News from Scottish Labour: Kezia Dugdale speech to Progress conference

 

 

 

 

I want to begin by saying thank you to Richard and the many Progress members who campaigned in Scotland during the election, particularly the people who joined Richard and other progress staff on the three seats challenge in April.

I’m not going to pretend that the election results last week weren’t difficult for us.

They were.

But I was clear nine months ago when I took this job on that this would not be a short term project.

There would be no quick fix.

Just as you have to look back some way to find the root of the problems we face today, I want us to commit to the long haul in how we take the party in Scotland back to a position where we can govern again.

And let’s be clear – that is our objective.

Not to simply stand up to the SNP or the Tories, but be in a position where we can be in power again.

In the short time that’s available today I want to do three things.

First, I want to say something about the political debate in Scotland today, our campaign and what it means for the rest of the U.K.

Second, I’ll argue that the centre-left in Scottish politics is now to be found in the anti-austerity programme that was contained in our manifesto, and that devolved politics means that we have to become more comfortable with difference in our policy approach across the UK.

And, finally, explore some of the opportunities that come with a minority government in Scotland.

Let me start by saying that our fight back is being made more difficult by the argument of unionism versus nationalism.

Last week’s election result wasn’t a rejection of Labour’s manifesto; it was a resurgence of those referendum arguments of the past.

I was determined to fight a campaign which was about the future. Some have said that was a mistake that you have to fight elections where the voters are, not where you’d hope that to be.

I disagree.

My job as leader isn’t to play the odds and scrape over the line, Scottish Labour’s problems are too deep rooted and too fundamental for that and perhaps caused in part by that one more heave approach.

My focus on the future was the principled and decent thing to do but I was also borne of political necessity.

Because there is no long term benefit for the Labour Party in Scotland –  a centre-left nation –  chasing tactical unionist votes from Conservatives.

Indeed fighting a campaign like that would put have put back Labour’s Scottish recovery, rather than brought it closer.

The campaign we’ve just seen the Tory party run in Scotland was deeply cynical and their success built on sand.

Post-election, Ruth Davidson has described the Scottish electorate as putting her on probation – I would argue should she do serious time for some of falsehoods she’s sold.

For example, she insisted that only the Tories would stand up for the union, despite the reality that her party have done more to undermine it that any other. From English votes for English Laws to the Bedroom Tax, the Trade Union Bill and now this Tory leadership contest that poses as an EU referendum – each action undermines that union every day.

I would argue that the campaign Ruth Davidson ran bore many of the same hallmarks of Lynton Crosby’s campaign for the Tories last year. Concentrate on a small group of swing voters and target them with a message rooted in fear and division.

Like last year, it was the threat of independence and the SNP that provided an appropriate bogey man.

This was the context we were faced with in this election and, in the long term interests of the party; we needed to put forward arguments that could win back SNP voters and those who voted yes in the referendum.

Because the truth is that without them, no matter how many tactical unionist votes we receive, we could never be the largest party in Scotland again.

Our argument for the future was rooted in a bold tax plan. This was both to concentrate minds on the new powers that are coming to the Scottish Parliament, but also because there is an economic and social imperative to invest more in our public services.

The deeply ingrained social problems of Scotland are well understood. However it used to also be understood that if you were poor in Scotland you would get a good education – The very idea of comprehensive education was Scotland’s gift to the world.

That has changed. The gap between the richest and the rest is growing in our schools. Education and skills spending has been cut by 10% in real terms since the SNP came to power.

Meanwhile spending on older people has increased. Free personal care and other universal benefits for older people were introduced by Labour and maintained by the SNP. Protecting NHS spending has become an article of faith with every party pledging above inflation increases.

This would be fine but the only vision offered by the SNP using their new tax powers is to offer tax cuts, notably by abolishing air passenger duty.

It means we have a political landscape where:

– we’re cutting investment in education and skills, the future of economic growth

– while promising to maintain and increase spending on older people.

– but only reducing the tax take

In the long term something has to give.

That’s why my new group and I have resolved not to rip up our manifesto after the election but to stand by it – to continue to make the case for how we can use the powers to make different choices in Scotland.

