Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 18/09/2000

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th September 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor LUKE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st August 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I "BETTER HOMES FOR SCOTLAND'S COMMUNITIES" - THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE'S PROPOSALS FOR THE HOUSING BILL

(a) COUNCIL'S RESPONSE

The Director of Housing Report No 605-2000 advising the Committee on the above Paper and submitting a draft Response from Dundee City Council to the proposals contained therein.

The Committee agreed to accept the Paper and further agreed to the submission as Dundee City Council's response to the proposals with the addition of the undernoted proposals by the Convener under the appropriate sections:-

Single Social Tenancy

That Urban Councils should be extended the same opportunity as Rural Authorities in regards to Right to Buy, to be able within the Single Housing Plan to identify types of provision under pressure and which should in future be exempt on an area basis from the Right to Buy.

The Right to Buy should also be extended to secure tenants in the Private Rented Sector on the same basis as now being proposed for tenants of housing associations.

Short Single Tenancy

Councils should be allowed the discretion to use probationary tenancies where they believe there may be initial problems with prospective understanding what is required of them under the Missive of Let.

The Strategic Role of Local Authorities

Dundee City Council firmly believe that there is no reason why Local Authorities cannot effectively perform both the provider and the strategic role. As a consequence the Council believe that the City Council as well as being responsible for producing the Single Housing Plan should also be responsible for the Strategic Housing Budget.

Community Ownership

The Council believe that this section should be widened to allow Scottish Local Authorities the opportunity to investigate the range of Housing Organisation Structures being afforded to English Authorities in the English Green Paper such s 100% Council owned arms length housing companies and public corporations.

The role of DLOs should also be widened and the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970 be amended to:-

1)Allow DLOs to provide repairs and maintenance services to a wider range of landlords and organisations. Further a permissive approach in defining maintenance as promoted in "Best Value". New Steps should be adopted. An over prescription may well result in the prevention of effective partnerships being formed and an inability within Councils to react to and provide for potential emergency situations.

(2)Enable DLOs to become more actively involved in New Housing Partnerships and the provision of New Build opportunities on behalf of Councils in future Private/Public Sector Partnerships.

(b) COSLA APPOINTMENT - TEMPORARY HOUSING BILL OFFICER

The Director of Housing reported that COSLA had proposed that each Council make a small contribution towards the recruitment of a temporary Housing Bill Officer to ensure fullest consultation with the Scottish Local Authorities during the Bills' Parliamentary process.

The Committee agreed to a contribution of 2,000 towards the appointment by COSLA of a temporary Housing Bill Officer.

II NEW HOUSING PARTNERSHIP - ARDLER STOCK TRANSFER

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 595-2000 seeking approval to proceed with the ballot of tenants in the Ardler Housing Estate, subject to Scottish Executive consent, to determine support for the proposed stock transfer to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a)ratify the final draft of the Ardler Master Plan as agreed by all partners through the Ardler Project Co-Ordinating Group which had been made available to Councillors;

(b)remit to the Director of Housing to carry out a programme of consultation and issue the Stage 1 and 2 Formal Notices as required by the Scottish Executive to all residents in Ardler;

(c)remit to the Director of Housing to appoint the Electoral Reform Ballot Society to carry out a ballot of all tenants in the Ardler Estate to determine support for the proposed stock transfer; and

(d)remit to the Director of Housing to bring forward proposals for stock transfer to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association, subject to tenant support, at the appropriate time.

III ARDLER - A NEW BEGINNING (NEW HOUSING PARTNERSHIP)

(a) TRANSFER OF SITE 1A TO WIMPEY HOMES

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th November 1998 and Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th June 1996 and Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th June 2000, as a result of negotiations with Wimpey Homes it was intended to dispose of the site at a cleared site valuation to be reported back to the Committee for approval with Wimpey Homes undertaking demolition of specified properties at a price which allowed the City Council to benefit from the economies of scale of the Ardler Partnership.

The Committee agrees accordingly.

(b) TRANSFER OF SITE 1B TO SANCTUARY SCOTLAND HOUSING ASSOCIATION

On a reference to Article XI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th October 1999, the Director of Housing advised the Committee that in order to facilitate the development programme for the Ardler Regeneration and to match undertakings regarding land uses contained in the original Minute of Agreement, it was necessary to enter into a Supplementary Minute of Agreement with Scottish Homes.

The Committee instructed the Director of Support Services to enter into a Supplementary Minute of Agreement to formalise the above.

