Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 15/12/2003

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th December 2003.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor HIND, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th November 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SCOTTISH POWER - ENERGY EFFICIENCY INITIATIVE FOR HOME OWNERS

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th June 2003, the Director of Housing submitted Report No 798-2003 outlining the detail of the new initiative proposed by Scottish Power in partnership with the City Council to provide low cost energy efficiency measures for qualifying owner/occupiers in the City.

The Committee agreed to the City Council entering into a partnership with Scottish Power for this purpose.

II ST MARY'S TASK GROUP - ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th February 2003, the Director of Housing submitted Report No 782-2003 presenting the Committee with an outline package of physical measures and additional proposals aimed at improving the quality of the environment of the St Mary's estate and seeking approval for subsequent years' funding to finance the proposed physical measures and additional proposals.

The Committee approved in principle the outline package set out in the report and the request for finance for the next three financial years.

III HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1987 - SECTION 108 REPAIRS NOTICE - 1 RUSTIC PLACE AND 69CONSTITUTION ROAD

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 689-2003 seeking approval for the service of a Repairs Notice on the property at 1 Rustic Place and 69 Constitution Road 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 may be, six months for compliance with the terms of the Notice.

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

(c) 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) TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 804-2003 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(i) Wester Clepington 1st Development - Heating Installation and Electrical Upgrading Phase 2

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer from Skillbase Services Ltd, Livingston, who were carrying out Phase 1 of the works of a similar nature, amounting to 131,950.54 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

Redecoration of elderly tenants' houses 35,000

Carpet Vouchers 2,000

Decanting of tenants 19,000

Allowance for gas connection charges 1,000

Electric connection charges 1,380

Planning Supervisor 1,228

Professional Services 14,927

Making a total expenditure of 206,485.54.

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

VCL Plumbing, Denny Plumber

Star Electricals Ltd, Paisley Electrical

Trojan Asbestos Removal

Brian Findlay, Dundee (Labour Only) Carpet Fitter

(ii) Foggyley 1st Development - 9 - 15 Foggyley Gardens - Renewal of Landlord's Supplies

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 80,000 to which required to be added allowances of 8,000 for electric connection charges, 1,000 for planning supervisor and 11,000 for professional services making a total expenditure of 100,000

(iii) Derby Street Low Rise - Window Upgrading

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Century 21 Replacement Window Co Ltd, Hamilton, a specialist contractor, amounting to 36,000 to which required to be added allowances of 1,000 for contingencies and 3,000 for professional services making a total expenditure of 40,000.

(b) TENDER RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

The City Engineer submitted Report No 633-2003 giving details of offers received to carry out Kirkton Housing Security Improvements Phase 5.

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by T & N Gilmartin (Contractors) Ltd, amounting to 180,879.82 to which required to be added allowances of 12,120.18 for contingencies, 25,600 for professional fees and 1,400 for planning supervisor making a total expenditure of 220,000.

V BALMUIR WOOD TRAVELLING PERSONS SITE

There was submitted agenda note AN540-2003 recommending that the undernoted measures be put in place immediately at the above site to improve the safety of the working environment:-

Staff to be issued with a Personal Attack Alarm. This will be portable to allow staff to have access from whatever location on the site they are working. This alarm is connected directly to the Police.

CCTV - to allow staff to monitor movement onto/off the site and to allow full visual monitoring of the area around the office.

External Movement Detector System to alert staff to any new arrivals on site.

Physical security for internal office door to allow staff to 'lock' the door against any potential violent incident and give time for the police to be called to the Site.

It is recommended that these works be carried out by Electro Guard Security Systems at a cost of 3,380 + VAT. This cost can be met from the Housing Capital Account.

The Committee agreed to the above measures.

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

There was submitted agenda note AN505-2003. 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 November 2003 in each of the categories were as follows:-

* May include commercial premises.

The grants approved under the new grant scheme Housing (Scotland) Act 2001

Previous applications transferred and approved under the new grant scheme Housing (Scotland) Act, 2001 (additional grant expenditure) **

** No works having commenced under old grant scheme applicants therefore chose a financial test of resources and transfer to new scheme.

CHRISTOPHER HIND, Convener.