Housing Committee - 31/10/2011

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 31st October, 2011.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jimmy BLACK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 12th September, 2011 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I RESPONSE TO SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO CONSULTATION ON THE SCOTTISH SOCIAL HOUSING CHARTER

There was submitted Report No 474-2011 by the Director of Housing containing the Council's response to the Scottish Government's most recent consultation paper issued in August on the Scottish Social Housing Charter.

The Committee approved the response to the consultation, as appended to the report, for submission to the Scottish Government.

II VOID MANAGEMENT POLICY

There was submitted Report No 454-2011 by the Director of Housing seeking approval of the Void Management Policy. The policy set the context for the Council's approach to re-letting empty houses in light of the work of the Void Review Group. The associated procedure had been developed and had been implemented with the relevant staff.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the Void Management Policy; and

(ii) approved the measurement of the performance of the Policy against SHR Performance Standards after one year and thereafter as part of regular programme.

III REVIEW OF RENTS AND OTHER CHARGES 2012/2013

There was submitted Report No 465-2011 by the Director of Housing seeking approval to consult with tenants on the proposed rent increase and other related charges for 2012/2013.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the Director of Housing, consulting for a two month period with tenants, on the proposed options for the rent increase and other charges for 2012/2013 which were discussed with the Dundee Federation of Tenants' Association on Thursday, 22nd September, 2011; and

(ii) noted that estimated rent increases for 2012/2013 and 2014/2015 would be included in the consultation document to tenants to provide an indication of future rent levels.

IV LOCHEE COMMUNITY ENERGY SAVING (CESP)

There was submitted Report No 466-2011 by the Director of Housing seeking approval for two further Community Energy Savings Projects (CESPs) at Whorterbank and Lansdowne/Pitalpin Multi-Storey Developments (MSDs); referred to together as the Lochee CESP. In management, content and funding these would be operated along similar lines to the Dallfield CESP currently on site at the four blocks making up the Dallfield MSD.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed the contents of the report;

(ii) agreed to the funding by Scottish Gas of an additional staff resource for a period of 18 months and noted that the Director of Housing and Head of Personnel would progress this via the establishment change process; and

(iii) authorised the Director of Housing to enter into an agreement with Scottish Gas to secure the project.

V DEMOLITION OF 53 - 76 ORMISTON CRESCENT, WHITFIELD

There was submitted Report No 478-2011 by the Director of Housing seeking approval for the demolition of 24 properties at 53 - 76 Ormiston Crescent, Whitfield, Dundee.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed to declare surplus and demolish 24 flats at 53 - 76 Ormiston Crescent, Whitfield;

(ii) remitted the Director of Housing to award priority rehousing status to the remaining tenants, together with the statutory Home Loss payment of 1,500;

(iii) remitted the Director of City Development to prepare tenders and seek offers for demolition and post demolition treatment at the appropriate time; and

(iv) remitted the Director of Housing to bring forward proposals for redevelopment at the appropriate time.

VI EVALUATION OF LOCAL LETTING INITIATIVE AND INTRODUCTION OF AMENITY HOUSING

There was submitted Report No 475-2011 by the Director of Housing describing the evaluation of a Local Letting Initiative where sheltered properties which proved hard to let were targeted at applicants aged over 45. The rationale behind this being to attempt to minimise disturbance and clashes of lifestyle between existing and future residents. Learning from the positive outcome of the letting initiative, the Housing Department proposed to formalise this approach by introducing a new category of "Amenity Housing" to the Letting Policy.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed, in principle, to the introduction of Amenity Housing;

(ii) instructed the Director of Housing to develop a policy for letting Amenity Housing and advertising this to applicants; and

(iii) noted that the policy for letting Amenity Housing would be submitted to a future Housing Committee.

The Committee further noted that the sheltered housing service remained unaffected and that the warden service remained available and that provision should be considered for inclusion in the policy for letting Amenity Housing to allow the tenant of an amenity house the opportunity for that property to be accepted back as sheltered housing, allowing individuals, should they become frail in later years, to remain in their home and to receive the warden service.

VII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 486-2011 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting decisions therein:-

(a) VARIOUS COUNCIL PROPERTIES - INSTALLATION OF CONTROLLED ENTRIES 2011/2012 - PHASE 2B

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering project with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 372,339.39, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 399,508.39.

