. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to note the progress achieved at mid-year. RESOURCES DELIVERY PLAN 2024/25 – ASSET MANAGEMENT MID-YEAR PROGRESS A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources setting out the mid-year progress of the 2024/25 Plan in relation to Asset Management.
Page 4
After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Resources in further explanation, the Committee agreed to note the progress achieved at mid-year. *Provost Murray Conaghan entered the meeting during consideration of this item. WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE ACTIVE TRAVEL STRATEGY A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood setting out the commitment to promoting walking, wheeling, cycling and all other non-motorised forms of transport as detailed within the Active Travel Strategy. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Roads and Neighbourhood in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to approve the adoption of the Active Travel Strategy for West Dunbartonshire. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ANNUAL UPDATE A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Regulation and Regeneration providing the annual update of work undertaken during 2023/24 to deliver the West Dunbartonshire Economic Development Strategy 2022-2027 and highlighting more recent activity and project work, where appropriate. After discussion and having heard the Economic Development Manager in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to note the work activity undertaken during 2023/24 to deliver the West Dunbartonshire Economic Development Strategy 2022-2027. BUSINESS LOANS SCOTLAND LTD A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Regulation and Regeneration providing an update on the current status of Business Loans Scotland Ltd and to obtain approval to withdraw the remaining West Dunbartonshire Council funds from Business Loans Scotland Ltd. After discussion and having heard the Economic Development Manager in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to note the update provided on the current status of Business Loans Scotland Ltd; and (2) to approve the decision to respond to Business Loans Scotland with option 3 (paragraphs 4.3 – 4.5 of the report) and withdraw the remaining West Dunbartonshire Council funds from Business Loans Scotland Ltd.
Page 5
CLYDEBANK LONG TERM PLAN FOR TOWNS AND 3 YEAR INVESTMENT PLAN A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Regulation and Regeneration setting out progress on the development of the Clydebank Long Term Plan and Investment Plan to fulfil the requirements of the Long-Term Plan for Towns Fund. After discussion and having heard the Economic Development Manager in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to note the progress achieved in preparing the 10-year Long Term Plan and accompanying 3-year Investment Plan and the proposals and interventions contained within them; (2) to note that the 10-year Long Term Plan and accompanying 3-year Investment Plan were submitted to the UK Government on 11 October 2024; and (3) to note that following the recent General Election and the change of the Government, the Council has not yet received a confirmation of funding. PLACE BASED IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME ALEXANDRIA A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Regulation and Regeneration providing an update upon the Place Based Improvement Programme and to progress with delivery of the Alexandria masterplan projects. After discussion and having heard the Economic Development Manager in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to note the update regarding availability of the Place Based Investment Programme funding for Year 4 and Year 5; (2) to note the progress on development and delivery of the projects arising from the Alexandria Masterplan for which Place Based Investment Programme funding was allocated; (3) to note the progress on development of the Mitchell Way improvement project; and (4) to authorise the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude, on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council, the award of the contract(s) to deliver the Alexandria projects in line with Contract Standing Orders and the Financial Regulations.
