Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 19/06/2000

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th June, 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor SHIMI, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th May, 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I HOUSING AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR POLICY AND PRACTICE

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 395-2000 advising the Committee on current Housing Department Policy and Practice in response to anti-social behaviour.

The Committee agreed:-

(a) the proposed policy statement on anti-social behaviour;

(b) the Housing Department continue to make full use of the legal remedies available and encourage other Council departments and agencies to make use of the measures open to them;

(c) the Housing Department continue to identify new initiatives with respect to anti-social behaviour, to identify best practice and to determine effectiveness with regard to the particular circumstances pertaining to Dundee;

(d) the continuation of the Joint Working Group between the Housing Department and Dundee Federation of Tenants Associations with input from other departments and agencies as appropriate; and

(e) the continuation of the communication strategy to provide appropriate information and advice to tenants/residents and the introduction of a Good Neighbour Charter.

II RENT MANAGEMENT PAYMENT FREQUENCIES

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 379-2000 outlining to the Committee various proposed changes to rent payment frequencies.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Sturrock, moved approval of the suggestion outlined in paragraph 6.6 of the report that any tenant wishing to pay their rent at a frequency less than fortnightly must do so in advance and that this decision be implemented from 2nd October, 2000, whereby giving tenants an opportunity to build up the necessary credit balance on their account.

As an amendment, Councillor Dawson, seconded by Councillor Petrie, recommended that the Committee amend the suggestion outlined in paragraph 6.6, ie any tenant who wishes to pay their rent at a frequency less than fortnightly must do so in advance and that this decision be implemented from 1st April, 2001 thereby giving tenants an opportunity to build up the necessary credit balance on their account, and that the Committee further agree that any new tenants wishing to pay their rent at a frequency less than fortnightly must do so in advance and that this decision be implemented from 2nd October, 2000.

On a division, there voted for the motion the Convener, Lord Provost Wright and Councillors de Gernier, Letford, Ward, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Kemp, Sturrock, Glen, Rolfe, Mackie, Wallace, Scott and Borthwick (16); and for the amendment Councillors Richard Beattie, Dawson, Sawers, FitzPatrick, Petrie, Guild, Corrigan, David Beattie, Fordyce and Bowes (10) whereupon the motion was declared carried.

III CHARLESTON, DUNDEE SALE OF GROUND TO MARGARET BLACKWOOD HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 397-2000 seeking approval for the sale of land to the above Housing Association.

The Committee:-

(a) approved the sale of a site in Charleston shown in Appendix 1 to the report to the Margaret Blackwood Housing Association Limited;

(b) instructed the Director of Economic Development to negotiate the sale of the site based on the District Valuer's valuation; and

(c) instructed the Director of Support Services to prepare the necessary offer and draft Disposition and seek the Secretary of State's consent for the sale.

IV DEMOLITION OF 90-228 ROSEMOUNT ROAD

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 383-2000 seeking approval for the demolition of 69 properties at the above addresses.

The Committee:-

(a) agreed that the above properties be declared surplus for demolition;

(b) remitted to the Director of Housing to award priority re-housing status to the remaining tenants as outlined in Appendix II, together with the statutory Home Loss payment of 1,500;

(c) remitted to the Director of Housing to bring forward proposals for demolition at the appropriate time; and

(d) remitted to the Director of Housing to bring forward proposals for redevelopment at the appropriate time.

V DEMOLITION OF HAREFIELD AND KILSPINDIE COURTS ADDITIONAL ASBESTOS COSTS

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th November, 1999 when approval was given to appoint Safedem Limited to carry out the demolition of the above at the overall expenditure of 583,000, the Director of Housing reported that, following advice from the City Engineer and to ensure no delay to the demolition on 14th May, 2000, he had authorised additional expenditure of 65,000 to remove asbestos tiles to a licensed tip.

The Committee approved accordingly.

VI FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING IN SCOTLAND 2000/2001

The Committee approved a financial contribution of 1,905.12 to the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) REPORT BY CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

There was submitted Report No. 407-2000.

(i) Stirling Park 3rd Development Pitched Roof Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Ltd amounting to 111,128.07 to which required to be added allowances of 3,750 for contingencies, 10,000 for decanting of tenants and 10,050 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 134,928.07.

