Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 18/08/2003

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th August 2003.

Present:-

Dundee COUNCILLORS

Councillor HIND, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th June, 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DUNDEE WOMEN'S AID SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT 2003-2006

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 450-2003 seeking Committee approval for the establishment of a service level agreement between Dundee City Council and Dundee Women's Aid Collective Limited (DWA) in terms of which the Council would provide funding and rent free refuge and office premises to the Collective.

The Committee approved the establishment of a service level agreement as detailed in the Report.

II LOCK-UPS AT ST MONANCE PLACE, ST MARY'S

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 516-2003 seeking approval for the demolition of ten lock-up garages at St Monance Place, St Mary's as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report.

The Committee agreed that:-

(a) The ten lock-up garages be demolished.

(b) Limited post demolition treatment works be undertaken, if required, to ensure that the site was rendered safe and had minimal ongoing maintenance costs.

(c) It be remitted to the City Engineer to include the lock-up garages in the tender for the demolition of the surplus flats in St Fillan's Road, St Mary's; and

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

III HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1987 - SECTION 108 REPAIRS NOTICE - 99-105A NETHERGATE

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 452-2003 seeking approval for the service of a Repairs Notice on the above property to carry out the necessary repairs.

The Committee;

(a) Approved the service of a Repairs Notice in terms of Section 108 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 with a time limit of, as nearly as maybe, six months for compliance with the terms of the Notice.

(b) Agreed that should owners fail to comply with the terms of the Notice, the Council should instruct the work to be carried out in default and authorise the Director of Housing, in consultation as appropriate with the relevant departments, to appoint suitable consultants to execute the work required.

(c) Agreed that should default action be implemented, the appropriate officers be instructed to authorise and arrange payments to the engaged consultants as appropriate.

IV TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 501-2003 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(i) St Mary's 3rd and 9th Developments - Pitched Roof Repairs Phase 2

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 99,623.08 to which required to be added 958 for planning supervisor and 9,564 for professional services making a total expenditure of 110.145.08.

(ii) Craigiebank 3rd Developments - Roof Renewals Phase 3

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Raynor Roofing Limited amounting to 146,673.59 to which required to be added allowances of 1,278 for planning supervisor and 11,148 for professional services making a total expenditure of 159,099.59.

The Committee also noted that Raynor Roofing Limited had listed the undernoted sub-contractors:-

J Lammond & Son, Brechin - Plumbing

Instalsat - T V Aerials

(iii) Menzieshill 11th Development, Yarrow Terrace - Roof and Render Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited, Forfar, amounting to 329,807.07 to which required to be added allowances of 2,085 for planning supervisor and 19,785 for professional services making a total expenditure of 351,677.07.

(iv) Menzieshill 4th and 6th Developments, Spey Drive - Render Repairs

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited, Forfar, amounting to 172,749.25 to which required to be added allowances of 1,404 for planning supervisor and 12,092 for professional services making a total expenditure of 186,245.25.

(v) Powrie Place and Ann Street Sheltered Developments - Heating Installation and Electrical Upgrading

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Domestic Plumbing and Heating Limited amounting to 155,151.58 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Redecoration of elderly tenants' houses 48,000.00

Decanting of tenants 22,400.00

Gas connection charges 4,000.00

Electric connection charges 7,900.00

Planning Supervisor 1,265.00

Professional services 17,380.00

Making a total expenditure of 256,096.58

(vi) Magdalene's Kirkton 2nd Development - Pitched Roof Repairs Phase 7

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 186,324 to which had to be added allowances of 1,528 for planning supervisor and 11,180 for professional services making a total expenditure of 199,032.

(vii) Douglas and Angus 5th Development - Heating Installation

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated partnering offer by Scottish Gas, Uddingston, amounting to 200,000 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Redecoration of elderly tenants' houses 2,500.00

Decoration Vouchers 800.00

Carpet Vouchers 500.00

Decanting of tenants 1,350.00

Gas connection charges 8,680.00

Electric connection charges 2,000.00

Planning Supervisor 1,572.00

Professional services 19,185.00

Making a total expenditure of 236,587.00

The Committee also noted that Scottish Gas had listed the undernoted sub-contractors:-

City Technical Services, Glasgow - Gas Heating

DCL Joinery & Contractors - Building and Joinery

Kellwood Electrical, Dumfries - Electrical

(b) The City Engineer submitted Report No 469-2003 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(i) Menzieshill Footpaths Repair - Contract 7

