1054 SOCIAL WORK AND PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - 1054

FINANCIAL POSITION

SUBMITTED: Report dated 30 September 1998 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the financial position of the Social Work and Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 1998/99.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to approve an additional capital allocation of £45,000 in respect of the projected overspend in the Social Work and Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 1998/99; and

(b) That the report be otherwise noted.

1055 SOCIAL WORK CAPITAL BUILDING PLAN 1999/2000 AND FUTURE YEARS 1055

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work recommending a number of building works projects for inclusion in the Capital Plan, detailing the proposed works and the financial implications thereof.

DECIDED: That approval be given to the inclusion of the projects listed in the report within the Capital Plan.

1056 DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH 1056

FAMILY, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL DIFFICULTIES

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work on proposals to develop and extend current services for children and young people with family, social and educational difficulties to provide a more comprehensive and effective service by development of the Mearns Centre, Greenock as a specialist unit providing an integrated service based on individual need. The report detailed the current level of provision and the service proposed, together with the financial and employee resource implications in respect of which it was indicated that additional Intermediate Treatment Officers and associated clerical support staff would be required.

DECIDED:

(a) That the proposal to combine the existing services based at the Mearns Centre, Greenock be approved;

(b) That the enhancement of existing services in accordance with the principles of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 be approved;

(c) That it be noted that the proposed development contributes to the delivery of objectives set out in the Council's Children's Services Plan; and

(d) That the requirement for additional employee resources be remitted to the Corporate Management Team.

1057 REVISED MAINTENANCE RATES FOR ESTABLISHMENTS OUTWITH INVERCLYDE 1057

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work requesting the Committee to approve maintenance rates for persons from Inverclyde who are currently or who may in the future be resident in registered residential establishments outwith Inverclyde.

DECIDED: That approval be given to the recommended rates applying to residents in establishments outwith Inverclyde funded by Inverclyde Council.

1058 REGISTRATION: VARIATION - CALADH HOUSE ASSOCIATION 1058

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work seeking the Committee's approval of changes in the registration information under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, Section 62, in respect of Caladh House, 21 Brachelston Street, Greenock.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted and the variation approved; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to issue a new Certificate of Registration to Caladh House Association.

1059 REGISTRATION: APPLICATION - WOODSIDE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME - 1059

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work seeking the Committee's approval for the change of ownership under the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, Section 62, in respect of Woodside Retirement Home, Quarrier's Village, Bridge of Weir.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted and the application approved; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to issue a new Certificate of Registration to Mr G Mills and Mrs A Mills.

1060 INVERCLYDE COUNCIL'S AUTHORISED PROVIDERS LIST 1060

SUBMITTED: Report by the Director of Social Work seeking the Committee's approval to include Mr G Mills and Mrs A Mills, Lodge House, Faith Avenue, Quarrier's Village, Bridge of Weir on the Council's authorised providers list for the provision of residential care for older people in respect of Woodside Retirement Home, Quarrier's Village, Bridge of Weir.

DECIDED: That Mr G Mills and Mrs A Mills be included on the authorised providers list for the provision of residential care for older people in respect of Woodside Retirement Home, Quarrier's Village, Bridge of Weir.

1061 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT - MONITORING STATEMENT 1998/99 1061

SUBMITTED: Report dated 6 October 1998 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the current position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget 1998/99 as at 16 September 1998.

NOTED

1062 HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS 1062

SUBMITTED: Report dated 24 September 1998 by the Head of Technical Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1998/99.

NOTED

1063 HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1998/99 - FINANCIAL POSITION 1063

SUBMITTED: Report dated 29 September 1998 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 1998/99.

DECIDED:

(a) That the current position of the HRA Capital Programme 1998/99 be noted; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Executive Directors Resource Services and Social Work and Housing Services to monitor the position and to ensure that there is no over-commitment in respect of the HRA Capital Programme 1998/99.

1064 GIBSHILL NEW HOUSING - ADDITIONAL WORKS - USE OF EMERGENCY POWERS 1064

PROCEDURE

SUBMITTED: Report dated 10 September 1998 by the Head of Technical Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure as set out in Standing Order 66 to authorise additional expenditure estimated at £10,000 for the provision of additional cavity ventilation and expenditure of £10,500 in respect of landings at french doors associated with the Gibshill new housing project.

