Housing Committee - 25/08/2014

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th August, 2014.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin CORDELL, Vice-Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th June, 2014 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - RTO REGISTRATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN186-2014 reporting that a request for registration as a Registered Tenants Organisation had been received from St Marys Association of Residents and Tenants.

The Committee approved the application.

III NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST - 2B

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st April, 2014, wherein the Committee was advised on proposals by Waterfront Investments to construct 30 two-bedroom flats under the National Housing Trust (NHT) Scheme at Candle Lane, Dundee, there was submitted Agenda Note AN189-2014 reporting that Waterfront Investments had now intimated to the Scottish Futures Trust that, given improving market conditions, they felt the development could be delivered using a more conventional method and a straightforward sales strategy. The development would therefore not proceed under the NHT Scheme.

The Committee noted the position.

IV GREEN HOMES CASH BACK FOR SOCIAL HOUSING PROVIDERS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN195-2014 reporting on Green Homes Cash Back for Social Housing Providers (GHCB SHP) which was a source of funding for domestic energy-efficiency measures such as external wall insulation (EWI) launched by the Scottish Government in July, 2014.

Bids were being requested by the Scottish Government from Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) for a share of the fund for projects in 2014/2015. This fund was in addition to HEEPS-ABS (Home Energy Efficiency Programme Scotland - Area Based Schemes), another Scottish Government domestic energy efficiency fund from which the Council had successfully obtained 3.7m this financial year for carrying out EWI on mixed tenure blocks of flats. The two funding streams could not be combined. HEEPS could only be spent on owner-occupied and privately rented properties; the emphasis for GHCB was on social rented properties, although it could be used for owners within social housing areas.

The published criteria for projects indicated that bids from rural and off-gas areas would be prioritised in the Scottish Government scoring regime. Properties in Dundee were on network gas supplies which might disadvantage any bid submitted. It was proposed that a bid for Dundee be submitted for 33 solid-wall cottages in Mid-Craigie 2nd Development, (25 tenants, 8 owners), the rationale being that the flats in the area were to benefit from EWI in 2014/2015 through HEEPS and this would ensure a more comprehensive approach to upgrading the properties in the area.

It was proposed a bid for 250,000, the maximum amount allowed per project, be made and this would allow work to be done without any cost to the Council or the owners. However, timescales for procurement and delivery of the work would be very challenging given it must be completed by 31st March, 2015.

The Committee endorsed the submission of a bid to the Scottish Government for GHCB SHP on the basis outlined above.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 299-2014 by the City Architect detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(a) WHITFIELD GARDENS AND MURRAYFIELD GARDENS - REMEDIAL WORKS TO EXTERNAL WALLS

The Committee agreed to a negotiated contract with the Environment Department (Construction Services) in the sum of 687,316.81, together with allowances of 50,000 for relocation of external services and 58,422 for professional services, making a total of expenditure of 795,738.81.

VI SHQS PROGRESS REPORT ON COMPLIANCE

There was submitted Report No 296-2014 by the Director of Housing updating members on the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) progress to the end of March, 2014 and advising on the risk management measures in place to mitigate risks to compliance.

The Committee noted progress at the end of 2013/2014 towards achieving SHQS by 2015 and the actions being implemented to manage risks to delivery.

VII INSPECTION OF SHELTERED HOUSING WARDEN SERVICE BY THE CARE INSPECTORATE

There was submitted Report No 298-2014 by the Director of Housing reporting on findings of the Care Inspectorate inspection of the Sheltered Housing Warden Service.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the report; and

(ii) instructed the Director of Housing to monitor progress towards meeting the areas for improvement contained in the report.

Kevin CORDELL, Vice-Convener.