Housing Committee - 22/08/2011

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 22nd August, 2011.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jimmy BLACK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 13th June, 2011 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I HOUSING DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN REVIEW 2010/2011

There was submitted Report No 355-2011 by the Director of Housing reviewing the performance of the Housing Department in relation to its Service Plan 2010/2012.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the contents of the Housing Department Service Review and instructed the Director to continue to seek improvement on the level of performance; and

(ii) approve the actions identified in the review to be included in the Department's Service Plan.

II DEMOLITION OF 1-56 RUSSELL PLACE, HILLTOWN, DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 387-2011 by the Director of Housing seeking approval for the demolition of 57 properties at 1-56 Russell Place, Hilltown, Dundee.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) declare surplus and demolish 54 flats, complex and residents' lounge at 1, 2A and 3‑56 Russell Place, Hilltown, Dundee;

(ii) remit to the Director of Housing to award priority re-housing status to the remaining tenants, together with the statutory Home Loss Payment of 1,500 to manage the re‑housing process in accordance with the details of paragraph 4.8 of the report;

(iii) remit the Director of Housing to enter into discussions with the sheltered housing wardens regarding the redeployment process at the appropriate time; and

(iv) remit to the Director of City Development to prepare tenders and seek offers for demolition and post demolition treatment at the appropriate time.

III STATUS SURVEY RESULTS 2011

There was submitted Report No 356-2011 by the Director of Housing reporting the results of the Status Comprehensive Tenant Satisfaction Survey.

The Committee:-

(i) remitted the Director of Housing to bring forward a number of actions to further improve services in line with the results of the status survey;

(ii) agreed that the results of the status survey are published on the Housing Department's internet/intranet sites and are displayed in reception areas so that both tenants and staff are aware of the survey results;

(iii) agreed that a summary of results is reported in the Housing News, to be issued in the autumn of 2011;

(iv) agreed that the Customer Satisfaction Measurement Tool (CSMT) is introduced to survey tenants on Repairs and Rent Recovery functions; and

(v) agreed that the status survey (or any other comprehensive survey recommended by the Scottish Housing Regulator or Scottish Housing Best Value Network) is carried out biennially, with the next survey programmed for January 2013. The survey will be issued to a structured sample of tenants to ensure that results reflect the target population.

IV TENDERS RECEIVED - CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 372-2011 by the City Engineer listing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) HOUSING CONCRETE REPAIRS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Anderson Specialist Contracting for 51,410, together with allowances for:-

making a total expenditure of 77,410.

V TENDERS RECEIVED - CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

There was submitted Report No 388-2011 by the City Architectural Services Officer listing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) VARIOUS COUNCIL PROPERTIES - INSTALLATION OF CONTROLLED ENTRIES 2011/2012 - PHASE 2A

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering offer with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee for 415,719.01, together with allowances of 20,000 for landlord supplies, 1,517 for CDM Co‑ordinator and 26,585 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 463,821.01.

(ii) ANN STREET/NELSON STREET HOUSING

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from W H Brown Construction (Dundee) Ltd for 1,245,753.01, together with allowances for:-

making a total expenditure of 1,396,009.01.

(iii) CRAIGIE 5TH DEVELOPMENT - ROOF RENEWAL - PHASE 3

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer with Dundee Contract Services for 127,436.57, together with allowances of 1,137 for CDM Co-ordinator and 11,667 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 140,240.57.

VI DEMOLITION OF FIRE DAMAGED HOUSING STOCK AT 77-92 WHITFIELD AVENUE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN134-2011 informing the Committee that, following a fire at 77 Whitfield Avenue on 12th July, 2011, it was deemed necessary to demolish the entire block on the recommendations of the Fire Brigade and the Police. It was agreed that the demolition would be carried out as soon as practicable. Four local demolition contractors were asked to submit tenders for the works.

Given the emergency nature of the works, the City Engineer and the Director of Housing, after consultation with the Convener of City Development and Spokespersons of the other Groups, accepted the lowest offer from Dundee Plant Co Ltd allowing works to commence on 18th July, 2011, with a contract period of five weeks. The contract amount was for 31,000, together with allowances of 4,000 for professional fees, 12,000 estimated cost for public utilities and post demolition treatment, and contingencies of 3,000, making a total expenditure of 50,000.

The Committee noted the above for information.

VII NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST INITIATIVE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN135-2011 relative to the above. The National Housing Trust NHT is an innovative approach to boost the numbers of affordable houses and realise wider economic recovery benefits linking private sector/public sector partnerships.

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee of 23rd August, 2010 approving Dundee City Council's participation in the National Housing Trust Initiative to provide properties for mid-market rent within Dundee subject to suitable bids being received. It was agreed that up to a maximum of 75 units may be considered necessitating a prudential borrowing requirement from the General Fund of up to 6.337m. This prudential borrowing to be backed by Scottish Government guarantees.

Further reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of the Housing, Dundee Contract Services and Environment Services Committee of 14th March, 2011 that, following the procurement process via the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), a bid from Ferrier Holdings to provide 16 x 2 bedroom flats at East Links Place, Broughty Ferry had been recommended for inclusion within the Framework Agreement subject to gaining necessary Planning Permission.

The Scottish Government had now indicated that it was to launch a second round of procurement for NHT in September 2011 and had requested that Councils interested in participating in this second round advise the Government accordingly.

The Council had capacity within the prescribed borrowing and numbers of units previously agreed and outlined above for the inclusion of additional units in the Framework Agreement. The Committee endorsed the Council's participation in the second round of NHT.

Jimmy BLACK, Convener.