692 SOCIAL WORK AND OTHER HOUSING SERVICES REVENUE BUDGET 1999/2000 692

SUBMITTED: Report dated 21 July 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the position of the Social Work and Other Housing Services Revenue Budget 1999/2000 as at 23 June 1999.

NOTED

693 SOCIAL WORK CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS 693

SUBMITTED: Report dated 16 July 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 1999/2000.

NOTED

694 SOCIAL WORK AND PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME 694

1999/2000 - FINANCIAL POSITION

SUBMITTED: Report dated 14 July 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the financial position of the Social Work and Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 1999/2000.

NOTED

695 REVISED MAINTENANCE RATES FOR ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN INVERCLYDE 695

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

DECIDED: That the recommended maintenance rates be approved and the Director of Social Work be authorised to make appropriate payments for residents’ care in the event of placements being made.

696 REVISED MAINTENANCE RATES FOR ESTABLISHMENTS OUTWITH 696

INVERCLYDE

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services 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.

697 “SAFEGUARDING INVERCLYDE’S CHILDREN” - RESPONSE TO REPORT OF THE 697

EDINBURGH INQUIRY INTO ABUSE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN CARE

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the contents of the document “Safeguarding Inverclyde’s Children” prepared in response to the report “Edinburgh’s Children” which had been completed by the City of Edinburgh Council in January 1999 following a formal inquiry into the abuse and protection of children in care.

DECIDED: That the Committee approve the recommendations and action plan incorporated in the report “Safeguarding Inverclyde’s Children”.

698 INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION - PROPOSALS FOR CHARGING POLICY 698

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services recommending that a charge be imposed for the assessment of prospective adopters who wish to adopt a child from overseas.

DECIDED: That a charge of £1,500 be imposed on the basis outlined in the report for the assessment of prospective adopters who wish to adopt a child from overseas.

699 “MODERNISING COMMUNITY CARE - BASELINE AND PLANS” 699

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services indicating that following the publication by the Scottish Office of the document “Modernising Community Care - An Action Plan”, a circular entitled “Modernising Community Care - Baseline and Plans” had been issued requiring information from local authorities in respect of their community care proposals and advising of the draft response made to the circular which reflects the joint community care plan objectives approved by the Committee in January 1999.

DECIDED:

(a) That the response issued in draft to the Scottish Office in respect of information requested in the circular “Modernising Community Care - Baseline and Plans” be noted; and

(b) That the Council’s achievement relating to a number of the objectives set out in the Scottish Office document “Modernising Community Care - An Action Plan” be noted.

700 CARE PROGRAMME APPROACH 700

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising that an agreed protocol for the implementation of the Care Programme Approach (CPA) had now been agreed between Officers of the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Primary NHS Trust and the Council’s Social Work and Housing Services to ensure the care, monitoring and support to adults with a severe and enduring mental illness.

DECIDED: That it be noted that an agreed protocol for the Care Programme Approach in relation to adults with a severe and enduring mental illness had now been established and that this was now in operation.

701 INVERCLYDE JOINT COMMUNITY CARE PLAN 1999/2001 701

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the publication and distribution of the Inverclyde Joint Community Care Plan 1999/2001.

NOTED

702 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT MONITORING STATEMENT 1999/2000 702

SUBMITTED: Report dated 16 July 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget 1999/2000 as at 23 June 1999.

DECIDED:

(a) That the current position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget 1999/2000 be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that the 1998/99 Housing Revenue Account out-turn will be reported to the next meeting of the Committee.

703 HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS 703

SUBMITTED: Report dated 15 July 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000 and also the Cumberland Court re-roofing project funded from revenue.

NOTED

704 HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - FINANCIAL POSITION 704

SUBMITTED: Report dated 14 July 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000.

NOTED

705 DEMOLITION 705

SUBMITTED: Report dated 21 July 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the current position relative to planned and potential demolition projects for the current year and beyond and identifying potential priorities for action.

DECIDED:

(a) That the following be agreed as priority projects and that these proceed to tender stage:-

Project Cost Cost 1999/2000

Woodhall Phase 3 £147,000 £139,650

Woodhall Phase 4 £201,000 £190,950

Strone Farm Phase 2 £155,000 £147,250

£503,000 £477,850; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to report to the Committee on proposals for funding of the demolition programme.

