SOCIAL WORK AND HOUSING COMMITTEE

 

TUESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1999 - 3.00 pm

 

Present:- Provost Roach, Councillors Morrison (D), McCabe, O'Rourke, Jackson, Nimmo, Rebecchi and Mitchell, Councillor O'Rourke, Convener, in the Chair.

 

In attendance:- The Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services, Mr A Puckrin (for the Executive Director Resource Services), Mr H McNeilly (for the Executive Director Legal, Information & Support Services), the Director of Central Services, the Director of Social Work and Mr A Gerrard (for the Head of Property Services).

 

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor Moody.

 

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.

 

   870      SOCIAL WORK AND OTHER HOUSING SERVICES REVENUE BUDGET 1999/2000                   870

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 1 September 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the position of the Social Work & Other Housing Services Revenue Budget 1999/2000 as at 21 July 1999 and requesting the Committee to approve virement of £12,000 from the Social Work Child Care Income Budget to Operations and Servicing overtime.  The report also advised of a projected overspend of £23,800 in the Other Housing Budget due to higher than anticipated benefit payments offset by increased subsidy, together with a projected increase in income from weekly benefits savings and indicated that the overspend would be carefully monitored and any changes reported to the Committee.

DECIDED:

(a) That the current position of the Social Work & Other Housing Services Revenue Budget 1999/2000 be noted;

(b) That approval be given to virement of £12,000 from the Social Work Child Care Income Budget to Operations and Servicing overtime; and

(c) That the Committee note the overspend of £23,800 in the Other Housing Budget and that the situation will be carefully monitored.

 

   871      SOCIAL WORK CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS                         871

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 17 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 1999/2000.

NOTED

   872      SOCIAL WORK AND PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME                            872

              1999/2000 - FINANCIAL POSITION

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the financial position of the Social Work and Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 1999/2000.

NOTED

 

   873      SOCIAL WORK PROJECTS - POLICY AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE APPROVAL                    873

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services recommending that the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to give its formal approval to the Finnart House internal adaptations and Kempock House toilet upgrade projects, which are funded from the Minor Adaptations Budget 1999/2000, proceeding at the present time.

DECIDED: That the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to approve the undernoted projects funded from the Social Work Minor Adaptations Budget 1999/2000 proceeding at the present time:-

Finnart House Internal Adaptations - £35,000

Kempock House Toilet Upgrade - £30,000

 

   874      AUTHORISED PROVIDERS LIST FOR SOCIAL CARE SERVICES                                                  874

 

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to approve amendments to the list of authorised providers for Social Care Services in terms of the Standing Orders relating to Contracts.

DECIDED: That the authorised providers list appended to the report be approved.

 

   875      REVISED MAINTENANCE RATES FOR ESTABLISHMENTS OUTWITH INVERCLYDE              875

 

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.

 

   876      REVIEW OF INVERCLYDE JOINT COMMUNITY CARE PLAN 1998/2001 AND                          876

              MODERNISING COMMUNITY CARE - INVERCLYDE COUNCIL’S RESPONSE

 

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services seeking the Committee’s approval of the draft Inverclyde Joint Community Care Plan 1998/2001 and the proposed response to “Modernising Community Care” prior to their submission to the Scottish Executive.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee approve the review of the Joint Community Care Plan 1998/2001 and the response to “Modernising Community Care” for submission to the Scottish Executive; and

(b) That it be remitted to the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to report further as appropriate in respect of any financial commitment resulting from the above and also on the progress made to 31 March 2000.

 

   877      INVERCLYDE COMMUNITY DRUGS TEAM - ANNUAL REPORT 1998/99                                   877

 

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the annual report of Inverclyde Community Drugs Team for 1998/99 which sets out the work undertaken by the Team during that period.

NOTED

 

   878      HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT - MONITORING REPORT 1999/2000                                         878

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 26 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget 1999/2000 as at 21 July 1999.

DECIDED:

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

(b) That the significant surplus generated in 1998/99 by the Housing Revenue Account be also noted.

 

   879      HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - TECHNICAL PROGRESS                                             879

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000.

DECIDED:

(a) That the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000 be noted; and

(b) That the Committee approve the following expenditure increase and reduction in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations:-

 

Project                                                                                             Effect on Expenditure

 

Parkhill Avenue, Port Glasgow - Replacement Windows

Inclusion of close windows in contract                                               £8,525 increase

 

Sunnyside Avenue, Port Glasgow - Replacement Windows

Deletion of vacant flats from contract                                                 £9,231 reduction

 

   880      HRA CAPITAL PROGRAMME 1999/2000 - FINANCIAL POSITION                                               880

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 18 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000.

NOTED

   881      DEMOLITION PROGRAMME                                                                                                              881

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 17 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on proposals for funding of the demolition programme as requested by the Committee at its meeting on 3 August 1999 (Para 705) and seeking authority to issue tenders in respect of a number of further projects to be included within the programme.

DECIDED:

(a) That to augment the funding of the demolition programme 1999/2000, approval be given to virement totalling £612,000, comprising £115,000 from the HRA painting programme, £174,000 from the HRA heat leasing programme and £323,000 from the Housing Repairs and Renewals Fund;

(b) That authority be granted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for Phases 2 of the demolition works at Auchendarroch Street, Greenock and Whitecroft, Port Glasgow;

(c) That as and when they become empty, authority be granted for the invitation of tenders for Woodhall, Phase 3, Woodhall, Phase 4 and Strone Farm, Phase 2 demolition works as approved by the Committee at its meeting on 3 August 1999; and

(d) That delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest tenders received for the projects detailed in (b) and (c) above.