DECIDED:

(a) That the use of the emergency powers procedure as set out in Standing Order 66 to authorise additional expenditure at an estimated total cost of £20,500 in respect of the Gibshill new housing project be noted; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Head of Technical Services to report to the next meeting of the Committee on the progress of the works and the additional expenditure incurred on the project.

1065 LYNEDOCH COURT COVERED PARKING FACILITY 1065

SUBMITTED: Report dated 22 September 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising of the low occupancy rates and low demand for spaces at the Lynedoch Court covered parking facility and seeking approval for the closure of the covered parking area.

DECIDED:

(a) That the low occupancy rates and low demand for Lynedoch Court covered car parking area be noted; and

(b) That the three existing leases be terminated, the site cleared out, the electrical supply disconnected, the facility made secure and demand for the area monitored.

1066 RENEWAL OF LIFT CARS - PERMISSION TO INVITE COMPETITIVE TENDERS 1066

SUBMITTED: Report dated 1 October 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on proposals for improvement/refurbishment works at various lifts throughout the Council's housing stock at an estimated cost of £73,500, inclusive of fees, and seeking approval to invite competitive tenders for the works.

DECIDED: 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 renewal of the lift cars and associated works at Langholm, Kelso and Peebles Courts, Belville Street, Greenock at an estimated cost of £73,500, inclusive of fees.

1067 AD-HOC REPLACEMENT OF GAS APPLIANCES 1067

SUBMITTED: Report dated 24 September 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising of the present position regarding expenditure on the ad-hoc replacement of gas appliances and outlining proposals to contain expenditure within the available budget, failing which it would be necessary for further provision to be made.

DECIDED:

(a) That approval be given to a change in the specification where a replacement gas fire/back boiler is required so that the replacement will be a gas fire and not a combi-boiler system;

(b) That, at the appropriate time, consideration be given to further resources devoted to the planned replacement of gas appliances; and

(c) That it be noted a further report on the pattern of replacement will be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

1068 COMBI-BOILERS - SECURITY TAGGING 1068

SUBMITTED: Report dated 15 September 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services recommending the adoption of data tagging to new and existing combi-boilers in vulnerable areas to deter theft of the boilers and enable confirmation of ownership, together with information on how the system works. It was estimated that the cost of installation would not exceed £7,000 in the current year.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee approve the fitting of data tags on combi-boilers in a number of areas considered to be vulnerable to combi-boiler thefts; and

(b) That approval be given to the cost of the installation of the tags being charged against the Capital Programme ad-hoc budget for replacement heating systems.

1069 BELVILLE STREET CONCIERGE SYSTEM 1069

SUBMITTED: Report dated 25 September 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the present position with regard to the Belville Street concierge system. The report set out the principal problems which had been experienced in the operation of the system, highlighted other issues which required to be addressed and detailed action taken and proposed to resolve these matters.

DECIDED:

(a) That approval be given to the provision of increased lighting to one block at an estimated cost of £3,000; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to submit a further report detailing (i) the results of the door and lighting experiments, together with more precise details and costings; (ii) the results of the survey by the Council's consultants, together with any financial implications; (iii) proposals for tenant involvement; and (iv) future administration and maintenance arrangements of the concierge systems currently operated.

1070 WOODHALL ESTATE, PORT GLASGOW - PROPOSAL FOR SELECTIVE DEMOLITION 1070

SUBMITTED: Report dated 24 September 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on proposals for the demolition of 15-26 Woodhall Terrace, 9-19 Mansion Avenue and 97-119 Parkhill Avenue, Port Glasgow, where there are a large number of vacant houses for which there is no demand. The report outlined the financial implications of demolition.

Councillor Robertson (A) was present and with consent spoke on the matter.

DECIDED: That consideration of the matter be continued and that it be remitted to the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to consult with tenants in respect of the proposed demolition and to ascertain potential interest in the properties from any third party and to report thereon to the next meeting of the Committee.

1071 HOUSING BENEFIT INSPECTION - UPDATE AND PROPOSED INTERIM RESPONSE 1071

SUBMITTED: Report dated 22 September 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on an inspection of the Council's benefit service carried out by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, setting out the draft findings of the inspection and recommending measures to be taken in response thereto. It was noted that the Inspectorate's final report would be submitted to the Council in November 1998.

DECIDED: That the draft findings of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate be noted, the measures outlined in Section 5 of the report be approved and that it be remitted to the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to submit further proposals following the review of the services provided by the Council.