Waiting to be proved right when so much is going wrong isn’t good enough though. We owe it to our people, and the 500,000 that voted Labour, believing in our prospectus, to have a better strategy than simply the passage of time.

That brings me to my third and final point – how we build coalitions willing to support our plans.

In this election, our policies won popular support. 75% of people supported a 50p tax on the most well off and a majority supported increasing the basic rate of income tax to protect public services in 4 different polls.

The Greens and the Lib Dems also supported these policies – or were prepared to go further – and together our three parties won nearly 700,000 votes against the Tories’ half a million and the SNP’s million.

In this next Parliament, therefore, with the SNP reduced to a minority government, coalition building on an issue by issue basis is going to be crucial.

And when it comes to critical decisions on tax, the SNP will have a choice of joining with parties of the right or the centre left.

For our part, I’m clear that we will be a constructive opposition and do all we can to pull a timid and centre-right SNP government in the correct direction.

As a party, I want us to represent modernity and opportunity. To do that we need to keep our eyes firmly on the future, forever seeking progress.

Update of Provost Fund Spending 2015/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Corporate Services Committee on Wednesday 11^th May, Councillors received an update on the voluntary grants for 2015/2016.

The Provost Fund is allocated £3,000 per year to allow for small donations to be made to individuals and community organisations.

• Clydebank Men’s Shed £150
• Guide Dogs £100
• Mummers Theatre Group £600
• Carleith Primary School Parent Committee £200
• WD Kinship Care Support Group £100
• Skylark Trust £200
• Doreen Birkett West Highland Way Walk Donation £200
• Agnes McHale The Hub 50 & 60 Group £200
• West of Scotland Wheelchair Basketball Club £100
• Alzheimer Scotland Memory Walk £100
• Clydebank Musical Society £500
• Dance Off Academy £100
• Champion Dance & Cheer £150
• Kilpatrick FC 2007 £100
• CDC Allstars £150
• Duntocher PlayGroup £375

Payment of voluntary grants contributes to improvements in life changes for children and young people, care for elderly and the wellbeing of communities.

Notes:

1. At Council on 27 April 2016 it was agreed that in relation to the unused part of the WDCVS administered funds (at £35,545) an element (£31,545) was to be returned to the Council for specific purposes, and the remainder (£4,000) is to be retained by WDCVS to support organisations affected by the closure of Dalmonach Community Centre
2. Community Chest, Playscheme, Cultural and Social Transport Support Grants are administered by West Dunbartonshire Community Volunteer Service (WDCVS).
3. The Council continues to administer grants for Community Councils, Dumbarton Common Good, Trust Funds, and the older peoples grant payments.
4. A further £197,920 of applications for funding was supported by WDCVS by re-routing applications to other sources.
5. During 2015/16, the total funding allocated to community organisations was £338,972

Update of Social Transport Grant Scheme 2015/16

At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Corporate Services Committee on Wednesday 11^th May, Councillors received an update on the voluntary grants for 2015/2016.

A total of £104,060 was allocated to 51 community organisations.

Payment of voluntary grants contributes to improvements in life changes for children and young people, care for elderly and the wellbeing of communities

