Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 23/11/2009

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

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jimmy BLACK, Convener, in the Chair.

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

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I CONTRACT SERVICES FINANCIAL OPERATING STATEMENT AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2009

There was submitted Report No 543-2009 by the Head of Finance and Director of Contract Services appraising the Committee on the financial position and operational performance of Contract Services for the six months ending 30th September, 2009.

The Committee agreed to note:-

(a) the current financial position and operational performance of Contract Services; and

(b) that Contract Services should exceed the statutory requirement of break-even for the third year of the current three year rolling period, which commenced at the start of the financial year 2007/2008.

II PUBLIC OPEN SPACE IMPROVEMENTS 2009

There was submitted Agenda Note AN237-2009 reporting that it was proposed to undertake Public Open Space Improvements at the following locations:-

(i) LAW HILL

Upgrading of paths and steps, together with thinning of vegetation to improve accessibility. Works to be undertaken by employees recruited and funded through Future Jobs Fund, with contribution from Contract Services for materials and supervision.

Estimated Cost - 10,000.

(ii) HAREFIELD ROAD ROSEBEDS

Regenerate existing site by removal of fatigued rosebeds which would be replaced by selected herbaceous plantings within a reduced shrub bed arrangement. Remainder of existing rose beds to be grassed over.

Estimated Cost - 10,000.

(iii) LOGIE AVENUE GRASS BANKS

Reduce bank angle and re-contour grass to ease current maintenance difficulties. New mulched shrub beds would be formed to assist maintenance and enhance amenity.

Estimated Cost - 4,000.

(iv) WELLGATE HOUSING TREE BEDS

Removal of dense shrubs which were creating security and anti-social concerns for residents. Tree beds to be mulched and retained.

Estimated Cost - 10,790.

(v) DUNDEE ROAD WEST

Partial removal of existing shrub bed areas and creation of smaller shrub bed. Grass over remaining area.

Estimated Cost - 6,000.

(vi) WHITEHAZEL PARK

Clearing and thinning of existing shrub bed to improve maintenance access and remove problems with fly tipping.

Estimated Cost - 5,000.

(vii) ARBROATH ROAD TREE BEDS

Improvements to existing tree beds by thinning and mulching to improve access and maintenance burden.

Estimated Cost - 4,210.

The Director of Finance advised that the above costs of 50,000 would be met from allowances for Public Open Space Improvements within the Contract Services Departments capital budget 2009/2010. The above costs had been assessed through market tested rates to ensure value for money.

The Committee agreed that the above works be carried out by Dundee Contract Services at an estimate cost of 50,000.

III PLAY AREA - ST KILDA ROAD, ST MARYS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN238-2009 reporting that following the removal of a number of play areas within the St Mary's area, work had been undertaken through the local community planning partnership to identify a suitable location for a replacement facility. Consultation had been undertaken with elected members, local residents and community groups and results showed an overwhelming majority in favour of the new play area.

The estimated cost for the implementation of these proposals was 74,110. The Director of Finance advised that this would be met through the provision of a 30,503 grant from the Fairer Scotland Fund, 10,000 from the Housing Departments Revenue Account, and the remainder from allowances for play area improvements within the Contract Services Departments capital budget 2009/2010. The above costs had been assessed through a combination of market tested rates and competitive tender to ensure value for money.

The Committee agreed that the work be carried out by Dundee Contract Services at an estimated cost of 74,110.

IV DUNDEE TRUSTED TRADER SCHEME UPDATE

On a reference to Article ll of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 8th June, 2009, there was submitted Agenda Note AN235-2009 outlining proposals from the Construction Licensing Executive (CLE) for a Scottish National 'Trusted Trader' Scheme, based on the current scheme operated by Dundee City Council.

It was intended that the framework would be funded initially by the Scottish Government with local authorities working in partnership with CLE to bring together members of trade associations with smaller firms in the local authority schemes.

CLE was currently seeking approval of its proposal from officials in the Scottish Government but in the interim was reconstituting itself as a charitable organisation. As part of this process, CLE was seeking, through COSLA, local authority representation on the board of trustees for the new organisation and COSLA officials had asked for expressions of interest from elected members.

As Dundee's Trusted Trader Scheme was being used as a template for wider local authority roll-out in Scotland, it would be appropriate for the City Council to be represented on the new CLE Board.

The Committee noted the positive development of the Dundee Trusted Trader Scheme and agreed to appoint Councillor Craig Melville to sit on the new CLE Board.

V TENDERS RECEIVED - CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

There was submitted Report No 572-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(a) ALVA SQUARE - WARDEN CALL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Security Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 69,800, together with an allowance of 7,600 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 77,400.

(b) CAMPERDOWN 12TH DEVELOPMENT - HEATING, KITCHENS, BATHROOMS AND SHOWERS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 880,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 966,567.

(c) CRAIGIE 1ST DEVELOPMENT (FLATS) - HEATING, KITCHENS, BATHROOMS AND SHOWERS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services, amounting to 196,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 227,789.

