Angus CouncilTel: 08452 777 778
Email: accessline@angus.gov.uk
|
ANGUS COUNCIL
MINUTE of MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held in the Town and County Hall, Forfar on Tuesday 12 November 1996 at 4.00 pm.
Present: Councillors FRANK ELLIS, IAN ANGUS, HELEN ANGUS, WILLIAM CROWE, WILLIAM DOIG, JOHN GIBB, IAN HUDGHTON, Mrs RENATE LAMONT, IAN MACKINTOSH, GLENNIS MIDDLETON, STEWART MOWATT, ROB MURRAY and SANDY WEST.
Councillor ELLIS, Convener, in the Chair.
1. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
The Committee resolved, in terms of Standing Order 27(2) that the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of items 2-9(e) to avoid disclosure of information which was exempt in terms of Paragraphs 2, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.
2. HECA ACTION BID
With reference to Article 20 of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 24 September 1996, the Convener informed the Committee that the Council had submitted a bid for funding under the HECA Action Programme and it was understood that the selection process had taken place very recently. The successful bidders would be invited to an official award ceremony on 18 November 1996 in London.
The Committee noted the position, and agreed to authorise the Convener and Director to attend the award ceremony, should they be so invited.
3. DEMOLITION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF 8-40 GLENOGIL STREET, MONTROSE
There was submitted Report No 952/96 by the Director of Housing which outlined proposals for the demolition and redevelopment of numbers 8-40 Glenogil Street, Montrose.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to invite tenders to demolish the properties comprising 8-40 Glenogil Street, Montrose; and
(ii) to consider, in due course, detailed proposals from the private sector developers for the development of the site.
4. STRATHAIRLIE REDEVELOPMENT, ARBROATH
There was submitted Report No 951/96 by the Director of Housing which outlined two options which were available for the disposal of numbers 11-83 Wardmill Road and 75-93 Grant Road, Arbroath to Angus Housing Association Limited.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to dispose of the property to Angus Housing Association Limited on a cleared site basis and to instruct the Council’s Valuers to proceed accordingly; and
(ii) to seek tenders for the demolition of the blocks within the sector to be disposed of to Angus Housing Association Limited, as part of the tender contract for the area to be sold to Hillcrest Housing Association Limited.
5. PROVISION OF SHOWER ROOM AT 52 LOCHEND ROAD, CARNOUSTIE
There was submitted Report No 920/96 by the Director of Housing regarding alterations which required to be carried out to a property at 52 Lochend Road, Carnoustie to help improve the quality of life of a child.
After noting the contents of the Report, the Committee agreed that a shower room be provided at 52 Lochend Road, Carnoustie at an estimated cost of £5,100.
6. SERIOUS ARREARS CASES
There was submitted Report No 925/96 by the Director of Housing on serious arrears of rent in respect of ten Council house tenants, as detailed in the Appendix to the Report.
The Director of Housing gave up to date information on each case from which it was noted that the arrears had increased in cases 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 while arrears had been reduced in cases 3, 9 and 10 and regular payments had been promised.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) that cases 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 be monitored but that approval be given to evict if regular payments reducing the arrears were not received; and
(ii) that cases 3, 9 and 10 be monitored to ensure that regular payments were made, and that approval be given to evict if these payments were not received.
7. COUNCIL HOUSE SALES
There was submitted and noted Report No 937/96 by the Director of Finance on completed Council house sales in the first quarter of 1996/97.
8. 25 AND 27 MUIRDRUM, BY CARNOUSTIE
With reference to minute 383/95 of Angus District Council, there was submitted Report No 923/96 by the Director of Law and Administration on two properties in Muirdrum, by Carnoustie.
The Committee agreed, in light of Counsel’s advice, to take no further action to rectify the Feu Disposition of 25 Muirdrum, by Carnoustie and to enter into negotiations with the tenant of 27 Muirdrum, by Carnoustie for an appropriate level of compensation for the loss of the use of a footpath.
9. TENDERS/LIST OF CONTRACTORS
(a) Window Replacements - Strang Street and Nursery Street, Forfar
There was submitted Report No 905/96 by the Director of Property Services on tenders received for window replacements at Strang Street and Nursery Street, Forfar.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to accept the lowest tender for the several works, being that received from Inwood Ltd, Forfar in the amount of £86,719.11;
(ii) to approve the estimated total cost of £100,592 (at out-turn prices);
(iii) to note that an allowance for this project had been made in the 1996/97 Capital Estimates per the Final Revenue and Capital Budgets Volume; and
(iv) to note the additional revenue expenditure arising from this project.
(b) Modernisations - Cliffburn Area, Phase 6, Arbroath
There was submitted Report No 969/96 by the Director of Property Services regarding contractors who had expressed an interest in tendering for the Modernisation Works at Cliffburn Area, Phase 6, Arbroath.
The Committee agreed that the six contractors detailed in the Report be invited to tender, subject to any financial assessment deemed to be necessary by the Director of Finance in consultation with the Director of Property Services.
(c) Extension to Modernisation Contract - The Glens Area, Montrose, Phase 2, Glenprosen Street and Glenesk Avenue
With reference to Article 17 of the minute of meeting of the Finance and Information Technology Committee of 22 October 1996, there was submitted Report No 907/96 by the Director of Property Services on a negotiated extension to the above existing contract.