Page 6
DISPOSAL – FORMER BALLOCH LIBRARY, BALLOCH A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources seeking approval for the disposal of the former Balloch Library to McVey and Burns Property Investment Limited. After discussion and having heard the Assets Co-ordinator in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, Councillor David McBride, seconded by Councillor Lawrence O’Neill moved that: The Committee approve the disposal of the Site to McVey and Burns Property Investment Limited for a figure of £150,000 plus VAT, authorise the Chief Officer Resources to conclude negotiations; and authorise the Chief Officer Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude the transaction on such conditions as considered appropriate. As an amendment, Councillor Chris Pollock, seconded by Provost Murray Conaghan, moved: The Committee notes community opposition to the closure of Balloch Library and the significant unhappiness at the reduced space library services now have in a school building. To sell off the library building would be to kill all hope for the people of Lomond ward of having a public building where they can enjoy community activities alongside traditional library activities such as borrowing of books and other resources. Therefore, committee agrees that the building sale should not go ahead whilst further exploration of funding streams for a proper library are investigated. On a roll call vote being taken 4 Members voted for the amendment, namely Provost Murray Conaghan and Councillors Oxley, Pollock, and Traynor and 6 Members voted for the motion namely, Councillors McBride, McGinty, O’Neill, Rooney, Sorrell and Steel. The motion was, accordingly, declared carried. DISPOSAL – 2 MANSE DRIVE, BALLOCH A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources seeking approval to dispose of 2a Manse Drive, Balloch G82 8HQ to Sava Estates Limited. After discussion and having heard the Assets Co-ordinator in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to approve the disposal of the property to Sava Estates Limited for £41,101; (2) to authorise the Chief Officer – Resources to conclude negotiations; and (3) to authorise the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude the transaction on such conditions as considered appropriate.
Page 7
DISPOSAL - 109 HOWATSHAWS ROAD, DUMBARTON A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources seeking approval to dispose of 109 Howatshaws Road, Dumbarton to SL1 Property Limited. After discussion and having heard the Assets Co-ordinator in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to approve the disposal of the site to SL1 Property Limited for £42,000; (2) to authorise the Chief Officer – Resources to conclude negotiations; and (3) to authorise the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude the transaction on such conditions as considered appropriate. DISPOSAL – FORMER DALMUIR LIBRARY A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources seeking approval to dispose of the former Dalmuir Library to The Redeemed Christian Church of God Light House for All Nations, Glasgow. After discussion and having heard the Assets Co-ordinator in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to approve the disposal of the former Dalmuir Library to The Redeemed Christian Church of God Light House for All Nations, Glasgow for £150,000; (2) to authorise the Chief Officer – Resources to conclude negotiations; and (3) to authorise the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude the transaction on such conditions as considered appropriate. DISPOSAL – LAND AT JUNCTION OF GREAT WESTERN ROAD (A82) AND KILBOWIE ROAD, CLYDEBANK A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources seeking approval to dispose of land at junction of Great Western Road (A82) and Kilbowie Road, Clydebank to Osprey Charging Network Ltd. After discussion and having heard the Asset Co-ordinator in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to approve the sale of the land to Osprey Charging Network Ltd. for £150,000; (2) to authorise the Chief Officer – Resources to conclude negotiations; and (3) to authorise the Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration to conclude the transaction on such conditions as considered appropriate.
Page 8
VISITOR LEVY A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Regulation and Regeneration seeking approval to commence consultation to investigate the potential of implementing a visitor levy in West Dunbartonshire. After discussion and having heard the Economic Development Manager in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to note the update provided on the Visitor Levy Bill; and (2) to approve the decision to commence consultation to investigate the potential of implementing a visitor levy in West Dunbartonshire. INFRASTRUCTURE, REGENERATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVENUE MONITORING REPORT 2024/25 TO PERIOD 5 (31 AUGUST 2024) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the revenue financial performance to Period 5 (31 August 2024) of those services under the auspices of the Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Resources in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed to note the contents of this report, which showed the revenue budget forecast to overspend against budget by £1.856m (14.60%) at the year-end, taking into account that this is subject to change. INFRASTRUCTURE, REGENERATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL MONITORING REPORT 2024/25 TO PERIOD 5 (31 AUGUST 2024) A report was submitted by the Chief Officer – Resources providing an update on the capital financial performance to Period 5 (31 August 2024) of those services under the auspices of the Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee. After discussion and having heard the Chief Officer – Resources in further explanation and in answer to Members’ questions, the Committee agreed:- (1) to note the current position of the 2024/25 IRED capital budget; (2) to approve the revised completion dates detailed in appendix 3 of the report; and (3) to note an in-year surplus variance of £0.819m due to reprofiling (£1.050m) and additional budget of £0.231m.
Page 9
The meeting closed at 12.16 p.m.