Housing, Dundee Contract Services And Environment Services Committee - 14/03/2011

At a MEETING of the HOUSING, DUNDEE CONTRACT SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th March, 2011.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Jimmy BLACK, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th February, 2011 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I TENANTS ALLOWANCES UPDATE

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd March, 2010, there was submitted Report No 48-2011 by the Director of Housing seeking agreement to upgrade tenants' allowances in line with previous increases.

The Committee agreed that the Tenants' Allowances Scheme be increased in line with inflation, as detailed in the report, with effect from 1st April, 2011.

II NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST INITIATIVE

Reference was made to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 23rd August, 2010, when participation in the National Housing Trust Initiative, to provide properties for mid-market rent within Dundee, up to a maximum of 75 units, subject to suitable bids being received, was approved.

There was submitted, for information, Agenda Note AN34-2011 advising that following the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) procurement processes completed by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), three bids had been received by Dundee City Council. These were evaluated by the Council and the SFT against the criteria set out within the SFT OJEU Framework Agreement and a bid from Ferrier Holdings to provide 16 x 2 bedroom flats at East Links Place, Broughty Ferry had been evaluated as meeting all necessary criteria and recommended for inclusion within the Framework Agreement.

The Committee noted accordingly.

III REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN28-2011 advising that a request for grant assistance towards administration costs for 2010/2011 had been received from Bottom of the Hill Tenants' Association.

The Committee agreed to grant assistance of 545 for 2010/2011.

IV REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - RTO REGISTRATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN29-2011 reporting that requests for registration as Registered Tenant Organisations had been received from the following:-

Dundee Federation of Tenants' Association

Gardens Area Residents' Association

Whitfield Area Forum for Tenants

Whitfield Avenue Semis Tenants' Association

Whitfield Rise Action Group

St Mary's Association of Residents and Tenants

The Committee agreed that the applications be approved.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 142-2011 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of offers received for the undernoted contracts:-

(a) HILLTOWN WEST DEVELOPMENT - ROOF RENEWAL - PHASE 1

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from Dundee Contract Services, amounting to 418,858.28, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 463,260.28.

The Committee also noted the undernoted sub-contractor had been listed by Dundee Contract Services:-

Gowrie Contracts, Dundee - Asbestos removal works.

(b) CORSO STREET 2ND DEVELOPMENT - ROOF RENEWAL - PHASE 2

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from Forster Roofing Services, Brechin, amounting to 114, 015.90, corrected after checking to 114,014.82, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 127,216.82.

The Committee also noted the undernoted sub-contractors had been listed by Forster Roofing Services:-

A & J Scaffolding Contractors, Dundee - Scaffolding

R L Rattray Ltd, Scone - Plumberwork

(c) ARKLAY STREET 1ST DEVELOPMENT - ROOF RENEWAL - PHASE 2

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender from Forster Roofing Services, Brechin amounting to 97,892.07, corrected after checking to 97,639.07, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 109,989.07.

The Committee also noted the undernoted sub-contractors had been listed by Forster Roofing Services:-

Dundee Plant Ltd, Dundee - Scaffolding

R L Rattray Ltd, Scone - Plumberwork

ARDS Ltd, Dundee - Asbestos Removal Work

(d) LINLATHEN 1ST DEVELOPMENT - ROOF RENEWAL - PHASE 5

The Committee agreed to accept a negotiated contract with Dundee Contract Services, amounting to 342,918.33, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 363,182.33.

(e) CLEPINGTON ROAD DEVELOPMENT - KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 746,276, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 812,603.

(f) ARKLAY STREET 1ST DEVELOPMENT - KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee, amounting to 363,585, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 423,225.

(g) MENZIESHILL 4TH DEVELOPMENT - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services, amounting to 604,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 707,378.

(h) CAMPERDOWN 4TH AND 6TH DEVELOPMENTS - FLATS - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services, amounting to 404,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 467,534

(i) CRAIGIE 4TH DEVELOPMENT - SHELTERED FLATS - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services, amounting to 698,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 780,165.

(j) LINLATHEN 2ND AND 3RD DEVELOPMENTS - HEATING, KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with Dundee Contract Services, amounting to 303,000, together with the undernoted allowances:-

making a total expenditure of 348,821.

VI CONTRACT SERVICES FINANCIAL OPERATING STATEMENT AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 31ST D ECEMBER, 2010

There was submitted Joint Report No 112-2011 by the Director of Finance and Director of Contract Services appraising the Committee on the financial position and operational performance of Contract Services for the nine months ended 31st December, 2010.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the current financial position and operational performance of Contract Services; and

(ii) noted that Contract Services were likely to incur a statutory loss in the current financial year although it should achieve the statutory requirement of breakeven over the current three year rolling period, which commenced at the start of financial year 2008/2009.

VII SUPPLY OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES 2011

There was submitted Report No 155-2011 by the Director of Contract Services seeking authorisation for the purchase of four electric vehicles as part of a small "car pool" to replace a number of existing vehicles required by Contract Services Department.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed to accept the tenders for the supply of four Mitsubishi i-Mievs from Mitsubishi, Cupar, as detailed in the Appendix to the report;

(ii) authorised the expenditure of 96,853; and

(iii) remitted to the Director of Contract Services to provide the required six monthly performance reports to Transport Scotland.

VIII NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT 1948 - BURIAL OR CREMATION OF DECEASED PERSONS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN30-2011 detailing tenders received in respect of the burial and/or cremation of Destitute Dead Persons for the period 1st April, 2011 to 31st March, 2014.

The Committee agreed that the lowest offer from James Ashton & Son Ltd, Dundee, being 391 for burials and 963 for cremations, be accepted, commencing 1st April, 2011.

IX RIVERSIDE CLOSURE AND AFTERCARE PLAN, GAS MANAGEMENT AND COVER

Reference was made to Item VI of the City Development Committee of the 28th June, 2010, whereby the City Engineer was authorised to appoint Dundee Contract Services to carry out works necessary to create the Riverside Nature Park.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN35-2011 advising that the main works were nearing completion and, as the Nature Park project had progressed, discussions with SEPA had proved sufficiently positive to enable the issues associated with the Closure and Aftercare Plan to be advanced. In this regard, works associated with the Closure and Aftercare Plan had been identified in the form of earthworks cover and gas management. These works represented a significant opportunity to resolve the disputed issues associated with the Closure and Aftercare Plan allowing both SEPA and DCC to conclude matters which were the subject of a Scottish Government appeals process.

Having secured the Chief Executive's agreement to extend the existing contract, the City Engineer obtained a quotation from Dundee Contract Services amounting to 300,000, which included provision for professional fees and contingencies broken down as 210,000 for the cover works and 90,000 for the gas management works.

In view of the timescales involved, this expenditure was approved by the Head of Waste Management following consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons for the other Groups.

The Committee noted the foregoing information.

Jimmy BLACK, Convener.