Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 15/01/2001

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th January, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor LUKE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th December, 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DUNDEE FAMILIES PROJECT - FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 686-2000 advising the Committee of the interim evaluation report findings and confirming the future funding arrangements for the project.

The Committee noted the report and the funding requirements to continue the Dundee Families Project for the forthcoming two years.

II ARDLER NEW HOUSING PARTNERSHIP - TRANSFER OF STOCK TO SANCTUARY SCOTLAND HOUSING ASSOCIATION

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th September, 2000, the Director of Housing submitted Report No 11-2001 bringing forward proposals for the transfer of the Ardler Housing Estate to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association.

The Committee:-

(a) agreed that the Ardler Housing Estate transfer at nil value to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association, subject to satisfactory completion of the development and transfer contracts;

(b) remitted to the Director of Housing to seek formal approval from the Scottish Executive to transfer 1,631 properties, associated land and approximately 871 tenancies in Ardler to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association;

(c) remitted to the Director of Housing to enter into a Development Contract with Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association, Wimpey Homes and Scottish Homes, consulting also with the Ardler Steering Group and the Scottish Executive for the redevelopment of the Ardler Estate as detailed in the Ardler Masterplan;

(d) remitted to the Director of Housing to enter into a Transfer Contract with Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association (this may form part of the Development Contract referred to in (c) above);

(e) remitted to the Director of Housing to sell all remaining sites in Ardler to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association at the values determined by the District Valuer and obtain consent under Section 203 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to transfer these sites from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Account prior to sale to Sanctuary;

(f) remitted to the Director of Support Services to seek First Minister's consent to the sale and thereafter prepare and complete the necessary conveyancing documentation;

(g) remitted to the Director of Housing to transfer the swales (ponds which form part of the water management system) to Dundee City Council's Planning and Transportation Department as part of the road drainage network;

(h) agreed that approximately sixty properties be leased to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association during the period preceding the transfer. These properties will be sub-let to tenants from Phase 1D in order to allow the Redevelopment Programme to be met.

This would only be done by agreement between Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association and the individual tenants affected;

(i) remitted to the Director of Support Services to prepare a suitable tenancy agreement to enter into with Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association for this purpose, following agreement between the Director of Housing and Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association on the principal commercial terms;

(j) agreed that relet work be carried out on the properties to be let to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association;

(k) remitted to the Director of Housing to enter into an agreement with Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association for the sale of rent arrears of transferring tenancies as part of the Stock Transfer Contract;

(l) remitted to the Director of Finance to write off the balance of unrecoverable arrears following the sale of arrears to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association.

III LONGHAUGH TERRACE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

It was reported that on the instructions of the Director of Housing, the City Engineer had prepared details for a scheme to replace fencing at Longhaugh Terrace and in order to meet the timescale of completing the works in the present financial year, the City Engineer recommended that the negotiated offer amounting to 40,018.41 from T & N Gilmartin be accepted as an extension to their current contract.

The Committee approved.

IV TENDERS RECEIVED

(a) TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 21-2001 giving details of the offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(i) Moncur Crescent and Canning Street Developments - Roof and Chimney Repairs Phase I

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by W H Brown Construction Ltd amounting to 124,383.36 to which required to be added allowances of 2,466 for building warrant and 11,322 for professional services making a total expenditure of 138,171.36.

The Committee also noted that W H Brown Construction Ltd had listed the undernoted sub-contractors:-

Braisby, Dunfermline - Roof Tiler

Guild, Forfar - Plumbing

(i) Morven Terrace - Replacement of Warden Communication System

The Committee agreed to accept the lower offer by McGill Electrical Ltd amounting to 49,573.61 to which required to be added an allowance of 6,405 for professional services making a total expenditure of 55,978.61.

(iii) Dudhope Tenements - Heating Installation and Electrical Upgrading

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by McGill Electrical Ltd amounting to 199,201.84 to which required to be added the undernoted allowances:-

(b) TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

The City Engineer submitted Report No 18-2001 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts.

(i) Menzieshill Roads and Car Parks Repair

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Ennstone Thistle Ltd amounting to 56,252.75 to which required to be added allowances of 8,097.25 for diversion of public utilities and 10,650 for professional fees making a total expenditure of 75,000;

(ii) Reconstruction of Service Yard at 90 Dunholm Road

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Tayside Contracts amounting to 17,105.30 to which required to be added allowances of 800 for non contract costs and 5,000 for professional fees making a total expenditure of 22,549.75.

(iii) 25 & 27 Craigmount Road, Dundee - Demolition

On a reference to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th October, 1999, the Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Dundee Plant Ltd amounting to 30,838 to which required to be added allowances of 3,000 for contingencies, 2,500 for grass seeding, 2,500 for public utilities and 4,700 for professional fees making a total expenditure of 43,538.

V HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1987 - IMPROVEMENT, REPAIRS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS, HOME LOANS ETC

Reference is made to the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 15th November, 1999 when grant expenditure under the Housing (Non HRA) Budget was agreed.

It was agreed that the grants approved during December, 2000 in each of the categories were as follows:-

* May include commercial premises

VI CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING IN SCOTLAND - HOUSING BRIEFINGS FOR COUNCILLORS - 9TH FEBRUARY, 2001 - DUNDEE

The Committee authorised the attendance of any interested elected member at the above briefing.

VII CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING CONFERENCE - 19TH-22ND JUNE, 2001 - HARROGATE

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Grant, moved that the Convener or nominee attend the above conference.

As an amendment, Councillor Corrigan, seconded by Councillor FitzPatrick moved that one member of the Majority group and one member of the Major Opposition group attend the conference.

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Lord Provost Wright and Councillors de Gernier, Letford, Ward, Presswood, Regan, Farquhar, Sturrock, Glen, Grant and Rolfe (12); and for the amendment - Councillors Barrie, Richard Beattie, Sawers, FitzPatrick, Petrie, Guild, Corrigan, Dave Beattie, Fordyce, Bowes and Borthwick (11) - Councillors Mackie, Wallace and Scott declining to vote - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

*VIII COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS - ADMINISTRATIVE GRANTS

The Director of Housing reported that an application had been received from Magdalen Tenants' and Residents' Association requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2000/2001.

The Committee approved a grant of 241.

IX CITY WIDE NEW HOUSING PARTNERSHIP EXPENDITURE

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th April, 2000 the Director of Housing requested authority to spend the additional 139,250 of the New Housing Partnership money which had been allocated to the City Council by the Scottish Executive, to enable the completion of the Property Risk Assessment Study and the Financial Viability Study Phase 2 and to invite tenders from specialist consultants to carry out this work.

The Committee authorised the Director of Housing to invite tenders and report to a future meeting on the outcome.

IAIN LUKE, Convener.