HOUSING
ANGUS COUNCIL MINUTE of MEETING of the HOUSING COMMITTEE held in the Town and County Hall, Forfar on Tuesday 20 February 2001 at 4.45 pm.
Present: Councillors FRANK ELLIS, ALISTAIR GRAY, IAN ANGUS, BILL CROWE, DAVID LUMGAIR, STEWART McGLYNN, GLENNIS MIDDLETON, JOY MOWATT, ROBERT MYLES, PETER NIELD, GEORGE NORRIE MBE, BILL ROBERTON and SHEENA WELSH.
Councillor ELLIS, Convener, in the Chair.
1. MINUTES
(a) Previous Meeting
The minute of meeting of this Committee of 9 January 2001 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Convener.
(b) Executive Sub-Committee
The minute of meeting of the Executive Sub-Committee of 30 January 2001, a copy of which is appended hereto, was submitted and noted (Appendix I).
2. HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME HRA BLOCK 2000/2001
With reference to Article 2 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9 January 2001, there was submitted Report No 210/01 by the Director of Finance setting out the latest position on the HRA Housing Capital Programme, detailing the latest estimate for the year and the spend figures to the end of January 2001.
The Committee agreed to note the figures presented for the Housing Capital Programme HRA Block for 2000/2001.
3. ADJUSTMENT TO PRIORITY CODING TIME FOR EMERGENCY WORK IN THE DAY TO DAY REPAIRS CONTRACT
There was submitted Report No 212/01 by the Director of Housing regarding a change to the time in which contractors were expected to complete an emergency repair.
The Report advised that the present target time to attend and complete emergency jobs was one hour, both within and out of hours. Difficulties had been experienced by contractors in responding to this very tight time scale and it was considered that performance could be improved by increasing the response period from one to two hours.
The Committee agreed that the priority coding for work orders to complete emergency work be increased from one hour to two hours.
4. COUNCIL HOUSE SALES
With reference to Article 6 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 7 November 2000, there was submitted and noted Report No 213/01 by the Director of Finance detailing Council house sales for the period to 31 December 2000.
5. COMMUNAL TELEVISION SYSTEMS UPGRADING TO DIGITAL
There was submitted Report No 214/01 by the Director of Housing advising the Committee of changes in digital TV transmissions with reference to communal TV systems in Council housing.
The Report advised that a pilot upgrading would be undertaken at Andy Stewart Court Sheltered Housing, Arbroath to establish the details of the work and it was proposed that each block of flats or sheltered housing complex was upgraded as necessary, following detailed investigation. Due to the technical complexity of the work and the need for specialist contractors experienced in digital systems, it was recommended that the work be carried out by specialist contractors who were registered with the CAI.
The Committee agreed to approve the upgrading work for communal TV systems at flatted properties where external insulation was installed, and sheltered housing complexes, served by satellite receivers, to allow existing tenants with Sky TV to be able to upgrade to digital and, following an assessment, to upgrade, where necessary, the remaining communal systems, to ensure maximum choice was available for tenants.
Councillor Myles declared an interest in the following item.
6. SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN ENERGY PLC REVISIONS TO POLICY ON CHARGES FOR ALTERING ELECTRICAL SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT
There was submitted Report No 221/01 by the Director of Property Services advising the Committee on Scottish and Southern Energy Group's revised policy on charges for altering supply cables and equipment in connection with housing improvements.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note that alterations to electrical supply cables and equipment, previously provided at no cost, would now be subject to a charge by the Scottish Southern Energy Group;
(ii) to note that the charge would vary according to requirements and would range from approximately £60 per house for a minor fuse upgrading to £1,500 or more, for altering supply cables and rebuilding fuse boards, with a resulting increase in project costs; and
(iii) to express concern at the additional costs being placed on various projects due to the revised policy.
7. HOUSING ALLOCATIONS POLICY
There was submitted Report No 244/01 by the Director of Housing seeking approval of the draft Housing Allocation Policy.
