Neighbourhood Services Committee - 19/11/2018

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th November, 2018.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Kevin CORDELL, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 29th October, 2018 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services declared a non-financial interest in Article VII by virtue of her partners employment with Hillcrest Housing Association.

II RESPECTFUL FUNERAL PACKAGE (PROCUREMENT AND PROMOTION)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN74-2018, whereby reference was made to Article VI of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 24th September, 2018, Report 283-2018 refers. This report outlined the work being undertaken to develop a specification for a Dundee Respectful Funeral Package. The purpose of the proposed package was to provide an affordable option for those individuals who did not have sufficient provision to meet funeral costs.

It was reported that Neighbourhood Services had completed a specification and Dundee City Council Procurement were developing a framework and tender documentation which would invite Funeral Directors to participate in the Respectful Funeral Package tender process. It was anticipated that tendered bids would offer reductions in the fees for undertakers services. This followed the successful model implemented by East Ayrshire Council.

The Respectful Funeral Package would be promoted by the Council, Dundee Funeral Support Service and Funeral Directors whose bids were accepted. There would be minor financial implications relating to staffing and promotion costs although these could be contained within the existing Neighbourhood Services Revenue Budget.

The submission of competitive bids would determine the success of the Respectful Funeral Package proposal.

The Committee agreed to note the content of the Agenda Note and instructed the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services to proceed with procurement of the service.

III NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES SERVICE PLAN 2018-2022

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Community Safety and Public Protection Committee of 19th November, 2018, there was submitted Report No 350-2018 presenting a Service Plan for Neighbourhood Services for the period 2018-2022.

The Committee approved the Service Plan accordingly.

IV POTENTIAL USE OF SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT EQUITY RELEASE SCHEME FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTS IN NON-TRADITIONAL EX-COUNCILCOTTAGES

There was submitted Report No 349-2018 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for Neighbourhood Services to facilitate a scheme of External Wall Insulation for owners of non-traditional ex-Council cottages utilising the Scottish Governments Equity Release Pilot Scheme which had been extended to Dundee, seeking approval for publicising the scheme to all of the owners at locations outlined at paragraph 4.2 of the report; and seeking approval for setting aside a maximum of 140,000 from the 2019/2020 HEEPS:ABS allocation for owners who wished to have their homes in these specified areas externally insulated.

The Committee gave approval for Neighbourhood Services to provide information on the Equity Release Scheme to all owners included in the list at paragraph 4.2 and to follow this up with information sessions and facilitation of EWI installation utilising the HEEPS equity release loan.

V COMMUNITY GROWING DECOMMISSIONED LOCHEE BOWLING GREEN

There was submitted Report No 352-2018 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking Committee approval for construction of a fruit-growing project at the decommissioned Lochee Park Bowling Green.

The Committee gave approval for the project below at Lochee Park.

VI PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENT LOCHEE PARK

There was submitted Report No 353-2018 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking Committee approval for further playground improvements as part of the 2018/2019 programme.

The Committee agreed that approval be given for the project below.

VII STRATEGIC HOUSING INVESTMENT PLAN 2019-2024

There was submitted Report No 345-2018 by the Chief Executive seeking approval of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2019-2024.

The Committee approved the content of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2019-2024.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 314-2018 by the Head of Design and Property detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(a) BAXTER PARK TENNIS COURTS

The Committee agreed to a contract with Tayside Contracts in the sum of 101,929.03, together with allowances of 14,692.90, giving a total expenditure of 116,621.93.

(b) DUDHOPE TENNIS COURTS

The Committee agreed to a negotiated contract with Tayside Contracts in the sum of 75,665.85, together with allowances of 10,666.59, giving a total expenditure of 86,332.44.

(c) PENTLAND CRESCENT FOOTPATHS AND STEPS REPLACEMENT PHASE 2

The Committee agreed to a contract with T N Gilmartin in the sum of 117,350.66, together with allowances of 17,649.34, giving a total expenditure of 135,000.

(d) FLEMING GARDENS WINDOW REPLACEMENT

The Committee agreed to a negotiated contract with Construction Services in the sum of 898,061.62, together with allowances of 100,925.55, giving a total expenditure of 998,987.17.

(e) TULLOCH COURT STEPS - PHASE 3

The Committee agreed to a contract with T N Gilmartin in the sum of 134,340, together with allowances of 19,660, giving a total expenditure of 154,000.

(f) LOCHEE WARD - BOILER REPLACEMENT 2018/2019

The Committee agreed to a negotiated contract with Construction Services in the sum of 129,599.70, together with allowances of 15,463.97, giving a total expenditure of 145,063.67.

Kevin CORDELL, Convener.