Neighbourhood Services Committee - 27/09/2021

At a MEETING of the NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES COMMITTEE held remotely on 27th September, 2021.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Anne RENDALL, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 23rd August, 2021 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

II REGULATION OF SOCIAL HOUSING IN SCOTLAND - ANNUAL ASSURANCE STATEMENT

There was submitted Report No 255-2021 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval of the Annual Assurance Statement for submission to the Scottish Housing Regulator.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the requirements of the Scottish Housing Regulators Framework for the Regulation of Social Housing in Scotland;

(ii) to note the range of existing opportunities for tenants and elected members to scrutinise the operation and performance of the Council in relation to its duties as a social landlord; and

(iii) to approve the Annual Assurance Statement as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, and authorised its submission to the Scottish Housing Regulator and publication on the Councils website.

III TENDER FOR HEADSTONE SAFETY IN CEMETERIES

There was submitted Report No 261-2021 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for the purchase of services for the restoration of Headstone Memorials within Dundee Cemeteries.

The Committee agreed that Vermicon Environmental be awarded a two year contract with the option to extend by a further two years up to a maximum value of 100,000. The contract period would commence on 30th September, 2021, running to 29th September, 2023 with the option to extend for a period of up to two years.

IV SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH - FEASIBILITY STUDY

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 5th March, 2020, wherein the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services was remitted to engage with relevant parties to identify alternative funding models for uses for the remaining five bowling greens within the City of Dundee.

There was submitted Report No 263-2021 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval to permit the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to progress a feasibility study which would consider a new community use of the former bowling green at Dawson Park.

The Committee agreed to permit SAMH to conduct a feasibility study, allowing them to explore the potential development of the former bowling green and associated buildings at Dawson Park, as described in the plan appended to the report, with the view to it being developed into multi-use spaces which benefitted the wider community.

V ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS 2021/2022

There was submitted Report No 265-2021 by the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for further environmental improvements as part of the 2021/2022 programme.

The Committee agreed that approval be given for the projects below at:-

VI TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 270-2021 by the Head of Design and Property detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(a) OUR PLACE DOUGLAS - COMMUNITY PARK

The Committee agreed to accept the offer with the highest ranking score for cost and quality from T&N Gilmartin Ltd in the sum of 453,482.55, together with allowances of 89,965.82, giving a total expenditure of 543,448.37.

(b) CAMPERDOWN BOUNDARY WALL

The Committee agreed to accept the offer with the highest ranking score for cost and quality from Kilmac Ltd in the sum of 148,500, together with allowances of 6,500, giving a total expenditure of 155,000.

(c) ELGIN STREET WALL REPAIR

The Committee agreed to accept the offer with the highest ranking score for cost and quality from Dundee Plant Ltd in the sum of 15,955, together with allowances of 4,000, giving a total expenditure of 19,955.

VII DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONSTRUCTION REPORTS

Reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee held on 26th April, 2021, wherein it was agreed to accept a negotiated contract from Construction Services to carry out works comprising the electrical inspection, condition reporting and associated remedial work to the existing housing stock.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN32-2021 reporting that this work was required to provide and ensure all Dundee City Council domestic properties had a current Electrical Installation Construction Report by 31st March, 2022.

Due to market conditions, Construction Services had not been able to directly recruit and secure the resource level necessary to meet this programme.

In order to meet this timescale, an alternative and compliant option had been identified through the Framework for Housing Framework and an invitation to tender for this service was issued by way of a mini competition with the works divided up into three lots. Following receipt and assessment of the submissions by relevant Construction Services and Procurement Officers on 23rd August, 2021, the following bids for testing only were returned:-

Lot 1 - 84,020.00

Lot 2 - 84,020.00

Lot 3 - 83,080,02

Total cost for sub-contract element = 251,120.02 and could be contained within existing allowances.

Two preferred bidders had been identified and it was recommended that a sub-contract contract, through Construction Services, be awarded to:-

Richard Irwin Facilities Management - Lots 1 and 2

D A McKenna Electrical - Lot 3

The Committee agreed to accept the above offers.

Anne RENDALL, Convener.