Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 20/05/2002

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th May, 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor SHIMI, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd April, 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DUNDEE COMMUNITY ENERGY PARTNERSHIP

On a reference to Article VII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th August, 2001 the Director of Housing submitted Report No 457-2002 advising of the progress made in the development of Dundee Community Energy Partnership and its launch.

The Committee noted the launch of the Partnership and agreed to support the project in principle and in practice when it became operational within Councillors' individual wards.

II ENERGY ADVICE IN DUNDEE

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 324-2002 outlining the need of enhanced energy advice in the city, how this could be achieved and how it would be paid for by the use of funds generated by the Preferred Fuel Supplier Scheme.

The Committee:-

(a) agreed the criteria for the urgent heating allowance;

(b) agreed to the expansion of the energy advice provision in the city through SCARF (Save Cash And Reduce Fuel) and noted that a revised Service Level Agreement would be prepared for approval;

(c) agreed that these projects meet the criteria, ie to spend the funds on energy efficiency works or services and to use the income from the Preferred Fuel Supplier Scheme for these issues; and

(d) noted that to facilitate co-ordination quarterly meetings would be held between the Council and SCARF, and that SCARF would be invited to become a partner in DCEP (Dundee Community Energy Partnership).

III THE SCOTTISH FUEL POVERTY STATEMENT: CONSULTATIVE DRAFT

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 14th May, 2001 the Director of Housing submitted Report No 310-2002 advising the Committee of the proposals contained in the Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement Consultative Draft issued by the Scottish Executive and outlining the Council's response in Appendix 1 of the Report.

The Committee approved the comments in Appendix 1 as the response from Dundee City Council to the Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement: Consultative Draft.

IV CENTRAL AREA OFFICE - STAFFING STRUCTURE

The Director of Housing and the Director of Personnel and Management Services submitted Joint Report No 289-2002 proposing a revision of the Central Area Housing Staffing Structure in the light of operational experience since the area office restructure in December 2001.

The Committee approved the content of the report.

V DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICE DEVELOPMENT FUND: EXTENSION TOTRAINING/INFORMATION POSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN76-2002 advising that part of the bid submitted by the Council for funding under the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund relating to the creation of posts within Dundee Women's Aid to provide training, information and advice to victims, potential victims and other stakeholders, had been successful and the post holders had been in place since July 2000. The Scottish Executive had subsequently reconsidered a bid for a two year extension to the project and were now prepared to support the bid which would allow the development of further training in Housing and Social Work and to extend this to other departments of the Council.

The Committee noted the progress made to date and the proposals for the next two years.

VI COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN77-2002 advising that the Director of Housing had received the undernoted applications requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2002/2003 as undernoted:-

The Committee approved accordingly.

VII TENANTS INFORMATION SERVICE - ANNUAL CONFERENCE - 22ND/23RD JUNE 2002 - DUNDEE

The Committee authorised the Housing Department to send up to five Tenant Representatives to the above conference at a cost per delegate of 140 plus travel and expenses.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 326-2002 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(i) Craigie Drive 1st Development, 82-90 Craigie Drive - Roof Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Ward Building Services Limited to carry out the above works for the sum of 28,486.55 to which required to be added allowances of 2,100 for specialist timber treatment and 4,000 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 34,586.55.

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

Arbroath Roofing - Felt Roofing

Ward Plumbing & Heating - Plumbing

C.A.R.E. Ltd - Electrical

R Cumming - Painting

(ii) Taybank First Development, 50-56 Waverley Terrace - Pitched Roof Replacement

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer by Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 24,435.50 to which required to be added an allowance of 3,485 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 27,920.50.

(b) The City Engineer submitted Report No 255-2002 giving details of offers received to carry out demolition and reinstatement of gable wall at 46 Beauly Crescent.

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Trojan Contracting and DIY Limited amounting to 17,724 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Public Utilities 800

Contingencies 3,200

Professional Fees 2,500

Planning Supervisory 500

making a total expenditure of 24,724.

IX BROUGHTY FERRY 3RD DEVELOPMENT - ROOF REPAIRS PHASE 2/1 - EXTENSION TO CONTRACT

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 328-2002 requesting approval to extend the existing contract.

The Committee approved the extension of the existing contract and the estimated additional expenditure of approximately 32,500.

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

There was submitted Agenda Note AN79-2002. 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 April 2002 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 press and public 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.

XI GROUND AT 46 COURT STREET, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN80-2002 advising that an interested party had offered to purchase an area of ground extending to 31 square metres at the above location and, after consultation with the Director of Housing, the Director of Economic Development recommended the site be sold on the terms and conditions stated.

The Committee approved accordingly.

XII GROUND AT 46 THOMSON STREET, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN81-2002 advising that the house at the above address was vacant requiring repairs and did not form part of the overall Housing Property Strategy.

The Committee agreed to declare the property surplus to requirements and to remit to the Director of Economic Development to dispose of it.

JILL SHIMI, Convener.