The new policy would allow the local authority to go beyond its statutory duties in attempting to meet housing need and give advice and assistance. The document had built on good practice and the new allocations policy should not only meet the stringent regulatory framework, but also ensure a consistent, yet locally responsive approach across Angus to meeting housing need and tackling some of the management problems which could be compounded by the more traditional and inflexible allocations policy.
The Report advised that the new policy would be implemented in January 2002 and lettings would commence in April 2002. The policy itself would be reviewed on a regular basis.
The Committee agreed to approve the draft Housing Allocation Policy.
The following two items were, on the determination of the Convener, dealt with as matters of urgency, to enable the Committee to be advised of the respective responses.
8. HOUSING (SCOTLAND) BILL
There was submitted Report No 254/01 by the Director of Housing which gave details of the response to the Housing (Scotland) Bill sent to the Local Government Committee.
The Committee noted that the response, attached to the Report, incorporated the concerns of a number of Chief Officers regarding the Housing (Scotland) Bill. These concerns were reflected by other authorities and COSLA and it was unclear whether there would be any changes in the Bill as a result of these concerns.
The Committee agreed to homologate the response, as detailed in the Appendix to the Report.
9. RESPONSE FROM MINISTER REGARDING CENTRAL HEATING INITIATIVE
With reference to Article 6 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9 January 2001, there was submitted Report No 290/01 by the Director of Housing which gave details of the response from the Minister of Social Justice regarding the Scottish Executive's Central Heating Initiative.
Following discussion, the Committee agreed:-
(i) that a letter be sent to the Scottish Executive's Communities Minister, Jackie Baillie MSP, inviting her to attend the Angus Council meeting on 29 March 2001;
(ii) that the Minister be requested to apologise unreservedly:
(a) to the people of Angus for the misleading information issued by her, that falsely built up the hopes and expectations of the pensioners in the Angus community; and
(b) to the Council for the unwarranted substance of her response of 14 February 2001; and
(iii) that the Minister be asked to explain fully the criteria used in her decision not to allow funding to be made available to upgrade systems that required refurbishment or replacement.
10. 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 the disclosure of information which was exempt in terms of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, paragraphs 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10.
11. HOUSING DEPARTMENT SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR
With reference to Article 7 of the minute of meeting of the Personnel and Property Services Committee of 30 August 2000, there was submitted Joint Report No 219/01 by the Director of Housing and the Director of Personnel which proposed a change to the post of Systems Administrator within the Housing Department.
The Committee, for its interest, agreed to note and approve the terms of the Report.
12. IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATIONS APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY
With reference to Article 13 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9 January 2001, there was submitted and noted Report No 195/01 by the Director of Planning and Transport detailing applications for improvement grants totalling £25,863 which had been approved under delegated authority.
13. REPAIR GRANT APPLICATIONS APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY
With reference to Article 14 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 9 January 2001, there was submitted and noted Report No 196/01 by the Director of Planning and Transport detailing the applications for repair grants totalling £6,920 which had been approved under delegated authority.
14. COUNCIL HOUSE SALES QUARTERLY SCHEDULES
With reference to Article 11 of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 7 November 2000, there was submitted and noted Report No 215/01 by the Director of Finance which detailed individual Council house sales for the third quarter of 2000/2001.
15. DISPOSAL OF GROUND
(a) Hay Terrace, Arbroath
There was submitted Report No 216/01 by the Director of Housing relating to disposal of an area at ground at Hay Terrace, Arbroath, as outlined in the plan attached to the Report.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) that the area of ground in question be sold to the applicant at the agreed valuation, subject to consent being received from Scottish Ministers;
(ii) that all of the expenses of the transaction be borne by the applicant; and
(iii) that, if necessary, the applicant obtain planning permission for the erection of a garage and change of use from public open space to private garden ground.
