Housing Committee - 26/10/2015

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 26th October, 2015.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th September, 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II REVIEW OF RENTS AND OTHER HOUSING CHARGES 2016/2017

There was submitted Report No 381-2015 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval to consult with tenants on the proposed rent increase and other related charges for 2016/2017.

The Committee:-

(i) approved that the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services consult for a two month period with tenants on the proposed options for the rent increase for 2016/2017;

(ii) approved that the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services consult with tenants on moving from a charging period of 48 weeks to 52 weeks due to the implementation of Universal Credit;

(iii) noted that estimated rent increases for 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 would be included in the consultation document to tenants to provide an indication of future rent levels; and

(iv) agreed that only the rent options which had been the subject of consultation with tenants over the two month period be used to set the 2016/2017 Housing Revenue Account Budget and rent and other housing charges.

III STRATEGIC HOUSING INVESTMENT PLAN 2015-2019 UPDATE

On a reference to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 27th October, 2014 there was submitted Report No 386-2015 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Resources relative to the above.

The Committee noted the content of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2015-2019 Update.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

IV TENDERS RECEIVED BY THE CITY ARCHITECT

There was submitted Agenda Note AN187-2015 relative to tenders received and the acceptance thereof.

The Committee noted that, in view of the timescales involved, the City Architect and Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services, following consultation with the Convener, Labour Group spokesperson, Conservative member, Liberal Democrat member and Independent member had agreed to a negotiated project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) as detailed in the note.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.