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by T & N Gilmartin (Contractors) Limited amounting to 20,367.47 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Contingencies 1,132.53

Professional Fees 3,000.00

Planning Supervisor 500.00

Making a total expenditure of 25,000.00

(ii) Lochee Footpaths Repair - Contract 2

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by T & N Gilmartin (Contractors) Limited amounting to 12,842.44 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Contingencies 907.56

Professional Fees 1,100.00

Planning Supervisor 500.00

Making a total expenditure of 15,000.00

(iii) PRC Concrete Repairs to Dryburgh 2nd Development - Removal of Canopies to Orlit Houses

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons amounting to 59,404.68 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Contingencies 1,750.00

Professional Fees 9,150.00

Planning Supervisor 915.00

Making a total expenditure of 71,219.68

(iv) 1-36 and 133-168 Aberlady Crescent - Demolition

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Dundee Plant amounting to 99,388 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Post Demolition Works 19,800.00

Public Utility Diversions 20,327.00

Contingencies 24,413.26

Professional Fees 9,500.00

Planning Supervisor 1,200.00

Making a total expenditure of 174,628.26

(v) 1, 2, 5 and 6 Uist Terrace - Demolition

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Dundee Plant amounting to 75,128 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Post Demolition Works 33,600.00

Public Utility Diversions 10,000.00

Contingencies 11,872.00

Engineers Fees 7,700.00

Planning Supervisor 970.00

Making a total expenditure of 139,270.00

V PARTNERING PROJECTS LET

Reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th May, 2003.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN368-2003.

The Committee noted that further partnering projects had been let as part of the 2003/2004 central heating programme as undernoted:-

VI POWRIE PLACE/ANN STREET SHELTERED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - LIFT REPLACEMENT

Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th June, 2003.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN369-2003 advising the Committee that Thyssen Lifts and Escalators Limited, Edinburgh had been accepted to carry out the work at the cost of 131,603 inclusive of an allowance for professional services.

VII COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN370-2003 advising that the Director or Housing had received the undernoted applications requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2003/2004.:-

The Committee approved accordingly.

VIII REGISTRATION OF TENANTS' ORGANISATIONS - HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2001 (THE ACT)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN371-2003 advising that the undernoted applications to be registered as Tenant Organisations had been received by the Director of Housing as undernoted:-

Craigmore Ashmore Dunmore Derwent Residents? Association

Happyhillock/Midmill Tenants and Residents Association

Magdalenes Tenants? and Residents? Association

St. Mary?s Association of Residents and Tenants

Whitfield Avenue Semis Tenants? Association

Whitfield Rise Action Group

As the Director of Housing considered that the applications considered that the applications fulfilled the criteria set out in the Act, the Committee approved the applications.

IX SCOTTISH COUNCIL FOR SINGLE HOMELESS - FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN372-2003 advising the Committee that the Scottish Council for Single Homeless (SCSH) had requested a financial contribution of 500.

The Committee approved accordingly.

X CONFERENCE/SEMINARS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN373-2003 giving details of the undernoted seminar and training course:-

(a) SHELTER SCOTLAND - CHANGING HOMELESSNESS IN PRACTICE - 4TH SEPTEMBER, 2003 - EDINBURGH

The Committee authorised the attendance of one member of the Administration Group, one member of the SNP Group and one member of the Conservative Group.

(b) SCOTTISH COUNCIL FOR SINGLE HOMELESS - TRAINING COURSE

The Committee noted that training had been arranged for new and returning elected members to raise awareness of the authority's duties as a result of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 in the form of a one day course on 10th September, 2003 from 10 am to 4 pm in Committee Room 2.

XI TENANTS' INFORMATION SERVICE - FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN374-2003 requesting a financial contribution of 700 to the Tenants' Information Service (TIS).

The Committee approved accordingly.

XII ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OFFICERS FORUM (ASBOF) - ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN375-2003 requesting that the Council continue to participate in ASBOF and pay the annual subscription fee of 250 which allowed two representatives at the regular Forum meetings.

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 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.

XIII REPURCHASE OF A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

There was submitted Agenda Note AN377-2003. Reference was made to Article XII of the minute of meeting of this Committee on 17th February, 2003 when it was agreed that the residential properties at 1-61 Carnegie Square be demolished and it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development to enter re-purchasing negotiations with the owners of the privately owned properties in Carnegie Square.

The Committee agreed to the re-purchase of the property in question on the terms and conditions detailed.

CHRISTOPHER HIND, Convener.