Social Transport Grant Scheme 2015/2016

• 3D Group £3,500
• West Dunbartonshire Access Panel £3,000
• Alexandria Carers £500
• Clydebank District MS Society £2,500
• Clydebank Special Needs Forum £8,000
• Get Up & Go Youth Group £5,750
• St Eunans Disabled Club £5,000
• Vale of Leven Arthritis Club £4,000
• Young at Heart £2,500
• Clydebank Stroke Club £5,500
• Dumbarton & District MS £3,000
• Dumbarton & Vale Disabled Womens Group £2,500
• Manage Your Pain £2,500
• Open Door Disabled Club £2,500
• Phin Club £7,000
• Shopmobility £2,500
• Vipers £1,200
• 50+ Walking Group £1,000
• 130 Club £500
• Age Concern VOL/Dalmonach Disabled Club £3,000
• Arthritis Care £750
• Clydebank Seniors Forum £1,000
• Dalmonach Disabled Club £5,000
• Levenvale Older Peoples Welfare £600
• Over 50s/60s Club £1,250
• Focus Group £275
• Parkhall Mondays £2,500
• Parkhall Wednesdays £1,250
• Rockvale Rebound £1,250
• St Peters Disabled Association £4,500
• Alexandria Gardening Club £2,250
• Clydebank Mentally Disabled Club £1,500
• Our Holy Redeemers Senior Citizens £500
• Dumbarton District Disabled Childrens Forum £2,000
• Unity Enterprise £2,500
• Silverthreads £500
• Oakbank Sheltered Housing Clydebank £500
• Good Morning Clydebank £500
• St Eunans Senior Citizens Club £800
• Brain Injury Experience Network £1,000
• Enable – VOL Branch £150
• Age Concern Dumbarton £600
• Alexandria Diabetes Group £700
• v-Befriend £2,000
• Overtoun House £450
• Bellsmyre Development Trust £280
• Kinship Carers WD £2,000
• Faifley Art Group £130
• St Joseph’s Seniors £375
• Age Concern Vale of Leven £500
• West Dunbartonshire Ethnic Minorities Association £500

Notes:

1. At Council on 27 April 2016 it was agreed that in relation to the unused part of the WDCVS administered funds (at £35,545) an element (£31,545) was to be returned to the Council for specific purposes, and the remainder (£4,000) is to be retained by WDCVS to support organisations affected by the closure of Dalmonach Community Centre
2. Community Chest, Playscheme, Cultural and Social Transport Support Grants are administered by West Dunbartonshire Community Volunteer Service (WDCVS).
3. The Council continues to administer grants for Community Councils, Dumbarton Common Good, Trust Funds, and the older peoples grant payments.
4. A further £197,920 of applications for funding was supported by WDCVS by re-routing applications to other sources.
5. During 2015/16, the total funding allocated to community organisations was £338,972

Update of Community Chest Fund Grants 2015/16

At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Corporate Services Committee on Wednesday 11^th May, Councillors received an update on the voluntary grants for 2015/2016.

A total of £67,364 was allocated to 27 community organisations.

Payment of voluntary grants contributes to improvements in life changes for children and young people, care for elderly and the wellbeing of communities

Community Chest Grant Scheme 2015 allocated by WDCVS Management

• South Drumry Neighbourhood Association Community Facility £13,000
• Double L Centre Community Facility £6,500
• Clydebank Group Holidays Set Up Support £2,510
• Age Concern Dumbarton Running Costs £5,000
• Crosslet Centre Community Facility £5,800
• Women Moving On Hall Rental £460
• Dumbarton District Womens Aid Playscheme £532
• Dumbarton District Disabled Childrens Forum Playscheme £1,185
• Bankie Talk Running Costs £3,972
• West Dunbartonshire Ethnic Minority Association Running Costs £1,500
• Dumbarton District Disabled Childrens Forum Caravan £4,385
• Clydebank East Community Council Gala £1,200
• St Margarets Hospice Anniversary £2,000
• Dalmonach CC Group Running Costs £600
• Bowling Village Hall Community Facility £350
• Kinship Carers WD Running Costs £1,540
• West Dunbartonshire Sports Council Running Costs £5,800
• Dumbarton District Womens Aid Playscheme £280
• Remap Running Costs £500
• Renton CDT Project £1,500
• Vale of Leven Remembrance Assoc Running Costs £1,000
• Levenvale Older Peoples Welfare Hall Rental £250
• Age Concern Vale of Leven Running Costs £1,250
• Alexandria Relaxation & Therapy Costs Hall Rental £200
• Music in Hospitals Running Costs £500
• Dumbarton West Out Of School Care Rental £5,000
• AC Judo Partnership Event £550

Notes:

1. At Council on 27 April 2016 it was agreed that in relation to the unused part of the WDCVS administered funds (at £35,545) an element (£31,545) was to be returned to the Council for specific purposes, and the remainder (£4,000) is to be retained by WDCVS to support organisations affected by the closure of Dalmonach Community Centre
2. Community Chest, Playscheme, Cultural and Social Transport Support Grants are administered by West Dunbartonshire Community Volunteer Service (WDCVS).
3. The Council continues to administer grants for Community Councils, Dumbarton Common Good, Trust Funds, and the older peoples grant payments.
4. A further £197,920 of applications for funding was supported by WDCVS by re-routing applications to other sources.
5. During 2015/16, the total funding allocated to community organisations was £338,972

 

WDC PPP December 2007 – Final Business Case

Excerpt of Minute of Council Meeting of 11th December 2007.