IV AT RISK HOUSING

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th January 1998, the Director of Housing reported that the At Risk Working Group had met on 16th August 2000 and now recommended that the undernoted properties be regarded as At Risk of being demolished due to lack of demand.

Properties for Declaration as At Risk

The Committee noted the aforementioned properties as potentially at risk and remitted to the Director of Housing to stop letting properties within these addresses and seek Council Tax exemption on all currently vacant and new vacant (as they occur) properties within these addresses.

V VARIOUS HOUSING ESTATES (INDIVIDUAL HOUSES) - HEATING AND ELECTRICAL UPGRADING - EXTENSION TO CONTRACT

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 588-2000 requesting approval for extending the existing contract to include a further nine houses.

The Committee approved the additional expenditure of approximately 52,000 including professional services.

VI RIGHT TO REPAIR (2000/2001)

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 578-2000 giving details of a list of contractors prepared to carry out qualifying repairs under the Secure Tenants (Right to Repair) (Scotland) Regulations 1994.

The Committee agreed to approve the list of contractors as detailed below:-

S Campbell Buildings & Joiners, Cupar

All Glass & Glazing, Dundee

A Dailly (Glaziers), Dundee

Jaydee Heating Ltd, Dundee

McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee

D H Morris Ltd, Dundee

Ward Building Services, Dundee

Wardah Electrics Ltd, Dundee.

VII BYRON STREET TENEMENTS - HEATING INSTALLATION - PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 527-2000 detailing the Partnership Contract to install heating at Byron Street tenements.

The Committee approved the acceptance of Easy Heat Systems, Perth as the Partnership Contractor to install heating systems.

VIII DUDHOPE COURT MSD - HEATING REPLACEMENT, ELECTRICAL UPGRADING AND SECURITY INITIATIVE - PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 528-2000 giving details of the Partnership Contract to install heating, upgrade the existing electrical installations and provide security installations at the above MSD.

The Committee agreed to accept D H Morris & Co Ltd, Dundee as the Partnership Contractor to install heating systems, upgrade the electrical installations and provide security measures.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) TENDERS RECEIVED BY THE CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 587-2000 giving details of the offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(i)Strips of Craigie Development (Flats) - Heating Replacement and Electrical Upgrading

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above work for the sum of 86,340.76 to which required to added the undernoted allowances, making a total expenditure of 147,468.76:

(ii)Douglas and Angus Second Development (Third Section) - Window Replacement

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 37,659.77 to which required to added an allowance of 3,179 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 40,838.77.

(iii) Whitfield Skarne Flats - Window Replacement

The Committee agreed to accept the offer negotiated with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 119,868.19 to which required to be added an allowance of 6,000 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 126,468.19.

(iv) St Mary's 12th Development - Roof Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 244,767.64 to which required to be added an allowance of 18,000 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 262,767.64.

(v)Menzieshill, Lossie Place, Charleston Drive, Tweed Crescent, Spey Drive and Thurso Crescent - Bedsit Integrations 2000/2001

The Committee agreed to accept the offer negotiated with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 104,551.24 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances, making a total expenditure of 129,883.24:-

(b) Kirkton Housing Security Improvements - Phase 2

The City Engineer submitted Report No 579-2000 giving details of a negotiated offer with T & N Gilmarton Contractors (Limited) to carry out the above works for the sum of 234,345.02 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances, making a total expenditure of 280,000.00:-

X COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

The Director of Housing reported that applications had been received requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2000/2001.

The Committee approved the grants as undernoted:-

XI 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 August 2000 in each of the categories were as follows:-

* May include commercial premises.

XII ENERGY EFFICIENCY DEMONSTRATION HOUSE

The Director of Housing reported that Transco had approached the Housing Department requesting the use of a void property in which they could demonstrate the types of measures which could be carried out to improve energy efficiency if all available grant schemes were accessed.

The Committee noted that the Housing Department had agreed to retain 47 Midmill Road for this purpose for a six month period with Transco paying the rent loss as well as carpeting and redecoration.

XIII SEMINAR - HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION - 27TH SEPTEMBER 2000 - PERTH

The Committee authorised the attendance of the Depute Convener, one member of the Major Opposition Party and one member of the Minority Group at the above seminar.

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 during discussion of the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

XIV PREFERRED FUEL SUPPLIER

The Director of Housing submitted Report No. 602-2000 giving details of offers received to supply fuel for housing.

The Committee agreed to accept the most advantageous offer and instructed the Housing Department to investigate setting up a Community Energy Efficiency Fund in order to channel the income received from the preferred supplier.

IAIN LUKE, Convener.