Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 20/08/2001

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th August 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor SHIMI, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th June 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SINGLE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK - CONSULTATION RESPONSE

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 512-2001 containing the City Council's response to Scottish Homes' proposals for the Single Regulatory Framework.

The Committee agreed that the comments set out in the report be forwarded to Scottish Homes as the City Council's formal response, including a recommendation that regulation of the private sector be also considered.

II HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1987, SECTION 108 REPAIRS NOTICE - 44 PROVOST ROAD

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 472-2001 seeking approval for the service of a Repairs Notice on the above property.

The Committee (a) approved the service of a Repairs Notice in terms of Section 108 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 with a time limit of, as nearly as may be, six months for compliance with the terms of the Notice, (b) agreed that should owners fail to comply with the terms of the Notice, the Council should instruct the work to be carried out in default and the Director of Housing, in consultation as appropriate with the relevant departments, should appoint consultants to execute the works required, and (c) should default action be implemented, the appropriate officers be instructed to authorise and arrange payments to the engaged consultants as appropriate.

III LEASE OF PROPERTIES AS STUDENT ACCOMMODATION TO DUNDEE COLLEGE

On a reference to Article XII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 2nd April 1992, the Director of Housing submitted Report No 440-2001 seeking approval for the renewal of Dundee College Leases from 1st September 2001 to 30th August 2004 for the twenty three unfurnished properties at 12 and 30 Clepington Street.

The Committee approved the renewal of the Leases for the period 1st September 2001 to 30th August 2004.

IV TRAVELLING PEOPLE (UNAUTHORISED ENCAMPMENTS) - PROTOCOL BETWEEN DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL AND TAYSIDE POLICE

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 470-2001 seeking approval to enter into a formal protocol with Tayside Police in terms of Appendix I of the report.

The Committee agreed that the Director of Housing liaise with appropriate Chief Officers and Tayside Police to facilitate the production of a signed formal protocol between Dundee City Council and Tayside Police in response to unauthorised encampments.

V SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE CENTRAL HEATING INITIATIVE

The Director of Housing and the Director of Personnel and Management Services submitted Joint Report No 497-2001 informing the Committee of the outcome of Dundee City Council's bid to the Scottish Executive for resources to undertake the Central Heating Initiative for Council house tenants in Dundee and outlining the size of the grant allocated and the additional resources required to administer the scheme.

The Committee:-

(a)noted the Scottish Executive's allocation of 1,897,500 for financial year 2001/2002 specifically to fund the Central Heating Initiative;

(b)agreed that the grant be partly utilised to fund up to 2,500 per house on 190 houses already agreed at the Policy and Resources Committee on 18th June 2001 as part of the Heating for All Programme;

(c)agreed to an additional 569 houses being brought forward for completion this financial year;

(d)agreed that addresses of these houses to be brought forward be included at Appendix 1 although it should be noted that some houses in these developments might carry forward to financial year 2002/03;

(e)agreed to enter into negotiated contract arrangements with up to five contractors for financial year 2001/02 with a view to entering into formal partnerships for the four year length of the programme to ensure both availability of contractors able to carry out the work and to ensure consistency of price for the Council over the same period of time;

(f)agreed to Dundee Community Energy Partnership carrying out national home energy rating surveys in each house, energy advice and budgeting advice for all tenants involved, and a benefit check: at a cost of 32 per house for two visits, this cost would be met from the Scottish Executive allocation;

(g)agreed to the installation of carbon monoxide detectors and cold alarms in each house benefiting from the programme - this would be funded from the Scottish Executive allocation;

(h)agreed that prices be negotiated with contractors on this year's projects, and that the contractors be approved by delegated powers to Chief Officers and reported retrospectively to the Housing Committee - this would help to ensure a full spend this financial year; and

(i)recommended that the Personnel and Management Services Committee:

(i)agree to the establishment of one post at Project Officer grade, scale points 27-30 (18,378-20,397) for an initial period of eighteen months in the Improvements and Maintenance Unit, and

(ii)agree to the establishment of two posts at Housing Officer grade, scale points 19-26 (14,484-17,796) for an initial period of eighteen months in the Improvements and Maintenance Unit.

VI DUNDEE COMMUNITY ENERGY PARTNERSHIP

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 534-2001 advising the Committee of the proposals to set up the Dundee Community Energy Partnership and seeking approval for the secondment of a member of staff from the Housing Department to Transco to manage the project for an initial period of twelve months.

The Committee agreed that (a) Dundee City Council join together with Transco and Scottish and Southern Energy plc (trading locally as Scottish Hydro) as the key partners in the Dundee Community Energy Partnership, (b) a member of staff from the Housing Department be seconded to Transco Heat for the purpose of managing the Dundee Community Energy Project for an initial period of twelve months, and (c) the Housing Department purchase 4,000 NHER surveys and energy advice visits from the Claverhouse Group at a cost of 32,000 which could be met from the Housing Capital budget and the Scottish Executive allocation for the Central Heating Initiative.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 450-2001 giving details of the offers received for the undernoted contracts.

(a) CAMPERDOWN 10TH DEVELOPMENT (FLATS) - WINDOW REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 174,118.57 to which required to be added an allowance of 6,285 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 180,403.57.

(b) CAMPERDOWN 12TH AND 13TH DEVELOPMENTS - WINDOW REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 130,434.63 to which required to be added an allowance of 5,367 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 135,801.63.

