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ANGUS COUNCIL
MINUTE of MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held in the Town and County Hall, Forfar on Tuesday 10 November 1998 at 4.15 pm.
Present: Councillors FRANK ELLIS, WILLIAM CROWE, WILLIAM DOIG, JACK GIBB, Mrs RENATE LAMONT, STEWART McGLYNN, IAN MACKINTOSH, GLENNIS MIDDLETON and STEWART MOWATT.
Apologies: Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors IAN ANGUS, HELEN ANGUS, IAN HUDGHTON and SANDY WEST.
Councillor ELLIS, Convener, in the Chair.
1. MINUTE OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minute of meeting of this Committee of 29 September 1998 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Convener.
2. IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Committee noted a list of applications for Improvement Grants totalling £31,991, approved under delegated authority by the Director of Planning and Transport, as detailed in Report No 1118/98.
3. REPAIR GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Committee noted a list of applications for Repair Grants totalling £11,172, approved under delegated authority by the Director of Planning and Transport, as detailed in Report No 1119/98.
4. BEYOND THE TOLERABLE STANDARD - SCOTTISH OFFICE CONSULTATION PAPER
With reference to Article 5 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 29 September 1998, there was submitted Report No 1132/98 by the Director of Housing which informed the Committee of the response from the Council to the Scottish Office on the Consultation Paper "Beyond the Tolerable Standard", which had been circulated to all Scottish local authorities in June 1998.
The Report advised that the Consultation Paper proposed minor revisions to the Tolerable Standard, to the extent of including persistent condensation dampness arising from the construction of the house, and proposed deleting the reference in the Standard for satisfactory access to outbuildings. The other proposal contained in the Paper was to introduce a new index of Housing Quality, which would derive from the Government’s stated aim for Scottish housing of a decent, secure and affordable home for all households.
The issues identified in the Report were considered to require further investigation and development before any revision to the Tolerable Standard was put in place. The reply to the Scottish Office had therefore expressed Angus Council’s concern over certain aspects of the proposals and the possible implications for grants if an Index of Housing Quality was introduced.
The Committee noted the contents of the Consultation Paper and the response sent to the Scottish Office, in accordance with the delegated authority agreed at the Committee's meeting of 29 September 1998.
5. GROUND AT EASTHAVEN, BY CARNOUSTIE
The Committee deferred consideration of Report No 1133/98 by the Director of Housing on the future use of ground at Easthaven, by Carnoustie for further consultations.
6. CRIME AND DISORDER ACT 1998 -
(a) Extended Powers of Eviction
With reference to Article 16 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 29 September 1998, there was submitted Joint Report No 1134/98 by the Director of Housing, Director of Law and Administration and Director of Social Work advising the Committee of the comments made to the Scottish Office Development Department in regard to draft guidance that had been issued in regard to the extended powers of eviction, being brought in under Section 23 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 from 1 December 1998. The response requested that the final guidance on Section 23 would need to go into greater detail to assist in the interpretation of the new powers.
The Committee expressed concern that the new grounds were framed too widely and that it would be theoretically possible for tenants to face eviction where persons not under their control misbehaved in the property, or in the locality, where a tenant, or a visitor, was convicted of an offence unrelated to the tenancy.
The Committee noted the comments that had been submitted to the Scottish Office as the Council’s response to the draft guidance.
(b) Anti-Social Behaviour Orders
With further reference to Article 16 of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 29 September 1998, there was submitted Joint Report No 1135/98 by the Director of Housing, Director of Law and Administration and Director of Social Work advising the Committee that comments had been made to the Scottish Office Home Department (Police Division) with regard to draft guidance that had been issued in regard to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, being brought in under Sections 19 to 22 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 from 1 April 1999.
The Orders could be applied for by the local authority, in consultation with the Police, against individuals whose behaviour was deemed to be anti-social (i.e. caused alarm or distress to one or more people not in the same household as themselves). As with (a) above, the response had requested the final guidance to be more detailed in order to assist with interpretation of the new legislation.
The Committee noted the comments that had been submitted to the Scottish Office as the Council’s response to the draft guidance.
7. COMMUNITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT, KIRRIEMUIR
There was submitted Report No 1136/98 by the Director of Housing advising members of an energy efficiency promotional project in Kirriemuir.
