Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 23/03/2009

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd March, 2009.

 

Present:-

 

Depute Lord Provost Ian BORTHWICK

 

 

 

BAILIES

 

George REGAN

Willie SAWERS

Roderick A J WALLACE

Helen WRIGHT

 

Derek J SCOTT

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Kevin KEENAN

Helen DICK

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Mohammed ASIF

Ken GUILD

Stewart HUNTER

Laurie BIDWELL

Jim BARRIE

Ken LYNN

Tom FERGUSON

Jimmy BLACK

Craig MELVILLE

Brian GORDON

David BOWES

Christina ROBERTS

Richard McCREADY

Andrew DAWSON

Alan G ROSS

Fraser MACPHERSON

Will DAWSON

Donald HAY

 

Bob DUNCAN

 

 

Bailie George REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th March, 2009 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I SCOTTISH HOUSING REGULATOR - FINAL INSPECTION REPORT, DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

 

There was submitted Report No 105-2009 by the Director of Housing describing the general content of the final inspection report of the housing service completed by the Scottish Housing Regulator and indicating how improvements would be brought forward culminating in an Improvement Plan which would be agreed with the Regulator.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) agreed the formation of a Best Value Review Group to:-

 

+ approve the Improvement Plan, outlined in Appendix 2 of the report, for submission and agreement with the Scottish Housing Regulator following consultation with relevant stakeholders;

 

+ oversee and monitor the Improvement Plan; and

 

+ agree the consultation and involvement arrangements for tenants and staff.

 

(ii) agreed the remit for the Best Value Review Group outlined in Appendix I of the report; and

 

(iii) agreed that the Best Value Review Group be comprised of:-

 

- Chief Executive

- Director of Housing

- Director of Dundee Contract Services

- Depute Chief Executive (Finance)

- Cross Party Representatives of the Council (3.2.1.1)

- Tenants' Representatives

- Independent Tenants' Advisor

- Trade Union Representatives

 

II RESTRUCTURE OF HOMELESS SERVICES

 

There was submitted Report No 90-2009 by the Director of Housing proposing an interim structure for the delivery of homeless services within the Housing Department.

 

The Committee:-

 

(i) agreed the proposed restructure of homeless services as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report;

 

(ii) agreed the transfer of temporary accommodation, property maintenance and rent recovery functions to the Lettings and Rent Recovery Contact Centres at an appropriate date; and

 

(iii) noted that the Director of Housing and Head of Personnel would progress the necessary establishment changes arising from this report.

 

III INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING - CONSULTATION RESPONSE

 

There was submitted Report No 156-2009 by the Director of Housing outlining the proposed response to the Scottish Government's Consultation Paper "Investing in Affordable Housing".

 

The Committee agreed the proposed response as contained in Appendix A to the report for submission to the Scottish Government.

 

IV REVIEW OF THE TENANT PARTICIPATION STRATEGY

 

There was submitted Report No 103-2009 by the Director of Housing seeking approval of the revised Tenant Participation Strategy.

 

The Committee agreed to adopt the proposed Tenant Participation Strategy.

 

V EXTENSION OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR HOUSING REPAIRS SERVICE

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN62-2009 advising that the Housing Repairs Partnership had defined the operation of the Housing Repairs Service for the period 2004/2009.

 

The Partnership Agreement was subject to a comprehensive review, drawing on the experience of both internal and external stakeholders, with a view to further developing measures for Value for Money and Efficiency.

 

Due to the extensive nature of review process, Committee was requested to approve extension of the Partnership Agreement for not more than three months from April 2009, to allow completion of the review and further report back to Committee.

 

The Committee approved accordingly.

 

VI REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN63-2009 requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2008/2009 from the undernoted Associations at the levels outlined:-

 

Group

2008/2009

 

 

Rockwell Tenants' and Residents' Association

477

Whitfield Area Forum for Tenants

265

Balmoral Tenants' and Residents' Association

430

 

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as requested.

 

VII REGISTRATION OF TENANT ORGANISATIONS - HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2001 (THE ACT)

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN64-2009 reporting that a request for re-registration as a Tenant Organisation had been received from Logie Residents Association.

 

The Committee agreed that the application be approved.

 

VIII RIGHT TO REPAIR 2008/2009

 

There was submitted Report No 172-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer reporting that, under the Right to Repair - Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, the City Council was required to maintain a list of contractors prepared to carry out qualifying repairs, this list included the usual contractor, which in the City Council's case was Dundee Contract Services.

 

The report sought approval for the inclusion of interested contractors on the list provided they were on the Council's select tender list and had submitted reasonable jobbing rates. The list would be maintained by the Director of Housing.

 

The Committee agreed that the three firms below who had expressed an interest be included on the list of contractors prepared to carry out qualifying repairs:-

 

All Glass and Glazing, Dundee

Logie Glazing and Building Services, Dundee

Wardah Electrics Ltd, Dundee

 

The Committee further agreed that authority be delegated to the Director of Housing for the addition or deletion of firms to or from the list in consultation with the City Architectural Services Officer and/or the Depute Chief Executive (Finance) as may be appropriate.

