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ANGUS COUNCIL
MINUTE of MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held in the Town and County Hall, Forfar on Tuesday 20 May 1997 at 4.00 pm.
Present: Councillors FRANK ELLIS, IAN ANGUS, HELEN ANGUS, WILLIAM CROWE, WILLIAM DOIG, JACK GIBB, IAN HUDGHTON, Mrs RENATE LAMONT, IAN MACKINTOSH, GLENNIS MIDDLETON and STEWART MOWATT.
Apology: An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor 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 2-8 to avoid disclosure of information which was exempt in terms of Paragraphs 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.
2. LIST OF CONTRACTORS - VARIOUS HOUSING PROJECTS
There was submitted Report No 550/97 by the Director of Property Services recommending that tenders be invited from firms who had expressed an interest in tendering for the following modernisation projects:-
(i) Gallowshade Road, Phase I, Forfar;
(ii) Cliffburn Area, Phase VII, Arbroath;
(iii) Guthrie Park/Dundas Park, Brechin; and
(iv) Brown Street/Burnside Street, Carnoustie.
The Committee agreed that the contractors selected for each of the four projects, as recommended 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.
3. UNPLANNED MAINTENANCE OF COUNCIL HOUSES 1997-2000
With reference to Article 2(b) of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 18 February 1997, there was submitted Report No 551/97 by the Director of Property Services advising members that, of the 180 contract documents issued, 162 tenders had been returned for unplanned maintenance of Council houses, 1997-2000. For tendering purposes, Angus had been divided into 7 areas.
The Committee noted that an analysis of the offers received in respect of unplanned maintenance of Council houses had been prepared and was available for inspection in the Members’ Lounge and that the contractors had been advised of their position within each of the 7 areas.
4. PROPOSED AMALGAMATION OF TWO PROPERTIES AT 61 AND 63 LYNINGHILLS, FORFAR
There was submitted Report No 554/97 by the Director of Housing regarding a request from the tenants of 61 Lyninghills, Forfar that the Council consider amalgamating the properties at 61 and 63 Lyninghills, Forfar to create a property with sufficient bedroom accommodation to meet their needs.
The Report concluded that, given the non-availability of alternative accommodation, the amalgamation of the two properties at 61 and 63 Lyninghills, Forfar would appear to be a pragmatic solution to meeting the housing needs of the tenants.
The Committee agreed that the properties at 61 and 63 Lyninghills, Forfar be amalgamated to create one larger housing unit at an estimated cost of £11,000.
5. COUNCIL HOUSE SALES
There was submitted and noted Report No 552/97 by the Director of Finance which detailed completed Council house sales for the fourth quarter of 1996/97.
6. SERIOUS ARREARS CASES
There was submitted Report No 564/97 by the Director of Housing on serious arrears of rent in respect of five Council house tenants, as detailed in the Appendix to the Report.
The Director of Housing gave up to date information on each case, following which the Committee agreed:-
(i) with regard to cases 1, 3 and 5, to note no payments had been made to reduce the arrears and that approval be given to evict; and
(ii) that cases 2 and 4 be monitored and that approval be given to evict if regular payments reducing the arrears were not received.
7. REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLERICAL SUPPORT - LOCAL HOUSING OFFICES
There was submitted Joint Report No 565/97 by the Director of Housing, Director of Personnel and Director of Finance which proposed amendments to the administrative and clerical support functions within various Housing Department Local Offices.
The Report advised that the proposals had been drawn up to improve the overall efficiency of the management arrangements in various Local Housing Offices which would result in a saving, of a maximum of £551 in a full financial year, as detailed in the Appendix to the Report.
The Committee, for its interest, agreed:-
(i) that post 06/17, Clerical Assistant, Arbroath Housing Office, be reduced from full time to part time (20 hours per week) retaining the salary scale of GS1/2;
(ii) that one Clerical Assistant post at the Arbroath Housing Office be redesignated as Senior Housing Assistant and regraded from GS1/2 to AP1; and
(iii) that one Cash Collector post at each of the Arbroath and Montrose Housing Offices be redesignated as Senior Collector and regraded from GS1/2 to AP1.
8. SCOTTISH HOMES STOCK DISPOSAL - HOUSING DEPARTMENT - STAFFING
There was submitted Joint Report No 566/97 by the Director of Housing, Director of Personnel and Director of Finance regarding the implications for Housing Department staffing as a result of the recent transfer of Scottish Homes housing stock to Angus and Hillcrest Housing Associations.
The Report concluded that the proposals contained therein would enable the Housing Department to maintain and develop efficient services to the public and progress towards a house stock database which would serve the Council well in terms of strategic planning and bids for capital funding.
The Committee agreed that the identified two full-time equivalent posts be redeployed as outlined in the Report.
9. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of meeting of this Committee held on 8 April 1997 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Convener.
10. MR KEN FENWICK
The Convener indicated that Mr Ken Fenwick, the Director of Housing was due to retire in June, and paid tribute to his work for the Council and for its tenants.
The members of the Committee expressed the wish that Mr Fenwick enjoy a long and happy retirement.
11. HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1973
(a) Improvement Grants
The Committee noted a list of applications for improvement grants, totalling £61,860 approved under delegated authority by the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Development as detailed in Report No 524/97.
(b) Repairs Grants
The Committee noted a list of applications for repairs grants, totalling £36,201 approved under delegated authority by the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Development, as detailed in Report No 525/97.
(Councillor Glennis Middleton declared an interest in Item 12 and took no part in its consideration).
12. CLOSING ORDERS
There was submitted Report No 553/97 by the Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection advising the Committee of unfit houses which failed to meet the tolerable standard and should not be re-occupied.
The Committee agreed to recommend that the undernoted properties be made the subject of Closing Orders in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987:-
(i) St Arnold’s Cottage, Redheugh, Glenogil owned by the Earl of Woolton, Auchnacree;
(ii) Chauffeur’s House, Auchnacree, Glenogil owned by the Earl of Woolton, Auchnacree; and
(iii) Nos 1 and 2 Forester Cottages, Glenogil Sawmill, Glenogil owned by the Earl of Woolton, Auchnacree.
13. DISPOSAL OF SCOTTISH HOMES STOCK TO THE HILLCREST HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
There was submitted Report No 543/97 by the Director of Housing regarding the management of transfer requests received from Scottish Homes tenants whose landlord was now the Hillcrest Housing Association Limited.
The Report advised that former Scottish Homes stock had previously been considered as an extension to the Council’s lettings pool and therefore Council tenants and Scottish Homes tenants had been given equal priority for consideration in regard to transfer requests. However, where a Housing Association tenant had sought access to Council housing, his or her name had been held on the normal waiting list. This meant that a lower priority would be given to a waiting list applicant and that applicant would not normally gain access to Council cottage type accommodation.
In the interests of fairness to former Scottish Homes tenants who had now transferred to the Hillcrest Housing Association, the Committee agreed that, for an initial period of six months, commencing on 1 June 1997, former tenants of Scottish Homes who had applied for a transfer to Angus Council housing prior to 1 June 1997, should continue to be treated as if they were Angus Council tenants for the purpose of transfer to alternative accommodation.
14. DISPOSAL OF SHARE OF MUTUAL FOOTPATH AT 109/110 WARDDYKES ROAD, ARBROATH
There was submitted Report No 542/97 by the Director of Housing indicating that Mr and Mrs Proudfoot, the owners of 110 Warddykes Road, Arbroath, had been granted superiors’ approval to erect a wall to divide their garden from that of 109 Warddykes Road and that the occupier of 109 had indicated in writing that he had no objections.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) that the Council and the owner/occupiers of 110 Warddykes Road, Arbroath examb their pro-indiviso interest in the mutual footpath shared by the occupiers of 109 and 110 Warddykes Road, Arbroath; and
(ii) that the owner/occupiers of 110 Warddykes Road meet all the Council’s legal expenses in this matter and the costs of providing a new footpath for the occupier of 109 Warddykes Road, Arbroath.
15. DISPOSAL OF GROUND ADJACENT TO 16 BLOOMFIELD PLACE, ARBROATH
There was submitted Report No 541/97 by the Director of Housing regarding the disposal of an area of ground adjacent to the gable end of the property at 16 Bloomfield Place, Arbroath.
The Committee agreed to dispose of the area of ground adjacent to 16 Bloomfield Place, Arbroath, to Mr and Mrs Smith, the owners of the house, subject to appropriate terms and conditions being attached to the sale of the ground, including that the ground be used solely as garden ground.
16. ALTERATIONS AT BLACKFRIARS COURT SHELTERED HOUSING SCHEME, MONTROSE
There was submitted Report No 540/97 by the Director of Housing which advised of the need to undertake minor alterations to Blackfriars Court Sheltered Housing Scheme, Montrose to resolve accommodation difficulties which had arisen with regard to the preparation and serving of meals.
The Committee agreed that the alterations indicated in the Report be carried out to Blackfriars Court, Montrose at an estimated cost of £10,500.
17. ALTERATIONS AT BALMAIN COURT SHELTERED HOUSING SCHEME, MONTROSE
There was submitted Report No 544/97 by the Director of Housing which advised of the need to undertake minor alterations to Balmain Court Sheltered Housing Scheme, Montrose to provide a warden’s work station and to upgrade kitchen and laundry areas to modern standards.
The Committee agreed that the alterations indicated in the Report be carried out to Balmain Court, Montrose at an estimated cost of £10,000.
18. ANGUS COUNCIL HOUSE GARDEN COMPETITION
There was submitted Report No 548/97 by the Director of Housing which outlined a proposed amended format of the 1997 Council House Garden Competition to incorporate partial sponsorship of prizes by Silverwells Garden Centre and setting out arrangements for a prize-giving ceremony.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to approve the introduction of a partnership arrangement between the Council and the private sector, to provide additional funding for the prizes in the 1997 Garden Competition; and
(ii) to hold the prize-giving ceremony immediately prior to the Housing Committee meeting scheduled for 30 September 1997.
