Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 24/09/2007

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th September, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 27th August , 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TRADING STANDARDS SERVICE PLAN 2004 TO 2007 PERFORMANCE REPORT

There was submitted Report No 478-2007 by the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards on the progress made towards achieving the aims and objectives set out in the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Department Service Plan 2004-2007.

The Committee agreed to note the performance set out in the report.

II THE IMPACT OF THE INAUGURAL YEAR OF THE NIGHT TIME NOISE TEAM

There was submitted Report No 417-2007 by the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards providing a review of the first year of the Night Time Noise Team.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the contents of the report; and

(ii) to continue supporting the work of the Team by raising awareness of the need for continued funding from the Scottish Executive.

III TENANT PARTICIPATION STRATEGY UPDATE

There was submitted Report No 327-2007 by the Director of Housing advising that the Tenant Participation Strategy was subject to regular review and providing an update on latest progress.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to remit the Director of Housing to bring forward an improvement plan in light of any recommendations emanating from the Scottish Housing Best Value Network's peer review of the Tenant Participation service; and

(ii) the content of the supplement to the current Tenant Participation Strategy.

IV REVIEW OF LILY WALKER CENTRE CHARGES

There was submitted Report No 446-2007 by the Director of Housing seeking authority to review charges for the Direct Access Temporary Accommodation Hostel provided by Dundee City Council at the Lily Walker Centre.

The Committee agreed to the increase in charges proposed in the report.

V HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2001 - IMPROVEMENT, REPAIRS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS, HOME LOANS ETC

Reference was made to the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 15th November, 1999 when grant expenditure now under Private Sector Housing Grant was agreed.

It was noted that the grants approved during June/July/August 2007 in each of the categories were as follows:-

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

There was submitted Agenda Note AN237-2007 reporting that requests for registration as Tenant Organisations had been received from the undernoted groups:-

Whitfield Avenue Semis Tenants' Association

Murrayfield Area Residents' Association

Whitfield Area Forum for Tenants

Whitfield Gardens Residents' Association

The Committee agreed that the applications be approved.

VII REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN238-2007 requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2007/2008 from the undernoted Associations at the levels outlined:-

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as requested.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 467-2007 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) WATSON STREET - FASCIA SOFFIT REMOVAL

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd Construction Limited, Forfar amounting to 34,646.60, together with allowances of 432.00 for CDM Co-ordinator and 4,072 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 39,150.60.

The Committee noted that Andrew Shepherd Construction Limited had listed Dundee Plant Co Limited, Dundee as the sub-contractor for scaffolding and James Lammond Limited, Brechin as the sub-contractor for plumber work.

(b) MENZIESHILL 3RD FLATS - HEATING REPLACEMENT, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept the partnering contract with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 869,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Decoration Vouchers 34,000

Carpet Vouchers 17,820

Decanting of Tenants 13,000

Non-slip Flooring 1,500

Gas Connection Charges 80,801

CDM Co-ordinator 4,095

Professional Services 40,367

Making a total expenditure of 1,060.583.

(c) VARIOUS SHELTERED HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS - WARDEN CALL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT - PHASE 2

The Committee agreed to accept the partnering contract with McGill Security Limited, Dundee amounting to 57,000, together with allowances of 616 for CDM Co-ordinator and 6,261 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 63,877.

(d) MAGDALENES KIRKTON 3RD DEVELOPMENT - ROOF RENEWAL AND SOLAR INSTALLATION - PHASE 5

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated contract with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 224,566.66, together with allowances of 1,533 for CDM Co-ordinator and 16,538 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 242,637.66.

(e) DOUGLAS AND ANGUS 2ND DEVELOPMENT - HEATING REPLACEMENT, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept the partnering contract with McGill Electrical Limited, Dundee amounting to 327,400, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Decoration Vouchers 8,400

Carpet Vouchers 2,800

Decanting of Tenants 1,000

Gas Connection Charges 9,000

CDM Co-ordinator 2,066

Professional Services 24,929

Making a total expenditure of 375,595.

(f) BENVIE ROAD DEVELOPMENT - HEATING REPLACEMENT - KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept the partnering contract with McGill Electrical Limited, Dundee amounting to 139,600, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Decoration Vouchers 3,000

Corporate Vouchers 1,500

Decanting of Tenants 1,000

Gas Connection Charges 2,000

CDM Co-ordinator 1,228

Professional Services 12,920

Making a total expenditure of 161,248.

IX DEMOLITION OF 9-15 FOGGYLEY GARDENS AND 44-61 CARNEGIE SQUARE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN239-2007 reporting that on the request of the Director of Housing, tenders had recently been invited by the City Engineer to demolish the above properties. It was further reported that funding for these demolitions comes from the Housing Estates Regeneration Fund and maximum spend would be required in financial year 2007/08. In order to achieve this, authority was requested for the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to accept the most favourable tender as recommended by the City Engineer within the allowances noted under:-

9-15 Foggyley Gardens

44-61 Carnegie Square

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to delegate authority to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to accept the most favourable tender as recommended by the City Engineer within the allowances indicated; and

(ii) to note that tender details would be reported retrospectively to a future meeting of the Committee.

