Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 15/10/2001

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th October, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor SHIMI, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th September, 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF 36 FLATS AT 1-18 AND 55-72 CARBERRY CRESCENT SURPLUS AND SALE OF LAND IN WHITFIELD

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th February 2001 the Director of Housing submitted Report No. 601-2001 on the regeneration of the Whitfield area by removing structurally poor housing and providing registered social landlords the opportunity to construct housing the community desired.

The Committee:-

(a) agreed to declare surplus 36 flats at 1-18 and 55-72 Carberry Crescent and the lock-up garages at 1-12 Carberry 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.

(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.

(d) remitted to the Director of Economic Development to enter into negotiations with Home In Scotland for the sale of land at Carberry Crescent with buildings at nil value, subject to satisfactory negotiations and report back to Committee.

(e) remitted to the Director of Economic Development to enter into negotiations with Angus Housing Association for the sale of land at Salton Crescent with buildings at nil value, subject to satisfactory negotiations and report back to Committee.

(f) remitted to the Director of Economic Development to enter into negotiations with Home in Scotland for the sale of land at Whitfield Drive at a value to be determined by the District Valuer, subject to satisfactory negotiations and report back to Committee.

The Director of Housing declared an interest and took no part in discussion of the above item.

II REVIEW OF HOUSE LETTING REGULATIONS - LOCAL POINTS

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 607-2001 recommending a change to the House Letting Regulations to remove local area points and requesting approval to put this amendment in place to coincide with the agreed changes to the area office boundaries which would take place once the Ardler stock transfer was complete.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor de Gernier, moved approval of the report.

As an amendment Councillor Dawson, seconded by Councillor Petrie, moved that the report be deferred.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Letford and Councillors de Gernier, Wright, Ward, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Sturrock, Glen, Grant, Rolfe, MacPherson and Borthwick (14); and for the amendment - Councillors Barrie, Dawson, Sawers, Fitzpatrick, Petrie, Guild, Corrigan, Dave Beattie, Fordyce, Bowes, Powrie, Mackie, Wallace and Scott (14) - whereupon there being a parity of votes, the Convener voted in favour of the motion which was declared carried.

III BROUGHTY FERRY 3RD DEVELOPMENT - ROOF RENEWALS PHASE 1 - EXTENSION TO CONTRACT

On a reference to Article I(b) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th June, 2001 the City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 643-2001 requesting approval to extend the existing contracts.

The Committee agreed to extend the existing contract which would incur estimated additional expenditure of approximately 37,500.

IV TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) The City Engineer submitted Report No 624-2001 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(i) Concrete Repairs - Underground Garages - Derby Street MSD

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Mackenzie Construction Limited amounting to 32,882.16 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Contingencies - 5,500

DCS Investigation Works - 600

Clearance of Garage by DCC Cleansing - 3,000

Additional Fees - 4,500

Planning Supervisor Fees - 400

making a total expenditure of 46,882.16.

(ii) 1-18 and 19-36 Small Copper Court, Whitfield - Demolition

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th February 2001, the Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Nicholson & Sons (Metals) Limited amounting to 34,850 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Contingencies - 10,000

Professional Fees - 5,850

Post Demolition Treatment - 11,500

Public Utilities - 5,000

making a total expenditure of 67,200.

(iii) Murrayfield EI's

The Committee agreed to accept the revised offer of 419,000 from T & N Gilmartin Limited to which required to be added allowances of 20,000 for lighting, 10,000 for contingencies and 51,000 for professional fees making a total expenditure of 500,000.

(iv) PRC Repairs to Orlit House Types at St Mary's 5th Development

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by George Martin (Builders) Limited amounting to 27,438 to which required to be added allowances of 2,062 for contingencies, 500 for planning and supervisor fees and 3,540 for additional fees making a total expenditure of 33,540.

(b) The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 639-2001 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(i) Maxwelltown MSD, Carnegie Tower - Fabric Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Muirfield (Contracts) Limited amounting to 133,392.01 to which required to be added allowances of 11,870 for professional services and 1,000 for structural engineering services making a total expenditure of 146,262.01.

