244

THE INVERCLYDE COUNCIL

HOUSING COMMITTEE

TUESDAY 27 MAY 1997 - 3.00 pm

Present:- Provost Allan, Councillors Robertson (A), Morrison (D), Clocherty, O’Rourke, Rebecchi and Mitchell, Councillor Morrison (D), Convener, in the Chair.

In attendance:- The Assistant Chief Executive (Social and Community Development), the

Director of Central Services, Mr A Puckrin (for the Director of Finance), the Director of

Housing and Customer Services, Mr C Clelland (for the Director of Legal Services) and Mr M

Barclay (for the Director of Property and Technical Services).

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Jackson, Nimmo and Mulholland.

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

640 ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEM 640

The Director of Central Services referred to a report by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the outcome of negotiations undertaken with a contractor in respect of Phase 2 of the Belville Street roofing works. The Convener indicated that consideration of the item was urgent to allow the works, if agreed, to be progressed without delay and he moved that the item be added to the Agenda. This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

641 HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS 641

SUBMITTED: Report dated 9 May 1997 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1997/98.

DECIDED:

(a) That the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1997/98 be noted;

(b) That the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations, an increase in expenditure of £9,500 in respect of weldmesh fencing associated with Phase 1 of the Strone Farm Regeneration Project (Gabriel Street, Greenock); and

(c) That the following accumulated variations which are outwith the accepted tender amounts by more than 10% be approved in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations:

Project Effect on Expenditure

Strone Farm Regeneration. Phase 1 (Gabriel Street. Greenock)

Anticipated Final Account 12.43% greater than

accepted tender £128,067 increase

6 Shankland Lane. Greenock - Demolition

Anticipated Final Account 11.35% less than

accepted tender £690 reduction

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66-68 Kilmacolm Road/l-7 Flintmill Lane.

Greenock - Demolition

Anticipated Final Account 50.6% less than

accepted tender £14,548 reduction

642 HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - FINANCIAL POSITION 642

SUBMITTED: Report dated 13 May 1997 by the Director of Finance on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 1997/98.

NOTED

643 NON-HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1997/98 - FINANCIAL POSITION 643

SUBMITTED: Report dated 8 May 1997 by the Director of Finance on the financial position of the Non-HRA Capital Programme 1997/98.

NOTED

644 HOUSING AND CUSTOMER SERVICES DEPARTMENT - 644
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 1996/97

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Housing and Customer Services providing statistical information on the performance of his Department in undertaking various functions for the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997.

NOTED

645 MAJOR REPAIRS PROGRAMME 1997/98 645

SUBMITTED: Report dated 1 May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services advising that the sum of £650,000 had been allocated within the Revenue Budget 1997/98 for major repairs and listing a number of projects which it was proposed to fund from this provision.

DECIDED:

(a) That the major repairs programme 1997/98 comprise the following projects:

Project Estimated Expenditure

(i) Major Projects

Riverside Gardens - Replacement Heating £100,000
Riverside Gardens - Replacement Windows £ 67,000
King Street, Port Glasgow - Conversion of Library £ 42,000
Kelburn, Phase 1 - Conversion of Bedsit Accommodation £ 28,000
Various Multi-Storey Flats - Replacement/Repair of
Pumps and Fans (to be carried out over 2 years) £110,000
Monkton Place, Port Glasgow - Replacement of Warden
Call System (subject to further investigation regarding the
possibility of utilising the “Alert” system) £ 22,000
Hawick Court - Improvements to Laundry Access £ 8,000
Bute Court Concierge - Improvements to Concierge

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Office Cost awaited

£377,000*

(*excluding cost of concierge office improvements at Bute Court)

(ii) Estate Repairs

Roughcast £200,000
Fences, Walls and Paths £ 20,000 each
£260 000
Balancing Figure £650,000

TOTAL BUDGET

(b) That authority be granted to the Director of Housing and Customer Services in consultation with other Officers to progress the major repairs projects identified or, where appropriate in terms of the Council’s Financial Regulations, to negotiate with the Council’s contractors;

(c) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the works as required; and

(d) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tenders received for the various works.

646 CFCR WINDOW REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME 1997/98 646

SUBMITTED: Report dated 29 April 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on proposals for the CFCR Window Replacement Programme 1997/98.

