Social Work & Housing Committee

 Tuesday 29 February 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Jackson, McCabe, Mitchell, Moody, Morrison (D), Nimmo, Rebecchi and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor Morrison (D) presided.

In Attendance: Mr H McNeilly (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Mr A Puckrin (for Director of Resource Services), Director of Social Work & Housing Services and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

Apologies: Councillor O’Rourke.

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.

170

Social Work Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Technical Progress

170

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Councillor Moody declared an interest in this item and took no part in its consideration or decision.

Noted

171

Social Work & Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Financial Position

171

There was submitted a report dated 16 February 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the Social Work and Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

172

Revised Maintenance Rates for Establishments Within Inverclyde

172

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to approve the payment of maintenance rates for persons within 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 and Housing Services be authorised to make appropriate payments for residents’ care in the event of placements being made.

173

Revised Maintenance Rates for Establishments Outwith Inverclyde

173

There was submitted a report by the Director of 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.

174

Strategy for Carers in Scotland

174

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising of the priorities for service development outlined in the document “Strategy for Carers in Scotland”  published by the Scottish Executive.

Decided:

(1) that the contents of the Scottish Executive document “Strategy for Carers in Scotland” be noted;

(2) that the Committee confirm the principle of development of Carers’ Services; and

(3) that it be noted that the Director of Social Work and Housing Services will submit in due course, detailed proposals in this regard following consultation with the appropriate carers’ groups and organisations.

175

Inverclyde Adoption Panel

175

There was submitted a report dated 21 January 2000 by the Director of Legal and Support Services recommending an amendment to the membership of the Inverclyde Adoption Panel.

Decided: that the membership of the Inverclyde Adoption Panel be amended to include the Director of Legal and Support Services, whom failing the Managing Solicitor (Licensing and Litigation), whom failing the Senior Solicitors (Licensing and Litigation), as its legal advisor in order to comply with the requirements of the Adoption Agencies (Scotland) Regulations 1996.

176

HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Technical Progress

176

There was submitted a report dated 11 February 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000.  There was also circulated to the Committee, a specific report in respect of proposed additional demolitions at 1 and 3 Dee Street, Greenock.

Decided:

(1) that the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000 be noted;

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

Project                                                                                   Effect on Expenditure

Brown Street/Baxter Street Refurbishment, Phase 2

Deletion of three houses due to non-participation

of owner-occupiers                                                                 £41,200 reduction

Carwood Street/Auchendarroch Street - Demolition

Additional demolitions and reinstatement work at

1-3 Dee Street                                                                        £60,650 increase; and

(3) that the following accumulated variations which are outwith the accepted tender amount by more than 10% be approved in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations:-

Brown Street/Baxter Street Refurbishment, Phase 2

Anticipated final account 10.4% less than accepted

tender                                                                                     £41,200 reduction

Electrical Re-wiring 1999/2000 - Phase 1

Agreed final account 11.33% less than accepted tender           £4,074 reduction

Replacement Windows - Mid Auchinleck, Port Glasgow

Agreed final account 11.45% less than accepted tender           £36,962 reduction

177

HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000 - Financial Position

177

There was submitted a report dated 9 February 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 1999/2000.

Noted

178

HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001

178

There was submitted a report dated 21 February 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to confirm the HRA Capital Programme for 2000/2001.

Following discussion, Councillor Mitchell moved that as part of the 2000/2001 Draft Capital Programme, provision of £500,000 be made for sheltered housing new build and that further funding of £1,500,000 for this purpose be allocated in 2001/2002.  As an amendment, Councillor Morrison (D) moved (1) that the Draft Capital Programme 2000/2001 as set out in Appendix 3 to the report be approved and (2) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work and Housing Services to submit a report on sheltered housing and residential accommodation provision for the elderly and infirm within Inverclyde, setting out a proposed strategy to address the existing shortfall  in such accommodation together with possible sources of funding.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the motion and 6 for the amendment which was declared carried.<

C

Decided:

(1) that the HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001 comprise the following projects:-

C

Project                                                                                   Expenditure

                                                                                              2000/2001

Window Replacement                                                             £1,500,000

Ad Hoc Heating Replacement                                                 £   700,000

Brown Street/Baxter Street Refurbishment                               £   150,000

Broadfield External Render/Insulation                                      £   250,000

Rewiring Works                                                                      £   130,000

Demolition Works                                                                   £   350,000

Fees                                                                                       £   165,000

HECA                                                                                    £   160,000

Peat Road Refurbishment                                                        £   250,000

Door Entry Systems                                                                £   100,000

Roofing Works                                                                       £   550,000

Lift Replacement Works                                                         £     50,000

Cladding                                                                                 £1,000,000

Gibshill Regeneration                                                               £   250,000

Carry Forward                                                                       £2,510,000 

TOTAL                                                                                  £8,115,000  and

(2) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work and Housing Services to submit a report on sheltered housing and residential accommodation provision for the elderly and infirm within Inverclyde, setting out a proposed strategy to address the existing shortfall in such accommodation together with possible sources of funding.

179

Window Replacement Programme 1999/2000 - Broadfield Area, Port Glasgow - Invitation of Tenders

179

There was submitted a report dated 3 February 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to agree to the invitation of tenders in three phases for the replacement of the windows in the Broadfield area, Port Glasgow.