(b) ST MARY'S 10TH DEVELOPMENT (FLATS) - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 493,864.82, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 596,077.82

(c) ELDERS COURT MSD - FIRE DAMAGE REPAIRS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from Muirfield (Contracts) Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 25,162.63, amended after checking to 25,162.62, together with an allowance of 4,031 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 29,193.62.

The Committee also noted the undernoted sub-contractors had been listed by Muirfield (Contracts) Ltd:-

VIII SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT FUND 2011/2012

There was submitted Agenda Note AN154-2011 advising the Committee that in 2011/2012, the Scottish Government had set up a challenge funding mechanism - the Innovation and Investment Fund (IIF) - for the delivery of all new social rented housing. Initially, 50M was made available, 20M for RSLs, 20M for councils and 10M for providers of all forms of affordable housing tenure. The objectives of the IIF were to ensure innovation, collaborative working and to provide value for money.

For Dundee bids to the Fund for 2011/2012 were:-

- Mill O'Mains Regeneration Phase 2 - HOME Scotland. This was continuing to deliver the approved Masterplan agreed with the community.

- Ardler Phase 6 - Sanctuary.

- Angus Housing Association - redevelopment of the Skarne Blocks at 53 - 64 Ormiston Crescent and 65 - 76 Ormiston Crescent.

The Scottish Government announced the outcomes from the IIF bidding process in September. From the first and second tranches awarded totalling 111M nationally, Dundee had been successful in attracting 5M grant to provide affordable housing in the City.

In Dundee, HOME Scotland had received 3M grant funding towards financing the 8.4M development of 70 houses in Mill O'Mains Phase 2, continuing the commitment provided to tenants on the regeneration of Mill O'Mains.

Sanctuary had received 2M grant funding towards financing the 6.2M development of 60 houses at the undeveloped Site 6A in Ardler.

Therefore, the provision of 5M Scottish Government Grant would provide 130 new affordable homes within Dundee and construction to the value of 14.6M.

The Committee noted accordingly.

IX REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - RTO REGISTRATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN155-2011 reporting that a request for registration as a Registered Tenants' Organisation had been received from the Phoenix Association.

The Committee approved the application.

X REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN156-2011 requesting grant assistance towards administrative costs for 2011/2012 from the undernoted organisations at the levels outlined:-

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as required.

XI UNIVERSAL HOME INSULATION SCHEME

There was submitted Agenda Note AN157-2011 asking the Committee to note the allocation of 360,000 which had been secured from the Scottish Government's Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS) for carrying out free insulation measures in 1,365 privately owned dwellings in Dundee. An additional 216,000 of CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target) was being supplied by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE - known locally as Scottish Hydro Electric) to make the project viable.

As all Council stock had previously benefited from insulation measures, the funding obtained was for non-flatted properties in the private sector across the City. As the insulation would be offered free to householders, it had been decided that it should be targeted at owners in the lowest cost properties as evidenced by Council Tax band. Only after demand had been satisfied in Band A properties would it be offered to Band B properties and so on until the funding was exhausted.

The funding would cover main measures of cavity wall and loft insulation in 1,365 properties with radiator panels and tank jackets fitted, as required. The work would be carried out between now and the end of March 2012. The contractor, Scottish Hydro Electric (Housing Department's Preferred Energy Supplier) had chosen to carry out this work was Everwarm Ltd. Scottish Hydro provided suitable qualified contractors to carry out all of the surveying, installation, contract management and quality control elements of the project. Everwarm Ltd had been appointed by Scottish Hydro after an in-house tender process that ensured competitive pricing and suitably qualified and experienced contractors. The reporting and financial mechanisms were already in place and had been proven over many similar projects; this would ensure a swift start to the project providing the best opportunity to deliver the proposed number of measures within the contract period.

In addition to insulation which would make it cheaper and easier for residents to keep their homes warm, a package of energy and income-maximisation advice would be provided by the local Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre. Any resident found eligible for further measures (such as central heating) would be referred to the relevant schemes and agencies.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the allocation of 360,000 had been secured from the Scottish Government's Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS) for carrying out free insulation measures in 1,365 privately owned dwellings in Dundee; and

(ii) to note that an additional 216,000 of CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target) was being supplied by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE - known locally as Scottish Hydro Electric) to make the project viable.

The Committee noted that the target group would be householders in Council Tax Bands A and B but that applicants in other Council Tax Bands would be assessed by SCARF for alternative schemes currently available to address fuel poverty. The Committee also agreed that officers consider how best to deal with fuel poverty in higher Council Tax Bands when designing future applications for UHIS funding.

Jimmy BLACK, Convener.