Social Work & Housing Committee

 Tuesday 17 October 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Jackson, McCabe, Moody, Morrison (D), Nimmo and O’Rourke.

Chair:  Councillor McCabe presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillors Mitchell, Rebecchi and Robertson (A).

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

      902

Social Work and Other Housing Services -  Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 6

902

There was submitted a report dated 11 October 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the position of the Social Work and Other Housing Services Revenue Budget as at Period 6 (20 September 2000).  (Provost Roach entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Noted

      903

Social Work Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Technical Progress

903

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Noted

      904

Social Work and Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Financial Position

904

There was submitted a report dated 26 September 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the Social Work and Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Noted

      905

Future Organisational Structures of Criminal Justice Social Work Services

905

There was submitted a report dated 29 September 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising of the Scottish Executive’s intention to create groupings of authorities in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of social work services in the criminal justice system.  The report advised that Inverclyde Council would be placed in a grouping of authorities along with Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Councils and that all three Councils would be required to produce a strategic plan for criminal justice services and political and management structures which deliver criminal justice services across the group of authorities from a new single budget by April 2002.ã

Decided:

(1) that agreement be given to the part funding of the post of Criminal Justice Co-ordinator at salary grade PO5 (£24,789 - £26,769) at an estimated cost to the Council of £9,000 to be met from the existing Criminal Justice Budget; and

(2) that a further detailed report be submitted on the proposed structure at the appropriate time.

      906

Influenza Immunisation Policy for 2000/2001

906

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) advising of alterations to the Scottish Executive’s policy for immunisation against influenza and (2) seeking approval for the immunisation of social care workers employed by the Council.

Decided:

(1) that agreement be given to implementation of an occupational influenza immunisation programme targeted at social care staff delivering care and support to vulnerable clients, those being home care, residential and day care workers including contract catering and cleaning staff in residential and day care establishments;

(2) that the appropriate arrangements be put in place with occupational health services or the local primary care providers to carry out the immunisation programme and to evaluate uptake of the programme; and

(3) that agreement be given to spend up to £4,400 to fund the vaccines.

      907

Hospital Resettlement Programme for People With Learning Disabilities:

Commissioning and Contracting Arrangements

907

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services requesting permission to invite tenders from approved care provider organisations to deliver the care support element of the resettlement of a number of people with learning disabilities as a result of the hospital reprovisioning programme.  The report advised that the proposal would involve (1) a Housing Association development in Port Glasgow which will accommodate five people and (2) up to four individual tenancies through a local Housing Association in Greenock.

Decided:

(1) that approval be given to seek offers of interest by public notice and thereafter invite tenders from providers selected by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services for the provision of care and support services for the two developments;

(2) that it be noted that there are likely to be variations in the care requirements dependent on individual need and that the tendering process will take account of this; and

(3) that a report on the results of the tendering process be submitted to the Committee.

      908

Authorised Providers List for Social Care Services

908

There was submitted a report by the Director of 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 amendments to the Authorised Providers List be approved.

      909

Housing Revenue Account - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 6

909

There was submitted a report dated 6 October 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at Period 6 (20 September 2000).

Noted

      910

HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Technical Progress

910

There was submitted a report dated 5 October 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Decided:

(1) that the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001 be noted;

(2) that the Committee approve the following expenditure decreases in terms of the relevant financial regulations:-

Project                                                                                   Effect on Expenditure

Brown Street/Baxter Street Refurbishment, Phase 3

Deletion of the undernoted owner-occupied properties

from the contract:-

15 Brown Street - All Internal Works Deleted                         £6,311 reduction

31 Brown Street - All Works Deleted                                     £17,292 reduction; and

(3) that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant financial regulations, accumulated variations in the contract for replacement windows at Court Road, Port Glasgow and Wellpark Buildings, Greenock which are £10,190 (14.6%) less than the accepted tender amount.

      911

HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Financial Position

911

There was submitted a report dated 3 October 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Noted

      912

Housing Benefit Service - Policy and Procedures for the Recovery of Overpaid Benefit

912

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the policy and procedures to be followed within the Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit service when an overpayment of Housing Benefit has been identified.

Decided: that the policy and procedure for recovery of overpaid Housing/Council Tax Benefit as detailed in the report be approved.

      913

Reform of Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit Reviews

913

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising of changes to the Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit review scheme which will take effect from April 2001.

Decided: that the proposed reform of the appeals procedure in respect of Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit determinations be noted.

      914

Nomination Arrangement Between Inverclyde Council and the Housing Associations

914

There was submitted a report dated 19 September 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the results of the most recent review of the nomination arrangement between Inverclyde Council and the Housing Associations in the area.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that it be agreed that an annual review of the nomination arrangement be reported to the Committee in August/September of each year.

