Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 20/03/2006

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 20th March 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor REGAN, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th February 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SHELTERED HOUSING WARDENS

On a reference to the minute of meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee of 13th February 2006, the Director of Housing, the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) submitted Joint Report No 84-2006, proposing a repositioning of the Sheltered Housing Wardens Service within the Council structure, a transfer of Sheltered Housing Wardens Service staff to the Housing Department, focusing on Wardens duties on enhanced tenancy services and regrading Sheltered Housing Wardens to reflect the change in duties.

The Committee approved the sheltered housing charge being set at 25.00 per week for the financial year 2006/07 and the transfer of the Sheltered Housing Service from the Social Work Department to the Housing Department.

II REVIEW OF THE STAIR LIGHTING CONTRACT

Councillor Will Dawson declared a non-financial interest by virtue of his employment.

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 141-2006 seeking approval to transfer the stair lighting maintenance contract to the Repairs Partnership at the end of the current contract with Hydro Electric Board.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) Transfer the stair lighting maintenance service currently provided by Hydro Electric Board to Dundee Contract Services on 1st April 2006, the expiry date of the current contract. Dundee Contract Services will thereafter deliver the service under the Partnership Agreement for the Housing Repairs Service.

(b) Remit to Dundee Contract Services, in liaison with Housing and I.T. Departments, to create appropriate benchmark jobs to ensure the correct work instruction of stair lighting repairs to Dundee Contract Services and to monitor costs and performance against targets.

(c) Remit to the Repairs Service Management Board to monitor the performance of Job Completion and Costs for the first year that the stair lighting maintenance service is delivered by Dundee Contract Services.

(d) Remit to the Director of Dundee Contract Services to report back to the Repairs Service Partnership Board after the first year with a review of performance of stair lighting maintenance and repairs.

III HOUSING DEPARTMENT - MAXWELLTOWN HOUSING OFFICE

The Director of Housing submitted Report No 214-2006 proposing the relocation of the housing services delivered at Maxwelltown Housing Office, 119 Hilltown, from this building which had been declared surplus for demolition, to the Central Area Housing Office, 22-24 Crichton Street.

The Committee approved the closure of the Maxwelltown Housing Office at 31st March 2006 and termination of the lease of the property with the Economic Development Department together with the relocation of services and staff resources to the Central Area Housing Office.

IV ENERGY ACTION SCOTLAND - ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

There was submitted Agenda Note AN115-2006 authorising the Director of Housing to continue membership of Energy Action Scotland (EAS) at a cost of 150 plus VAT to be funded from the Housing Revenue Account.

The Committee approved accordingly.

V REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN100-2006 requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2005/2006 from the Magdalene Tenants and Residents Association.

The Committee agreed to grant assistance of 155.00.

VI THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION - 20TH TO 23RD JUNE 2006 - HARROGATE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN101-2006 requesting instructions regarding the attendance of elected members at the above Conference and Exhibition.

The Committee agreed to appoint the Convener or nominee.

VII HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2001 - IMPROVEMENT, REPAIRS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS, HOME LOANS ETC

There was submitted Agenda Note AN102-2006. Reference was made to the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 15th November 1999, when grant expenditure now under Private Sector Housing Grant was agreed.

It was agreed that the grants approved during February 2006 in each of the categories were as follows:-

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973 that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 7A of the Act.

VIII REPURCHASE OF PROPERTIES FOR DEMOLITION - MILL O' MAINS

On a reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th October 2004, there were submitted Agenda Notes AN169-2006 and AN119-2006 advising that the Director of Economic Development had reached provisional agreement with the owners of two properties on the terms and conditions detailed.

The Committee approved the repurchase of the two properties and instructed the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to conclude the necessary legal formalities.

IX LEASING ARRANGEMENT WITH SENSE SCOTLAND - 29 TULLIDEPH PLACE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN103-2006 requesting the Committee to approve a leasing arrangement with Sense Scotland for premises at the above address.

The Committee approved the lease on the terms and conditions detailed.

GEORGE REGAN, Convener.