The Committee, for its interest, agreed:-
(i) to note and approve the action taken by the Directors of Property Services and Housing, in consultation with the Convener of the Housing Committee, in accepting the offer from Inwood (Builders) Ltd, Forfar to carry out modernisation works to 12 additional houses in the Glens area, Montrose at the same rates and under the same terms and conditions as the original contract, and the issue of the appropriate instruction to the contractor;
(ii) to note the estimated total cost of the extension to the contract of £164,200 (at out-turn prices) which represented an overspend in excess of 5% of the original contract sum as reported to the Director of Finance in accordance with Clause 6.3 of the Financial Regulations;
(iii) to note the revised estimated total cost of the project of £597,500 (at out-turn prices);
(iv) to note that the expenditure could be met from slippage in the Housing Programme from allowances made in the 1996/97 Capital Estimates per the Financial Revenue and Capital Budget Volume; and
(v) to note that the additional revenue expenditure arising from this extension to the project (first full year 1997/98) was £19,300 per annum in respect of the loan charges (calculated over 20 years).
The following items (d) and (e) were, on the determination of the Convener, dealt with as urgent business in view of the need to let the contracts.
(d) Strathmore/Airlie Regeneration - Conversion of Flats at Strathmore Avenue, Arbroath
There was submitted Report No 976/96 by the Director of Property Services regarding contractors who had expressed an interest in tendering for the conversion of flats at Strathmore Avenue, Arbroath.
The Committee agreed that the six contractors detailed in the Report be invited to tender, subject to any financial assessment deemed to be necessary by the Director of Finance in consultation with the Director of Property Services.
(e) Modernisation of Property at Thompson Avenue, Carnoustie - Phase 3
There was submitted Report No 906/96 by the Director of Property Services on tenders received for the modernisation of four 3-apartment and two 4-apartment flats in two storey blocks and twelve 3-apartment and three 4-apartment two storey houses at Thompson Avenue, Carnoustie.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to accept the lowest tender for the several works, being that received from Inwood (Builders) Ltd, Forfar in the amount of £282,090.85;
(ii) to approve the estimated total cost of £323,502 (at out-turn prices);
(iii) to note that an allowance for this expenditure had been made in the approved 1996/97 Capital Estimates per the Final Revenue and Capital Budgets Volume; and
(iv) to note the additional revenue expenditure arising from this project.
10. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of the meeting of this Committee held on 24 September 1996 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Convener.
11. HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1973
(a) Improvement Grants
The Committee noted the list of applications for Improvement Grants, totalling £148,382 approved under delegated authority by the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Development, as detailed in Report No 918/96;
(b) Repairs Grants
The Committee noted the list of applications for Repairs Grants, totalling £18,101 approved under delegated authority by the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Development as detailed in Report No 919/96.
12. COUNCIL HOUSE SALES
There was submitted and noted Report No 936/96 by the Director of Finance on Council house sales as at 30 September 1996.
13. MONIFIETH ACCESS OFFICE - STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS
With reference to Article 8 of the minute of meeting of the Personnel and Property Services Committee of 22 October 1996, there was submitted Report No 888/96 prepared jointly by the Directors of Personnel and Housing outlining the proposed staffing structure for the Monifieth Access Office, which would combine both housing and information services, and ensure the provision of a cohesive service to the public.
The Committee noted and approved the terms of the Report for its interest.
14. DISPOSAL OF GROUND ADJACENT TO 1 SMIETON COURT, CARNOUSTIE
There was submitted Report No 8/96 by the Director of Housing regarding a request received from Mr and Mrs Golden, the owners of 1 Smieton Court, Carnoustie, to purchase an area of ground adjacent to their property.
The Committee agreed to dispose of the area of ground adjacent to 1 Smieton Court, Carnoustie to Mr and Mrs Golden, on appropriate terms and conditions, including that the ground be used solely as garden ground.
15. ACCESS TO NUMBERS 14-20 BARRY ROAD, CARNOUSTIE
There was submitted Report No 930/96 by the Director of Law and Administration seeking approval to an exchange of property rights in the pathway situated to the rear of numbers 14-20 Barry Road, Carnoustie.
The Committee agreed to approve an exchange of property rights between the Council and Mr Boyle, the owner of 18 Barry Road, Carnoustie, in the pathway at the rear of numbers 14-20 Barry Road to:-
(a) facilitate vehicle access to number 18; and
(b) allow the tenant of number 14 access rights over that part of the pathway lying to the rear of number 18; the grant being subject to Mr Boyle meeting the whole cost of the works and the Council’s legal fees and outlays.
16. CLOSING ORDER
There was submitted Report No 926/96 by the Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection advising the Committee of an unfit house at 13 Guthrie Street, Letham which failed to meet the tolerable standards and should not be re-occupied.
The Committee agreed to recommend that the vacant house at 13 Guthrie Street, Letham owned by John McDonald, 13 Jubilee Court, Letham be made the subject of a Closing Order in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.
17. GROUND AT MILL PLACE, CRAIGO
With reference to Article 9(c) of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 24 September 1996, there was submitted Report No 30/96 by the Director of Housing which provided further information on the disposal of an area of ground in Craigo.
The Committee agreed that the area of ground be advertised for sale on the open market for the provision of one house.
18. HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME - HRA BLOCK
There was submitted Report No 928/96 by the Director of Finance on the Housing Capital Programme - HRA Block for 1996/97 as at 30 September 1996, which detailed the latest estimate for the year and spend figures to the end of September.
The Committee agreed to approve the estimate and spend figures as presented.
19. SCOTTISH AFFAIRS COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY CARE
With reference to Article 3 of the minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee of 8 October 1996 there was submitted joint Report No 801/96 by the Director of Social Work, Director of Housing and Director of Education outlining a proposed response to the request to Angus Council to make a submission to the Scottish Affairs Committee Inquiry into the implementation of community care. The response focused on specific questions highlighted by the Scottish Affairs Committee, which was interested in whether the current practice of community care was achieving its objectives. Comments on these questions were appended to the Report.
The Committee noted the terms of the Report for its interest, and that the Council’s response had been forwarded to the Scottish Affairs Committee.