Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 06/12/2010

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 6th December, 2010.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jimmy BLACK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 25th October, 2010 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I STRATEGIC HOUSING INVESTMENT PLAN 2011/2016

There was submitted Report No 687-2010 by the Director of Housing seeking approval of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2011/2016.

The Committee approved the content of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2011/2016.

II HOMELESSNESS STRATEGY PROGRESS UPDATE REPORT 2009/2010

There was submitted Report No 647-2010 by the Director of Housing, informing Committee of the progress of the Homelessness Strategy Action Plan and outlining the objectives achieved in order to prevent homelessness in the City of Dundee.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the progress report; and

(ii) remitted the Director of Housing to provide further progress reports on an annual basis to ensure progress was being achieved in the objectives which had been outlined.

III CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT PERFORMANCE (HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME)

On a reference to Article XIV of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 1st July, 2009, wherein the Construction Procurement Policy was approved, there was submitted Joint Report No 692-2010 by the City Architectural Services Officer and Director of Housing, providing analysis of procurement performance for the delivery of the HRA capital programme for the year 2009/2010.

The Committee:-

(i) noted performance on delivery under the procurement policy for year 2009/2010;

(ii) approved the continuation of these delivery arrangements for 2011/2012 HRA capital programme;

(iii) approved the market testing proposed for the current year as outlined in paragraph 5.9 of the report and the introduction of unit rates based on the results of this testing exercise, initially in the Heating/Kitchen and Bathroom Programme; and

(iv) approved the review of the partnering framework for 2012/2013.

IV TENDERS RECEIVED - BALMUIR WOODS TRAVELLERS SITE

There was submitted Report No 718-2010 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing offers received for the undernoted contract:-

(a) BALMUIR WOODS TRAVELLERS' SITE - FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated contract with Dundee Contract Services amounting to 24,712.65, together with allowances of 1,300 for structural engineering services and 2,980 for other professional services, making a total expenditure of 28,992.65.

V REGISTRATION OF TENANT ORGANISATIONS - HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2001

There was submitted Agenda Note AN147-2010 reporting that the undernoted requests for registration/re-registration as Registered Tenants' Organisations had been received:-

The Committee agreed that the applications be approved.

VI REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN148-2010 requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2010/2011 from the undernoted Associations at the levels outlined.

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as requested.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER - 1-78 MURRAYFIELD WALK - DEMOLITION

Councillors Bidwell and Gordon declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of their membership of the Area Committee (Dundee) of Home Scotland Housing Association.

There was submitted Report No 681-2010 by the City Engineer detailing offers received for the undernoted contract:-

(a) 1 - 78 MURRAYFIELD WALK - DEMOLITION

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from Dundee Plant Co Ltd, amounting to 92,460, together with the undernoted allowances:-

VIII TAYSIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP - SELECTION OF PREFERRED PARTNER FOR DELIVERY OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSINGINVESTMENT PROGRAMME (AHIP) WITHIN DUNDEE 2011/2012 - 2013/2014

The Director of Housing declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of her partner's employment with Home Scotland.

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd March, 2010, wherein streamlining the local procurement arrangements for the delivery of the AHIP by the selection of a preferred developer was approved, there was submitted Agenda Note AN149-2010 advising that bids had been received from three organisations, Angus Housing Association, DOMUS (a collaboration between Home Scotland, Hillcrest, Perthshire and Servite Housing Associations) and Sanctuary. Following evaluation of the bids by the Council and the Scottish Government Housing Investment Team, the successful bidders were DOMUS and Sanctuary.

The Committee noted accordingly.

IX MILL O MAINS REGENERATION

The Director of Housing declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of her partner's employment with Home Scotland.

On a reference to Article I of the minute of the City Development Committee of 1st July, 2009, wherein the Mill O'Mains Masterplan was approved, there was submitted Agenda Note AN155-2010 advising that construction of the first phase of new houses was on-site and the demolition of 90 houses in order to clear land to enable Phase 2 construction works to proceed had been approved. (Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee of 1st July, 2009 (Report No 291-2009)).

Phase 1 new build included the provision of seven single storey two bedroomed cottages. A pre‑allocation exercise had shown that three of these units could not be matched to needs/demands of tenants in the properties already declared surplus for demolition but there were 11 single storey cottages which, in accordance with the Masterplan, would require to be declared surplus to facilitate the next phase of redevelopment. In order to ensure that tenants in these cottages did not lose the opportunity of moving into a similar type of house at the earliest opportunity, the Committee agreed to the demolition of 6, 7, 8, 9 Lismore Terrace, 13, 14, 15, 21, 30 Harris Terrace, 30 Barra Terrace and 15 Mull Terrace; remitted the Director of Housing to award redevelopment priority status for re‑housing, together with statutory home loss payment to existing tenants of these properties and noted that demolition option/costs would be reported to Committee in due course in the normal manner.

The Committee further noted that if any of these properties became vacant prior to actual demolition, arrangements being procured or required to facilitate the next phase of the redevelopment process, the Director of Housing would pursue a short-term let of the property to preclude any requirement to compensate a tenant/occupier requiring to vacate to facilitate demolition.

X CONTRACT SERVICES FINANCIAL OPERATING STATEMENT AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2010

There was submitted Joint Report No 695-2010 by the Director of Finance and the Director of Contract Services appraising the Committee on the financial position and operational performance of Contract Services for the six months ended 30th September, 2010.

The Committee:-

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

(ii) noted that Contract Services were likely to incur a statutory loss in the current financial year although it should achieve the statutory requirement of break even for the current three year rolling period, which commenced at the start of financial year 2008/2009.

XI PUBLIC OPEN SPACE IMPROVEMENTS 2010/2011

There was submitted Agenda Note AN150-2010 advising that proposals to undertake Public Open Space Improvements at a number of locations had been developed to address existing health and safety concerns and to enhance the amenity of these areas. The proposed measures would also help reduce the long term future maintenance burden and are listed as follows:-

The Committee approved the proposals and authorised the Director of Contract Services to undertake these works.

XII PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS 2010/2011

There was submitted Agenda Note AN151-2010 advising that proposals to undertake Playground Improvements at a number of locations had been developed to address existing health and safety concerns and to enhance the amenity of these areas. The proposed measures would also help reduce the long term future maintenance burden.

The Committee approved the proposals and authorised the Director of Contract Services to undertake the works.

Jimmy BLACK, Convener.