(b) Guthrie Crescent/Lunan Street, Friockheim
There was submitted Report No 217/01 by the Director of Housing relating to disposal of an area of ground at Guthrie Crescent/Lunan Street, Friockheim, as outlined in the plan attached to the Report.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) that the applicant be sold the small area of ground which he currently leased from the Council, subject to consent being received from Scottish Ministers;
(ii) that all of the expenses of the transaction be borne by the applicant; and
(iii) that the larger area of ground be advertised for sale on the open market, subject to consent being received from Scottish Ministers.
16. OPTION APPRAISAL 21-31 AND 37-47 GLENCLOVA TERRACE AND 36-46 GLENMOY TERRACE, FORFAR
There was submitted Report No 218/01 by the Director of Housing which outlined various options for properties at 21-31 and 37-47 Glenclova Terrace and 36-46 Glenmoy Terrace, Forfar, as part of the overall regeneration of the Glens scheme in Forfar.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) that the contents of the Report be noted;
(ii) that, subject to consultation with the remaining tenants, the Gallowshade Action Group and the Forfar Tenants' Association, the remaining three tenants be rehoused and receive payment of any subsequent home loss and disturbance compensation; and
(iii) that officers pursue discussions with Gowrie Housing Association Limited and Scottish Homes in regard to the transfer and rehabilitation of the properties and report to Committee, in due course, the outcome of these discussions.
17. SERIOUS ARREARS CASES HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT TENANTS
There was submitted Report No 220/01 by the Director of Housing regarding serious arrears of rent in respect of eight Council house tenants as detailed in the Appendix to the Report.
The Committee agreed that all eight cases be monitored and that approval be given to evict if regular payments to reduce the arrears were not received.
18. TENDER WINDOW AND KITCHEN REPLACEMENTS AT RAVENSBY ROAD, CARNOUSTIE
With reference to Article 2 of the minute of meeting of the Housing Executive Sub-Committee of 30 August 2000, there was submitted Report No 169/01 by the Director of Property Services regarding tenders received for the replacement of windows and kitchens and Ravensby Road, Gibson Street and James Street, Carnoustie.
The Committee agreed:-
(i) to note the information in the Report regarding the Contractor submitting the lowest tender;
(ii) to authorise acceptance of the second lowest tender for the several works, that of Taycon Construction Limited, Dundee in the amount of £264,020.46;
(iii) to approve the estimated total cost of £290,761 (at outturn prices);
(iv) to note that allowance for this project had been made in the final revenue and capital budgets 2000/2001; and
(v) to note that the additional revenue expenditure arising from this project on the capital funded amount (first full year 2002/2003) was £18,900 per annum in respect of loan charges calculated over 20 years.
19. G & B CONTRACTORS LTD INSOLVENCY
With reference to Article 3 of the minute of meeting of the Environmental and Consumer Protection Committee of 20 February 2001, there was submitted Report No 126/01 by the Director of Property Services reporting on the recent insolvency of G & B Contractors Limited, the effect on current Council building projects and the action being taken by the Property Services Department.
The Committee, for its interest, agreed to note the contents of the Report.
Councillor Ellis declared an interest in the following item. Councillor Gray took the Chair.
20. J & G CONSTRUCTION LTD INSOLVENCY
With reference to Article 5 of the minute of meeting of the Personnel and Property Services Executive Sub-Committee of 15 February 2001, there was submitted Report No 205/01 by the Director of Property Services reporting on the recent insolvency of J & G Construction Limited, the effect on current Council building projects and the action being taken by the Property Services Department.
The Committee, for its interest, agreed:-
(i) to note that J & G Construction Limited, Dundee had ceased work on all Council projects as of 19 January 2001 and that a liquidator had been appointed on Monday 22 January 2001;
(ii) to note the Council properties which were affected and the responsive action taken by the Director of Property Services;
(iii) to note the current situation; and
(iv) to approve the actions proposed to complete the works by placing completion contracts at the earliest opportunity, in consultation with the Convener, for subsequent homologation by the relevant Committee.
Adobe Reader is required to view the PDF documents on this page. If you don't have it, download it free from www.adobe.com.