Housing Committee - 09/03/2015

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 9th March, 2015.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9th February, 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II SHARED SERVICES EMPTY HOMES OFFICER SHARED SERVICES PROPOSAL

There was submitted Agenda Note AN20-2015, where reference was made to Article X of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 8th December, 2014, which agreed to the possibility of implementing a shared services approach to recruiting a temporary Empty Homes Officer post for two years to progress initiatives in Dundee and Angus.

By using this approach, Dundee City Council would, subject to approval, share a post with Angus Council. Dundee City Council would act as the Lead Council, employing the officer, and Angus Council would meet half of the costs. The total annual cost would be 41,141 (Dundee City Council share at 50% = 20,570) including national insurance costs, pension contributions etc. An application would be made for Scottish Government Empty Homes Partnership Funding. If successful this would provide grant funding of 20,000 in year one and 10,000 in year two.

Therefore, the net costs to Dundee City Council would be 10,570 in year one and 15,570 in year two. The balance would be funded from Private Sector Housing Grant.

This officer would work with the Revenues Division, Corporate Services Department and Private Sector Services Unit, Housing Department in Dundee City Council. This resource would assist in finding out more about the reasons for long-term empty properties and, by engaging with owners, assist in providing information and developing solutions. This would have the benefit of minimising empty properties and maximising Council Tax income to the Council.

The Committee approved the above.

III SURPLUS LOCK-UP GARAGES AND GARAGE SITES

There was submitted Report No 63-2015 by the Director of Housing seeking approval to declare 169 lock-up garages and 15 garage sites surplus to requirements.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) the lock-up garages and garage sites listed in Appendix 1 of the report identified for demolition be declared surplus to requirements and are demolished;

(ii) the Director of Housing determining a long-term strategy for the sustainability of sites contained within Appendix 1 of the report including the marketing of available units. In addition, ensuring that appropriate measures, including the conducting of surveys are undertaken to review and determine future requirements; and

(iii) remitting to the City Engineer to bring forward proposals for demolitions, where agreed, and post demolition treatment works as necessary.

IV DEMOLITION OF 1-34 BUTTERBURN SQUARE, HILLTOWN, DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 79-2015 by the Director of Housing seeking approval for the demolition of the 31 properties at 1-34 Butterburn Square, Hilltown, Dundee.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed to declare surplus and demolish 31 flats at 1-34 Butterburn Square, Hilltown, Dundee;

(ii) remitted to 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 to the Director of Housing to enter negotiations with the eleven owners regarding the repurchase of these properties;

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

(v) remitted the Director of Housing to bring forward proposals for redevelopment in due course; and

(vi) remitted to the Director of Housing to develop an appropriate Local Lettings Initiative, providing residents with the opportunity to continue living within the Hilltown and potentially utilising new build social housing in the area.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 114-2015 by the City Architect detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) DOUGLAS AND ANGUS 1ST, 4TH AND 5TH DEVELOPMENT - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) amounting to 241,838, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 275,382.

(ii) DOUGLAS AND ANGUS 9TH DEVELOPMENT - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) amounting to 151,149, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 169,893.

(iii) CRAIGIE 5TH DEVELOPMENT - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) amounting to 24,184, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 26,915.

(iv) MAINS OF FINTRY 1ST AND 4TH DEVELOPMENTS - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) amounting to 296,252, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 332,209.

(v) DRYBURGH 1ST AND 3RD DEVELOPMENTS - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) amounting to 75,574, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 85,498.

(vi) ARKLAY STREET 1ST AND 2ND DEVELOPMENTS - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) amounting to 740,630, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 831,206.

(vii) CLEMENT PARK 1ST DEVELOPMENT - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) for 24,184, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 27,023.

(viii) WEST KIRKTON 1ST AND 4TH DEVELOPMENTS - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) for 226,723, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 262,978.

(ix) ST MARY'S 2ND TO 9TH DEVELOPMENTS - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) for 456,470, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 512,522.

(x) INDIVIDUAL HOMES 2015/2016 - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with McGill Electrical, Dundee for 450,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 499,450.

(xi) ST MARY'S 14TH DEVELOPMENT - WINDOW RENEWAL - PHASE 2

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) for 361,672.45, together with the undernoted allowances:-

Giving a total expenditure of 397,414.45.

VI DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL INSPECTION AND TESTING OF VARIOUS COUNCIL HOUSES 2015-2018

There was submitted Report No 115-2015 by the City Architect detailing tenders received for the Domestic Electrical Inspection and Testing of various Council Houses for years 2015 to 2018, requesting approval to accept the most economically advantageous tender and enter into negotiations for Project Housing Contracts to be reported at a later date.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the Director of Housing enter into a Framework Agreement with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee; and

(ii) noted that the Environment Department (Construction Services) had carried out a shadow process and would carry out an agreed proportion of the Programme at similar quality and cost to the Framework Contractor.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.