19. APPLICATION FOR SUPERIOR’S APPROVAL - 28 MILLFIELD PLACE, ARBROATH
There was submitted Report No 547/97 by the Director of Housing regarding an application received from Mr and Mrs Ferguson, the owners of 28 Millfield Place, Arbroath for superior’s approval to erect a lock up garage.
The Committee agreed that superior’s approval be granted for the erection of a lock up garage at 28 Millfield Place, Arbroath, subject to appropriate terms and conditions being attached.
20. AIDS/ADAPTATIONS CARRIED OUT TO ANGUS COUNCIL, HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT PROPERTIES 1996/97
There was submitted Report No 545/97 by the Director of Housing detailing the number and types of aids and adaptations carried out to Angus Council Housing Revenue Account properties during the financial year 1996/97, as detailed in the Appendix to the Report.
The Committee noted the terms of the Report and, in particular, that expenditure of £150,225 had been incurred to date which had been contained within the current budget of £160,000.
21. HOUSING ASSOCIATION NOMINATIONS AGREEMENT
There was submitted Report No 546/97 by the Director of Housing which contained details of the proposed Nominations Agreement between Angus Council and Angus Housing Association Limited.
The Report advised that Angus Council would continue to work in partnership with the housing association movement within Angus and would continue to obtain 50% nominations rights from Angus Housing Association Limited. The Nominations Agreement would enhance the arrangement and would prove beneficial to both agencies in monitoring their performance relating to the nominations system.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to approve the contents of the Nominations Agreement between Angus Council and Angus Housing Association Limited; and
(ii) to note that discussions would be held with other Associations in regard to the implementation of a written Nomination Agreement.
22. COUNCIL HOUSE RENT LEVELS 1997/98
There was submitted Report No 510/97 by the Director of Housing which outlined the average weekly rent levels in Scotland for the 1997/98 financial year, as detailed in a paper prepared by COSLA which was attached to the Report.
The Committee noted the terms of the Report and, in particular, that Angus Council had the joint lowest average rent in Scotland.
23. COUNCIL HOUSE SALES
There was submitted Report No 560/97 by the Director of Finance detailing Council house sales as at 31 March 1997.
The Report noted that the capital programme relied heavily upon capital receipts arising from the sale of Council houses and members reiterated their concern that only 75% of such receipts could be used to finance capital expenditure.
The Committee noted the Report and agreed to recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that the Director of Law and Administration write to the appropriate Minister requesting that the restriction on the use of the capital receipts generated by Council house sales be removed as soon as possible to free capital expenditure for further work and to create and safeguard employment.
24. HOUSING DEPARTMENT DEVELOPMENT PLANS 1996/97 AND 1997/98
There was submitted Report No 561/97 by the Director of Housing advising the Committee of progress made in relation to the first Housing Department Development Plan and informing members of the arrangements now being made for the finalisation of the Development Plan for 1997/98.
The Committee complimented the Director and his staff on the comprehensive nature of the Development Plan and agreed:-
(i) to note the terms of the Report;
(ii) to note the progress which had been made in regard to meeting the objectives set out in the Housing Department’s first Development Plan; and
(iii) to note that the 1997/98 Development Plan would be submitted to the Housing Committee on 12 August 1997 for approval.
25. HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY - HOUSING DEPARTMENT
There was submitted and noted Report No 562/97 by the Director of Housing on the Departmental Health and Safety Policy for the Housing Department, a copy of which was appended to the Report.
26. APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
There was submitted Joint Report No 563/97 by the Chief Executive, Director of Law and Administration and Director of Personnel setting out a procedure for the selection of a candidate for appointment to the Director of Housing post. It was also suggested that a further Report be brought forward in due course to the Personnel and Property Services Committee, following a review of the suggested approach, recommending its adoption for all Head of Department appointments.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to approve the proposed arrangements set out in the Report for the selection and appointment of a Director of Housing; and
(ii) to note that the Chief Executive and Directors of Law and Administration and Personnel would review the operation of these arrangements and report on them to the Personnel and Property Services Committee with a view to them being adopted as a model for all Head of Department appointments.
The Committee agreed that the following item be taken as a matter of urgency to enable the sale of one of the properties to proceed.
27. REVOCATION OF CLOSING ORDERS
There was submitted Report No 583/97 by the Director of Environmental and Consumer Protection on Closing Orders which required to be revoked, following works having been undertaken to bring the houses up to the "tolerable standard" as prescribed in the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.
The Committee agreed to recommend that the Closing Orders placed on the undernoted properties be revoked:-
(i) Terraced Cottage, namely 5 Dryleys Cottages, Hillside, Montrose on the representation of Mr M Tait;
(ii) Detached single storey and attics, namely Bridge Villa, Hillside, Montrose on the representation of Mrs V Dundas;
(iii) Ground floor flat, namely 17 Southesk Place, Ferryden, Montrose on the representation of Mr J A Coull; and
(iv) Ground floor two apartment flat forming part of the tenement, namely 34 Union Street, Montrose, on the representation of Messrs J & D G Shiell, Solicitors, Brechin on behalf of the owner, J W Soutar.