Housing Committee - 11/02/2013

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 11th February, 2013.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jimmy BLACK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 28th January, 2013 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II HOUSING ALLOCATION POLICY: AMENDMENTS TO UNDER-OCCUPATION PRIORITY

There was submitted Report No 55-2013 by the Director of Housing recommending amendment to the Council Allocation Policy to give a greater priority to households who were under-occupying to assist households who were affected by Welfare Reform and changes to Housing Benefit.

Councillor Cordell, seconded by Councillor Ross, moved that the Council should write to the Westminster Government to request devolution of social security matters to the Scottish Parliament.

As an amendment, Councillor McCready, seconded by Councillor Macpherson, moved that the Council should write to the Westminster Government to request devolution of power to legislate for direct payment of rent to landlords to the Scottish Parliament.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Councillors Guild, Alexander, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Melville, Murray, Ross, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts and Bailie Sawers (16); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern, Macpherson, and Bailies Wright and Borthwick (11) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

Thereafter, the Committee approved the changes to the Allocation Policy, namely, awarding of points to households under-occupying social rented housing, and increasing the qualifying age for sex separation from eight to ten years.

III HOUSING INCENTIVE SCHEME

There was submitted Report No 50-2013 by the Director of Housing advising that Welfare Benefit changes being implemented from April, 2013 would restrict Housing Benefit entitlement for tenants under-occupying their homes and setting out details of a Housing Incentive Scheme which could be introduced to mitigate the impact of the Housing Benefit changes for tenants who were under-occupying larger properties by enabling them to move to smaller houses or flats. The scheme would also release larger homes for those on the waiting list who required these.

The Committee approved the introduction of the Housing Incentive Scheme on the basis set out within the report subject to an evaluation of the outcomes from the scheme after the first year of its operation (2013/2014).

IV TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 65-2013 by the City Architect detailing tenders received and requesting decisions thereon:-

(a) WEST KIRKTON 2ND DEVELOPMENT - INSTALLATION OF EXTERNAL INSULATED RENDER SYSTEM - PHASE 1

The Committee agreed to a negotiated project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) amounting to 325,530.66, together with an allowance of 27,670 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 353,200.66.

(b) LILY WALKER CENTRE - ROOF RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a negotiated project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) amounting to 74,798.79, together with allowances of 6,357.90 for professional services and 5,000 for contingencies, making a total expenditure of 86,156.69.

(c) WEDDERBURN STREET - EXTENSION TO RESIDENTS LOUNGE

The Committee agreed to a negotiated project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) amounting to 41,600, together with an allowance of 3,536 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 45,136.

Jimmy BLACK, Convener.