Health Improvement Committee

Tuesday, 3 June 2003 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Gallacher, Hill, McCabe, Mitchell, Moran, Nimmo, Robertson, Snoddy and Stewart.

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Director of Finance, Ms L Brabender (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Social Work & Housing Services and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

With the exception of the decision marked “C” which is open for confirmation or otherwise the following paragraphs are submitted for information only having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee. 

402

NHS Consultation Document “Making a Difference”

402

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposed changes to the health care system within the Argyll & Clyde Health Board area as contained within the NHS consultation document “Making a Difference” which was appended to the report.

Decided:  that the contents of the NHS consultation document “Making a Difference” be noted.

403

Inverclyde Full Local Partnership Agreement

403

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the work undertaken to develop the Full Local Partnership Agreement for the provision of community care services following submission of the Initial Partnership Agreement in May 2002.

Decided:  that the Full Local Partnership Agreement document be approved and that support be given to the ongoing development of the Joint Future Agenda.

404

Inverclyde Joint Care Board - Minute of Meeting of 19 February 2003

404

There was submitted minute of the meeting of the Inverclyde Joint Care Board of 19 February 2003.

Approved

405

Direct Payments

405

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of new duties placed on local authorities relative to the provision of direct payments for the purchase of community care and children’s services to meet assessed care needs, instead of the local authority directly providing or arranging such services.

Decided:

(1)   that the new duties placed on local authorities from June 2003 in relation to direct payments and their implications for the Council be noted;

(2)   that authority be delegated to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to:-

(a)   set payment rates for direct payments which will allow service users to purchase care services which meet their assessed care needs;

(b)   identify and establish a support organisation in line with Scottish Executive guidance;

(c)   establish a financial monitoring system;

(d)   initially select services which will attract a direct payment; and

(3)   that a further report be submitted to the Committee in 6 months time assessing the impact of the introduction of the direct payments policy.

406

Fostering Allowances 2003/2004

406

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services recommending an increase in fostering allowances to a level which is 10% above the current recommended COSLA rates.

Decided:  that the new rates of fostering allowance for 2003/04 as set out in the report be approved.

407

Revised Maintenance Rates

407

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on revised maintenance rates for residential, nursing and other care homes funded by Inverclyde Council.

Decided: 

(1)   that the Committee note the increase in rates for residential and nursing homes from 1 April 2003 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and

(2)   that the Committee note the increase in rates agreed for establishments outwith Inverclyde as set out in Appendix 2.

408

Authorised Providers List for Social Care Services

408

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising (1) that there were no amendments to the authorised providers list for Social Care Services for the period December 2002 - February 2003 and March 2003 - May 2003 and (2) that changes had been made to the application packs issued to potential providers.

Decided:  that the report be noted and approved.

409

HRA Capital Programme 2003/04 to 2005/06 - Progress

409

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the HRA Capital Programme 2003/04 to 2005/06.

Decided:

(1)   that the progress of the specific projects detailed in the Appendices to the report be noted;

(2)   that the accumulated variations in Phase 2 of the Gibshill Timber Refurbishment be noted; and

(3)   that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on priority projects and the funding implications.

410

Common Close Cleaning and Maintenance: Byelaws - Request from Councillor Nimmo

410

There was submitted a report dated 26 May 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request received from Councillor Nimmo that the Committee consider the making of a new byelaw to regulate common close cleaning and maintenance based on a similar byelaw previously made by the former District Council prior to re-organisation.

Decided:  that consideration be continued to a special meeting of the Committee to be held at 3 pm on Tuesday, 24 June 2003 for a detailed report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the operational and resource implications of the proposal.

411

Unadopted Roads and Pavements within the Council’s Housing Stock - Request from Councillor Roach

411

There was submitted a report dated 23 May 2003 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request received from Councillor Roach that the Committee consider instructing a report on the matter of unadopted roads and pavements within the Council’s housing stock.

Councillor Roach was present and spoke on the matter.

Decided:  that the matter be remitted to the Policy Review Group for consideration.

412

Modernising Scotland’s Social Housing - Consultation Paper

412

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposals from the Scottish Executive for the modernisation of Scotland’s social housing which principally involve the setting of a new Scottish Social Housing Standard and changes to the funding regime to allow this to be achieved.

Decided:

(1)   that the contents of the consultation paper and the implications for the future of the Council’s housing stock be noted; and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to prepare a response to the Scottish Executive and to forward this to all Elected Members and the Federation of Inverclyde Tenants and Residents Associations for their comments prior to submission.

413

Demolition of 53-71 Pladda Avenue, Port Glasgow - Use of Powers Delegated to the Chief Executive

413

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the use of the powers delegated to the Chief Executive to extend the scope of the works for the demolition contract at Oronsay Avenue to include the demolition of the maisonette block at 53-71 Pladda Avenue, at an estimated additional cost of £24,500.