The Committee also noted that Muirfield (Contracts) Ltd had listed T S Sealants Ltd, Kirkcaldy as the sub-contractor for mastic pointing.

(ii) Whorterbank MSD, Ancrum Court - Fabric Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Foreman Construction Limited amounting to 95,573 to which required to be added allowances of 9,715 for professional services and 1,000 for structural engineering services making a total expenditure of 106,288.00.

The Committee also noted that Forman Construction Ltd had listed Caledonian Sealants, Glasgow as the sub-contractor for mastic pointing.

(iii) Kirk Street MSD, Elders Court - Fabric Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Foreman Construction Limited amounting to 77,508.45 to which required to be added the allowances of 8,755 for professional services and 1,000 for structural engineering services making a total expenditure of 87,263.45.

The Committee also noted that Foreman Construction Limited had listed Caledonian Sealants, Glasgow as the sub-contractor for mastic pointing.

(iv) Menzieshill 8th Development - Fabric Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited, Forfar amounting to 63,179.06 to which required to be added an allowance of 6,055 for professional services making a total expenditure of 69,234.06.

(v) West Kirkton BISF - Window Replacement

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer by Dundee Contract Services amounting to 204,139.027 to which required to be added an allowance of 7,340 for professional services making a total expenditure of 211,479.27.

(vi) Craigie Drive 3rd Development - Heating Replacement and Electrical Upgrading

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by McGill Electrical Limited amounting to 123,883.77 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Redecoration of Elderly Tenants' Houses - 30,000

Decoration Vouchers - 2,000

Carpet Vouchers - 500

Decanting of Tenants - 10,000

Gas Connection Charges - 17,792.54

Electric Connection Charges - 16,000

Professional Services - 16,285

making a total expenditure of 216,461.31.

The Committee noted that McGill Electrical Ltd had listed John Lawne (Demolition) Ltd, Aberdeen as the sub-contractor for asbestos removal.

(vii) 1-3 Craighill Court and 155A-1545B Pitkerro Road - Roughcast Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited, Forfar amounting to 41,734 to which required to be added an allowance of 5,168 for professional services making a total expenditure of 46,902.

The Committee also noted that Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited had listed the undernoted sub-contractors:-

G & M Electrical, Forfar - electrical

G M Guild, Forfar - plumbing

(viii) 59-69 Hilltown - Roof Renewal

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Raynor Building Services Limited amounting to 50,803.67 to which required to be added an allowance of 6,667 for professional services making a total expenditure of 57,470.67.

V COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

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

The Committee approved accordingly.

VI WATERPROOFING MAXWELLTOWN AND JAMAICA TOWER BALCONIES

On a reference to Article IV(b) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th June 2001 the Committee noted that extensive additional defects had been uncovered to the existing waterproofing of the balconies at Jamaica Tower and that additional costs had been estimated at approximately 30,000 but had yet to be fully evaluated.

VII TRANSFER OF LAND AT THE HUB (MIDMILL HALL), PITKERRO ROAD, DUNDEE TO NEIGHBOURHOOD RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

The Committee agreed that the above land be transferred to the Neighbourhood Resources and Development Department (General Services) Account subject to the consent of the First Minister.

VIII JOINT WORKING FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE

It was reported that on 20th November 2001, the Housing Department had received an award of 13,500 from Tayside Health Board's allocation of resources through the Rough Sleepers Initiative to research the health needs of homeless people.

The Committee noted that copies of the completed report, "Pass the Parcel", An Investigation into the Hospital Discharge Arrangements for Homeless People, had been placed in the Members' Lounge and that Officers were working with Social Work Department staff and health providers towards implementation of the recommendations through joint planning mechanisms.

IX KINGSWAY EAST EXTENSION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

On a reference to Article XI(b) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th November 2000 it was reported for the information of the Committee that a negotiated offer of 94,039.98 from T & N Gilmartin (Contractors) Ltd had been accepted to carry out a continuation of the street frontage works conforming to the Dundee Ambassador Route Design Guide, from the southern boundary of the site to the northern boundary of the Milton of Craigie Retail Park.

X 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 September 2001 in each of the categories were as follows:-

* May include commercial premises

JILL SHIMI, Convener.