Housing Committee - 25/01/2016

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 25th January, 2016.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 11th January, 2016 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

There was submitted Report No 28-2016 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services setting out the proposed rent and other charges for the financial year 2016/2017.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Cordell, moved approval of the report:-

(i) rents be increased by 1.00% equal to 0.69 per week (0.75 - 48 week basis) on average, subject to a maximum increase of 1.00 from 4th April, 2016;

(ii) the provision of 250k be made available within the 2016/2017 Housing Revenue Account to establish a Hardship Fund for Council tenants;

(iii) charges for car parking facilities remain unchanged as follows from 4th April, 2016:

- Garage Lock-Ups 8.77 per week (9.50 - 48 week basis);

- Garage Sites 2.54 per week (2.75 - 48 week basis);

(iv) heating charges for the sheltered housing accommodation remain unchanged for the financial year 2016/2017 for Brington Place at 6.46 per week (7.00 - 48 week basis) and Baluniefield at 7.11 per week (7.70 - 48 week basis);

(v) the Sheltered Housing service charge remain unchanged for the financial year 2016/2017 at 26.94 per week (29.19 - 48 week basis);

(vi) the communal cleaning charge remain at its current level of 1.34 per week (1.45 - 48 week basis);

(vii) charges for the provision of Homeless Temporary Accommodation be unchanged for the financial year 2016/2017;

(viii) the level of rents held on the Housing Revenue Account be similarly applied to miscellaneous houses ie the properties which are leased to the Richmond Fellowship, Social Work and City Development, subject to categorisation where appropriate;

(ix) Other charges be maintained at current rates from April, 2016 as detailed in the report;

(x) rent service charges and other housing costs charging period be moved from 48 weeks to 52 weeks with tenants paying the same annual amount of rent and other charges; and

(xi) Tenants Allowances remain unchanged, with the exception of the decant allowance for tenants making their own arrangements for alternative accommodation, where the limit of three weeks could be extended in exceptional circumstances and where it was more economic than the alternatives.

As an amendment, Councillor Gordon, seconded by Councillor Asif, moved approval of the report, subject to amendment to Recommendations Paragraph 2.1(x) to "Rent service charges and other housing costs charging period to be maintained at 48 weeks in line with the preference selected of 59% by Rent Consultation respondents with tenants paying the same annual amount of rent and other charges."

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Councillors Guild, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Murray, Ross and Macpherson, Bailies Sawers and Scott, Lord Provost Duncan and Depute Lord Provost Roberts (17); 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.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.