Decided:

(1) that authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders in three phases for the replacement of the windows in the Broadfield area, Port Glasgow;

(2) that it be confirmed that Phase 4 of the Broadfield insulation render programme should include window replacement;

(3) that it be noted that decisions (1) and (2) above are subject to confirmation of the HRA Capital Programme 2000/01 as detailed in the preceding item; and

(4) that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal and Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received in each case.

180

Broadfield External Render/Insulation, Phase 4 - Invitation of Tenders

180

There was submitted a report dated 17 February 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to agree to the invitation of tenders for Phase 4 of the Broadfield external render/insulation project.

Decided:

(1) that authority be granted to the Director and Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for Phase 4 of the Broadfield external render/insulation project; and

(2) that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal and Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received.

181

Rough Sleepers Initiative Funding - April 2000 - March 2002

181

There was submitted a report dated 7 January 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) indicating that the Scottish Executive had invited local authorities to make a bid/bids for Rough Sleepers Initiative Funding with a deadline of 7 January 2000, and (2) advising of the content of the two bids made by Inverclyde Council and (3) seeking permission to implement the bids, if these are successful.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted and the two bids for Rough Sleepers Initiative Funding submitted by Inverclyde Council be endorsed;

(2) that it be noted that the outcome of the bids will be reported to the Committee;

(3) that authority be granted to the Director of Social Work and Housing Services to implement Rough Sleepers Initiative services within Inverclyde should either bid be successful; and

(4) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work and Housing Services to report to the next meeting of the Committee on the work of the existing Rough Sleepers Initiative project within Inverclyde since its inception in February 1998.

182

Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

182

There was submitted a report dated 8 February 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising (1) that the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 will come into effect on 1 April 2000 and (2) that COSLA (which had been in regular contact with the Home Office regarding the contribution which Scotland will make as 1 of 10 areas identified to provide accommodation and support services for asylum seekers) had briefed elected Members on the proposal that local authorities should form a Consortium to address the forthcoming legislation.  It was noted that 7 local authorities from the central belt area, including Inverclyde, had agreed in principle to being accommodation providers and to this end had formed an Accommodation Sub-Group which would require to prepare a Business Plan for submission to the Home Office.

Decided:

(1) that agreement be given to Inverclyde Council being represented by Housing Services at future meetings of the Scottish Consortium and the Accommodation Sub-Group and to their contributing to the Business Planning process;

(2) that agreement be given to Senior Officers within Housing Services holding discussions with all involved services and agencies; and

(3) that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the progress made by the Consortium.

183

Gibshill Regeneration - Allocation Policy

183

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) advising that at a recent meeting of the Gibshill Regeneration Steering Group, certain concerns had been expressed regarding the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy as it is applied to new build property in Gibshill, and (2) describing the impact of the Council’s Policy both in general terms and with particular regard to Gibshill.

Decided: that no changes be made to the existing Housing Allocation Policy as it is applied in Gibshill.

184

Performance Indicators 1998/99 and Quarters 1-3 1999/2000

184

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services providing information on, and an analysis of, a number of key performance indicators within Housing Services for 1998/99 and for the first three quarters of 1999/2000.

Noted

185

Pilot Cavity Wall Insulation Initiative

185

There was submitted a report dated 22 February 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising of the Council’s recent success in obtaining funding from Scottish Power which will enable a pilot cavity wall insulation project to be carried out in 76 houses across the area at a total estimated value of £25,000 and at no cost to either the Council or individual householders.  The report requested permission for the pilot project to be implemented and to permit officers to continue working with partners including Scottish Power with a view to developing further projects of a similar type.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee give its agreement to implementation of the proposed pilot cavity wall insulation initiative on the basis outlined in the report; and

(2) that the Director of Social Work & Housing Services be authorised to develop similar projects through use of private sector funding.

It was agreed in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that the business 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)

Children (Scotland) Act 1995, Section 41 - Panel

of Safeguarders                                                                    6

New Housing Partnerships - Tenants’ Aspiration

Survey - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure                  6 & 8

Gas Maintenance - Report on Tenders                              6 & 8

186

Children (Scotland) Act 1995, Section 41 - Panel of Safeguarders

186

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services seeking approval for the re-appointment of individuals previously appointed by the Council as Safeguarders for the purposes of children’s hearings and proceedings in the Sheriff Court, in terms of Section 41 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

Decided: that approval be granted for the re-appointment of the Safeguarders listed in the Appendix to the report for the year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 subject to no subsequent adverse comments being received by the Director of Legal & Support Services.

187

New Housing Partnerships - Tenants’ Aspiration Survey - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

187

There was submitted a report dated 15 February 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to authorise the invitation of tenders for a tenants’ aspiration survey as part of the new housing partnership process.

Noted

188

Gas Maintenance - Report on Tenders

188

There was submitted a report dated 8 February 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on six tenders received for the maintenance of gas appliances throughout the Council’s housing stock.

Decided:

(1) that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the tender submitted by Trolhurst plc; and

(2) that a report be submitted on the performance of the contractor in undertaking the works in six months time.