(c)MONCUR CRESCENT AND CANNING STREET DEVELOPMENT - ROOF REPAIRS PHASE 2

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited, Forfar, amounting to 210,696.96 to which required to be added allowances of 1,646 for building warrant and 14,320 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 226,662.96.

The Committee also noted that Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited had listed Domestic Plumbing and Heating as the sub-contractor for plumbing.

(d) VARIOUS HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS - VENTILATION DUCT MAINTENANCE

The Committee agreed to accept the lower offer by Gowrie Hygiene Limited amounting to 30,952 to which required to be added an allowance of 1,083 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 32,035.

(e) 12 BALCARRES TERRACE - SHELTERED LOUNGE FIRE EXIT

The Committee agreed to accept an offer from Dundee Contract Services under the Schedule of Rates to carry out the above works for the sum of 3,418 to which required to be added allowances of 500 for contingencies, 82 for building warrant and 600 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 4,600.

(f)CAMPERDOWN 1ST DEVELOPMENT: 80 BROWNHILL ROAD - EXTERNAL FABRIC REPAIRS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited, Forfar, amounting to 54,834.83 to which required to be added an allowance of 6,080 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 60,914.83.

(g) FOGGYLEY MSD - CCTV SYSTEM

The Committee agreed to accept the specialist offer from Videowatchman Systems Limited, Coatbridge, amounting to 18,322.40 to which required to be added allowances of 27,186 for supply, installation, connection and commissioning of fibre optic link and 3,195 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 48,703.40.

The Committee also noted that Videowatchman Systems Limited had listed Coltart Contracts, Kilmarnock, as the sub-contractor for civil engineering.

(h)DOUGLAS AND ANGUS 2ND DEVELOPMENT (FLATS) - WINDOW REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 274,712.62 to which required to be added an allowance of 9,550 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 284,262.62.

(i)HOSPITAL PARK DEVELOPMENT - BOILER REPLACEMENT AND HEATING CONTROLS UPGRADING

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 119,730 to which required to be added allowances of 5,987 for contingencies, 12,000 for redecoration of kitchens and 16,526 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 154,243.

VIII MONCUR CRESCENT AND CANNING STREET DEVELOPMENTS - ROOF AND CHIMNEY REPAIRS PHASE 1

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 493-2001 requesting approval to extend the existing contract.

The Committee approved the extension of the existing contract and agreed to incur estimated additional expenditure of approximately 23,500.

IX 1 AND 2 FOREBANK TERRACE - ROOF RENEWAL

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 494-2001 seeking approval to extend the existing contract.

The Committee approved the to extension of the existing contract and agreed to incur estimated additional expenditure of approximately 18,200.

X COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

The Director of Housing reported that the undernoted applications had been received requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2001/2002 as undernoted:-

The Committee approved accordingly.

XI ARDLER REDEVELOPMENT - SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th October 1998 and Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th March 1999, the City Engineer reported that the above works were now complete and a final account had been agreed.

The Committee authorised the final additional expenditure of 118,751.

XII PROVISION OF HOUSING ACCOMMODATION - DUNDEE ISLAMIC CENTRE, 6 MILN STREET

The Director of Housing reported that a request had been received from the Dundee Islamic Centre to have a property allocated to them to enable their Imam and his family to live reasonably close to their mosque in Miln Street.

The Committee approved the request and instructed the Director of Housing to offer a four apartment property for rent to the Dundee Islamic Centre.

XIII HOME ENERGY CONSERVATION ACT 1995 (HECA) - SCOTTISH HECA OFFICERS' NETWORK (SHON)

The Committee authorised the Director of Housing to continue membership of the Scottish HECA Officers' Network (SHON) at a cost of 300 plus VAT per annum.

XIV DEMOLITION OF 54 FLATS AT HADDINGTON CRESCENT, WHITFIELD

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 474-2001 seeking approval for the demolition of 54 flats at Haddington Crescent (Numbers 163 to 216).

The Committee:-

(a)agreed to declare surplus and demolish 54 flats at 163-216 Haddington Crescent, Whitfield, Dundee;

(b)remitted to the Director of Housing to award priority rehousing status to the remaining tenants, together with the statutory Home Loss payment of 1,500 (Appendix 2);

(c)approved in principle the repurchase of the one owner occupied property, remitted to the Director of Economic Development to enter into negotiations with the owners on a "without prejudice" basis and remitted to the Director of Housing to award the appropriate financial and rehousing package (Appendix 3);

(d)remitted to the Director of Planning and Transportation to prepare tenders and seek offers for demolition and post demolition treatment at the appropriate time.

XV 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 May, June and July 2001 in each of the categories were as follows:-

* May include commercial premises

The Committee resolved 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.

XVI SITE ADJACENT TO TENNIS COURT, QUEEN STREET, SCOTSCRAIG ESTATE, TAYPORT

The Director of Economic Development reported that provisional agreement had been reached with Fife Council for the disposal of a site adjacent to Tayport Tennis Club to be used for the purposes of improving the facilities at the club.

The Committee agreed to the disposal of the site on the terms and conditions stated, subject to completion of legal formalities.

XVII BALGOWAN AVENUE - SALE

The Director of Economic Development reported that two small sites at the above address remained undeveloped and had failed to attract purchasers when marketed.

After an approach to the owners of adjoining ground and property a price had been provisionally agreed for the two remaining sites for redevelopment within a period of eighteen months and completion within eighteen months thereafter.

The Committee agreed to the sale of the two sites on the terms and conditions stated.

JILL SHIMI, Convener.