Housing Committee - 18/05/2015

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th May, 2015.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost Bob DUNCAN

 

Depute Lord Provost Christina ROBERTS

 

BAILIES

 

Willie SAWERS

Helen WRIGHT

Ian BORTHWICK

 

Derek J SCOTT

 

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Ken GUILD

Ken LYNN

Laurie BIDWELL

John ALEXANDER

Vari McDONALD

Lesley BRENNAN

Jimmy BLACK

Craig MELVILLE

Georgia CRUICKSHANK

David BOWES

Gregor MURRAY

Tom FERGUSON

Bill CAMPBELL

Alan G ROSS

Brian GORDON

Kevin CORDELL

Kevin KEENAN

Richard McCREADY

Will DAWSON

Mohammed ASIF

Norma McGOVERN

Stewart HUNTER

 

Fraser MACPHERSON

 

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 27th April, 2015 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

 

No declarations of interest were made.

 

II 17 BUTTARS PLACE

 

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th November, 2011 relative to the improvement for sale of the six flats in the tenement at 17 Buttars Place, there was submitted Agenda Note AN140-2015 reporting that the six flats had all been marketed and sold. The total sales receipts were 345,500 and the capital cost of the improvement works was 150,276. The project had been successful in improving the local neighbourhood, ensuring the sustainability of the block and providing a low cost home ownership option for purchasers.

 

The Committee noted the position.

 

III INSPECTION OF SHELTERED HOUSING WARDEN SERVICE BY THE CARE INSPECTORATE

 

There was submitted Report No 184-2015 by the Director of Housing reporting on the 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.

 

IV MAKING RENTING RIGHT - SHELTER SCOTLAND

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN141-2015 reporting that the Chief Executive had received a letter from Shelter Scotland seeking the Council's support for the Make Renting Right Campaign.

 

The Committee agreed that Dundee City Council support the campaign.

 

Furthermore, it was reported that Shelter Scotland would be holding a Conference "Making Renting Right" on 24th June in Edinburgh at a cost of approximately 160, excluding travel and subsistence.

 

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Cordell, moved attendance of Councillor Black at the Conference.

 

As an amendment, Councillor Gordon, seconded by Councillor Cruickshank, moved:-

 

"We applaud Shelter's commitment to make renting right and stability for people choosing to make rented housing their home. They give flexibility for people to stay in their home as long as they need to with a modern tenancy that gives security and flexibility to tenants and landlords with a fair system of sorting out renting problems if they occur with practicable rents.

 

We wish to move that Dundee City Council send a Senior Housing Officer on 24th June to the Conference "Making Renting Right" and to report back with a briefing to elected members at a later date. Whilst we appreciate sending a councillor may help with their personal development, it is imperative that in this current climate we keep cost to a minimum.

 

The briefing would help all Councillors who wish to learn about future reforms and Shelter's vision of improving the growing private rented sector and show Dundee City Council's commitment to "Make Renting Right"."

 

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Councillors Guild, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Melville, Murray and Ross, Bailie Sawers, Lord Provost Duncan and Depute Lord Provost Roberts (16); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern and Macpherson and Bailies Wright, Borthwick and Scott (13) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

 

 

 

 

John ALEXANDER, Convener.