 

SCHOOLS’ PPP PROJECT: SUBMISSION OF FINAL BUSINESS CASE AND AUTHORITY TO PROCEED TO FINANCIAL CLOSE

A report was submitted by the Chief Executive:-

(a) informing the Council of the scope, nature, commercial terms and financial consequences of the proposed Schools’ PPP project; and

(b) seeking approval for officers to proceed to financial close of the project. The Head of Service was heard in further explanation of the report.

Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Rooney, moved:-

That the recommendations of the report be approved as follows:-

(a) that, the Council notes the report relative to the design, construction, financing and operation of three new community learning centres at (1) St Peter The Apostle High School, St Eunan’s Primary and St Eunan’s Early Education and Childcare Centre, Clydebank; (2) Clydebank High Page 1 of 5 School, Clydebank; and (3) Vale of Leven High School, Alexandria and the provision of associated services in accordance with the Government’s Public Private Partnership Programme;

(b) in pursuance of the Project the Council authorises David McMillan, Chief Executive, to negotiate, agree and enter into on behalf of the Council, and resolves that the Council will perform the obligations contained in, inter alia, the Project Agreement (the “Contract”) between the Council and West Dunbartonshire Schools Limited, (the “Contractor”), the Funders Direct Agreement between the Council, the Contractor and Dexia Management Services Limited to be provided in connection with the Project (the “Direct Agreement”), all Project Documents to which the Council is a party and all other documents which the Council may require to enter into in relation to the Project;

(c) that, the Council has the power to enter into the Contract and the Direct Agreement in terms of Section 1, Section 6, Section 17, Section 20 and Section 53 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980; Section 14 and Section 15 of the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982; Section 69, Section 123 and Section 163 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973; and Section 20 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003;

(d) that, Stephen Brown, Head of Legal, Administrative and Regulatory Services, Alan Douglas, Manager: Best Value and Special Projects, Nigel Ettles, Principal Solicitor, and/or Sally Michael, Principal Solicitor are duly authorised to sign and deliver on behalf of Council the Contract and the Direct Agreement, the Project Documents to which the Council is a party and all other documents which the Council may require to enter into in relation to the Project;

(e) that, the Contract and the Direct Agreement shall be certified contracts within the meaning of Section 2 of the Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997 (the “1997 Act”) and shall meet the certification requirements within Section 3 of the 1997 Act and that the said Stephen Brown, Head of Legal, Administrative and Regulatory Services; Alan Douglas, Manager: Best Value and Special Projects; Nigel Ettles, Principal Solicitor, and Sally Michael, Principal Solicitor are duly authorised to sign and issue the certificates in terms of the 1997 Act;

(f) that, the provision of the Cleaning and Grounds Maintenance Services comprised in MV3 be the responsibility of the Council’s in-house service provider and that they operate the services in accordance with the specification and terms and conditions negotiated with the Project Team; Page 2 of 5

(g) that the Chief Executive be authorised to enter into an Advance Works Agreement with the SPV, BAM and/or HBG Construction Limited if deemed necessary and advisable to preserve the programme of works and prevent cost overruns;

(h) to approve the Council’s Project Management Arrangements for the Construction and Operational phases as outlined in this Report; and

(i) to approve the establishment of a sinking fund which will receive interest at the Council’s rate for interest on revenue balances. This fund will be applied to offset the estimated shortfall between the annual payments in respect of the project and the funding available from the Scottish Government combined with operational/administrative cost savings. The insurance receipt from the fire at Vale of Leven Academy will be immediately deposited in the Fund and the sum required from the sale of sites will be deposited as and when received.

At this point, the Head of Service, the Chief Executive and various other officers present were heard in answer to Members’ questions.