706 1 - 59 TAY STREET, GREENOCK 706

SUBMITTED: Report dated 16 July 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising that at 1-59 Tay Street, Greenock which consists of a shop at 1/3 Tay Street, and 28 flats at 5-59 Tay Street, 25 of the flats had been empty for a considerable time and accordingly in terms of the scheme of delegation, the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services had arranged for the closure of the houses and the permanent re-housing of the 3 remaining tenants.

DECIDED:

(a) That the action taken by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to close the 28 flats within the balcony block at 5-59 Tay Street, Greenock and to re-house the remaining tenants in terms of the scheme of delegation be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that a further report will be submitted on the demolition of the block together with estimated costs, the report to include options for dealing with the presence of the shop.

707 27, 29 AND 31 MORAY ROAD, PORT GLASGOW 707

SUBMITTED: Report dated 23 June 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising that 29 and 31 Moray Road, Port Glasgow had been completely empty for a period in excess of one year and that at 27 Moray Road, only one of the flats remained occupied and that, accordingly, in terms of the scheme of delegation, the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services had arranged for the closure of the 3 blocks and for the permanent re-housing of the one remaining tenant.

DECIDED:

(a) That the action taken by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to close the three blocks at 27, 29 and 31 Moray Road, Port Glasgow and to re-house the remaining tenant in terms of the scheme of delegation be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that a further report will be submitted on the demolition of the blocks together with the estimated costs involved.

708 MAJOR REPAIRS PROGRAMME 1999/2000 708

SUBMITTED: Report dated 3 June 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on proposals for the Major Repairs Programme 1999/2000, suggesting criteria to be used for including projects in the major repairs list and requesting the Committee to agree to the invitation of competitive tenders for certain projects.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for the replacement of the roof at Antigua Court, Greenock and for remedial works in respect of water penetration and drainage problems at Ettrick Place, Greenock.

709 TENANTS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND LETTING INITIATIVES 709

SUBMITTED: Report dated 16 July 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the progress to date in respect of the formation of a tenants association within the Belville Street multi-storey flats, including a comparison with the development of other Tenants Associations in Inverclyde, and advising of information on letting initiatives received from other local authorities.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted;

(b) That a further report be submitted on the development of local letting initiatives; and

710 SCOTTISH HOMES HOUSES, PORT GLASGOW 710

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 July 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to consider Council representation on the Shadow Board of the proposed local housing company for the purpose of managing the transfer of Scottish Homes housing stock in Port Glasgow, as agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 28 July 1999 (para 736) and to allow the Area Housing Manager, (Port Glasgow) to be considered as Director of the Shadow Board Group.

DECIDED:

(a) That Councillors Robertson (A), Morrison (D), Moody and McCabe be nominated as the Council’s representatives on the Shadow Board; and

(b) That the Area Housing Manager (Port Glasgow) be nominated as Director of the Shadow Board.

711 HOUSING SERVICES - PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 1998/99 AND QUARTER 1

1999/2000 711

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services providing statistical information and analysis on a number of key performance indicators within Housing Services for 1998/99 and for the first quarter of 1999/2000.

NOTED

712 ANTI-FRAUD UPDATE - QUARTER 1 1999/2000 712

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services providing management information on the performance of the Housing and Council Tax Benefit Anti-Fraud Section and advising of the progress made on the key issue of data matching which will assist the Council’s Anti-Fraud Section in its work to improve on current performance levels and to detect increased levels of benefit fraud.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That the positive steps taken to detect Housing and Council Tax benefit fraud be endorsed.

713 INVERCLYDE INVOLVEMENT IN “ONE” PROJECT 713

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising that Inverclyde Council had been chosen as one of the four pilot areas in the United Kingdom for the “ONE” project, a new initiative in welfare reform which affects claimants receiving state benefits including certain Housing and Council Tax benefit claimants.

NOTED

714 IRRECOVERABLE RENT ARREARS - WRITE-OFF 714

SUBMITTED: Report dated 21 June 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the position in respect of arrears of rent as at 31 March 1999.

DECIDED:

(a) That arrears of rent of former Council tenants totalling £249,265.83 be written off without prejudice to any future recovery of the debt should that prove possible; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to report on possible alternative means of collecting arrears of rent, including the use of debt collection agencies, together with the costs involved.

