Neighbourhood Services Committee - 14/11/2016

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th November, 2016.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 31st October, 2016 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

The Committee paid tribute to Mary Smith, Development Worker, Neighbourhood Services who had recently passed away, and expressed their condolences to her family.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Bailie Borthwick declared a non-financial interest in Article II by virtue of being a resident of Stirling Park.

II ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL HOUSING (EESSH)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN91-2016 asking Committee to note the funding bid submitted to the Scottish Government by Dundee City Council for a share of the Capital Stimulus Programme - 10m for domestic energy efficiency to meet EESSH (Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing).

This funding stream was announced in September by the First Minister in her Programme for Government. It was part of a set of measures to support and stimulate the economy in the wake of the EU Referendum. 10m had been set aside to assist social landlords in meeting the EESSH. The funding could be used for any prescribed energy efficiency measure required to help local authority or RSL (Registered Social Landlord) properties up to the EESSH. Individual offers of funding had been capped at 0.5m per local authority. As this funding was designed to provide a short-term economic boost, it had to be fully spent and invoiced by end March, 2017 and cover activity not initially planned for the financial year. Local authorities had been asked to work closely with RSLs in their area to identify priority projects.

Only one RSL, Hillcrest Housing Association, had asked to be included in the Dundee City Council bid. Funding was required to install Quantum Smart Electric Storage heaters in 116 off-grid properties in various areas of the city.

Dundee City Councils own bid was for carrying out underfloor insulation to 284 ground floor flats at four areas in the city - Fleming Gardens, Hospital Park, Logie and Stirling Park - where deep foundations caused draughts and heat leakage leading to high fuel bills and making it difficult for the properties to achieve EESSH. The amount being bid for was 0.5m in total.

The Committee noted that funding was greatly oversubscribed and most Councils, including Dundee, were allocated less than their bid amount. Dundee City Council was successful in obtaining 300,000.

III TENANT PARTICIPATION STRATEGY 2016-2020

There was submitted Report No 320-2016 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval of the Tenant Participation Strategy 2016-2020. This Strategy set out the Councils commitments to tenant participation as required by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

The Committee approved the Tenant Participation Strategy appended to the report.

IV ROBERTSON STREET COMMUNITY GROWING GARDEN

Reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of the Environment Committee of 20th May, 2013. There was submitted Report No 352-2016 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for the construction of a community growing garden at Robertson Street.

The Committee agreed to a negotiated project with Neighbourhood Services in the sum of 56,458.22, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 4,904.41, giving a total expenditure of 61,367.63.

V DUNDEE HOWFF CONSERVATION GROUP

There was submitted Report No 354-2016 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval to work in partnership with the Howff Conservation Group in developing a conservation plan and allocation of funding for phase 1 of the multi-phase project to allow the complete recording and mapping of the graveyard.

The Committee:-

(i) remitted the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to work in partnership with the Howff Conservation Group in seeking external funding; and

(ii) authorised a contribution of up to 8,250 from Dundee City Council to allow phase 1 of the project to be carried out.

VI PROPOSED ROLLER BLADE SKATE TRACK

There was submitted Report No 356-2016 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval in principle for the development of a roller blade skate track for Baxter Park.

The Committee:-

(i) remitted the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to work in partnership with Friends of Baxter Park, Stobswell Forum and Dundee Roller Girls, in seeking external funding, undertaking consultations on the project with key stakeholders and progressing procurement for the implementation and construction of a Roller Derby Track for the Park; and

(ii) noted that, on completion of the above, the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services would prepare a tender report for consideration by the Committee.

VII ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

Reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 7th December, 2015. There was submitted Report No 357-2016 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for further environmental improvements as part of the 2016/2017 programme:-

(a) CEMETERY LANDSCAPE UPGRADING

The Committee agreed to a negotiated project with Neighbourhood Services in the sum of 110,000.

(b) FINLATHEN PARK - LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee agreed to a negotiated project with Neighbourhood Services in the sum of 62,138.21, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 5,648.93, giving a total expenditure of 67,787.14.

(c) ORCHAR PARK - LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee agreed to a negotiated project with Neighbourhood Services in the sum of 55,060.83, to which required to be added allowances amounting to 5,005.53, giving a total expenditure of 60,066.36.

VIII THE SUPPLY AND ERECTION OF SECURITY FENCING AT CITY ROAD ALLOTMENTS - PHASE 2

Reference was made to Article III of the minute of meeting of the Environment Committee of 14th September, 2015.

There was submitted Report No 358-2016 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for security fencing to protect the allotments at City Road.

The Committee agreed to a negotiated project with Neighbourhood Services in the sum of 16,652.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.