Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 27/10/2008

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 27th October, 2008.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd September, 2008 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I RE-DEVELOPMENT OF WEAVERS VILLAGE - REMOVAL OF HOUSING AT 1‑17 AIMER SQUARE (ODD NUMBERS ONLY) AND 2-34 DOYLE PLACE (EVEN NUMBERS ONLY)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN191-2008 whereby reference was made to Article II of the Planning and Transport Committee of 10th December, 2007, wherein the Lochee Physical Regeneration Framework and associated Action Plan was approved. The Action Plan called for the redevelopment of Weavers Village as part of the regeneration of the District Centre. To facilitate the regeneration of the District Centre, it would be necessary to remove housing at 1-17 Aimer Square (odd numbers only) and 2-34 Doyle Place (even numbers only). The residents had been advised of this proposal.

The Committee:-

(i) declared the properties at 1-17 Aimer Square (odd numbers only) and 2-34 Doyle Place (even numbers only) as required for redevelopment purposes and approved their consequent demolition;

(ii) remitted the Director of Housing to award redevelopment priority status for rehousing, together with the Statutory Home Loss payment to remaining tenants;

(iii) remitted the Director of Housing to award those tenants affected priority for social rented housing available in the local area;

(iv) approved in principle, the repurchase of the owner-occupied properties, remitted the Director of Economic Development to enter into negotiations with the owners on a "without prejudice" basis and the Director of Housing to award the appropriate financial and rehousing package; and

(v) remitted the Director of Planning and Transportation to bring forward proposals for redevelopment at the appropriate time.

II UNIT RATE CONTRACT FOR LOW RISE HOUSING DEMOLITION - NOVEMBER 2008/NOVEMBER 2010

There was submitted Report No 487-2008 by the City Engineer detailing the Unit Rate Contract for demolition of low rise housing (five storeys or less) submitted by contractors from Dundee City Council Select Tender List of Contractors.

The Committee:-

(i) approved acceptance of the Unit Rate Contract for the period November 2008/November 2010, and noted the priority allowance for the letting of any resultant contracts; and

(ii) authorised the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to accept the most favourable tender for each contract as recommended by the City Engineer. Details of all tenders accepted would be reported retrospectively to Committee for information.

III FEEDBACK FROM THE COUNCILS SHELTERED HOUSING TENANTS ON THE MODERNISATION OF THE SHELTERED HOUSING SERVICE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN192-2008 whereby reference was made to Article I of the Housing, Contract Services and Environment Services Committee of 28th April, 2008, wherein a report entitled Modernisation of the Council's Sheltered Housing Service was approved. At that time, a commitment was given to discuss with sheltered tenants across the City on the contents of the report. This exercise had been completed.

It was reported that a total of 29 meetings took place across the City attended by tenants, carers and relatives.

The feedback received at these meetings about the warden service had been positive. The overwhelming majority of those attending these meetings had been of the view that the quality of service delivered by the wardens was very high and was something they wished to see continue. They were concerned that changes would be introduced that would result in a reduction in service quality.

Assurances were given at the meetings that there were no changes planned to the way the services were delivered and, therefore, there would be no reduction in service quality. Indeed, the intention of the review was to improve the quality of the service to all the sheltered tenants, not reduce it. Further assurances were given that the services would be closely monitored over the coming months to ensure service quality was being maintained. These assurances were welcomed by those attending the meetings.

The Committee noted the outcome of these discussions.

IV EX-COUNCIL HOUSE OWNERS CHARTER

The Committee agreed that consideration of this item be deferred to a future meeting.

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

There was submitted Agenda Note AN193-2008 reporting that a request for registration as a Tenant Organisation had been received from Magdalene Tenants' and Residents' Association.

The Committee agreed that the application be approved.

VI REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN194-2008 advising that a request for grant assistance towards administration costs for 2008/2009 had been received from Whitfield Rise Action Group.

The Committee agreed to grant assistance of 125 for 2008/2009.

VII DEMOLITION OF 1-16 JAMAICA SQUARE

Reference was made to Article VI of the Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee of 23rd June, 2008, wherein authority was given for the City Engineer to invite tenders for the above works and for the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services), to accept the most favourable tender for the works as recommended by the City Engineer.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN195-2008 advising valid tenders were returned by eight contractors, ranging from 49,425 to 114,443.58. The tender was awarded to the lowest tenderer, Dundee Plant Co Ltd, in the amount of 49,425. Allowances were added for non-contract works, professional fees and contingencies, giving a total expenditure of 72,470.

The Committee noted the foregoing.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 518-2008 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) DOUGLAS AND ANGUS 8TH DEVELOPMENT - HEATING REPLACEMENT, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 1,421,882, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 1,570,921.

(b) DOUGLAS AND ANGUS 2ND AND 5TH DEVELOPMENTS (COTTAGES) - KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with Andrew Shepherd Construction Ltd, Forfar amounting to 555,607, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 629,607.

(c) CAMPERDOWN 13TH DEVELOPMENT - HEATING REPLACEMENT, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering contract with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 221,198, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 249,461.

IX 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 and Article VI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th August, 2008, the City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 520-2008 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 78,000.

X TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER - HOUSING CONCRETE REPAIRS

There was submitted Report No 477-2008 by the City Engineer detailing tenders received in respect of Concrete Repairs - Various Housing Developments.

The Committee approved acceptance of the lowest offer from Anderson Specialist Contracting Ltd in the sum of 24,809.40, corrected after checking to 24,812.40, together with allowances of 15,000.60 for contingencies, 4,000 for professional fees and 500 for CDM Co-ordinator, making a total expenditure of 44,313.

XI SUPPLY OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE PLANT AND VEHICLES 2008/2009

There was submitted Report No 521-2008 by the Director of Contract Services seeking authority for the purchase of new grounds maintenance plant and vehicles required by Contract Services.

The Committee agreed to accept the undernoted offers:-

XII TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 494-2008 by the City Engineer giving details of the offer received for Baldovie Concrete Floor Slab Restoration.

The Committee approved acceptance of the offer from Anderson Specialist Contracting in the sum of 28,310, together with allowances of 1,010 for contingencies and 1,680 for professional fees, making a total expenditure of 31,000.

George REGAN, Convener.