Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 18/12/2006

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th December, 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th November, 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I STOCK CONDITION SURVEY AND THE PURCHASE OF A SCOTTISH HOUSING QUALITY DATABASE

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 23rd October, 2006. There was submitted Agenda Note AN412-2006 requesting that the Committee approve a partnering agreement with John Martin Partnership amounting to 130,000 for the undertaking of a 30% survey of the Council's housing stock and 50,000 for the provision of a Scottish Housing Quality Standard database and report.

The Committee agreed to enter into a partnering agreement with John Martin Partnership.

II REDEVELOPMENT OF CLEARED SITES

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th October, 2004 which remitted to the Director of Housing to bring forward proposals for development of cleared sites in Charleston and Mill O'Mains. There was submitted Agenda Note AN413-2006 advising that discussions had taken place in principle with Communities Scotland about the potential redevelopment of the undernoted sites:-

South Road/Dunholm Area, Charleston

Craigmore/Dunmore Street, Kirkton

Various Small Sites in Mill O'Mains

Sites in Whitfield

The Committee noted the sites and the intention that these be developed principally for social rented housing with an estimated 150 units including the provision of adapted housing to meet the needs of wheelchair users. Some of the sites in Mill O'Mains might be developed for owner occupation through a partnership initiative between a private developer and a social rent provider.

The Committee also noted that the Director of Economic Development would in due course report back to this Committee on the outcome of negotiations on the above sites.

III TENDERS RECEIVED

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 716-2006 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) FLEMING GARDENS DEVELOPMENT (110-112 ARKLAY STREET) - HEATING, KITCHEN AND BATHROOM REPLACEMENT

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 13th June, 2005, the Committee agreed to accept the partnering project by Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 82,470 together with the undernoted allowances:-

(b) MENZIESHILL 1ST DEVELOPMENT - FLATS AND MAISONETTES - HEATING, KITCHEN AND BATHROOM REPLACEMENT

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 13th June, 2005, the Committee agreed to accept the partnering project by Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 1,116,882 together with the undernoted allowances:-

Making a total expenditure of 1,217,000.

(c) LANGSHAW ROAD - SECURITY LIGHTING

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 13th June, 2005, the Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works for the sum of 26,176 together with an allowance of 1,808 for professional services making a total expenditure of 27,984.

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

There was submitted Agenda Note AN414-2006 reporting that requests for registration as Tenant Organisations had been received from Lansdowne Area Tenants and Residents Association and St Mary's Association of Residents and Tenants (SMART).

The Committee agreed that the applications be approved.

V REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN415-2006 requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2006 to 2007 from the Lansdowne Area Tenants and Residents Association (New Group) amounting to 235.

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as requested.

VI CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING IN SCOTLAND - ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION - 12TH-15TH MARCH, 2007 - ABERDEEN

There was submitted Agenda Note AN417-2006 advising that delegates had been invited to attend the above Conference and Exhibition at a cost of 565 per full member delegate.

The Committee authorised the attendance of the Convener or nominee excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

VII HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2001 - IMPROVEMENT, REPAIR AND ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS, HOME LOANS ETC

There was submitted Agenda Note AN416-2006. Reference was made to the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th November, 1999 when grant expenditure now under Private Sector Housing Grant was agreed.

It was agreed that the grants approved during November 2006 in each of the categories were as follows:-

It was reported that the Convener had agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

VIII REVIEW OF RENTS AND OTHER CHARGES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN429-2006 advising that the Director of Housing and Depute Chief Executive (Finance) would submit a report to this Committee on 15th January, 2007 which it was proposed might recommend a rent rise of 1.93 per week on average subject to a maximum increase of 2.50 and the following increases on other housing charges as calculated by the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) and the Director of Housing:-

7                                             concierge service be increased by 30p per week

7                                             garage lock-ups be increased by 25p to 7.75 per week

7                                             underground parking bays be increased by 10p to 2.00 per week

7                                             garage sites be increased by 10p to 2.00 per week

These increases proposed to be applied from 2nd April, 2007.

The Committee noted that it was proposed to consult tenants on these proposals by posting the details as to how and when to comment on public information boards in Housing Offices, the Council's website and a public notice to be advertised in a local newspaper. The Committee further noted that following the consultation period and having regard to the proposals and the views expressed during the consultation, a report would be submitted to this Committee on 15th January, 2007.

George REGAN, Convener.