(d) SHOWERS FOR ALL INDIVIDUAL HOUSES

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services, amounting to 108,600, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 127,237.

(e) SHOWERS FOR ALL - INDIVIDUAL HOUSES

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 93,700, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 109,851.

(f) VARIOUS ADDRESSES - CONTROLLED ENTRIES 2009/2010 - PHASE 3

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 138, 855.06, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 150,829.06.

VI HOUSING DEPARTMENT IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROGRESS REPORT

There was submitted Report No 566-2009 by the Director of Housing reporting on progress on the improvement plan agreed with the Scottish Housing Regulator.

Councillor Keenan, seconded by Bailie Regan, moved that the report be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee.

As an amendment, the Convener, seconded by Councillor Duncan moved to:-

(a) note the contents of the report, including the overall performance in paragraph 5, performance on the significant measures highlighted in paragraph 5 and the attached table (Appendix l) summarising progress on all items which were due for completion up to and including October 2009; and

(b) agree that, as part of the commitment to Public Performance Reporting, this report be added to the plans and performance section of the Council's website.

On a division, there voted for the motion - Bailies Regan, Wallace and Scott and Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready and Hay (10); and for the amendment - the Convener, Depute Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailie Sawers and Councillors Guild, Barrie, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts, Ross, Macpherson and Dick (17) - whereupon the amendment was declared carried.

VII REVIEW OF RENT AND OTHER CHARGES 2010/2011

There was submitted Agenda Note AN236-2009 advising that the Director of Housing and Director of Finance would submit a report to the Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee on 25th January, 2010 relative to the above.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Duncan, moved that the Committee noted that the report may recommend a rent rise of 4% which was 2.22 per week on average, subject to a maximum increase of 3.00 (subject to consultation) and the following increases on other Housing charges, as calculated by the Director of Finance and the Director of Housing.

- concierge service be increased by 30p per week;

- garage lock-ups be increased by 50p to 9.00 per week;

- underground parking bays be increased by 25p to 2.50 per week;

- garage sites be increased by 25p to 2.50 per week;

- sheltered housing service charge be increased by 44p to 26.44 per week;

- travelling people's site rents be increased by 1.79 to 61.40 per week;

- heating charges be increased by 25p to 6.50 per week.

These increases were to be applied from 5th April, 2010.

Inflation had been calculated using a basket of indices comprising the retail price index, the producer prices index and pay awards. This produces an inflation +1% rate of 1.9%. An enhanced relet standard in line with the comments from the Scottish Housing Regulator along with the investment required to achieve the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) has resulted in a recommended rent rise of 4%.

As part of the rent increase consultation exercise, the following option had been put to the Dundee Federation of Tenants' Association General Meeting on 17th November, 2009.

The recommended increase of 4% would allow for a comprehensive repairs service to be maintained, an enhanced relet standard to be implemented, the introduction of a small projects budget and the continued delivery of the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).

As an amendment, Councillor Macpherson, seconded by Councillor Dick, moved that the following additional option be put to the Dundee Federation of Tenants' Associations and the tenants for consultation.

"As an alternative to the proposed recommended rent rise of 4% and the above increases on other housing charges, the rent rise should be 3% which is 1.66 per week on average, subject to a maximum increase of 2.25 (subject to consultation) and that there should be the following increases on other Housing charges, as calculated by the Director of Finance and the Director of Housing.

- concierge service be increased by 30p per week;

- garage lock-ups be increased by 50p to 9.00 per week;

- underground parking bays be increased by 25p to 2.50 per week;

- garage sites be increased by 25p to 2.50 per week;

- sheltered housing service charge be increased by 44p to 26.44 per week;

- travelling people's site rents be increased by 1.79 to 61.40 per week;

- heating charges be increased by 25p to 6.50 per week.

These increases would also be applied from 5th April, 2010."

A 1% reduction in rents would require a saving of 400,000.

If it is finally decided that the rent rise should be 3%, rather than 4%, I will ask the Committee to agree at the same time as the rent rise is decided that this shortfall should be met by reducing expenditure on the proposed enhanced relet standard by 550,000 as this will require a 150,000 increase in the void loss budget.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Bailie Sawers, and Councillors Guild, Barrie, Bowes, Andy Dawson, Will Dawson, Duncan, Fordyce, Hunter, Lynn, Melville, Roberts and Ross (14); and for the amendment - Depute Lord Provost Borthwick, Bailies Wallace, Regan and Scott, and Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, Hay, Dick and Macpherson (13) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

The Committee noted that it was proposed to further consult tenants on the proposals by posting the details as to how and when to comment, on public information boards in Housing Offices, on the Council website, by public notice to be advertised in a local newspaper, in the housing bulletin and feedback form to all tenants in December, and an open day for tenants with a question and answer session to be held on 5th December, 2009.

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 the Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee on 25th January, 2010.

Jimmy BLACK, Convener.