Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 19/02/2001

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 19th February, 2001.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor LUKE, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th January, 2001 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I TENANTS' ALLOWANCES

On a reference to Article III of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21 February, 2000 the Director of Housing submitted Report No 90-2001 updating allowances in line with inflation.

The Committee approved the recommendations of the report with effect from 1 April, 2001.

II REVIEW OF TENANT PARTICIPATION POLICY

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21 April, 1997 the Director of Housing submitted Report No 93-2001 proposing a number of changes to the current Tenant Participation Policy (TPP) following a review carried out by a group of tenants and officers.

The Committee approved the recommended changes to the current TPP as set out in paragraphs 7.8, 8.7, 9.2, 9.4, 9.6, 9.8 and 9.10 of the report.

IIIREPAIRS SERVICE REVIEW

 

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 129-2001 proposing a comprehensive review of the provision of the Repairs and Maintenance service for Council housing stock and outlining a review, methodology and timescales.

 

The Committee agreed the formation of a Repairs Service Review Working Group comprising three members of the Majority group, two members of the Major Opposition group, one member of the Minority group and Councillor Borthwick and approved the remit outlined in Appendix I of the report.

 

IVARDLER STOCK TRANSFER - REHOUSING BY DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15 January, 2001 the Director of Housing submitted Report No 81-2001 bringing forward proposals to allow city council tenants in Ardler affected by stock transfer, who wished to be rehoused by the city council, to retain rehousing priority after the ownership of their properties transferred to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association.

The Committee agreed that residents in Ardler who wished to be rehoused by Dundee City Council be not re-assessed as having a change of circumstances when their property transferred to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association.

V DEMOLITION OF VARIOUS PROPERTIES IN WHITFIELD AND 6 FLATS AT 62 CRAIGMOUNT ROAD, DUNDEE

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 84-2001 seeking approval for the demolition of 102 properties in Whitfield and seeking agreement that the six flats above the retail units in Craigmount Road, Charleston be surplus to requirements and that the remaining tenants be rehoused.

The Committee agreed:-

(a)in the case of Whitfield:-

(i)to declare surplus and demolish 102 flats at 73-96 Carberry Crescent, 115-156 Salton Crescent and 1-36 Small Copper Court;

(ii)to remit to the Director of Housing to award priority rehousing status to the remaining tenants, together with the statututory Home Loss payment of 1,500 as detailed in Appendix II of the report;

(iii)to approve in principle the repurchase of three owner/occupier properties, to remit to the Director of Economic Development to enter into negotiations with the owners on a "without prejudice" basis and to remit to the Director of Housing to award the appropriate financial and rehousing package as detailed in Appendix III of the report;

(iv)to remit to the Director of Planning and Transportation to prepare tenders and seek offers for demolition and post-demolition treatment at the appropriate time;

(v)to remit to the Director of Housing to bring forward proposals for redevelopment at the appropriate time,

(b)in the case of 62 Craigmount Road:-

(i)to agree that the six flats be surplus to requirements;

(ii)to remit to the Director of Housing to award priority rehousing status to the remaining tenants, as outlined in Appendix II of the report, together with the statutory Home Loss Payment of 1,500;

(iii)to remit to the Director of Housing and the Director of Economic Development to pursue the options of height reduction or demolition to the building that included retail units and progress whichever was the most appropriate; and

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

The Committee also agreed that progress be reported on discussions between Scottish Homes and other registered landlords with special reference to Whitfield and that the Director of Housing submit a report on the draft Strategic Agreement between the Council and Scottish Homes to the March Committee.

VI WEST MARCH, DUNDEE - SALE OF LAND TO GOWRIE HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 85-2001 seeking approval for the sale of the land in West March to Gowrie Housing Association Ltd for the purpose of building social housing for rent and approval in principle to support a training project associated with the construction of the houses.

The Committee (a) approved the sale of the site in West March as detailed in Appendix I of the report to Gowrie Housing Association Limited; (b) instructed the Director of Economic Development to negotiate the sale of the site based on Gowrie Housing Association's independent valuation of 50,000; (c) instructed the Director of Support Services to prepare the necessary offer and Draft Disposition and also to seek First Minister's consent to the transfer of the site to the non-housing revenue account and to complete the sale of the site; and (d) agreed in principle to the receipt generated by the sale of the site being directed towards enhancing the services in the Kirkton and Trottick regeneration area subject to a more detailed report being submitted to the appropriate Committee in the near future.

VIIWHITFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMPLEX

 

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 72-2001 recommending a number of measures which would allow community groups to use the building at a lower cost subject to the Council's future consideration of an application for rates relief, while also safeguarding the Council's financial interests.