1072 SCOTTISH OFFICE DRAFT GUIDANCE - CRIME AND DISORDER ACT 1998 - 1072

EXTENDED POWERS OF EVICTION/USE OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ORDERS

SUBMITTED: Report dated 21 September 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising of further guidance received from the Scottish Office on provision within the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 relative to extended powers of eviction, which come into effect on 1 December 1998, and on the use of anti-social behaviour orders to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviour.

DECIDED: That the Committee welcome the Government's guidance regarding the proposed provisions within the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and note the implications of the measures being introduced.

1073 SCOTTISH OFFICE CONSULTATION - BEYOND THE TOLERABLE STANDARD 1073

SUBMITTED: Report dated 22 September 1998 by the Chief Environmental Services Officer and the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on a review of the Tolerable Standard, which provides a statutory minimum standard houses must meet to be considered fit for human habitation, in respect which the Council's comments were sought by the Scottish Office.

The report indicated that the review was welcome but made a number of recommendations as to items for inclusion in the new Tolerable Standard and suggested that, to prevent recurrence of new houses Below the Tolerable Standard, the Tolerable Standard be the main reference base for other legislation.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Chief Environmental Services Officer and the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to respond to the consultation paper as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

1074 NEW HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS - THE NEXT PHASE 1074

SUBMITTED: Report dated 7 October 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising that the Scottish Office had indicated that, in addition to the current allocation, funding would be available in 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 for expansion of its New Housing Partnership programme, with funding bids for 1999/2000 to be submitted by 15 December 1998. It was reported, however, that the eligibility criteria had been amended. The implications of the new funding framework were highlighted and the options available to the Council and its tenants - stock retention, partial stock transfer or full stock transfer - were detailed.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Council prepare a bid for submission by 15 December 1998 seeking funding to employ consultants to carry out a detailed technical and financial appraisal of the options available to the Council as detailed in the report, the aim of the exercise being to allow the Council and its tenants to make informed choices about the strategy which should be pursued in relation to maximising the investment available to improve the housing stock and, dependent upon the outcome of this process, to ensure the Council is in a position to make a bid for substantive funding to transfer and modernise its housing stock; and

(b) That, in view of the differing timescales for the transfer of Scottish Homes stock and the New Housing Partnership bidding process, the Council simultaneously continue to progress the establishment of a local housing company in Port Glasgow to acquire Scottish Homes stock.

1075 ALLEGED PAYMENTS TO ILLEGAL MONEY LENDERS 1075

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Community Services on action taken following an investigation carried out by the Council's Internal Auditors into allegations of a payment made by the Social Work Department of the former Strathclyde Regional Council to an illegal money lender which was reported to the Committee at its meeting on 24 June 1998 (Para 685), and advising of investigations into a second allegation of a payment to an illegal money lender. The report set out the findings of the report into the second case, which were that in making the payment the Social Work Department had acted ultra vires, together with the action taken to address the issue. In the course of the investigations, however, two further cases of alleged payments to illegal money lenders and anomalies in the operation of a suspense account relating to the client's local authority housing costs and benefits had been discovered.

1076 RESOLUTION: EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS 1076

At this juncture, the Convener moved and it was agreed unanimously that, in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remainder of this item and 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)

Alleged Payments to Illegal Money Lenders 1

McPherson Centre, Phase 3 6, 8 & 9

Strone Farm, Phase 1 - Contractor's Claim for Direct Loss

and/or Expense 6, 8 & 9

Mid Auchinleck, Port Glasgow - Window Replacement,

Report on Tenders 6 & 8

Hawick Court, Greenock - Laundry Access - Report on Tenders 6 & 8

20 and 22 East Crawford Street, Greenock - Painting Works -

Report on Tenders 6 & 8

Provision of Wheelchair Accommodation - Port Glasgow 2

Transfer of Shops in Broomhill Way from Housing Revenue Account

to General Account 9

Day Carer Application 6

1077 ALLEGED PAYMENTS TO ILLEGAL MONEY LENDERS 1077

Following exclusion of the public and press, the Committee resumed consideration of this item.

After discussion, Councillor O'Rourke moved:

(a) That the findings of the Council's Internal Auditors into the allegations of payments to illegal money lenders be noted;

(b) That the action taken to try to uncover any further such cases be noted;

(c) That the action of the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services to examine whether it is feasible to recover some or all of the payments from appropriate sources be noted; and

(d) That it be noted that appropriate action has been taken in respect of the failings detailed in the report.