Noted

414

Kilblain Court Insulation Render Project

414

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposals for insulation rendering works at Kilblain Court, Greenock, at an estimated total cost of £540,000 including fees.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the provision of an insulation render system at Kilblain Court, Greenock.

415

Proposed Demolition - Maisonette Properties in Wren Road Area, Greenock

415

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposals for the demolition of the 3 remaining maisonette properties in the Wren Road area at a total estimated cost of £217,000 including fees.

C

Decided:

(1)   that the demolition of the properties at 2-28 Heron Road, 27-55 Osprey Road and 37-61 Mavis Road be included in the HRA Capital Programme;

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the demolition of 2-28 Heron Road as soon as is practicable; and

(3)   that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the demolition of 27-55 Osprey Road and 37-61 Mavis Road once the properties become vacant.

C

416

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Performance

416

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the performance of the Housing Benefit service during 2002/03.

Decided:  that the Committee note the Housing Benefit performance information for 2002/03.

417

Rent Arrears Performance 2002/03

417

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the final rent arrears position for 2002/03.

Decided:  that the position in respect of current rent arrears be noted.

It was agreed in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item                                                                                                   Paragraph(s)

Broomhill Court Boiler System                                                     6, 8 & 9

Housing Management Information                                               6 & 8

System

Accommodation Requirements -                                                  3

Community/Residential Provision

Water Ingress - Cumberland Court,                                             6 & 8

Greenock - Report on Tenders

Wallace Place Refurbishment - Report                                       6 & 8

on Tenders

Heating System Replacement Phase 4 -                                     6 & 8

Report on Tenders

Gas Maintenance Contract - Report                                            6 & 8

on Tenders

418

Broomhill Court Boiler System

418

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) advising of problems experienced in the operation of the boilers at Broomhill Court, Greenock, (2) advising of the current technical and contractual position, (3) seeking authority to instruct the Council’s managing agents to invite tenders for the boiler replacement and (4) making recommendations with regard to funding.  This was agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix.

419

Housing Management Information System

419

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on progress with regard to implementation of the Housing Management Information System (HMIS), (2) providing an update on anticipated expenditure in the current year and (3) making further recommendations to improve the management of the system and the internal communication infrastructure.

Decided: 

(1)   that the report be noted;

(2)   that the purchase of the CITRIX Management System for the HMIS be agreed at a cost of £98,000;

(3)   that the purchase of a new switch/router as detailed in the report be agreed at a cost of £30,000;

(4)   that agreement be given to the purchase of the database administration software as detailed in the report at a cost of £25,000;

(5)   that the capital allowance for the project be increased to £760,000 comprising expenditure of £571,000 in 2003/04 and £128,000 in 2004/05 with £61,000 allocated against 2002/03;

(6)   that the additional revenue costs for the project be approved and added to the Housing Services budget in future years; and

(7)   that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive and Director of Social Work & Housing Services to submit a joint report to the special meeting of the Committee on 24 June 2003 providing detailed reasons for the increase in the costs of the project and that arrangements be made for an Officer from Information Services to be in attendance at the meeting. 

Councillor Hill left the meeting at this juncture.

420

Accommodation Requirements - Community/Residential Provision

420

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the progress made in securing appropriate accommodation for 2 people with learning disabilities whose circumstances were reported to the Committee at its meeting in September 2002.

Noted

421

Water Ingress - Cumberland Court, Greenock - Report on Tenders

421

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on 2 tenders received for the application of masonry waterproofing to the parapet wall surrounding the roof at Cumberland Court, Greenock.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the lower tender, that by Mitie Property Services Ltd in the sum of £24,132.73.

422

Wallace Place Refurbishment - Report on Tenders

422

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on 6 tenders received for refurbishment of the ground floor of the Wallace Place Housing Offices.

Decided: 

(1)   that consideration be continued to the special meeting of the Committee on 24 June 2003 to allow the Chief Executive, in consultation with the appropriate Officers, to carry out an evaluation of the tenders with a view to determining the most economically advantageous tender received; and

(2)   that the capital programme allowance for the project be increased to a total of £278,000.

423

Heating System Replacement Phase 4 - Report on Tenders

423

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on 5 tenders received for the installation of gas central heating systems within the houses contained in Phase 4 of the heat leasing project. 

Decided: 

(1)   that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the lowest tender received, that by G D Chalmers Ltd in the sum of £814,770.50; and

(2)   that a leasing agreement be entered into with Mileshield Commercial Funding Ltd in respect of the leasing element of the project.

424

Gas Maintenance Contract - Report on Tenders

424

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on 6 tenders received for the maintenance and repair of approximately 4,700 gas heating and hot water installations within Council houses.

Decided: 

(1)   that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the lowest tender received, that by Trolhurst plc, as adopted by British Gas Services Ltd, in the sum of £478,039.84; and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to report to the next scheduled meeting of the Committee on proposals for meeting the resultant savings totalling £107,000 required in other areas of the Repairs Budget.