715 RESOLUTION: EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS 715

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 as amended, 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 & 6

Vacant Ground - Mansion Avenue, Port Glasgow 6 & 9

Building Services Revenue Budget 1999/2000 8

Office Accommodation - Housing Services 14

Graphic Design Works - Report on Tenders 6 & 8

Scottish Homes Joint Strategic Agreement - Establishment of

Three Residential Developments for Community Care Services 8 & 12

Staffing Amendments - Housing Services and Building Services 1

716 ARREARS OF RENT - DETAILED LIST 716

SUBMITTED: Appendix setting out details of arrears of rent.

NOTED

717 VACANT GROUND - 6/12 MANSION AVENUE, PORT GLASGOW 717

SUBMITTED: Report dated 23 June 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to approve the lease of an area of vacant ground at 6/12 Mansion Avenue, Port Glasgow to Treetops Community Nursery for the purpose of providing an outdoor play facility to be used by the Nursery and local children.

DECIDED:

(a) That authority be granted for the lease of the vacant ground at 6/12 Mansion Avenue, Port Glasgow shown hatched on the plan appended to the report to Treetops Community Nursery for the purpose of providing an outdoor play facility to be used by the Nursery and local children; and

(b) That authority be granted to the Executive Director Legal, Information & Support Services and the Head of Property Services to negotiate the terms of the lease with representatives of Treetops Community Nursery.

718 BUILDING SERVICES REVENUE BUDGET 1999/2000 718

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 July 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the position of the Building Services Revenue Budget 1999/2000 as at 23 June 1999.

DECIDED:

(a) That the current position of the Building Services Revenue Budget 1999/2000 be noted; and

(b) That it be noted that the final 1998/99 position in respect of the Building Services Revenue Budget will be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

719 OFFICE ACCOMMODATION - HOUSING SERVICES 719

SUBMITTED: Report dated 2 June 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on further proposals for the rationalisation of certain Housing Services offices as requested by the Committee at its meeting on 24 November 1998 (Para 1257).

DECIDED: That consideration be continued for a further comprehensive report to include information on the current use of offices, the consequences of closure and a customer survey of existing facilities taking into account the Council’s plan for one-stop shops.

720 GRAPHIC DESIGN WORKS - REPORT ON TENDERS 720

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to accept a quotation received for graphic design works for the production of the Tenants’ Handbook and associated works and production of the Council’s Housing Plan, subject to the Corporate Business Committee homologating the issue of tenders to companies which were not on the Council’s Approved Contractors List. The Committee agreed to accept a tender and to authorise virement within the Housing Revenue Account to assist the funding of the works, all as detailed in the Appendix.

721 SCOTTISH HOMES JOINT STRATEGIC AGREEMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF 721

THREE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS FOR COMMUNITY CARE SERVICES

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services advising that as part of the Joint Strategic Agreement with Scottish Homes, three residential developments were to be built with financial support from Scottish Homes and Inverclyde Council to provide registered residential care for eight to ten persons each, outlining the progress made in the development of the units and requesting the Committee to approve in principle certain matters in order that the development programme can proceed.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Corporate Business Committee be requested to approve the transfer at nil cost of the sites identified at Holmscroft Street and Regent Street/Trafalgar Street as shown on the Appendices to the report;

(b) That, otherwise, approval in principle be given to the programme established in conjunction with Scottish Homes and other planning partners to develop the three residential establishments for the groups of persons outlined in the report, subject to consultation with local residents at an early stage;

(d) That approval in principle be granted for the transfer of the sites thus far identified at no cost to “Inverlink” subject to the resolution of any matters relating to the title, planning considerations, etc, and that these matters be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive and the Executive Director Legal, Information & Support Services for implementation; and

(e) That the Secretary of State for Scotland be requested to approve the transfer of the sites to the developer “Inverlink” at nil value.

722 STAFFING AMENDMENTS - HOUSING SERVICES AND BUILDING SERVICES 722

There was submitted a report by the Executive Directors Social Work and Housing Services and Resource Services recommending a proposed new management structure for Housing and

Building Services and the Committee agreed, following a vote, to approve the revised C

management structure for its interest, all as detailed in the Appendix.