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

X PURCHASE OF VEHICLES

There was submitted Report No 480-2007 by the Head of Waste Management seeking authority for the purchase of four replacement refuse collection vehicles which would be used for a range of domestic and commercial collection services within Waste Management.

The Committee agreed to accept the offers undernoted:-

XI SUPPLY OF SHREDDER PARTS

Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting held on 27th August, 2007, wherein Committee agreed to accept offers from specialist contractors for the supply of shredder parts.

The Committee noted that the specialist supplier for the supply of replacement cutters, spacers, pinions and bull gear was Ulster Shredders of Ballyclare, Co Antrim.

XII TENDER FOR UNDERTAKING VARIOUS TRAFFIC SURVEYS

There was submitted Report No 479-2007 by the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards seeking approval to accept a tender from Count on Us Ltd, to undertake various traffic surveys which were necessary to successfully complete the next phase of the Review and Assessment of Air Quality in Dundee.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the content of the report; and

(ii) to accept the tender offer from Count on Us Ltd, Glasgow amounting to 11,200 to undertake the necessary traffic surveys.

XIII PUBLIC OPEN SPACE AND HOUSING LANDSCAPED AREAS - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS 2007

There was submitted Agenda Note AN241-2007 reporting that it was proposed to carry out environmental improvements at a number of sites in the City and that the following sites had been selected and costed as follows:-

(i) Wellgate Housing Development - removal of overgrown shrub areas and replanting and grassing areas -

Estimated cost of 10,100

(ii) Alva Square Sheltered Housing - removal of overgrown shrubs and replanting with ground cover planting -

Estimated cost of 7,900

(iii) Dalclaverhouse - Emmock Village Green - improvements to trees and shrub areas, planting of new trees and shrubs, path and fencing works, grassing of overgrown areas -

Estimated cost of 8,100

(iv) Whitfield - Berwick Drive - removal of overgrown tree plantation along banks and grassing area over -

Estimated cost of 13,900

(v) West Ferry Park - planting of trees, provision of seating and litter bins -

Estimated cost of 5,000

(vi) Arbroath Road Open Space - replacing and upgrading trees, shrubs, benches, litter bins and wall improvements. This site would be carried out in consultation with the Central Community Regeneration Forum. The total cost for the site 11,650, of which it was proposed Dundee Contract Services would contribute 5,000, with the remainder to be funded from the Community Regeneration Fund -

Cost of Contribution 5,000

The Committee agreed that these works be carried out by Dundee Contract Services at an estimated cost of 50,000.

XIV MILL O MAINS HOUSING - CHILDRENS PLAYGROUND

There was submitted Agenda Note AN242-2007 reporting that in addition to the recently refurbished play area in Mill O' Mains Park, there were two remaining children's playgrounds in the Mill O' Mains Housing Estate at Lewis Terrace and Foula Terrace. The former was yet to be upgraded and the latter had been upgraded in recent years.

As the redevelopment of Mill O' Mains Housing Estate had not yet been agreed, including location for any open spaces and play facilities, it was proposed that Lewis Terrace remained and be upgraded in future years when the redevelopment proposals for Mill O' Mains were agreed.

A number of requests from local residents for the playground at Foula Terrace to be closed had been received. The playground was adjacent to Sheltered Housing and in an area where youths regularly congregated. Moving equipment such as swings had been removed for some time so that none of the play equipment was functional. It was recommended that the playground be closed and the area landscaped at a cost of 6,700.

The Committee agreed the terms of the note.

XV CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION - 10TH-13TH MARCH, 2008 - ABERDEEN EXHIBITION ANDCONFERENCE CENTRE

It was reported that the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference and Exhibition would be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on 10th-13th March, 2008. The cost of attendance would be approximately 600 per delegate excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee agreed that elected member attendance would be on the basis of one member of the Administration and one member of the SNP Group.

XVI CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING - HOUSING SCOTLAND: PLANNING FOR A BETTER FUTURE - ELECTED MEMBERS BRIEFINGS

It was reported that the Chartered Institute of Housing would be holding four briefings throughout Scotland to guide elected members on housing matters. The remaining three dates were:-

(i)                     Tuesday, 2nd October, Edinburgh

(ii)                     Tuesday, 9th October, Aberdeen

(iii)                     Wednesday, 24th October, Glasgow

The cost of attendance would be approximately 100 per delegate excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee agreed that attendance at briefings be open to any elected member who had an interest.

George REGAN, Convener.