Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 16/04/2001

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th April, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor LUKE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th March, 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I REDUCTION IN HOMELESSNESS PRESENTATION

The Director of Housing reported that there had been a reduction in presentations to the City Council from people who were homeless or threatened with homelessness but that applications from single person, particularly young single persons, were on the increase and the number of applicants who were actually roofless and required temporary accommodation at the point of presentation represented 44% of all applicants.

The Director also reported that significant additional duties towards homeless persons were to be introduced in the forthcoming Housing Bill, including the requirement to produce a local strategy, give enhanced housing advice and provide temporary accommodation to any homeless person regardless of priority status.

The Committee noted that the Director of Housing would submit a report on proposals to address these additional duties to a future meeting of this Committee.

II STRATEGIC AGREEMENT WITH SCOTTISH HOMES 2001/2003

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th March, 2001 the Director of Housing advised the Committee that the consultation process for the above agreement had been completed and where appropriate, comments received, which had been incorporated into the text.

The Committee approved the 2001/2003 Strategic Agreement.

III SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE CENTRAL HEATING INITIATIVE

The Director of Housing submitted Report No. 208-2001 on the above initiative by the Scottish Executive to provide over the next 5 years a central heating package which included heating, insulation, advice and other benefits to an estimated 140,000 households across Scotland from April 2001 to approximately March 2006.

The Committee noted the details of the Scottish Executive Central Heating Initiative and remitted to the Director of Housing to report on the success of the Council's bid to the Scottish Executive under the scheme to provide 2,668 Council tenants with central heating at a grant level of 2,500 per house giving a total bid of 6.67 million over a maximum of 5 years.

The Committee also noted that this would be reported as part of the revised capital estimates to the June Policy and Resources Committee.

IV COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

The Director of Housing reported that an application had been received from St. Mary's Association of Residents and Tenants (New Group) requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2001 to 2002.

The Committee approved a grant of 270.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No. 206-2001 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) St. Mary's 10th Development

1-7 St. Clements Terrace - Roof Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer by Dundee Contract Services amounting to 24,131 to which required to be added an allowance of 3,440 for professional services making a total expenditure of 27,571.

The Committee also noted that Dundee Contract Services had listed Copper Ridge Company Limited, Perth as the sub-contractor for ridges.

(b) Craigie Street (Sheltered) Development - Window Replacement

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer by Dundee Contract Services amounting to 48,916.69 to which required to be added allowances of 2,000 for contingencies and 3,240 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 54,156.69.

(c) Dallfield MSD - Landlords Supplies

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by D.H. Morris Limited amounting to 110,853.71 to which required to be added an allowance of 12,160 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 123,013.71.

(d) Dryburgh Farmhouse (Sheltered) - Window Replacement

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer by Dundee Contract Services amounting to 37,498.19 to which required to be added an allowance for professional services of 2,495 making a total expenditure of 39,993.19.

(e) Brackens Flats (Development) - Heating Installation and Electrical Upgrading

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by McGill Electrical Limited amounting to 188,497.52 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

VI 125 KINGSWAY EAST - BEDSIT INTEGRATIONS - EXTENSION TO CONTRACT

On a reference to Article V(a)(xi) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th October, 2000 the City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No. 217-2001 requesting approval to extending the existing contract by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited at an estimated additional expenditure of 32,000.

The Committee agreed to extend the existing contract.

VII HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1987 - IMPROVEMENT, REPAIRS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS, HOME LOANS ETC.

Reference was made to the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 15th November, 1999 when grant expenditure under the Housing (Non HRA) Budget was agreed.

It was agreed that the grants approved during March 2001 in each of the categories were as follows:-

The Committee may resolve under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

VIII LAND AT GRAHAM STREET (ADJACENT TO MARYFIELD GOODS YARD)

It was reported that the company intending to carry out a residential development on the site of the former Maryfield Goods Yard had proposed a number of access to serve the site, one of which was over land owned by the City Council extending to approximately 0.91 acres.

The Committee approved the disposal of the land to the company for an appropriate consideration together with reimbursement of the Council's legal expenses.

IX FIRST FLOOR FLAT, 82 CARBERRY CRESCENT, WHITFIELD

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th February, 2001 the Committee approved the provisional terms which had been agreed to reacquire the above property for an appropriate sum including Home Loss Entitlement plus payment of the tenant's reasonable legal fees and remitted to the Director of Support Services to conclude the legal formalities.

X MAISONETTE, 95 CARBERRY CRESCENT, WHITFIELD

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th February, 2001 the Committee approved the provisional terms which had been agreed to reacquire the above property for an appropriate sum including Home Loss Entitlement plus payment of the tenants' reasonable legal fees and remitted to the Director of Support Services to conclude the legal formalities.

IAIN LUKE, Convener.