Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 23/10/2006

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd October, 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th September, 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I LETTING POLICY REVIEW - OUTCOME OF CONSULTATION AND FINAL DRAFT

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th June, 2006 the Director of Housing submitted Report No 605-2006 detailing the outcomes of a consultation on the draft Letting Policy and suggesting amendments to be made in light of the consultation exercise together with the recommendation that the draft policy be adopted by the Council and setting out a process for its implementation.

The Committee:-

(a) agreed to note the outcomes of the consultation as summarised in Appendix II;

(b) recommended that the final draft Letting Policy (Appendix I) be agreed by the Council;

(c) recommended that the Director of Housing make arrangements to implement the Letting Policy early in the financial year 2007-2008; and

(d) recommended that the Director of Housing review the policy and report back to this Committee after 12 months of operation.

II SCOTTISH HOUSING QUALITY STANDARD - RESUBMISSION OF STANDARD DELIVERY PLAN TO COMMUNITIES SCOTLAND

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 577-2006 updating the Committee on the results of Communities Scotland's Assessment of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard Delivery Plan.

The Committee:-

(a) noted that the Scottish Housing Quality Standard Delivery Plan had passed Communities Scotland assessment process;

(b) agreed to carry out a stock conditions survey of 30% of the Council's housing stock with the contract for this work being agreed on a partnership basis;

(c) agreed to purchase a Scottish Housing Quality Standard database from John Martin Partnership which would be populated by the returns of the 30% stock survey;

(d) agreed to expenditure of 180,000 for the stock survey and purchase of the database to be met from the Housing Capital Estimates for 2006/07 and 2007/08; and

(e) agreed to carry out a root and branch review of progress towards meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard in 2008/09.

III FUEL POVERTY INITIATIVE UPDATE

Councillor Will Dawson declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his employment by Scottish and Southern Energy Plc.

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 492-2006 updating the Committee on the progress of the Initiative launched in Lansdowne and Pitalpin Court in 2005, which introduced a social housing tariff in conjunction with Scottish and Southern Energy Plc (trading locally as Scottish Hydro Electric) and an electrical appliance package in conjunction with Scottish Hydro Electric and Discovery Credit Union.

The Committee:-

(a) agreed to continue the pilot Show Poverty Initiative to offer a social housing tariff to tenants and others across the city who were in fuel poverty. These people would be given a 20% reduction in fuel (electricity and gas) costs. The costs would be borne by Scottish and Southern Energy Plc. Cases would be identified and referred by Dundee Energy Efficiency Advice Project (DEEAP).

(b) noted that Scottish and Southern Energy Plc and Discovery Credit Union, in partnership with the Council, were offering a revised appliance package to eligible tenants where there was a local Credit Union Collection Point with the likely locations in Charleston and Fintry. The scheme would also be offered to existing Credit Union members up to the total number which could be funded from the scheme.

IV HOMELESS ACCOMMODATION REPROVISIONING

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 561-2006 detailing proposals for developing replacement accommodation for homeless families.

The Committee:-

(a) agreed to commission Hillcrest Housing Association to develop 10 homes for the purpose of housing homeless families;

(b) agreed to dispose of an area of ground at Reid Square extending to some 0.19 hectares or thereby to Hillcrest Housing Association for the purpose of developing 10 homes for homeless families; and

(c) agreed to enter into a leasing agreement with Hillcrest Housing Association to let the accommodation to homeless families.

V ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR POLICY

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 545-2006 seeking authorisation to implement the Anti Social Behaviour Policy.

The Committee approved the Anti Social Behaviour Policy, copies of which had been made available in the Members' Lounges.

VI RED ADMIRAL COURT, WHITFIELD - PROPOSED USE AS TEMPORARY HOMELESS ACCOMMODATION

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 594-2006 seeking approval for leasing of accommodation owned by Hillcrest Housing Association for the purpose of temporary homeless accommodation with associated office space and security measures.

The Committee approved entering into discussions with Hillcrest Housing Association on the terms of a lease and procurement of necessary capital works to expedite the project.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 606-2006 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) MSD FABRIC INSPECTIONS 2006-07 DALLFIELD MSD (DALLFIELD AND HILLTOWN COURTS) MENZIESHILL MSD (GLAMIS AND HILLSIDE COURTS)

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Skyform (Scotland) Limited, Aberdeen amounting to 32,765.60, together with allowances of 404 for Planning Supervisor and 3,212 for professional services making a total expenditure of 36,381.60.

(b) KIRK STREET MSD WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated contract with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 56,704 together with allowances of 614 for Planning Supervisor and 3,944 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 61,262.

VIII REGISTERED TENANT ASSOCIATIONS - ADMINISTRATIVE GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN337-2006 requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2006-2007 from the following groups:-

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as requested.

IX REGISTRATION OF TENANT ORGANISATIONS - HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2001 (THE ACT)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN338-2006 reporting that requests for re-registration as Tenant Organisations had been received from Happyhillock/Midmill Area Tenants' Residents' Association, Whitfield Rise Action Group and Whitfield Avenue Semis Tenants' Association.

The Committee agreed that the applications be approved.

George REGAN, Convener.