As an amendment, Councillor McElhill, seconded by Councillor Hendrie, moved:-

This Council recognises the widespread opposition that exists in West Dunbartonshire toward PPP and the amalgamation of schools in Clydebank.

This Council notes that although consultation with the public did take place, the views of people in certain areas were completely ignored making that consultation a sham.

This Council further recognises that current proposals for our schools’ estate does not offer value for money and is not in the best interests of improving educational services and standards for secondary school students in Clydebank.

This Council is not therefore prepared to agree to financial closure with BAM PPP.

The Chief Executive informed the Council that the Local Government Ombudsman had investigated claims by members of the public that the consultation was flawed and the Ombudsman had ruled that such claims were unfounded.

 

As a second amendment, Councillor Bollan, seconded by Councillor Black, moved:-

This Council agrees that PPP is an extremely costly financial model for building new schools. Council Taxpayers will now only get 3 projects for the price of 4. This Council also agrees that no meaningful research into any alternative properly costed procurement methods have been considered by WDC.

This Council also notes from the CEO’s report, pages 193 – 198, that there is still no accurate financial information available to Members on the final cost to WDC if the current PPP scheme is accepted.

This Council therefore agrees to:-

1) Withdraw immediately from the PPP programme.

2) Embark on a meaningful engagement exercise to seek an alternative method of procurement with parents, pupils and the Trade Unions.

3) Work towards implementing an alternative financial scheme which will include the SNP’s “Scottish Futures Trust” which is scheduled to be published early in 2008.

4) This Council further agrees to make the building of a new non PPP Dumbarton Academy as an absolute priority for WDC and gives this commitment unreservedly.

On the request of Councillor Bollan, the Council agreed to proceed by way of a roll call vote.

 

On a vote being taken, 3 Members voted for the second amendment by Councillor Bollan (namely Provost Agnew, Councillors Black and Bollan), 5 Members voted for the amendment by Councillor McElhill (namely Councillors Brown, Finn, Hendrie, McElhill and C. McLaughlin) and 13 Members abstained (namely Councillors Calvert, Casey, McAllister, McBride, J. McColl, R. McColl, McGlinchey, W. McLaughlin, McNair, Millar, Robertson, Rooney and Smillie).

Councillor McElhill’s amendment was accordingly put to the vote against the motion.

On a second vote being taken, 6 Members voted for the amendment by Councillor McElhill (Councillors Black, Bollan, Brown, Finn, Hendrie and McElhill), 14 Members for the motion by Councillor Robertson (namely Provost Agnew, Councillors Bootland, Calvert, Casey, McAllister, McBride, J. McColl, McGlinchey, W. McLaughlin, McNair, Millar, Robertson, Rooney and Smillie) and 1 Member abstained (namely Councillor C. McLaughlin).

The motion was accordingly declared carried.

West Dunbartonshire Council PPP

The SNP locally have constructed a version of events around the PPP schools that does not accurately reflect what happened. For one reason or another, they have chosen to ignore the fact that West Dunbartonshire Council had an SNP Administration. The PPP was one of the first under the new SNP Scottish Government. The Scottish Government had to check it met Best Value as they were the main funders for the new schools.

The meeting in November 2007 was the decision making meeting on PPP. It was followed by financial close in January 2008 achieved under the SNP Administration.

 

Excerpt of Council Meeting Wednesday November 2007 at Clydebank Town Hall

REGENERATION OF THE SCHOOLS ESTATE – DUMBARTON ACADEMY CAMPUS

 (a) Request for Deputation – Brock Bowling Club

 

In terms of Standing Order No 14, the Council agreed to hear a deputation from the Brock Bowling Club in connection with the PPP school plans for Dumbarton Academy. Mr. Ian Campbell spoke on behalf of the Brock Bowling Club and informed the Council that despite what had been printed in the local press and had allegedly been said at the last Council Meeting (13 November 2007), the Brock Bowling Club supported the building of the new Dumbarton Academy Campus and was prepared to move to an alternative site, if a suitable location could be identified. He spoke about the long history of the Bowling Club and pointed out that the Club had never been in trouble with the Licensing Board therefore he could not understand why one of the reasons given by the Planning Committee when refusing the application was that it was not appropriate to have a licensed premises on the school campus. He also pointed out that the majority of club matches took place during the weekends, outwith school hours and therefore the operation of the Bowling Club had very little impact on the school’s activities.

