Housing Committee - 27/10/2014

At a MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 27th October, 2014.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor John ALEXANDER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 22nd September, 2014 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I DECLARATION OF INTEREST

No declarations of interest were made.

II REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - RTO REGISTRATION

There was submitted Agenda Note AN220-2014 reporting that requests for registration as Registered Tenant Organisations had been received from the following:-

Dundee Federation of Tenants' Association

Barnhill Tenants' and Residents' Association

The Committee agreed that the applications be approved.

III REGISTERED TENANT ORGANISATIONS - ADMINISTRATION GRANTS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN221-2014 requesting grant assistance towards administration costs for 2014/2015 from the undernoted Associations at the levels outlined:-

The Committee agreed to grant assistance as requested.

IV REVIEW OF COUNCIL ALLOCATIONS POLICY

There was submitted Report No 218-2014 by the Director of Housing setting out the responses to the consultation on a review of the Council's Housing Allocations Policy and outlining recommendations for changes to the Policy.

The Committee agreed the Allocations Policy appended to the report.

V DEMOLITION OF 175-180 WHITFIELD AVENUE AND 2-30 (EVEN) MURRAYFIELD DRIVE, DUNDEE

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 21st June, 2004 there was submitted Report No 372-2014 by the Director of Housing relative to the above.

The Committee:-

(i) agreed to declare surplus and demolish 21 flats at 175-180 Whitfield Avenue and 2‑30 (even) Murrayfield Drive, Whitfield, Dundee;

(ii) remitted the Director of Housing to award priority rehousing status to the remaining tenants, together with the statutory Home Loss payment of 1,500;

(iii) remitted the Director of City Development to enter negotiations with the two owners regarding the repurchase of these properties;

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

(v) remitted the Director of Housing to bring forward proposals for redevelopment if appropriate, in due course.

VI REDEVELOPMENT OF ALEXANDER STREET

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of the Planning and Transport Committee of 14th January, 2008 and Article II of the minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 27th January, 2014, there was submitted Report No 381-2014 by the Director of Housing seeking approval for the Council to enter into a Development Agreement with Hillcrest Housing Association for the construction of new build Council housing to contribute to the regeneration of the Hilltown outlined within the Hilltown Physical Regeneration Framework.

The Committee approved the Council entering into agreement with Hillcrest Housing Association for the construction of new build Council housing at Hilltown, Dundee.

VII SCOTTISH SOCIAL HOUSING CHARTER - CUSTOMER REPORT

There was submitted Report No 382-2014 by the Director of Housing advising the Committee of the requirement to prepare and publish a Customer Report in line with the Scottish Social Housing Charter and the Scottish Housing Regulator.

The Committee:-

(i) noted the performance information appended to the report to be included in the Customer Report; and

(ii) remitted the Director of Housing to work with the Scrutiny Communication Sub-Group of the Tenants' Scrutiny Panel to produce and publicise a Customer Report including commentary and additional performance information by mutual agreement.

VIII REVIEW OF RENTS AND OTHER HOUSING CHARGES 2015/2016

There was submitted Report No 407-2014 by the Director of Housing, seeking approval to consult with tenants on the proposed rent increase and other related charges for 2015/2016.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Cordell, moved that the Committee:-

(i) approve that the Director of Housing consult for a two month period with tenants on the proposed options for the rent increase for 2015/2016;

(ii) note that estimated rent increases for 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 will be included in the consultation document to tenants to provide an indication of future rent levels; and

(iii) agree that only the rent options which have been the subject of consultation with tenants over the two month period be used to set the 2015/2016 Housing Revenue Account Budget and Rent and Other Housing Charges.

As an amendment, Councillor Gordon, seconded by Councillor Brennan, moved that:-

Council agree to an option of 2% increase and this would be funded by reducing the proposed increase to the planned maintenance budget (692k) by 32%. This option is in addition to those already outlined in Report No 407-2014 (paragraphs (i) to (iii) above).

On a division, there voted for the motion - the Convener, Councillors Guild, Black, Bowes, Campbell, Cordell, Dawson, Hunter, Lynn, McDonald, Murray, Ross, Lord Provost Duncan, Depute Lord Provost Roberts and Bailies Sawers and Scott (16); and for the amendment - Councillors Keenan, Asif, Bidwell, Brennan, Cruickshank, Ferguson, Gordon, McCready, McGovern, Macpherson and Bailies Wright and Borthwick (12) - whereupon the motion was declared carried.

IX TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 418-2014 by the City Architect detailing tenders received and requesting decisions thereon:-

(a) 38 AND 40 CLEPINGTON ROAD - ROOF RENEWAL AND EXTERNAL RENDER UPGRADE

The Committee agreed to a negotiated project with the Environment Department (Construction Services) in the sum of 152,311.05, together with an allowance of 12,946 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 165,527.05.

(b) VARIOUS PROPERTIES - PHASE 2 - CONTROLLED ENTRIES 2014/2015

The Committee agreed to a partnering project with McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee in the sum of 145,754.65, together with allowances of 10,000 for utility charges and 12,389 for professional services, making a total expenditure of 168,143.65

X STRATEGIC HOUSING INVESTMENT PLAN 2015-2020

There was submitted Report No 303-2014 by the Director of Housing seeking approval of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2015-2020.

The Committee approved the content of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2015/2020.

John ALEXANDER, Convener.