As an amendment, Councillor Mitchell moved:

(a) That the Committee express dissatisfaction at the handling of the whole affair;

(b) That the Committee express dissatisfaction that only one employee was disciplined;

(d) That the Committee express the view that disciplinary action should have been taken against the authors of the original Social Work report; and

(e) That the Committee be advised of the names of all the illegal money lenders involved in the matter.

On a vote, three Members voted for the amendment and six for the motion which was declared carried.

DECIDED:

(a) That the findings of the Council's Internal Auditors into the allegations of payments to illegal money lenders be noted;

(b) That the action taken to try to uncover any further such cases be noted;

(c) That the action of the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services to examine whether it is feasible to recover some or all of the payments from appropriate sources be noted; and

(d) That it be noted that appropriate action has been taken in respect of the failings detailed in the report.

1078 MCPHERSON CENTRE, PHASE 3 1078

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services on the legal position regarding the Council's rights to recover costs arising from delays associated with Phase 3 of the works at the McPherson Centre, Gourock and the Committee noted the position, all as detailed in the Appendix.

1079 STRONE FARM PHASE 1 - CONTRACTOR'S CLAIM FOR DIRECT LOSS 1079

AND/OR EXPENSE

There was submitted a report by the Head of Technical Services advising of the settlement of a claim for direct loss and/or expense submitted by the contractor engaged to undertake Phase 1 of the works at Strone Farm and the Committee agreed to note the settlement of the claim, all as detailed in the Appendix.

1080 MID AUCHINLECK, PORT GLASGOW - WINDOW REPLACEMENT - 1080

REPORT ON TENDERS

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 September 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on four tenders received for window replacement works at Mid Auchinleck, Port Glasgow.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the lowest tender that by Thermashield Insulation Ltd in the sum of £322,863.68.

1081 HAWICK COURT, GREENOCK - LAUNDRY ACCESS - REPORT ON TENDERS 1081

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 September 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on four tenders received for the alteration of access arrangements to the laundry at Hawick Court, Greenock.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the tender submitted by G D Chalmers Ltd in the amended sum of £7,713.

1082 20 & 22 EAST CRAWFORD STREET, GREENOCK - PAINTING WORKS - 1082

REPORT ON TENDERS

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 August 1998 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on three tenders received for painterwork at 20 and 22 East Crawford Street, Greenock.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the lowest tender that by Warrington Property Maintenance in the sum of £11,739.80 plus £1,760.97 for professional and Clerk of Works fees.

1083 PROVISION OF WHEELCHAIR ACCOMMODATION - PORT GLASGOW 1083

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on investigations into the adaptation of suitable accommodation in Port Glasgow to meet the needs of a wheelchair user, detailing the options available together with the estimated costs thereof and recommending that the tenant be offered accommodation. The Committee agreed (a) that it be remitted to the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to obtain firm costs for the adaptation work; (b) to delegate authority to the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services in consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups to offer the accommodation to the tenant; and (c) following the tenant's acceptance of the offer, to proceed with the necessary adaptation works with authority being delegated where necessary to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers for (i) the invitation of competitive tenders for the works and (ii) acceptance of tenders, following consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Groups, all as detailed in the Appendix.

1084 TRANSFER OF SHOPS IN BROOMHILL WAY FROM HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT 1084

TO GENERAL ACCOUNT

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 September 1998 by the Head of Property Services seeking approval to transfer the shops at 7 and 8 Broomhill Way from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Account which would allow relocation of the Social Work service provided at 3 Shaw Place.

DECIDED: That approval be given to the transfer of the shops at 7 and 8 Broomhill Way from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Account along with the allowance for historical debt.

1085 ARDGOWAN SQUARE, GREENOCK - GRANT AIDED REPAIRS 1085

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising of increased costs incurred in respect of grant aided repairs at Ardgowan Square, Greenock and recommending action in this connection. The Committee agreed to take the action recommended, all as detailed in the Appendix.

1086 DAY CARER APPLICATION 1086

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director Education Services recommending that an application for registration as a Day Carer be refused.

Councillor Clocherty declared an interest in this matter and took no part in its consideration or decision.

Following consideration, the Committee agreed to grant the application, subject to conditions, all as detailed in the Appendix.

1087 DAY CARER APPLICATION 1087

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director Education Services recommending that an application for registration as a Day Carer be refused. Following a vote, the Committee agreed to refuse the application, all as detailed in the Appendix.