Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 24/08/2009

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 24th August, 2009.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jimmy BLACK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 1st July, 2009 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT HOME INSULATION SCHEME

There was submitted Agenda Note AN167-2009. Members were asked to note that the Ferry Ward had been chosen by the Scottish Government as one of the areas to be included in its new area-based Home Insulation Scheme (HIS). One of the main aims of the scheme was to bring about reductions in carbon emissions in the domestic sector and local authorities were asked to make bids based on their knowledge of their own areas.

Where properties could be improved through loft or cavity wall insulation, this would be offered at a subsidised cost. Any householder in the Ferry on a low income or on benefits could have insulation work carried out free of charge and additional advice would be provided by the Dundee Energy Efficiency Advice Project.

Low income householders elsewhere in the City would be eligible for free insulation through another Scottish Government scheme called the Energy Assistance Package which could be accessed through the Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre.

The Committee noted the above.

II TENDERS RECEIVED - CITY ENGINEER

There was submitted Report No 398-2009 by the City Engineer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contract:-

(a) LOCHEE TOILETS, AIMER SQUARE - DEMOLITION

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from Dundee Plant Co Ltd amounting to 3,680, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 6,180.

III RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION DOCUMENT: DRAFT HOUSING (SCOTLAND) BILL: 'A CONSULTATION'

There was submitted Report No 387-2009 by the Director of Housing, setting out the proposed response to the consultation document issued by the Scottish Government titled - Draft Housing (Scotland) Bill: A Consultation.

The Committee approved the response, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, for submission to the Scottish Government.

IV REGISTRATION OF TENANT ORGANISATIONS - HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2001 (THE ACT)

There was submitted Agenda Note AN180-2009 reporting that requests for registration or re-registration as tenant organisations had been received from the following:-

Adamson's and Elder's Tenants' Association

Charleston Tenants' and Residents' Association

Derby Street Multis Residents' Association

The Committee agreed that the applications be approved.

V REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN168-2009, requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2009/2010 from the undernoted Associations at the levels outlined:-

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as requested.

VI PROPERTIES AT 117-131, 135-141 AND 151 HILLTOWN, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN169-2009, making reference to Article V of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 18th October, 2004, which approved the demolition of 26 flats at 133 Hilltown.

The houses were built over a number of shops, which were held on the Housing Account at 117-131 and 135-141 Hilltown. All of the shops were vacant, or about to become vacant.

The Committee agreed that the properties at:-

117-131 Hilltown

135-141 Hilltown

151 Hilltown

be demolished for redevelopment purposes.

VII UNIT RATE CONTRACT FOR LOW RISE HOUSING DEMOLITION - NOVEMBER 2006 - NOVEMBER 2010

There was submitted Agenda Note AN183-2009, making reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 27th October, 2008, wherein authority was given to the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) to accept the most favourable tender for each contract as recommended by the City Engineer.

The following contract had been awarded as outlined above:-

35-46 Wellington Square - Unit Rate Contract for Demolition

Valid tenders were returned by seven contractors, ranging from 33,606.72 to 65,347. The tender was awarded to the lowest tenderer, D Geddes, amounting to 33,606.72. Allowances were added for non-contract works, professional fees and contingencies, giving a total expenditure of 55,475.

The Committee noted accordingly.

VIII ASSESSING HOUSING NEED, DEMAND AND AFFORDABILITY IN THE GREATER DUNDEE HOUSING MARKET AREA

There was submitted Joint Report No 393-2009 by the Director of Housing and the Director of City Development, advising the Committee of the findings of the housing need, demand and affordability in the greater Dundee housing market area study carried out by Housing Consultants Craigforth/Newhaven Research.

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this item.

IX BULKY UPLIFTS

It was reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Macpherson.

The item was withdrawn.

X STANDARD OF RELET PROPERTIES AND CAPITAL PROJECTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN221-2009 advising that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Keenan.

It was agreed to remit consideration of this matter to the Housing Best Value Review Group.

XI SUSTAINABLE SCOTLAND NETWORK CONFERENCE 2009

There was submitted Agenda Note AN220-2009 advising that the Sustainable Scotland Network Conference 2009 would be held in Edinburgh on 29th October, 2009. The cost of attendance would be 90 per delegate excluding travel and subsistence allowances.

The Committee authorised the attendance of three elected members being one member of the Administration, one member of the Major Opposition Group and one member from the other Groups on the Council.

XII TENDERS RECEIVED - CITY ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES OFFICER

There was submitted Report No 421-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer, giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) LILY WALKER CENTRE - SECURITY LIGHTING

The Committee agreed to accept an offer from Dundee Contract Services under the Property Maintenance and Small Works Partnership amounting to 11,415, together with professional services of 1,829, making a total expenditure of 13,244.

(b) KIRK STREET 1ST DEVELOPMENT - ROUGHCAST RENEWAL/EXTERNAL INSULATION

The Committee approved acceptance of the lowest offer from Muirfield (Contracts) Ltd, Dundee amounting to 341,082.91, together with allowances of 2,064 for CDM Co-ordinator and 21,044 for professional services, making a total of 364,190.91.

The Committee also noted the undernoted sub-contractors had been listed by Muirfield Contracts Ltd:-

Care Ltd, Dundee

Tayside Aerial Services Ltd, Kingennie

T S Sealants Ltd, Kirkcaldy

(c) MSD FABRIC INSPECTIONS

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest offer from Castle Group Scotland Ltd, Auchterarder amounting to 34,700, together with allowances of 532 for CDM Co-ordinator and 3,429 for professional services, making a total of 38,661.

The Committee also noted the undernoted sub-contractor had been listed by Castle Group Ltd:-

Giraffe Access Company Ltd, Glasgow

(d) CRAIGIE DRIVE 1ST DEVELOPMENT - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to accept a partnering contract with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee amounting to 118,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 137,381.

(e) ST MARY'S 3RD DEVELOPMENT - RENDER RENEWAL

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from Andrew Shepherd Construction Ltd, Forfar amounting to 109,562.63, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 120,773.63.

XIII SHOWER INSTALLATION PROGRAMME - INDIVIDUAL HOUSES - EXTENSION OF SEVERAL EXISTING CONTRACTS

There was submitted Report No 422-2009 by the City Architectural Services Officer, requesting that approval be given for extending the following contracts and incurring estimated additional expenditure of approximately 221,173 as per the following details:-

The Committee approved accordingly.

Jimmy BLACK, Convener.