 

IX TENANTS INFORMATION SERVICES ANNUAL CONFERENCE - BEARDMORE HOTEL, CLYDEBANK - 20TH AND 21ST JUNE, 2009

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN64-2009 recommending that the Housing Department send up to six tenant representatives to the above conference.

 

The Committee approved accordingly.

 

X TENDERS RECEIVED

 

There was submitted Report No 188-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

 

(a) CAMPERDOWN 12TH DEVELOPMENT - ROOF REPLACMENT PHASE 3

 

The Committee agreed to accept the most advantageous offer from Dundee Contract Services amounting to 291,835.59, together with allowances of 2,247 for CDM Co-ordinator and 16,119 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 310,205.59.

 

(b) CAMPERDOWN 14TH DEVELOPMENT - ROOF REPLACEMENT PHASE 4

 

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Andrew Shepherd Construction Ltd, Forfar amounting to 87,583.39, together with allowances of 1,098 for CDM Co-ordinator and 7,974 for professional services, making a total of 96,655.39.

 

(c) GRAHAM STREET 2ND DEVELOPMENT - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS AND SHOWERS

 

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 700,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

 

Decoration Allowances

13,200

Carpet Allowances

17,600

Decanting of Tenants

3,200

Gas Connection Charges

39,570

CDM Co-ordinator

3,419

Professional Services

31,994

 

making a total expenditure of 808,983.

 

(d) MAINS OF FINTRY 4TH DEVELOPMENT - ROOF REPLACEMENT PHASE 4

 

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated contract with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 92,938.80, together with allowances of 958 for CDM Co-ordinator and 8,181 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 102,077.80.

 

XI SUPPLY OF GOODS AND SERVICES 2009/2010

 

There was submitted Report No 176-2009 by the Director of Contract Services advising of rates submitted by various suppliers of goods and services and seeking authority to utilise these suppliers as and when required by Contract Services for the financial year 2009/2010.

 

The Committee agreed that the tenders received from the following suppliers be accepted and drawn on in order of price, availability and service during the financial year 2009/2010.

 

Successful tenderers were:-

 

Service

Supplier

 

Supply of Tyre and Tyre Repairs

ATS Euromaster, Aston, Birmingham

Kenway Tyres Ltd (Tayside Tyres), Dundee

McConechy Tyre and Exhaust Centre

 

Hire of Vans, Lorries

Arnold Clark Finance Ltd, Stirling

D Geddes (Contractors) Ltd, Colliston, Angus

Jarvie Plant, Grangemouth

Mackenzie Plant, Motherwell

Norman Jamieson Ltd, Duntrune

Swift Vehicle Rental Ltd, Aberdeen

Tayside Hiab Services, Dundee

TOM Airdrie Ltd, Airdrie

 

Hire of Large Plant

Ashtead Plant Hire Co Ltd, Warrington

D Geddes (Contractors) Ltd, Colliston, Angus

Hewden Stuart plc, Dundee

Jarvie Plant Ltd, Grangemouth

John Nixon Ltd, Newcastle Upon Tyne

W Brown Roadworks Ltd, Kingennie

HSS Hire Service Group Ltd

 

Hire of Small Plant

Ashtead Plant Hire Co Ltd, Warrington

Hewden Stuart plc, Dundee

HSS Hire Scotland, Dundee

John Nixon Ltd, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Martin Plant Hire, Dundee

Speedy Hire, Dundee

HSS Hire Service Group Ltd

 

Supply of Site Storage and

Accommodation

Ashtead Plant Hire Co Ltd, Warrington

Castlecroft Securities Ltd, Perth

Jarvie Plant Ltd, Grangemouth

John Nixon Ltd, Newcastle Upon Tyne

Sibcas Ltd, Bathgate

Wernick Hire Ltd, Dundee

Addacabin Ltd

HSS Hire Group

Elliot Hire

 

Hire of Powered Access

Equipment

Ashtead Plant Hire Co Ltd, Warrington

Easy Reach Access Hire Ltd, Strathkinness

Locam Access, Broxburn

Martin Plant Hire, Dundee

Nationwide Access, Dundee

HSS Hire Service Ltd

Access Hire Nationwide

 

Hire of Builders Skips

D Geddes (Contractors), Colliston, Angus

D J Laing (Contracts), Carnoustie

Ramsays Transport Ltd, Dundee

Waste Management, Dundee City Council

HSS Hire Group Ltd

 

 

XII EXTENSION TO CONTRACT - MENZIESHILL 7TH DEVELOPMENT - HEATING, KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS

 

On a reference to Article VI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th February, 2009, the City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 189-2009 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 79,000.

 

 

 

 

George REGAN, Convener.