 

   882      AIDS AND ADAPTATIONS 1999/2000                                                                                                882

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the current position regarding the installation of aids and adaptations within Council houses and setting out a number of options for future funding.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee approve the principle of continuing to fund all high priority cases and those medium priority cases which have already been committed at a total estimated cost of £104,000;

(b) That the Policy and Strategy Committee be requested to increase the current budget allocation of £75,000 by £29,000 in 1999/2000; and

(c) That a report be submitted to the October meeting of the Committee on those cases assessed as being of medium priority and identifying, if possible, alternative sources of funding.

 

   883      DOOR ENTRY SYSTEM PROGRAMME 1999/2000                                                                           883

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 17 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services proposing a number of further addresses for inclusion in the door entry system programme 1999/2000.

DECIDED:

(a) That the properties detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be included in the door entry system programme 1999/2000 together with the properties at 7 and 9 Belville Avenue and that authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of competitive tenders for Phases 1 and 2 of the works;

(b) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tenders in cases where the value exceeds £100,000; and

(c) That it be noted that a further report will be submitted on the position relative to Glebe Court, Kilmacolm.

 

   884      WINDOW REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME 1999/2000                                                                      884

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 17 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services recommending that tenders be invited for the replacement of the windows in the Auchneagh area, Greenock, as part of the window replacement programme 1999/2000.

DECIDED:

(a) That authority be granted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the window replacement works in the Auchneagh area, Greenock; and

(b) That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Central Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received.

 

   885      TERM CONTRACTS                                                                                                                             885

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 25 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services requesting authority to invite tenders in respect of estate repairs for which there is provision of £50,000 within the Housing Major Repairs Programme 1999/2000.

DECIDED: That authority be granted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders in the form of term contracts for roughcast repairs, boundary wall repairs, fencing repairs and tarmac footpath repairs.

 

   886      PAINTING PROGRAMME - ANTIGUA  AND LYNEDOCH COURTS, GREENOCK                      886

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services requesting authority to invite tenders for the internal painting of Antigua and Lynedoch Courts, Greenock.

DECIDED: That authority be granted to the Director of Central Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the internal painting of Antigua and Lynedoch Courts, Greenock.

 

   887      HOUSING INVESTMENT AND HEALTH IMPROVEMENT IN INVERCLYDE                               887

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 17 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the findings contained within the Housing Investment and Health Improvement in Inverclyde research project, a summary of which was appended to the report.

DECIDED:

(a) That the findings of the report be noted and taken into account when planning area renewal/regeneration initiatives; and

(b) That further research on the suggested subjects be progressed along with Inverclyde Regeneration Partnership.

   888      HOUSING SERVICES PLAN                                                                                                                888

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 19 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services appending the draft Housing Services Plan 1999/01 which sets out ongoing and new tasks to be undertaken by Housing Services during that period.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Committee approve the Housing Services Plan 1999/01 appended to the report; and

(b) That an interim report on the progress of the review of the Housing Allocation Policy be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

 

   889      RESOLUTION: EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS                                                                     889

 

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)

Building Services Revenue Budget 1999/2000                                                8

Supply and Delivery of Door Blanks - Report on Tenders                               6 & 8

Grieve Road/Old Inverkip Road, Greenock: Purchase of Ground                    8 & 9

18/20 Mearns Street, Greenock                                                                     6 & 8

 

   890      BUILDING SERVICES REVENUE BUDGET 1999/2000                                                                      890

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 20 August 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services on the position of the Building Services Revenue Budget 1999/2000 as at 21 July 1999.

DECIDED: That the current position of the Building Services Revenue Budget 1999/2000 and the significant surplus generated in 1998/99 by Building Services be noted.

 

   891      SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF DOOR BLANKS - REPORT ON TENDERS                                      891

 

SUBMITTED: Report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on tenders received for the supply and delivery of door blanks.

DECIDED: That it be remitted to the Director of Central Services to accept the tender submitted by Thornbridge Sawmills Ltd.

 

   892      GRIEVE ROAD/OLD INVERKIP ROAD, GREENOCK - PURCHASE OF GROUND                       892

 

SUBMITTED: Report dated 27 August 1999 by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services on the result of negotiations carried out with Scottish Homes as successors to the Second Scottish National Housing Company (Housing Trust) Ltd in respect of ground at the corner of Grieve Road and Old Inverkip Road, Greenock, as authorised by the Committee at its meeting on 19 May 1998 (Para 566).

DECIDED: That consideration be continued for further discussions with the District Valuer and Scottish Homes on the proposed terms of the transfer of the ground.

 

   893      18/20 MEARNS STREET, GREENOCK                                                                                                893

 

There was submitted a report by the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services relative to the funding of the 18/20 Mearns Street, Greenock Housing Action Area for Improvement and setting out other options in respect of the properties.  The Committee agreed, following a vote, to request the Policy and Strategy Committee to authorise the funding to allow the improvement works to proceed and to remit it to the Executive Director Social Work and Housing Services to report on the renegotiation of certain terms of the

C            Strategic Agreement with Scottish Homes, all as detailed in the Appendix.                                                     C