The Report advised that officers had had discussions with Scottish Hydro Electric regarding a community awareness raising project in Kirriemuir which would publicise the benefits of energy efficiency to the whole community across all tenures, and would contribute to the targets set out in Angus Council’s initial HECA Strategy.
The Report concluded that the project should raise the profile of Angus Council’s energy efficiency drive and could lead to increased awareness throughout the Kirriemuir community. If successful, it could act as a blueprint for future projects both within Angus and throughout Scotland.
The Committee agreed to approve the Kirriemuir Community Energy Efficiency Project.
8. THREE YEAR STOCK IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME
There was submitted Report No 1138/98 by the Director of Housing together with the actual programme of improvements for the 1998/99 financial year and the proposed major improvements for the following two years based on current financial assumptions.
The Report advised that the three year stock improvement programme would provide tenants and members with better advance notice of the proposals for improving the Council's housing stock, and allow better monitoring and control of the targets for improvement which had been agreed with relevant Departments.
The Committee noted the contents of the programmes, which formed the majority of improvement works proposed to the Council’s housing stock.
9. THE YEAR 2000 COMPUTER PROBLEM - PROGRESS
With reference to Article 22 of the Finance and Information Technology Committee of 2 September 1997, there was submitted Report No 1139/98 by the Director of Housing which outlined the progress being made towards ensuring that the Housing Department continued to provide services to tenants after 1 January 2000.
The Report advised that all Departments of the Council had been systematically checking all computer hardware and software through the co-ordination and guidance of the Department of Information Technology and the critical areas of services affected were being thoroughly investigated to ensure "Millennium Compliance". There were areas which had already been found, such as the Day-to-Day Repairs service of the Housing Department, where an old computer system might not continue to work past 31 December 1999 without some "help", or without the introduction of an alternative system until the proposed Comprehensive, Integrated Management System was in place.
The Committee noted the contents of the Report and the measures being taken in the Housing Department to prevent the "Millennium Bug" disrupting services.
10. SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEMS TRIALS - MONTROSE
There was submitted Report No 1140/98 by the Director of Housing advising members that a trial installation of a renewable-energy system (solar collectors) would be carried out at two sheltered housing complexes in Balmain Court and Murray Court, Montrose. It was suggested that the Council should commission Napier University, one of Scotland’s foremost Solar Energy expert consultants, to carry out a feasibility study on these two schemes to quantify potential savings and payback periods for two different Solar Collector systems.
The Report advised that the use of solar water heating was becoming more popular as the advantages of "free" solar energy and reduction in fuel bills continued to attract customers. However, the high cost of some systems did reduce the number of householders prepared to install them and the proposed study would emphasise the need for low cost systems with short payback periods to ensure maximum energy savings at minimum cost.
The Committee agreed to carry out a feasibility study on the installation of solar water heating collectors at Balmain and Murray Courts in Montrose, and to identify installation costs and the energy savings which would follow.
11. HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME - HRA BLOCK - 1998/99
There was submitted Report No 1152/98 by the Director of Finance on the Housing Capital Programme - HRA Block - 1998/99 detailing the latest estimate for the year and also the spend figures to the end of October 1998. Expenditure was generally on track to achieve the Programme and performance would continue to be carefully monitored.
The Committee noted the figures presented and agreed that the total Programme remain at £6.470m, as detailed in the Report.
12. 1999/2000 REVENUE BUDGET
There was submitted Report No 1159/98 by the Director of Finance advising the Committee of the latest position with regard to the preparation of the Other Housing Departmental 1999/2000 revenue budget and associated issues. An appendix to the Report summarised the "Other Housing" provisional base budget for 1999/2000 as submitted to the Director of Finance and subsequently reviewed by the Technical Validation Group.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the contents of the Report for its interest; and
(ii) to note that a more detailed Report with specific recommendations would be brought forward later in the budget cycle.
13. MANDATORY LICENSING OF HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
There was submitted Report No 1162/98 by the Director of Housing regarding the Council’s response to a recent Scottish Office Development Department’s proposal to make it mandatory for local authorities to license houses in multiple occupation.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the comments which had recently been forwarded to the Scottish Office; and
(ii) to approve the commissioning of research to be undertaken by the Housing Department, in an effort to ascertain the number of houses in multiple occupation in Angus.
14. COUNCIL HOUSE SALES
There was submitted and noted Report No 1143/98 by the Director of Finance detailing Council House Sales as at 30 September 1998, which showed that actual receipts in the second quarter were in line with the budget assumptions for 1998/99.
