Health Improvement Committee

Monday 26 January 2004 at 1.30 pm

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

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Mr G Douglas (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Social Work Services, Head of Financial Services, Head of Finance and Administration, Head of Housing and Building Services, Head of Personnel Services and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

Apologies: Councillor Moran.

The following paragraphs are submitted for confirmation or otherwise.

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Housing Revenue Account Budget 2004/05

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There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive and the Director of Finance on the proposed Housing Revenue Account Budget 2004/05.  The report advised that the estimated deficit in the Housing Revenue Account for 2004/05, excluding any savings or bids for additional resources, was £2,978,130 which equated to an average rent increase of £7.59 per house per week on a 48 week basis. 

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Decided:

(1)   that it be agreed to adopt the following budget adjustments:-

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Cost Centre                                     Line                                           Estimated Effect

Tenant Participation                          Reduce Grant                            £5,000 reduction

Supervision and Management          Reduce Letting Initiative             £30,000 reduction

Supervision and Management          Reduce Conferences &

                                                          Training Courses                       £10,000 reduction

Supervision & Management              Cease Factorage Charges        £48,000 reduction

Supervision & Management              Increase Turnover Saving          £50,000 reduction

Supervision & Management              Reduce Research Costs           £10,000 reduction

Supervision & Management              Reduce Furniture & Fittings       £10,000 reduction

Supervision & Management              Reduce Central Support

                                                          Charge                                       £100,000 reduction

Supervision & Management              Insurance Fund Charge             £46,000 increase

Services to Tenants                          Increase Other Non Rent

                                                          Charges                                     £3,000 reduction

Services to Tenants                          Tools and Equipment                 £1,000 reduction

Services to Tenants                          Adjusted ASIST

                                                          Contribution                                £130,000 reduction

Services to Tenants                          Office Equipment                       £1,000 reduction

Repairs to Houses                            Reduce Heat Leasing                £130,000 reduction

Repairs to Houses                            Reduce Contract Area

                                                          Jobbing                                       £550,000 reduction

(2)      that the £300,000 provision for bad debts be reduced by £100,000, the basis of the reduction being firstly, the anticipated improvements in the administration of rent arrears arising from the implementation of the Housing Management Information System and secondly, improved Sundry Debt Collection due to the implementation of the Finance Management System and the impact of the Debt Management Partnership;

(3)      that £30,000 of the Computer Maintenance budget be transferred to Capital.

(4)      that an average weekly rent increase of £4.87 be implemented from 1 April 2004.

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Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2004/06

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There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive and Director of Finance on the draft Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme for the years 2004/06. 

Following discussion Councillor Nimmo moved:

(1)   that the Capital Programme 2004/05 comprise the following projects:

(a)   the projects in Appendix 3 totalling £3,658,000 in 2004/05;

(b)   the following projects:

       Ad Hoc Heating                          £250,000 (an additional £200,000)

       Demolitions as per

       Appendix 2                                 £907,000 (an additional £500,000)

       Gibshill Phase 3 Balance

       2004/05                                      £265,000

       Home Loss Payments               £50,000 (an additional £36,000)

       Render, Walls and

       Roughcast                                 £200,000

       Inverclyde Centre Phase 2        £500,000 (less grant of £120,000)

       Stock Condition Survey             £40,000

       Asbestos Survey                        £40,000

       Major Repairs Provision and

       Health and Safety (eg lifts

       or rewiring)                                 £500,000

       Complete on Site Projects         £50,000

       Kilblain Court Cladding              £390,000 (revised costing)

       Kitchens/Bathrooms

       Phase 3A                                   £67,500

       Kitchens/Bathrooms

       Phase 3C                                   £47,500

       Doors Phase 1C                        £125,000

(c)   Broadfield Refurbishment Phase 6 at a total cost of £439,000; and

(2)   that the relevant Officers submit a report as soon as possible once the outcome of the bid for grant from the Regeneration Fund is known.

As an amendment, Councillor McCabe moved that the Capital Programme as detailed above include also:-

       Broadfield Phase 7                                £435,000

       BISF Phase 1 (South Maukinhill)           £372,000

       BISF Phase 2 (Bardrainney)                  £470,000

       Door Entry Systems                              £25,000

On a vote 2 Members voted for the amendment and 6 for the motion which was declared carried.

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Decided:

(1)   that the Capital Programme 2004/05 comprise the following projects:

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(a)   the projects in Appendix 3 totalling £3,658,000 in 2004/05;

(b)   the following projects:

       Ad Hoc Heating                          £250,000 (an additional £200,000)

       Demolitions as per

       Appendix 2                                 £907,000 (an additional £500,000)

       Gibshill Phase 3 Balance

       2004/05                                      £265,000

       Home Loss Payments               £50,000 (an additional £36,000)

       Render, Walls and

       Roughcast                                 £200,000

       Inverclyde Centre Phase 2        £500,000 (less grant of £120,000)

       Stock Condition Survey             £40,000

       Asbestos Survey                        £40,000

       Major Repairs Provision and

       Health and Safety (eg lifts

       or rewiring)                                 £500,000

       Complete on Site Projects         £50,000

       Kilblain Court Cladding              £390,000 (revised costing)

       Kitchens/Bathrooms

       Phase 3A                                   £67,500

       Kitchens/Bathrooms

       Phase 3C                                   £47,500

       Doors Phase 1C                        £125,000

(c)   Broadfield Refurbishment Phase 6 at a total cost of £439,000; and

(2)   that the relevant Officers submit a report as soon as possible once the outcome of the bid for grant from the Regeneration Fund is known.

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Criminal Justice Grouping: Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Councils

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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services requesting the Committee to approve the Minute of Agreement set out in the Appendix to the report which would formally align the Council with its partner Councils, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Council, in respect of the provision of Criminal Justice Services.

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Decided:  that approval be given to the signing of the Minute of Agreement in respect of the Criminal Justice Grouping as detailed in the Appendix to the report, in accordance with the continued development of partnership working and the Council’s Social Work responsibility.

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