DECIDED:

(a) That the proposed CFCR Window Replacement Programme detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be agreed and that it be remitted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the works; and

(b) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tenders received.

647 WINDOW REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME 1997/98 - 647

USE OF EMERGENCY POWERS PROCEDURE

SUBMITTED: Report dated 8 May 1997 by the Director of Central Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure set out in Standing Order 66 to authorise acceptance of the lowest tenders received for four window replacement projects.

DECIDED:

(a) That the use of the emergency powers procedure to authorise acceptance of the lowest tenders received for the following window replacement projects be noted:

Ex MOD Houses. Gourock

Pyramid Windows Ltd £ 70,867.85
Mackie Avenue. Port Glasgow
Pyramid Windows Ltd £ 67,862.25
Devol Avenue/Broadstone Avenue/Farquhar Road. Port Glasgow
Pyramid Windows Ltd £115,971.35
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Cardwell Road/Margaret Street/Sharp Street. Gourock

Contract Services Division, Inverclyde Council £ 71,990.00; and

(b) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to accept the lowest tenders received for the remaining projects included within the Window Replacement Programme 1997/98.

648 SALE OF HOUSES: INVERCLYDE COUNCIL AND SCOTTISH HOMES 648

SUBMITTED: Report dated 12 May 1997 by the Director of Central Services giving statistics relating to the sale of Inverclyde Council and Scottish Homes houses.

NOTED

649 ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR - STRATEGY 649

SUBMITTED: Report dated 12 May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on a suggested timetable for implementation of the strategy formulated to respond to complaints of anti-social behaviour and in particular advising of proposed consultations in respect of the new tenancy agreement.

DECIDED:

(a) That the proposed consultative process with external groups relative to the new tenancy agreement be approved and it be noted that consultations on a corporate and departmental level within the Council are taking place;

(b) That agreement be given to the finalised tenancy agreement being professionally designed, printed and produced in a variety of formats;

(c) That all new Council tenants be required to sign the new tenancy agreement;

(d) That the Working Group continue to develop guidance manuals and training packages for staff;

(e) That it be remitted to the Director of Housing and Customer Services to report on the possible use of professional witnesses in cases involving anti-social behaviour; and

(f) That it be remitted to the Director of Housing and Customer Services to report on the Council’s obligations under the homeless persons legislation.

650 ROUGH SLEEPERS INITIATIVE 650

SUBMITTED: Report dated 12 May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on the present position regarding the bid process for Challenge Funding under the pilot Scottish Rough Sleepers Initiative being introduced by the Scottish Office. The report advised that the Scottish Office had now informed local authorities that it was willing to make a maximum of £3,000 available to each authority to fund advice on the carrying out of counts and audits but that this would be subject to the authorities using the services of Shelter (Scotland).

DECIDED:

(a) That it be remitted to the Working Group to obtain confirmation from the Scottish Office that £3,000 would be provided to the Council; and

(b) That subject to confirmation of funding being received, the Committee agree to purchase the services required from Shelter (Scotland) at a maximum cost of £3,000.

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651 HOUSING BENEFIT FRAUD - PROACTIVE MEASURES 651

SUBMITTED: Report dated 9 May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on the proactive measures which the Department has adopted to identify and investigate housing benefit fraud.

NOTED

652 THE HOME ENERGY CONSERVATION ACT 1995 (HECA) 652

SUBMITTED: Report dated May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on the implications for the Council of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) which came into force in Scotland on 1 December 1996, making Inverclyde Council, along with other Scottish local authorities, an “Energy Conservation Authority”, and advising of the action taken to date in addressing the issues which will face the Council in this area over the next 10 years.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Council’s responsibilities under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 be noted;

(b) That the action taken by the HECA Working Group and its partners (Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership, Solas Insulation (Dumbarton) and Scottish Power) in devising a strategy to meet these responsibilities and HECA targets be noted;

(c) That approval be given to the submission of a bid for HECA Action funding by the partners in order to facilitate the initial implementation of the strategy together with a bid to Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership for Urban Aid funding to assist the establishment of a locally based community enterprise;

(d) That the sum of £5,000 be provided from the Housing Repairs Budget in the current financial year towards the cost of data collection and surveying work;

(e) That agreement in principle be given to the financial investment in years 2-11 of the strategy as detailed in the report; and

(t) That, subject to the agreement of The Inverclyde Council to the suspension of Standing Orders in respect of the energy efficiency works to 115 houses in Port Glasgow for which the Committee agreed in April 1997 (para 475) to invite tenders, it be agreed that the works to the Council’s own stock which will be funded in year 1 by “HECA Action and in years 2-11 by the Council’s annual investment in the strategy, should not be subject to competitive tendering but should instead be carried out by the community enterprise initiative referred to in the report.

