Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 25/08/2008

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th August, 2008.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 23rd June, 2008 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I PROPOSED PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSE CONDITION SURVEY

There was submitted Report No 382-2008 by the Director of Housing seeking the Committee's agreement to appoint consultants to undertake a Private Sector Housing Condition Survey within the City to help inform the Council's strategy for private sector housing and to facilitate the preparation of a Section 72 statement as required by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.

The Committee:-

(i) authorised the Director of Housing to invite bids from suitable consultants to undertake a survey to inform the Council on the nature and condition of private sector housing stock including relevant socio-economic information;

(ii) agreed to expenditure of up to 100,000 for the survey from the 2008/2009 Private Sector Housing Grant budget; and

(iii) remitted the Director of Housing to report back the findings of the survey and advise on any implications and actions relating to the preparation of a private sector housing strategy and Section 72 statement.

II REGULATIONS MADE UNDER SECTION 32A OF THE HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1987

Councillor Ken Guild declared a financial interest in this item of business by virtue of his ownership of flats for rent.

There was submitted Report No 381-2008 by the Director of Housing providing information and seeking approval to submit the response to the consultation on regulations made under Section 32A of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, attached to the report, to the Scottish Government.

The Committee:-

(i) noted that the response to Question 6 had been amended by the deletion of "Legal provision could ensure that Short Assured Tenancies were to be created for a twelve month period and consideration is required here";

(ii) approved the submission of the amended response at Section 4 of the regulations made under Section 32A of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, consultation paper; and

(iii) remitted the Director of Housing to submit the amended response to the Scottish Government within the stipulated timescale.

III CARRIER AND REMOVAL CONTRACT - 2008/2009

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 26th June, 2006, the Director of Housing submitted Report No 363-2008 detailing arrangements for extending the contract of Tayside Removals to provide carrier and removal services to the Housing Department for 2008/2009.

The Committee approved the continuation of the carrier and removal contract with Tayside Removals for a further year.

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

There was submitted Agenda Note AN143-2008 reporting that a request for registration as a tenant organisation had been received from Hindmarsh Tenants' and Residents' Association.

The Committee agreed that the application be approved.

V REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN144-2008 requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2008/2009 from the undernoted Associations at the levels outlined:-

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as requested.

VI FOOD HYGIENE INFORMATION SCHEME "SCORES ON THE DOORS"

There was submitted Report No 403-2008 by the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards informing members of the Food Standards Agency's Public Written Consultation which sought views on proposals for establishing a UK-wide "Scores on the Doors" (SOTD) scheme to provide consumers with information about hygiene standards in food businesses.

The Committee approved the consultation response by the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards and agreed its submission to the Food Standards Agency.

VII CONSULTATION BY THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ON PUBLIC HEALTH ETC (SCOTLAND) ACT: DESIGNATION OF COMPETENTPERSONS REGULATIONS 2008 (DRAFT)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN145-2008 advising that the Public Health etc (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 13th June, 2008.

The Act modernised the legislative framework governing the practice of health protection, much of which dated back to the 19th century.

The Scottish Government was consulting on the draft Public Health etc (Scotland) Act: Designation of Competent Persons Regulations 2008.

The draft regulations stated that Environmental Health Officers, accredited by the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (or equivalent body), with a minimum of two years local authority experience or equivalent should be deemed as competent persons for carrying out the Act's functions.

The local authority would also appoint, under the main Act, authorised Officers to work with competent Officers. This reflected the current arrangements in the department where Environmental Health Officers worked with Technical Assistants.

The Committee noted the position.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 407-2008 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) ST MARY'S 11TH DEVELOPMENT - WINDOW AND DOOR RENEWALS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Ward Building Services Ltd, Dundee amounting to 38,463, together with allowances of 670 for CDM Co-ordinator and 2,057 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 41,190.

The Committee also noted the undernoted sub-contractor had been listed by Ward Building Services Ltd:-

R G Cummings, Dundee - Painterwork.

(b) BROUGHTY FERRY 1ST, 2ND, 3RD AND 4TH DEVELOPMENTS - KITCHEN AND BATHROOM RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with MASCO Onestep Installation Services, West Yorkshire amounting to 677,500, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Making a total expenditure of 774,815.

(c) DOUGLAS AND ANGUS 12TH DEVELOPMENT

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 556,643, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 604,919.

(d) CLEMENT PARK - WARDEN CALL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Security Ltd, Dundee amounting to 52,000, together with allowances of 813 for CDM Co-ordinator and 5,740 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 58,553.

(e) STRATHMORE STREET - WARDEN CALL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Security Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 44,600, together with allowances of 745 for CDM Co-ordinator and 4,968 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 50,313.

IX PURCHASE OF MECHANICAL WHEELED LOADER

There was submitted Report No 426-2008 by the Head of Waste Management seeking authority for the purchase of a wheeled loading shovel to be used for recycling/waste processing operations by the Waste Management Department.

The Committee agreed to accept the offer from Finning (UK) Ltd, Perth for the supply of a CAT930H wheeled loading shovel.

X DISCOVERY COMPOST ACCREDITATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN146-2008 advising the Committee that the Waste Management Department recently achieved accreditation to the PAS 100 quality standard for its Discovery Compost.

The PAS 100 accreditation for this compost would allow the department to sell Discovery Compost to public and commercial customers and offered an environmentally friendly alternative to peat based products.

The Committee noted accordingly.

XI VARIOUS ADDRESSES - CONTROLLED ENTRIES 2008/2009 EXTENSION TO CONTRACT

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th April, 2008, the City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 430-2008 requesting approval to extend the existing contract with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee.

The Committee agreed to extend the existing contact and incur estimated additional expenditure of approximately 82,000.

XII INDIVIDUAL HOUSES 2008/2009 - HEATING INSTALLATION, ELECTRICAL UPGRADE, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS - EXTENSION TOCONTRACT

On a reference to Article VIII of the meeting of this Committee of 25th February, 2008 the City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 429-2008 requesting approval to extend the existing contract with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee.

The Committee agreed to extend the existing contract and incur estimated additional expenditure of approximately 100,000.

George REGAN, Convener.