Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 19/08/2002

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th August, 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor SHIMI, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 24th June, 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ACCESS POLICY

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 594-2002 outlining the legal requirements of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 2001 regarding access to waiting lists and describing the procedures that required to be put in place.

The Committee:-

(a) approved the Access Policy Statement at Appendix I and agreed that this be made available to applicants and members of the public;

(b) approved the Appeals pro-forma at Appendix II;

(c) approved the broad processes outlined in Section 8 of the report and agreed that these be implemented; and

(d) authorised that further development work on the advice and assistance requirements for those who had been suspended be led by the Homelessness Strategy Team.

II SCOTTISH SECURE TENANCY

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 595-2002 seeking approval for the new Tenancy Agreement (attached as Appendix 1) to be introduced as part of the requirements of the Housing (Scotland) Act, 2001 after 30th September, 2002.

The Committee:-

(a) approved Dundee City Council's version of the Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement;

(b) authorised the Director of Housing to implement a programme of signing up of all existing and new Council tenants to the new Tenancy Agreement; and

(c) authorised the Director of Housing to make minor necessary changes to the Tenancy Agreement prior to implementation and to accommodate changes in areas of service delivery as they were reviewed.

III LOCK-UPS AT BURNSIDE STREET, LOCHEE, HAPPYHILLOCK ROAD AND MIDMILL ROAD

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 605-2002 advising of current management issues affecting the above lock-up garages and proposing that they be declared surplus for demolition.

The Committee agreed:-

(a) that the 19 lock-up garages in Burnside Street, the 27 lock-up garages in Happyhillock Road and 18 lock-up garages in Midmill Road be demolished;

(b) limited post-demolition treatment works be undertaken, if required, to ensure that each site was rendered safe and had minimal ongoing maintenance costs;

(c) to remit to the City Engineer to issue minor works contract(s) and compile a tender report for Chief Officers' approval; and

(d) the Director of Housing terminate the remaining tenancies in accordance with letting agreements.

IV NON-CHARGEABLE RENT WEEKS

The Director of Housing submitted Agenda Note AN173-2002 requesting a change to normal periods for determining non-chargeable rent weeks as a result of changes in financial practices which would alter the year and dates for rent accounting purposes.

The Committee agreed to the proposal that from April, 2003 the periods for the free weeks be set as follows:-

First free week commencing Monday, 7th April, 2003

Second free week remains as first week Annual Trades Holiday

Third/Fourth free week remains as previous years.

The Committee also noted that there were no financial implications to tenants as a result of this proposal and it was intended to advise tenants via the Housing Journal and Annual Rent Increase Notification. The Dundee Federation of Tenants Associations had been consulted and were supportive of the proposal.

V NEW HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS 2002/2003

The Director of Housing submitted Agenda Note AN174-2002 advising that on 3rd July, 2002 the Scottish Executive awarded Dundee City Council a grant of 290,000 for the undertaking of the Financial Viability Study during 2002/2003.

The Committee approved the appointment of RPS Cairns to undertake an Environmental Risk Assessment Study as part of the overall Financial Viability Study as agreed by the Financial Viability Study Working Group.

VI HOMELESSNESS BILL - RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION PAPER

The Director of Housing submitted Agenda Note AN175-2002 advising that Councils had been recently invited to comment on a Consultation Paper to shape the forthcoming Homelessness Bill.

The Committee approved the joint response prepared by the Housing and Social Work Departments which had been sent to the Scottish Executive within the timescales.

VII HOUSING DEPARTMENT - EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY POSTS - IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE UNIT

Reference was made to Article IV(c) of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th March, 2001. There was submitted Agenda Note AN176-2002.

The Committee approved the continuation of a temporary Project Officer, graded A4 and a temporary post of Housing Officer graded AP2 in the Improvement and Maintenance Unit up to the end of the contract in the Wellgate and Watson Street developments in September, 2003.

VIII CENTRAL HEATING PROGRAMME - PARTNERING CONTRACTS

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th August, 2001. There was submitted Agenda Note AN177-2002.

The Committee noted that further partnering projects had now been let as part of the 2002/2003 programme as undernoted:-

IX TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) Report No 585-2002 by City Architectural Services Officer

(i) Menzieshill 4th Development, 26-48 Deveron Terrace - Insulated Render

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Muirfield (Contracts) Limited amounting to 64,868.75 to which required to be added allowances of 630 for building warrant and 6,917 for professional services making a total expenditure of 72,415.75.

The Committee noted that Muirfield (Contracts) Limited had listed the undernoted sub-contractors:-

J M Guild, Forfar - Plumbing

Angus Decorating Company Limited, Arbroath - Painting

(ii) Craigie 1st Development (Cottages) - Heating Insulation and Electrical Upgrading

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Domestic Plumbing & Heating Limited amounting to 110,119.55 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 162,783.76.

The Committee also noted that Domestic Plumbing & Heating Limited had listed Kingsway Electrical Contractors Limited as the sub-contractor for electrical work.

(iii) Lawton Road 1st Development: Glenmoy Avenue - Pitches Roof Repairs Phase 2

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited, Forfar amounting to 148,881.30 to which required to be added an allowance of 11,714 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 160,595.30.

The Committee also noted that Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited had listed Domestic Plumbing & Heating as the sub-contractor for plumber work.

(b) Report No 610-2002 By the City Engineer - Provision for Off-Street Parking at St Albans Terrace

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Torith Limited amounting to 32,751.50 to carry out the above works to which required to be added allowances of 4,248.50 for contingencies, 2,500 for professional fees and 500 for planning supervisor, making a total expenditure of 40,000.

(c) Report No 567-2002 by the City Engineer - Demolition at 8-10 Invercraig Place and 35 Charleston Road

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Safedem Limited amounting to 24,642 to carry out the above works to which required to be added allowances of 10,000 for post demolition works, 10,000 for public utility diversions, 5,008 for contingencies, 3,700 for engineering fees and 650 for planning supervisor fees, making a total expenditure of 54,000.

X COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS - ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN178-2002 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.

XI HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1987 - IMPROVEMENT, REPAIRS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS, HOME LOANSETC

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. There was submitted Agenda Note AN179-2002.

It was agreed that the grants approved during June and July, 2002 in each of the categories were as follows:-

* May include commercial premises

JILL SHIMI, Convener.