Provost Agnew thanked Mr Campbell for his contribution.

 

(b) Request for Deputation – Dumbarton Academy Parent Council

In terms of Standing Order No 14, the Council agreed to hear a deputation from Mr. Iain Ellis and Ms. Anne McKinley, Dumbarton Academy Parent Council, in connection with the PPP school plans for Dumbarton Academy.

Mr. Ellis, Chair of the Dumbarton Academy Parent Council, criticised the decision of the Planning Committee on 22 October 2007 to refuse planning permission for the Dumbarton Academy Campus and detailed his reasons for doing so. In conclusion he asked the Council to guarantee that a new Dumbarton Academy would be built by 2009 as part of Phase 1 of the project and reminded the Council that the previous Administration had promised the children of Dumbarton a new school building that would be fit for the 21st Century and therefore this Council should honour that promise.

Ms McKinley, a parent member of the Dumbarton Academy Parent Council, spoke in support of a new building for Dumbarton Academy and described the poor condition of the existing buildings. She questioned the options within the Director’s report and asked if a risk assessment had been carried out on the implications of the parents of children in Dumbarton Academy taking legal action against the Council? She warned the Council that failure to include the Dumbarton Academy Campus in the first phase of the PPP project could result in a dramatic fall in the school’s roll and consequently the school could close with children being bussed to the new schools in Alexandria and Clydebank.

Provost Agnew thanked Mr Ellis and Ms McKinley for their contributions.

 

• Report by Chief Executive

With reference to the Minutes of the Requisitioned Meeting of Council held on 13 November 2007 (Page 577 refers), a report was submitted by the Chief Executive:-

(a) informing the Council of the consequences of the decision of the Planning Committee of 22 October 2007 to reject BAM PPP’s application for detailed planning permission for the Dumbarton Academy Campus; and

(b) seeking the Council’s approval for the removal of the Dumbarton Academy Campus from the PPP project.

 

Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Rooney, moved:-

This Council notes that BAM/HGB will not now bring forward a new planning application for the Dumbarton Academy campus.

Council recognises however that the key policy of the ‘regeneration of the Secondary Schools Estate’ largely remains intact. Therefore, in order to protect the new-build campuses in Clydebank and the Vale of Leven, this Council reluctantly agrees to approve to the removal of the Dumbarton Academy Campus from the Schools’ Regeneration project.

Council recognises that it is important not to delay or threaten the entire project. Therefore, the Council instructs officers, as a matter of urgency, to bring forward a report to Council detailing the processes required to arrive at Financial Close on a Schools’ Regeneration Project comprising the remaining three campuses.

In addition, this Council instructs officers to prepare a further Report to a future meeting of Council, within three months, detailing the strategic plans for the regeneration of the remainder of the schools’ estate, with Dumbarton Academy as the highest priority. The report is to include, in particular, options for Aitkenbar Primary School; Braehead Primary School; and Dalreoch Primary School.

This report is to examine also all options for building the new Dumbarton Academy either on the current site or on a newly-sourced site within Dumbarton.

This Council agrees without equivocation that this commitment to the Dumbarton Academy school community will be our number one priority in terms of large-scale capital projects.

In addition, the Council will examine all funding opportunities including prudential borrowing, the use of capital receipts across the whole of the Council estate of the proposed new Scottish Futures Trust and will include all options in the new report.

This Council reassures all the parents, pupils, teachers and wider community affected by the loss of the Dumbarton Academy Campus from the Schools’ Regeneration Project, that this Council will commit to building a new Dumbarton Academy.

The Chief Executive and the Head of Service, Department of Educational Services were heard in answer to Members’ questions.

