Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 09/02/2009

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th February, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th January, 2009 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I REVIEW OF THE LETTINGS AND RENT RECOVERY CENTRES AND AREA OFFICE RESTRUCTURE

There was submitted Report No 4-2009 by the Director of Housing outlining the results of the Review of the Lettings and Rent Recovery Centres and the Restructure of the Area Offices.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the conclusions of the review;

(ii) agree the transfer of the provision of housing advice and information to the Customer Services Team within the Support Services Department, Floor 2, Tayside House;

(iii) note that the Director of Housing and Head of Personnel would progress the necessary establishment changes contained in the report; and

(iv) note the emphasis placed by the Department on taking effective action to improve customer service to applicants and ensure continuous improvement in service delivery from the Lettings Contact Centre.

II SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT £25M FUNDING TO KICK START COUNCIL HOUSING BUILDING - DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL BID

There was submitted Report No 67-2009 by the Director of Housing seeking approval of the Council's bid for a share of the 25M funding from the Scottish Government to kick start Council housing.

The Committee agreed the bid, attached to the report, for 704,000 from the Scottish Government fund of 25M, to kick start Council housing.

III STRATEGIC HOUSING INVESTMENT PLAN 2009/2014

There was submitted Report No 62-2009 by the Director of Housing seeking approval of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2009/2014.

The Committee approved the contents of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2009/2014.

IV HOUSING WORKING GROUP

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th May, 2008, wherein it was agreed to establish a cross-party Working Group to consider Social Housing/Council Housing in Dundee.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN42-2009 advising it was considered that the Working Group had been beneficial and proposing that its remit be extended to include any housing issues which Group Leaders or Depute Lord Provost Borthwick wished to discuss.

The Committee approved accordingly.

V MARCHBANKS DEPOT NORTH ENTRANCE SECURITY FENCING AND SURFACING IMPROVEMENTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN36-2009 advising that on the instruction of the Head of Waste Management proposals had been prepared for providing new security related works along the northern boundary edge of Marchbanks Waste Management Depot, Harefield Road, Dundee. Essential road surfacing improvements had also been identified to be carried out within Marchbanks Depot.

It was recommended that the City Engineer be instructed to include this work within the existing Partnership Agreement with Tayside Contracts for delivering the road maintenance and minor road works service.

The Committee approved the extension of the Partnering Agreement with Tayside Contracts for this work up to a value of 120,000, including professional fees.

VI TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 95-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) FORTHILL - NURSERY ROAD - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering contract with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 226,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 300,209.

(b) MENZIESHILL 7TH DEVELOPMENT - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee amounting to 723,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 854,021.

(c) CULLEN PLACE - WARDEN CALL REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Security Ltd, Dundee amounting to 60,600, together with allowances of 744 for CDM Co-ordinator and 6,676 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 68,020.

(d) LONGHAUGH TERRACE - WARDEN CALL REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Security Ltd, Dundee amounting to 43,230, together with allowances of 606 for CDM Co-ordinator and 4,825 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 48,661.

(e) WEST KIRKTON 1ST DEVELOPMENT - ROOF REPAIRS PHASE 4

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from Andrew Shepherd Construction Ltd, Forfar amounting to 239,833.26, together with allowances of 2,003 for CDM Co-ordinator and 14,008 for professional services, giving a total expenditure of 255,844.26.

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

VII REPURCHASE OF PROPERTIES FOR DEMOLITION

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 18th October, 2004. There was submitted Agenda Note AN37-2009 advising that, after consultation with the Convener of Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services and Spokespersons for the other Groups, the Director of Economic Development had reached agreement with the owner of one property on the terms and conditions detailed.

The Committee noted accordingly.

George REGAN, Convener.