Councillors Bibby, Caldwell, Gilmour and J MacLaren (Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Nelson (Inverclyde Council); and Councillors McMillan (substitute for Councillor Dickson) and Marshall (North Ayrshire Council).

Councillor Gilmour, Chairman, presided.

D Gatherer, Interim Regional Park Manager; F Carlin, Head of Planning & Housing Services, D Forbes, Senior Accountant, E Currie, Senior Committee Services Officer and K Brown, Committee Services Officer (all Renfrewshire Council); M McNab, (Inverclyde Council); and C Sharp (North Ayrshire Council).

Councillors Wilson (Inverclyde Council) and Dickson (North Ayrshire Council).

There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.


SEDERUNT

Councillor Nelson entered the meeting during consideration of the following item.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 4 December 2015.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Consultative Forum held on 4 December 2015.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Treasurer relative to the revenue estimates for the Joint Committee for the financial year 2016/17.

The report intimated that following the initial findings of a review into the Park’s management and governance structure requisition levels for member authorities for 2015/16 had been reduced by 5.8%. A further reduction in requisition of 14.3% was proposed for 2016/17. A review of the staffing structure in early 2015/16 had resulted in the release of four members of staff under the Voluntary Early Retirement/Voluntary Redundancy scheme, which had facilitated the achievement of the majority of the savings required to deliver the proposed reduction in requisition for 2016/17.

Appendix 1 to the report detailed the individual member authority requisition levels and Appendix 2 to the report detailed the revenue estimates 2016/17.

DECIDED:

(a) That the 2016/17 revenue estimates, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, and the requisitions for member authorities, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; and

(b) That it be noted that any decision on requisitions would be subject to ratification by member Councils and that the Interim Regional Park Manager would report back to the Joint Committee on the implications for park services should any member Council agree any alteration to the level of requisition recommended by the Joint Committee.

There was submitted a revenue budget monitoring report by the Treasurer in respect of the Joint Committee for the period 1 April 2015 to 8 January 2016.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Interim Regional Park Manager relative to the quarterly absence statistics for the Regional Park Authority for the period 21 September to 31 December 2015. The report provided information relating to the absence statistics and reasons for absence.

DECIDED:

(a) That the quarterly absence statistics for the period 21 September to 31 December 2015 be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that the Interim Regional Park Manager would submit reports relative to absence statistics to future meetings of the Joint Committee.

There was submitted a report by the Interim Regional Park Manager providing information on the quarterly health and safety monitoring for the period October to December 2015 which detailed accident statistics, management action and training.

The report intimated that there had been no RIDDOR reportable accidents this quarter and that one member of staff had slipped on the entry surface at Barnbrock and this had subsequently been power washed to prevent a recurrence.

The report highlighted that there had been a marked improvement in the water ingress at the roof of Muirshiel Visitor Centre and that further investigations were required to fully rectify the problem.

DECIDED:

(a) That it be noted that there were no RIDDOR reportable accidents or occupational diseases and a low number of other accidents considering the range of activities that took place in the Park; and

(b) That it be noted that the problem of water ingress at Muirshiel Visitor Centre continued to be under investigation and had improved following repairs.

There was submitted a report by the Interim Regional Park Manager relative to the potential for further development of services within the Park in the area of off-road cycling and cycle touring.

The report intimated that following positive feedback from an online survey to enable more off-road cycling and cycle touring a working group had been established with representatives from Inverclyde Council, North Ayrshire Council, Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Leisure, Scottish Cycling, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland and local cycling and cycle shops.

The report detailed the plan in relation to the development of more off road cycling and cycle touring and the proposed measures of success.

A discussion took place relative to the mobile messaging app ‘Meetup’, on online home for local community groups organising outings and other activities such as hikes and biking trips. It was proposed that the Interim Regional Park Manager investigate the possible use of ‘Meetup’ as part of the development of off-road cycling within the Park.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Joint Committee support the continued development of services within the Park to local people and those from further afield;

(b) That the Park’s continued efforts to increase income and provide a quality service to current visitors and attract new visitors be noted; and

(c) That the Interim Regional Park Manager investigate the possible use of ‘Meetup’ as part of the development of off-road cycling within the Park.

DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the Clyde Muirshiel Park Authority Joint Committee would be held at 10.30 am on 27 May 2016 in Barnbrock Farm.