Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 19/03/2001

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th March 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor LUKE, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I HOUSING (SCOTLAND) BILL

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 150-2001 advising members of the contents of the Draft Housing (Scotland) Bill and indicating how the Bill related to comments submitted by Dundee City Council during the consultation process.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report and the Council's position as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report.

II DRAFT STRATEGIC AGREEMENT WITH SCOTTISH HOMES 2001 - 2003

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 157-2001 presenting the Draft Strategic Agreement between Dundee City Council and Scottish Homes.

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the Draft 2001 - 2003 Strategic Agreement and remitted to the Director of Housing to continue consultation on the draft and present the finalised Agreement to a future meeting of this Committee.

III TENDER FOR CARRIER AND REMOVAL CONTRACT - 2001/2006

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 759-2000 giving details of the sole offer received for the above contract.

The Committee agreed to accept the offer by Tayside Removals for the five year period commencing April 2001.

IV CONCRETE FLOOR WORKS - WATSON STREET/WELLGATE DEVELOPMENTS

The Director of Housing submitted Report 141-2001 highlighting problems identified with concrete elements in the above developments.

The Committee agreed:-

(a)that a programme of concrete floor reinforcement, window replacement and heating installation/rewiring be carried out at the Watson Street/Wellgate Developments;

(b)an allowance of 2.447 million be made in the Housing Capital Estimates and an allowance of 237,000 in the General Services Capital Budget over Financial Years 2001/02 and 2002/03 to carry out these works and for allowances and costs associated with these works;

(c)one additional Project Officer and one additional Housing Officer post be agreed for the Improvements and Maintenance Unit for the duration of the project, approximately nineteen months, these posts to be funded from the overall project costs;

(d)all tenants and owners directly affected by the flooring works be decanted for the period of the works;

(e)where a floor divides two owners' houses they will also be included in the contract and be provided if they wish with decant accommodation at no cost to themselves;

(f)Repairs Notices be issued to all owner/occupiers involved in the project in order to ensure that necessary works are carried out and to allow the City Council to undertake works in their homes if the notices default'

(g)to note that owners' costs be offset by the provision of improvement grant assistance of 75% of the costs of the work and associated redecoration; and

(h)decoration works be carried out by the successful contractor as part of the overall contract.

V HOME ENERGY CONSERVATION ACT 1995 - WARM DEAL SCHEME

The Director of Housing reported that various energy efficient measures, including loft insurance and draught proofing, were available to those on relevant passport benefit under the Warm Deal Scheme introduced by the Scottish Executive in June 1999.

The Committee noted that a letter would be included in all benefit entitlement notifications being set out by the Finance Department at the end of March 2001 with completed forms being directed to Claverhouse Services, Dundee who would carry out preliminary surveys and then do the actual work meeting the additional costs of approximately 700.

The Committee noted the action taken.

VI PITCH RENTS - TRAVELLING PEOPLE'S SITE - BALMUIR WOOD

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st February 2000 the Director of Housing requested approval to increase pitch rents by 1.55 per week with effect from 1st April 2001.

The Committee agreed that pitch rents be increased by 1.55 per week for the financial year 2001/2002.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED

(a)TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 169-2001 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(i)MENZIESHILL 7TH DEVELOPMENT - VARIOUS ADDRESSES - RENDER REPAIRS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Ward Building Services Limited to carry out the above works for the sum of 53,486.60 to which required to be added an allowance of 6,220 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 59,706.60.

The Committee also noted that the undernoted sub-contractors had been listed by Ward Building Services Limited:-

Ward Plumbing and Heating - Plumbing

Raynor Roofing - Felt Roofing.

(ii)WHITFIELD 2ND DEVELOPMENT (COTTAGES) - HEATING REPLACEMENT AND ELECTRICAL UPGRADING

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer by Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 200,303.34 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 282,006.34.

(b)TENDER RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

The City Engineer submitted Report No 164-2001 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contract:-

DEMOLITION OF TROTTICK, MAINS, CLAVERHOUSE, SHARP'S AND YEAMAN'S COURTS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Safedem Limited to carry out the above works for the sum of 1,065,274 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 1,438,274.00.

The Committee also noted that the undernoted sub-contractors had been listed by Safedem Limited:-

Robinson & Birdsell Limited-Explosive

ARDS Limited - Asbestos Removal.

Implodem Limited Protection for Explosives

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

Reference was made to the minute of the 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 February 2001 in each of the categories were as follows:-

IX NEW HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS - CITYWIDE STUDY - APPOINTMENT OF CONSULTANTS TO UNDERTAKE THE PROPERTY RISK ASSESSMENT STUDY AND THE FINANCIAL APPRAISAL PHASE 2 STUDY

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 146-2001 requesting authority to appoint consultants to undertake the above Risk Assessment Study and Financial Appraisal Phase 2 Study.

The Committee agreed to appoint WA Fairhurst & Partners to undertake the Property Risk Assessment Study and DTZ Pieda to undertake the Financial Appraisal Phase 2 Study.

IAIN LUKE, Convener.