15. 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 the following items so as to avoid disclosure of information which was exempt in terms of Paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.
16. COUNCIL HOUSE SALES - QUARTERLY SCHEDULES
There was submitted and noted Report No 1142/98 by the Director of Finance which detailed individual Council House Sales for the second quarter of 1998/99.
17. 1 - 7 EARLSDON HOUSE, BRECHIN
With reference to Article 4 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 12 August 1997, there was submitted Report No 1145/98 by the Director of Housing regarding the future of Earlsdon House, Brechin.
The Report advised that information had been received from Central Government regarding New Housing Partnerships arrangements in 1997/98 and the Rough Sleepers Initiative. It had been agreed to try and obtain funding from Central Government sources for the reuse of Earlsdon House as supported accommodation for young single people. Unfortunately, neither the bid submitted under the New Housing Partnerships arrangements nor the Rough Sleepers Initiative had been successful and consequently, the future of Earlsdon House would now require to be reconsidered.
The Committee agreed that, in all the circumstances, Earlsdon House be advertised for sale on the open market.
18. COMPENSATION PAYMENTS
(a) 32 St Vigeans Gardens, Arbroath
There was submitted Report No 1146/98 by the Director of Housing regarding a claim for compensation not covered by the statutory scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve a compensation payment to the Executor of Mr R Greenhill (Senior), formerly of 32 St Vigeans Gardens, Arbroath, in respect of the electric storage heaters.
(b) 31 Brook Street, Monifieth
There was submitted Report No 1147/98 by the Director of Housing regarding a claim for compensation not covered by the statutory scheme.
The Committee agreed to approve a compensation payment to the Executor of Mrs C Johnston, formerly of 31 Brook Street, Monifieth, in respect of a fitted kitchen which had recently been installed.
19. SECURITY AT HOMELESS PERSONS UNIT
There was submitted Report No 1137/98 by the Director of Housing regarding the progress made towards improving the security at the Homeless Persons Units in Arbroath, Montrose and Forfar.
The Report advised that the installation of CCTV systems for the protection of vulnerable customers would greatly enhance security at the Homeless Persons Units and provide a means of ensuring that 24 hour coverage and surveillance was available for these Units.
The Committee approved the contents of the Report and agreed to the provision of a CCTV System and to proceed to tender report stage.
20. WARDEN/AUXILIARY - SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT
The Committee agreed that Report No 972/98 by the Directors of Housing, Social Work and Personnel be deferred to allow further consultations.
21. HOUSING DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE
The Committee agreed that Report No 973/98 by the Directors of Housing, Finance and Personnel be deferred to allow further consultations
22. MODERNISATIONS AT CLIFFBURN, ARBROATH, PHASE 8 - TENDER LIST
There was submitted Report No 1148/98 by the Director of Property Services regarding contractors who had expressed an interest in tendering for the modernisations at Cliffburn, Arbroath, Phase 8.
The Committee agreed to homologate the action taken by the Convener and Director of Property Services to invite the six contractors detailed in the Report to submit tenders, subject to any financial assessment deemed to be necessary by the Director of Finance in consultation with the Director of Property Services.
23. MODERNISATIONS AT DALZIEL PLACE, INVERALDIE - TENDER LIST
There was submitted Report No 1149/98 by the Director of Property Services regarding contractors who had expressed an interest in tendering for the modernisations at Dalziel Place, Inveraldie.
The Committee agreed that the six contractors detailed in the Report be invited to submit tenders, subject to any financial assessment deemed to be necessary by the Director of Finance in consultation with the Director of Property Services.
24. MODERNISATIONS AT GLAMIS, FORFAR - TENDER
There was submitted Report No 1150/98 by the Director of Property Services on tenders received for the modernisation of 14 properties at Glamis, Forfar.
The Committee approved the terms of the Report and agreed:-
(i) to authorise acceptance of the lowest tender for the several works, being that submitted by Inwood (Builders) Ltd., Forfar, in the amount of £197,340.53;
(ii) to approve the estimated total cost of £228,264 (at out-turn prices);
(iii) to note that an allowance of £150,000 for this project had been made in the approved 1998/99 HRA Housing Capital Programme and that the additional expenditure would be contained within the overall allowance for Modernisations within the Programme; and
(iv) to note the additional revenue expenditure arising from this project.