 

The Committee agreed that:-

 

(a)the Assessor be asked to create separate entries in the Valuation Roll for the two distinct parts of the Whitfield Community Services Complex, ie for the Area Housing Office and the Community Wing, as shown in Appendix I of the report;

 

(b)the Council grant a lease for the Community Wing, for a nominal consideration, to One Parent Families Scotland, which has agreed to take on responsibility as tenant on behalf of all the groups using the building and to co-ordinate its management;

 

(c)it be remitted to the Director of Economic Development to negotiate the detailed terms of the lease, including responsibilities for securing of the building;

 

(d)it be remitted to the Director of Support Services to obtain Scottish Ministers' approval, if required, for the granting of the lease;

 

(e)since One Parent Families Scotland has charitable status, and the other groups using the building also have charitable purposes, the tenant be encouraged to apply for 100% remission of non-domestic rates and a grant to meet the cost of water and sewerage charges for the Community Wing, on condition that it continues to be used wholly or mainly for charitable purposes. A further report will be submitted to the Finance Committee once an application has been made.

 

VIIIDIRECT INPUT OF HOUSING APPLICATIONS TO COMPUTER

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 60-2001 recommending the introduction of an additional method of applying for a Council house by enabling new customers to register their interest by telephone or by personal interview.

The Committee agreed that:-

(a)a pilot scheme be introduced to enable requests for housing from new customers to be accepted by telephone or by personal interview thereby eliminating the need for a written application form.

(b)the pilot scheme operate for 6 months and be located at the Applications Section, 3 Shore Terrace, and the Property Shop, Wellgate Centre, and that an evaluation be carried out at the end of this period;

(c)a free phone number be established and advertised solely for the purpose of direct input of housing applications; and

(d)it be remitted to the I T Department to develop programmes to enable direct input to be carried out in the manner described in 2.1 and to ensure, as far as possible, that customer confidentiality is safeguarded.

IXTENDERS RECEIVED

 

(a) TENDERS RECEIVED BY CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

 

The City Architectural Services Officer submitted Report No 61-2001 giving details of the offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

 

(i)Lochee Area Housing Office - Alterations to Reception Area - Layout

 

The Committee agreed to accept the offer by Dundee Contract Services to carry out the above works under the Schedule of Rates for the sum of 20,000 to which required to be added an allowance of 3,200 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 23,200;

 

(ii)Lochee Area Housing Office - Alterations to Reception Area - Computer Desks and Screening

 

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated offer by Dovetail Enterprises Limited to carry out the above works for the sum of 9,680 to which required to be added an allowance of 1,540 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 11,220.

 

(iii)Lily Walker Centre - Roof Underfelt Renewal

 

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited, Forfar amounting to 21,325.21 to which required to be added an allowance of 2,861 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 24,186.21. The Committee also noted that J. Lammond & Sons, Brechin had been listed as the sub-contractor for plumbing.

 

(iv)Kirk Street 2nd Development - Heating Replacement and Electrical Upgrade

 

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by CFM Building Services Limited, Carluke amounting to 407,030 to which required to be added allowances of 30,000 for redecoration of elderly tenants' houses, 29,450 for decoration vouchers, 3,280 for carpet vouchers, 3,500 for decanting of tenants, 52,500 for electrical connection charges and 20,930 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 546,690.

 

(v)1 and 2 Forebank Terrace - Roof Renewal

 

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by Andrew Shepherd & Sons Limited, Forfar amounting to 53,727.70 to which required to be added an allowance of 7,042 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 60,769.70. The Committee also noted that J. Lammond & Sons, Brechin had been listed as the sub-contractor for plumbing.

 

(vi)Bonnybank/Forebank and Powrie Place (Sheltered) Developments - Window Replacement

 

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer by Dundee Contract Services amounting to 97,569.11 to which required to be added an allowance of 5,075 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 102,644.11.

 

(b) TENDER RECEIVED BY CITY ENGINEER

 

The City Engineer submitted Report No 111-2001 giving details of offers received for the undernoted contract:-

 

Waterproofing and Concrete Repairs to Pump Room at Bucklemaker Court MSD

 

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer by the Fraser Bruce Group amounting to 16,473 to which required to be added allowances of 2,000 for contingencies, 2,000 for professional fees and 300 for planning supervision fees, making a total expenditure of 20,773.

 

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

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

It was agreed that the grants approved during January 2001 in each of the categories were as follows:-

XIDOMESTIC ABUSE REFUGE ACCOMMODATION PROGRAMME

 

The Director of Housing reported that the Scottish Executive had invited local authorities to bid for projects to be funded through the Domestic Abuse Refuge Accommodation Programme with a closing date of Friday, 16 March, 2001.

 

The Committee agreed in principle to the submission of a bid to the Scottish Executive after consultation with the Housing Convener and Housing Spokespersons of the Opposition parties and noted that this bid would be reported to this Committee at a future date.

 

 

 

IAIN LUKE, Convener.