Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 10/12/2007

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 10th December, 2007.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th November, 2007 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I HOUSING SERVICE PLAN 2007/2011

There was submitted Report No 599-2007 by the Director of Housing seeking approval of the Housing Department Service Plan 2007/2011.

The Committee agreed the Housing Department Service Plan 2007/2011.

II REDEVELOPMENT OF MILL O MAINS ESTATE, DUNDEE

Councillor Bidwell declared a non-financial interest in this item of business by virtue of his membership of the Area Committee (Dundee) of Home Scotland Housing Association.

The Director of Housing declared a non-financial interest in this item of business by virtue of her partner's employment with Home Scotland.

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee held on 18th December, 2006, wherein it was noted that the Director of Housing had been remitted to bring forward proposals for redevelopment of cleared sites in Charleston and Mill O' Mains there was submitted Report No 590-2007 by the Chief Executive on options for the potential redevelopment of Mill O' Mains and consultation to date and seeking a remit that further consultation be undertaken.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that officers continue to support the community to develop a long-term physical regeneration master plan for the area in conjunction with Home Scotland and Communities Scotland, and report progress back to Committee at a later date;

(ii) to the disposal of land (as marked in Appendix 1) of the report to Home Scotland Housing Association and to the early redevelopment of some of the sites subject to planning permission;

(iii) to capital investment in Mill O' Mains flats being restricted to works required to keep the properties wind and watertight and compliant with statutory regulations pending the outcome of the master planning process; and

(iv) to officers developing a Local Lettings Initiative in consultation with representatives of the community of Mill O' Mains and the preferred developer.

III STRATEGIC HOUSING INVESTMENT PLAN

There was submitted Agenda Note AN292-2007 reporting that Communities Scotland had asked Local Authorities to prepare a Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) for submission by the end of November 2007. The SHIP detailed how commitments in the Local Housing Strategy for affordable housing would be delivered across the city for the next five years.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note that the SHIP submitted in 2007 would not direct resource allocations but was being used to test guidance; and

(ii) to note that revised guidance would be issued in the New Year after evaluation of 2007 submissions and the SHIP submitted in November 2008 would be used to direct resource allocations.

IV OPTIONS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF ACCESSIBLE COUNCIL HOUSING

There was submitted Report No 624-2007 by the Director of Housing outlining proposals to increase the supply of accessible Council houses through the purchase of suitable properties on the open market and the development of a new build Council house building programme.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to include targets for increasing the supply of accessible Council housing in the Local Housing Strategy;

(ii) to the Director of Economic Development purchasing, subject to survey and financial conditions, property available on the open market that is either suitable or adaptable to meet the needs of disabled people;

(iii) to include provisions in the Housing Revenue Account Budgets 2008/2009, and thereafter, for funding this programme;

(iv) to note that to realise capital funding to support this programme, the Council would offer for sale on the open market properties from its stock which became void and were the sole remaining property in a block of three or more properties;

(v) to redirect 200,000 per annum currently allocated for major adaptations (which would not be spent because properties were not suitable) to service prudential borrowing to acquire new properties to full wheelchair accessible standards; and

(vi) to investigate further options for funding and/or procuring the new build programme in light of the Scottish Government Discussion Paper on the future of housing in Scotland.

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

There was submitted Agenda Note AN293-2007 reporting that the undernoted applications to be registered as a tenant organisation had been received by the Director of Housing:-

Rockwell Tenants' and Residents' Association

Craigie Residents' Association

The Committee agreed that the applications be approved.

VI REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATION - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN294-2007 reporting that the following applications had been received by the Director of Housing requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2007/2008.

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as requested.

VII REVIEW OF RENTS AND OTHER CHARGES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN295-2007 reporting that the Director of Housing and Head of Finance would submit a report to Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee on 14th January, 2008, which it was proposed might recommend a rent rise of 1.99 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:-

(i)         concierge service be increased by 30p per week;

(ii)         garage lock-ups be increased by 25p to 8.00 per week;

(iii)         underground parking bays be maintained at 2.00 per week;

(iv)         garage sites be maintained at 2.00 per week;

(v)         sheltered housing service charge be increased by 50p to 25.50 per week.

These increases were proposed to be applied from 7th April, 2008.

The Committee noted that it was proposed to consult tenants on the proposals by posting the details as to how and when to comment on public information boards in Housing Offices, the Council's website and by 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 Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee on 14th January, 2008.

VIII EQIA - HOMELESSNESS POLICY

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee held on 20th November, 2006, wherein the Homelessness Policy which set out the Council's statutory obligations with regard to the prevention and alleviation of homelessness in Dundee was approved.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN296-2007 reporting that there was a requirement to carry out a full Equalities Impact Assessment.

The Committee noted that a full copy of the Impact Assessment had been placed on the Council's website in accordance with the agreed EQIA procedure, this included information relating to the expert groups consulted, summarised the consultation process and outlined the findings.

IX WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN 2007/2011

There was submitted Report No 636-2007 by the Head of Waste Management seeking approval of the Waste Management Department Service Plan 2007/2011.

The Committee agreed the Waste Management Department Service Plan 2007/2011.

X RECYCLING BOX PURCHASE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN297-2007 advising that the Chief Executive had approved the purchase of 7,600 55 litre boxes and nets from Straight plc at a cost of 24,852.

It was reported that the boxes were required to extend the current routes for dry recyclable material collections which would commence in 2008 and that as this company was the sole supplier of this type of box, an early order was required to secure a production slot.

The Committee noted the action taken.

XI STRENGTHENING OF FLOOR IN MARCHBANKS RECLAMATION PLANT (LOWER LEVEL)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN298-2007 reporting that following a maintenance inspection of the above plant by the City Engineers, several defects had been found in the plant floor and it was recommended that the floor be strengthened as a matter of urgency.

The Committee agreed that the works be undertaken by Tayside Contracts under their existing contract with the City Engineers for 14,508.34, together with allowances of 2,000 for Engineers Fees (CDM applies), and an allowance of 2,000 for contingencies, making a total expenditure of 18,508.34.

XII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 647-2007 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) HAPPYHILLOCK SOUTH DEVELOPMENT - HEATING REPLACEMENT, KITCHEN AND BATHROOM UPGRADE

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering contract with McGill Electrical Ltd amounting to 606,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

(b) DRYBURGH 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD DEVELOPMENTS AND CLEMENT PARK 1ST DEVELOPMENT - NEW KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering contract with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 760,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

(c) ST MARY'S 3RD, 4TH AND 5TH DEVELOPMENTS - NEW KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from McGill Electrical Ltd amounting to 134,938, together with the undernoted allowances:-

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 3, 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

XIII SALE OF LAND

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee held on 18th December, 2006, wherein it was noted that discussions had taken place with Communities Scotland about the potential redevelopment of various sites for social rented housing including the provision of adapted housing to meet the needs of wheelchair users, there was submitted Report No 610-2007 by the Chief Executive, seeking approval of the sale of four sites to Housing Associations:-

The Committee approved the sale of the four sites on the terms and conditions detailed in the report.

XIV ALLOCATION OF PROPERTY FOR LEASE

There was submitted and approved Agenda Note AN299-2007 seeking approval to identify and lease a suitable residential property to the local organisation mentioned in the report.

George REGAN, Convener.