Housing Committee - 09/11/2015

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

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th October, 2015 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II FUEL POVERTY STRATEGY

There was submitted Report No 360-2015 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services updating the Committee on Fuel Poverty issues within Dundee and the ways in which the Council, along with strategic partners, were tackling fuel poverty in the City. Reducing fuel poverty was an important part of meeting the Dundee Partnerships outcome agreement contained in the Council Plan.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Cordell, moved that the Committee note the Strategy and approve the Action Plan as detailed in Appendix I of the report and, in addition:-

In a further attempt to address fuel poverty in the City, Officers should investigate the possibility of Dundee City Council providing a Community Energy Project with detailed costings being brought back to a future Policy and Resources Committee.

The Officers should immediately investigate the potential of utilising the current 14,000 homes generating capacity held at DERL as a first Community Energy Project for the City either in its current or future status.

As an amendment, Councillor Gordon, seconded by Councillor Keenan, moved approval of the above together with the undernoted:-

Dundee City Council believes that the UK Governments proposed changes to Tax Credits would leave working families worse off and calls on the Scottish Government to restore Tax Credits to families using the new powers being devolved. The Chief Executive be instructed to convey this message to the First Minister and the most appropriate Ministers within the Scottish Government.

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

III HOUSING DEPARTMENT 2012/2017 SERVICE PLAN ANNUAL REVIEW

There was submitted Report No 371-2015 by the Director of Neighbourhood Services reviewing the 2014/2015 performance of the Housing Department in relation to its Service Plan 2012/2017.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the contents of the Housing Department Service Plan Review; and

(ii) approved the new performance indicator contained in paragraph 4.5.

IV TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 412-2015 by the City Architect detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(a) ST MARYS 12TH DEVELOPMENT - BOILER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to a negotiated contract with the Environment Department (Construction Services) in the sum of 223,438, together with the undernoted allowances:-

giving a total expenditure of 249,430.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.