 

As an amendment Councillor R. McColl, seconded by Councillor C. McLaughlin, moved:-

That the recommendations of the report be approved as follows:-

(1) to approve the removal of the Dumbarton Academy Campus from the PPP project;

(2) to instruct officers as a matter of urgency to prepare a report to Council detailing the processes required to arrive at Financial Close on a schools’ PPP project comprising the remaining three campuses; and

(3) to instruct officers to prepare a further Report to a future meeting of Council detailing the strategic plans for the regeneration of the remainder of the schools’ estate, including Dumbarton Academy and Aitkenbar, Braehead and Dalreoch Primary Schools.

This Council notes the report and thanks officers for their in-depth assessments of the options available on the above matter.

The Council further accepts that the present situation is borne from circumstances outwith its control and that BAM PPP has indicated that they will not resubmit a new planning application for the Dumbarton Academy.

Regeneration of the schools estate is still a priority of this Council and the requirement to address the secondary schools still remains the first priority of the Council.

This Council accepts that current PPP bid from BAM is the best available option to deliver new schools within the next 4 years for the children of West Dunbartonshire.

The Council accepts that all other funding options have been explored and exhausted and none can deliver an alternative to PPP within a reasonable timescale.

While PPP is not the preferred way to fund any public works – at the present time it is the only viable option open to West Dunbartonshire Council.

Delaying the current regeneration project would mean the loss of over £1m of public money, risk of legal action and years of unacceptable delays to the education of the children of West Dunbartonshire.

Given that to do nothing is not an option and that even a few years delay could make the cost of any project prohibitive the Council agrees that early financial closure is crucial.

The Council accepts the view from the Scottish Government that given the planning decision that the project can be re-scoped without detriment to the remaining schools.

To that end the Council reluctantly agrees that Dumbarton Academy cannot be included as part of the current proposals – given the planning decision and complications that have arisen from it.

However it is crucial for the children of Dumbarton that a new build Academy remains the top priority for this Council.

To ensure this, the Council also agrees to instruct officers to finalise the second phase of the schools estate programme as soon as practical being no later than 3 months and bring these options to Council.

The officers should look at all viable options for a new Dumbarton Academy including the feasibility of finding a new location as well as all funding mechanisms.

This Council reassures all the parents, pupils’ teachers and wider community affected by the loss of the Dumbarton Academy Campus from the PPP project that this Council will commit to building a new Dumbarton Academy.

 

As a second amendment, Councillor McElhill, seconded by Councillor Hendrie, moved:-

This Council is extremely concerned by the manner in which the entire PPP project and consultation “process” has been conducted by the last Labour Administration and condemns that last Labour Administration for its lack of transparency, in accordance with an Audit Scotland report at that time.

This Council recognises that significant and majority opposition exists in Clydebank against PPP and its accompanying amalgamation of schools and accepts that PPP and its amalgamation of schools is neither in the best interest of the education of our young people nor in the best interests of the local tax payer.

This Council notes the continuous changes that have been made to the PPP project and considers these departures to have made the project piecemeal and untenable. This Council therefore now decides to withdraw from this PPP project and end all negotiations with the preferred bidder.

This Council awaits the report from the Chief Executive on alternative sources of funding, due in December, with a view to this Council accessing our allocation of RSG for a feasible and acceptable schools regeneration programme.

This Council notes that the Vale of Leven Academy should be given the utmost priority in this programme, given that the pupils there have been educated in portacabins for the past six years.

 

As a third amendment, Councillor Black, seconded by Councillor Bollan, moved:-

This Council agrees to suspend the current PPP programme given that there is no clear financial information available.

This position is arrived at as a result of information received from our financial advisors who state that it would be “misleading to present an update as discussions on provisional sums, specification changes and abortive costs are in the process of being finalised together with the movement in interest rates which is being monitored on a daily basis.” *

It would therefore be imprudent if not in fact negligent to proceed at this time.

This Council should also consider our position in relation to the representations being made about the proposed new build which would merge schools to the detriment of local communities in Clydebank.

* quoted from WDC financial advisor.

 

The Chief Executive, the Head of Service, Department of Educational Services and the Manager of Special Projects and Best Value were heard in answer to Members’ questions.

On the request on Councillor Bollan, the Council agreed to proceed by way of a roll call vote.

