Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 25/06/2007

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th June, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th June, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I HOUSING DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN PERFORMANCE REPORT 2006/07

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 309-2007 on the performance of the Housing Department against targets and projects identified in the Housing Service Plan 2003-2007.

The Committee noted the performance of the Department against targets as shown in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

II USE OF HOMELESS FUNDING 2007/08

Councillor Lynn declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his employment by Dundee Cyrenians.

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 347-2007 seeking approval to spend special grant allocations for 2007/08 to meet the requirements of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003.

The Committee approved the following prioritisation of Task Force Funding for 2007/08:-

(a) Projects that require continuation refunding as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report;

(b) New projects detailed in Appendix 1; and

(c) Rough sleepers initiative funding continuing to be utilised as detailed in Appendix 2.

III DUNDEE HOMELESSNESS STRATEGY PROGRESS UPDATE REPORT 2006/07

Councillor Lynn declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his employment by Dundee Cyrenians.

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 348-2007 informing the Committee of the progress and the format of reporting back to the Scottish Executive, the objectives achieved for the period 2006-07 as part of Dundee's Homeless Strategy.

The Committee:-

(a) agreed the contents of the progress report; and

(b) remitted to the Director of Housing to submit this report to the Scottish Executive detailing the objectives achieved as part of the Homeless Strategy for 2006/07.

IV SHOWER INSTALLATION PROGRAMME

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 366-2007 bringing forward proposals to introduce a shower installation option.

The Committee agreed that:-

(a) where the tenant requests the installation of a shower, this will be done, where possible, subject to a rent increase of 5 per week for an over-bath or cubicle or 10 per week for a level access shower; and

(b) where tenants have requested a level access shower, but this is not supported by an Occupational Therapy Assessment, the tenant will be offered the opportunity to have an over-bath shower or shower cubicle installed with the appropriate increase in rent charge, unless there is a particular medical/functional reason where the use of a shower is not recommended.

V DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES SERVICE PLAN PERFORMANCE REPORT

The Director of Dundee Contract Services submitted Report No 330-2007 informing the Committee of the progress made towards achieving the aims and objectives set out in the Dundee Contract Services Service Plan 2003-07.

The Committee noted the performance set out in this report.

VI PLAY AREA IMPROVEMENTS 2007/08 - CLEPINGTON ROAD PLAYGROUND

The Director of Dundee Contract Services submitted Report No 329-2007 requesting approval for Dundee Contract Services to carry out improvements to the Clepington Road Playground as part of the Play Area Improvements 2007/08.

The Committee approved the improvements to the Clepington Road Playground in 2007/08 detailed in paragraph 6.2 of the report and agreed that the work be carried out by Dundee Contract Services at an estimated cost of 53,000.

VII WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN PERFORMANCE REPORT 2006/07

The Head of Waste Management submitted Report No 345-2007 reporting the performance of the Waste Management Department against the Service Plan 2004-07.

The Committee noted the information contained within the report.

VIII REPLACEMENT OF BROWN STREET KENNELS

The Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards submitted Report No 253-2007 advising on the impact on dog control and related matters following the emergency closure and demolition of Brown Street Kennels.

The Committee agreed that:-

(a) a new kennels facility be constructed on the footprint of the existing kennels in Brown Street;

(b) the City Architectural Services Officer be authorised to carry out design work and negotiate an agreed maximum price with a suitable contractor to be submitted to a future Committee for approval;

(c) the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards Department be given a remit to investigate the possibility of eventually passing over the kennels operation to an appropriate animal charity; and

(d) discussions take place to consider the future possibility of sharing stray dog kennel accommodation with neighbouring local authorities.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) BYRON STREET TENEMENTS - NEW KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN178-2007 advising the Committee that the above tender had been approved by the Chief Executive due to the timescales involved.

The Contract recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer had been awarded to Dundee Contract Services under a partnering agreement for 108,408, together with allowances of 10,360 for decoration vouchers, 1,062 for CDM Co-ordinator and 10,060 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 129,890.

(b) REPORT NO 346-2007 BY CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

(i) MENZIESHILL 6TH DEVELOPMENT - RENDER REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Muirfield (Contracts) Limited amounting to 265,686.08, together with allowances of 1,783 for CDM Co-ordinator and 16,559 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 284,028.08.

(ii) LONGHAUGH TERRACE - REPLACEMENT ROOF AND RENDER

The Committee agreed to accept the lower offer by Muirfield (Contracts) Limited amounting to 476,276.69, together with allowances of 2,587 for CDM Co-ordinator and 32,088 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 510,951.69.

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

Marley Contract Services, Glasgow - Roof Tiling

CMS Heating and Plumbing Limited, Arbroath - Plumbing

Angus Decorating Company Limited, Arbroath - Painting

(iii) MSD FABRIC INSPECTIONS 2007/08 - KIRK STREET, DALLFIELD, LANSDOWNE AND MENZIESHILL

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by CCL Group Limited, Auchterarder amounting to 43,834, together with allowances of 511 for CDM Co-ordinator and 4,068 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 48,413.

(iv) WEST KIRKTON 2ND BISF AND WHITSUN FAIRHURST - NEW KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering contract with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 255,225, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 301,378.

(v) BRINGTON PLACE SHELTERED - HEATING INSTALLATION, ELECTRICAL UPGRADE, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Electrical Limited amounting to 799,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Making a total expenditure of 883,764.

(vi) FOGGYLEY 1ST DEVELOPMENT - HEATING, KITCHEN AND BATHROOM UPGRADE

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 286,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Making a total expenditure of 356,184.

(vii) DOUGLAS AND ANGUS 2ND DEVELOPMENT - KITCHEN AND BATHROOM UPGRADE

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project from Andrew Shepherd (Construction) Limited, Forfar amounting to 338,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Making a total expenditure of 407,507.

(viii) HILLTOWN DEVELOPMENT - HEATING INSTALLATION, ELECTRICAL UPGRADE, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Electrical Limited amounting to 125,900, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Making a total expenditure of 151,407.

X REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATION - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN179-2007 requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2007/2008 from Blackness Area Residents' Association.

The Committee agreed to grant assistance of 275 for 2007/08.

XI MEMBERSHIP OF SHON

There was submitted Agenda Note AN180-2007 requesting authority for the Director of Housing to renew membership of the Scottish HECA Officers Network (SHON) at a cost of 300 plus VAT per annum.

The Committee approved accordingly.

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 items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

XII ACQUISITION OF 36 NORTH LINDSAY STREET AND DISPOSAL OF 3/5/7 WEST BELL STREET

There was submitted Agenda Note AN188-2007 in which reference was made to Article VI of the minute of meeting of the Economic Development Committee of this date regarding the acquisition of property at North Lindsay Street and the disposal of the Curr Trust property at 3/5/7 West Bell Street.

Following the approval of the Economic Development Committee, the Committee, as Curr Trustees, consented to the disposal of the property at 3/5/7 West Bell Street to the City Council on the terms stated.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

XIII PURCHASE OF INDUSTRIAL UNIT AT WEST PITKERRO

The Head of Waste Management and the Director of Economic Development submitted Joint Report No 357-2007 detailing arrangements for purchasing an industrial unit and land at West Pitkerro Industrial Estate for use as office accommodation, waste management depot and materials processing plant by the Head of Waste Management.

The Committee approved the contents of the report, including the purchase of the industrial unit and land on the terms and conditions detailed, and noted that a further report on the costs of additional works would be submitted to this Committee in due course.

George REGAN, Convener.