653 DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND CUSTOMER SERVICES - 653
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

SUBMITTED: Report dated 1 May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on the current position regarding a number of information technology issues affecting his Department.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That agreement be given to the provision of a cash receipting system at an estimated cost of £98,000 (excluding the cost of any necessary adaptation to the Department’s cash collection points), and that the cost be met from the Housing Repairs and Renewals Fund.

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654 HOUSING AND CUSTOMER SERVICES DEPARTMENTAL PLAN 1997/98 654

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on the progress made in the Departmental Plan for 1996/97 and setting out a number of new tasks for the Department in 1997/98.

DECIDED: That the Departmental Plan for 1997/98 set out in the report be approved.

655 IRRECOVERABLE RENT ARREARS - WRITE-OFF 655

SUBMITTED: Report dated 9 May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services on the position in respect of arrears of rent as at 31 March 1997.

DECIDED: That arrears of rent of former Council tenants totalling £67,814.10 be written-off without prejudice to any future recovery of the debts, should that prove possible.

RESOLUTION: EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS 656

On the motion of the Convener, it was agreed unanimously that, in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the undernoted items of business on the grounds that consideration of the items 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)

Arrears of Rent - Detailed List 2 and 6
Renewal of Term Contracts 6
Communal TV Aerial System - Owner Occupiers 6 and 8
Selected Schemes of Improvement - Approvals 4
Belville Street Roof Conversions - Phase 2 6, 8 and 9

~57 ARREARS OF RENT - DETAILED LIST 657

SUBMITTED: Appendix setting out details of arrears of rent.

NOTED

658 RENEWAL OF TERM CONTRACTS 658

SUBMITTED: Report dated 13 May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services advising that a number of term contracts have expired and seeking the Committee’s consent to extend the contracts until a new contract strategy is devised.

DECIDED: That approval be given to the extension of the undernoted contracts for the period up to 30 June 1998:-

Contract Current Contractor

Roughcast Tamburini and Shields
Ad Hoc Gas Heating Replacement Gas Heat

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Housing Committee - 27/5/97

Ad Hoc Electric Heating Replacement Star Electrics Ltd

Bay Area Heating - Servicing Star Electrics Ltd

Sheltered Housing Gas Heating - Servicing British Gas plc

659 COMMUNAL TV AERIAL SYSTEM - OWNER OCCUPIERS 659

SUBMITTED: Report dated 6 May 1997 by the Director of Housing and Customer Services advising of an increasing number of requests received from owner occupiers who wish to be disconnected from the Council’s communal TV aerial system and requesting the Committee to agree to their withdrawal from the system.

DECIDED: That any requests received from owner occupiers to be disconnected from the Council’s communal TV aerial system be approved and that arrangements be made for such owner occupiers to be removed from the annual maintenance agreement with Greenock Relay Signals Ltd.

660 SELECTED SCHEMES OF IMPROVEMENT - APPROVALS 660

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Housing and Customer Services requesting the Committee to consider the approval of grant applications for selected schemes of improvement.

DECIDED: That authority be granted to the Director of Housing and Customer Services to approve grant applications in respect of the properties at 4 Cove Road/57 Cardwell Road, Gourock and 6 Nelson Street, Greenock subject to the projects proceeding voluntarily and there being no statutory involvement on the part of the Council.

661 BELVILLE STREET ROOF CONVERSIONS - PHASE 2 661

SUBMITTED: Report dated 22 May 1997 by the Director of Property and Technical Services on the results of the negotiations undertaken with MacKenzie Construction Ltd. the contractor engaged to undertake Phase 1 of the Belville Street roofing project, to ascertain their price for Phase 2 of the project.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the offer made by MacKenzie Construction Ltd in the sum of £435,557.57.