 

Vote 1 – Third amendment by Councillor Black versus second amendment by Councillor McElhill. On a vote being taken, 4 Members voted for the third amendment by Councillor Black (namely Provost Agnew, Councillors Black, Bollan and C. McLaughlin), 4 Members voted for the second amendment by Councillor McElhill (namely Councillors Brown, Finn, Hendrie and McElhill) and 14 Members abstained (namely Councillors Bootland, Calvert, Casey, McAllister, McBride, J. McColl, R. McColl, McGlinchey, W. McLaughlin, McNair, Millar, Robertson, Rooney and Smillie). There being an equality of votes, Provost Agnew used his casting vote in favour of the third amendment by Councillor Black.

 

Vote 2 – Third amendment by Councillor Black versus amendment by Councillor R. McColl On a second vote being taken, 7 Members voted for the third amendment by Councillor Black (namely Provost Agnew, Councillors Black, Bollan, Brown, Finn, Hendrie and McElhill), 4 voted for the amendment by Councillor R. McColl (namely Councillors J. McColl, R. McColl, C. McLaughlin and Smillie) and 11 Members abstained (namely Bootland, Calvert, Casey, McAllister, McBride, McGlinchey, W. McLaughlin, McNair, Millar, Robertson and Rooney).

Vote 3 – Third amendment by Councillor Black versus motion by Councillor Robertson On a third vote being taken, 6 Members voted for the third amendment by Councillor Black (Councillors Black, Bollan, Brown, Finn, Hendrie and McElhill), 14 Members for the motion by Councillor Robertson (namely Provost Agnew, Councillors Bootland, Calvert, Casey, McAllister, McBride, J. McColl, McGlinchey, W. McLaughlin, McNair, Millar, Robertson, Rooney and Smillie) and 2 Members abstained (namely Councillors R. McColl and C. McLaughlin).

 

The motion was accordingly declared carried.

Dumbarton Common Good Fund – Budget Update May 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council Corporate Services Committee on Wednesday 11^th May, Councillors got an update on the 2015/16 Dumbarton Common Good Fund spending and the budget for 2016/2017.

The Dumbarton Common Good Fund spending was re-profiled in February 2013, setting out committed spend for a five-year period. The fund focussed its spending on grant funding to Dumbarton-based groups and to projects and operational costs.

In 2013, the Labour Administration also directed £325,000 for improvement projects in Dumbarton over the five years with £65,000 being available each year for larger project funding. The balance of unspent project funding from the Town Centre Management Fund was to be carried over in each year making a larger sum available in the subsequent year. The result of this approach has been to build up significant resources in the Dumbarton Town Centre Management Fund.

The Dumbarton Common Good Fund provided grants to the following organisations during 2015/16 and will continue to provide grants in 2016/17

• £11,721 Alcoholics Anonymous
• £ 5,000 Alternatives
• £17,801 Bellsmyre Digital Project
• £6,000 Bellsmyre Schools Out
• £10,000 Dumbarton Senior Citizens
• £2,600 Rockvale Rebound
• £51,000 Scottish Maritime Museum
• £40,000 West Dunbartonshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau
• £3,360 Small Grants

In addition the Dumbarton Common Good Fund grants other projects and activities received support such as:

• £14,354 Central Admin Allocation
• £15,000 Christmas Lights
• £9,050 Dumbarton Fireworks
• £10,840 Estates Dept – Management Fee
• £5,043 Town Centre Management

At the end of 2015/16 financial year the balance was £153,855. When this is added to the £65,000 already earmarked for the 2016/17 budget the funding available for this year is now £218,855.

So not only have we been able to maintain grant funding to a range of community organisations but we have also built up significant resources that can be used to improve the town. This shows that the action taken in 2013 was the right thing to do.

The timing of this is also helpful with all the activity going on in the town and with the reestablishment of the Dumbarton Town Centre Management Forum.

Notes:

1. The chair of the Dumbarton Town Centre Forum is Councillor David McBride.
2. A link to the Dumbarton Town Centre Common Good Fund guidance and the application for grant can be found here:

https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/business/regeneration/dumbarton-town-centre-projects/dumbarton-common-good-fund/