The Committee also noted that J. Lammond, Brechin had been listed as the plumbing Sub-Contractor.

(ii) Alpin Road - Roof Repairs Phase I

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Raynor Roofing Ltd amounting to 224,447.54 to which required to be added an allowance of 16,570 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 241,017.54.

The Committee also noted that K & S Plumbing had been listed as the gas installation Sub-Contractor.

(iii) Craigiebank 3rd Development Roof Repairs Phase 1B

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Ward Building Services amounting to 76,728.49 to which required to be added 5,485 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 82,213.49.

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

SGB Dundee - Scaffolding

Coulson Slaters Roofing

Ward Plumbing and Heating Plumbing/Gas

(iv) 65 Dens Road Repairs Notice in Default

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Nortel Builders Ltd amounting to 50,934.29 to which required to be added an allowance of 6,200 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 57,134.29.

(v) 31 Malcolm Street Repairs Notice in Default

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by George Martin (Builders) Ltd amounting to 61,019.39 to which required to be added an allowance of 7,100 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 68,119.39.

The Committee also noted that the undernoted sub-contractors had been listed by George Martin (Builders) Ltd:-

Thomson & Douglas Ltd, Forfar Woodwork

William Donald Ltd Plumber

Nova Alarm Company Electrical

Angus Decorating Company, Arbroath Painter

Intona Preservation Ltd Specialist

(vi) 28 Cleghorn Street Repairs Notice in Default

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Ward Building Services Ltd amounting to 35,720.11 to which required to be added an allowance of 4,500 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 40,220.11.

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

SGB Scaffolding

Raynor Roofing Ltd Roofing

Ward Plumbing and Heating Plumber

G A Helmore Electrical

R Cumming Painter

(vii) 20 Isla Street Repairs Notice in Default

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer by J & G Construction amounting to 114,460.73 to which required to be added an allowance of 13,300 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 127,760.73.

The Committee also noted that the undernoted sub-contractors had been listed by J & G Construction:-

Andrew Clark, Slaters Roofing

Domestic Plumbing and Heating Plumber

Philectric Ltd Electrical

F Forbes & Son Painter

(viii) Menzieshill 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th Developments Window Replacements

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer by Dundee Contract Services amounting to 227,087.03 to which required to be added an allowance of 8,790 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 235,877.03.

(b) REPORT BY CITY ENGINEER

1-4 Monktoan Loan, Whitfield - Demolition

There was submitted Report No. 371-2000.

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by J.R. Masterton and Son (Demolitions) Ltd. amounting to 53,005 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances making a total expenditure of 90,005:-

The Committee also noted that Tayside Security had been listed by J.R. Masterton and Son (Demolitions) Ltd. for security patrols.

The Convener agreed that this item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No. 51(3)(6) in view of the timescales involved.

VIII Demolition 1-24 Kilbride Place and 72-77 Kilwinning Place

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th October, 1999, the Director of Housing reported that as these properties had become vacant and, as a consequence, the subject of vandalism and fire raising, he had instructed the City Engineer to negotiate an extension to the tender submitted by J R Masterton & Son (Demolitions) Ltd for the demolition of 1-48 Monkton Loan which had been approved earlier by this Committee.

The City Engineer had negotiated an increase in tender costs of 42,549, together with allowances of 22,211 for tipping charges, landscaping, contingencies and professional fees, making an overall cost of 64,760.

The Committee agreed to extend the contract with J R Masterton & Son (Demolitions) Ltd to carry out the above demolition and incur the expenditure indicated.

IX COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

The Committee approved the undernoted applications received by the Director of Housing requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2000/2001:-

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 May 2000 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 during discussion of the undernoted items of business on the grounds that the involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

XI DUNDEE WOMEN'S AID SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT 2000-2003

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 390-2000 seeking approval of the service level agreement between Dundee City Council and Dundee Women's Aid Collective Ltd.

The Committee approved the terms of the service level agreement as appended to the report.

XII LAND AT OLD GLAMIS ROAD

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 427-2000 seeking approval for the letting of ground at Old Glamis Road in order to accommodate the creation of a new entrance to factory premises.

The Committee agreed that the City Council enter into a lease of land at Old Glamis Road to the company involved in return for the construction of 9 new permanent lock-up garages.

JILL SHIMI, Convener.