      915

Inverclyde Energy Saving Team (INVEST) - Annual Report 1999/2000

915

There was submitted a report dated 28 September 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the progress of the Inverclyde Energy Saving Team (INVEST) in 1999/2000 and appending a copy of the annual report for that year.

Noted

      916

Inverclyde Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) Strategy - Two Year Progress Report (April 1997 - March 1999)

916

There was  submitted a report dated 28 September 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) on the progress made during the period April 1997 to March 1999 in meeting the targets set out in the HECA strategy which required to be reported to the Scottish Executive and (2) summarising the Scottish Executive’s response to the progress report.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the summary of the Inverclyde HECA Strategy Two Year Progress Report for April 1997 to March 1999;

(2) that the Scottish Executive’s positive response to the progress report be noted; and

(3) that the action being taken to address the issues highlighted by the Scottish Executive for further development in order to meet Inverclyde’s overall ten year HECA targets be noted.

      917

The Inverclyde Care and Repair Project

917

There was submitted a report dated 29 September 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services providing an update on the activities of the Inverclyde Care and Repair Project during its first four months of operation.

Decided:

(1) that the establishment and development of the Inverclyde Care and Repair Project in its first four months be noted; and

(2) that it be noted that regular reports will be submitted to the Committee on the progress and further development of the project.

      918

Mandatory Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation

918

There was submitted a report dated 27 September 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) advising of the establishment of a mandatory licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation with effect from 1 October 2000 and (2) identifying the implications for Housing Services with particular regard to tenancy management and the grants policy.

Decided:

(1) that the introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation from 1 October 2000 and the implications for Housing Services be noted; and

(2) that it be noted that further reports will be submitted to the Committee providing an update on the implications for Housing Services as the extent of demand for the tenancy management service and grant funding become known.

      919

Electric Heating Contract - Additional Expenditure - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

919

There was submitted a report dated 3 October 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 additional expenditure totalling approximately £23,630 in the electric heat leasing contract for the removal of asbestos material.

Decided:

(1) that the use of the emergency powers procedure be noted; and

(2) that it be noted that any final additional costs will be contained within the CFCR budget for the projects.

      920

Closed Houses and Council Tax Liability

920

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) on the current position in relation to surplus housing stock within Inverclyde and the consequent cost in terms of Council Tax liability on empty properties and (2) recommending that a number of properties be classified as surplus to requirements and designated for future demolition.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted;

(2) that the properties detailed at paragraph 4.4 of the report be declared surplus to requirements and designated for future demolition; and

(3) that authority be granted to the Director of Legal and Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the demolition of the three empty blocks at 80-98 Oronsay Avenue, 34-52 Pladda Avenue and 83-101 Westray Avenue at a total estimated cost of £161,200.

      921

Office Accommodation - Integrated Social Work and Housing Service

921

It was noted that this item had been withdrawn.

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)

Care Package Costs - Residential Care and Day Care                 3

Gas Maintenance in Council Housing                                            6, 8 & 9

Gas Appliances and Associated Fitments - Contract

for Ad Hoc Replacement                                                                 8 & 9

Building Services - Revenue Monitoring Report -

Period 6                                                                                             8

Application for Improvement Grant                                                4

      922

Care Package Costs - Residential Care and Day Care

922

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to approve costs for a care package for an individual with severe learning and physical disabilities.

Decided: that the care package detailed in the report be approved.

      923

Gas Maintenance in Council Housing

923

There was submitted a report dated 21 September 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) on the performance of the current gas maintenance contractor Tr®olhurst plc, (2) recommending that the gas maintenance contract be extended for a further period of twelve months from April 2001 and (3) requesting authority to use a Court Order and forced entry if necessary to secure maintenance of gas appliances in the particular circumstances set out in the report.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted;

(2) that agreement be given to an extension of the gas maintenance contract with Trolhurst plc for a further period of twelve months from April 2001; and

(3) that authority be granted for the use of a Court Order to secure entry in the particular circumstances set out in paragraph 5.8 of the report to enable a service of the gas appliance to be carried out and to the consequent recharge to the tenant in respect of any damage to doors, etc, if entry has to be forced together with the cost of the action.

      924

Gas Appliances and Associated Fitments - Contract for Ad Hoc Replacement

924

There was submitted a report dated 5 October 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services making recommendations in respect of the contract for the ad hoc replacement of gas appliances and associated fitments which were agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix.

      925

Building Services - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 6

925

There was submitted a report dated 3 October 2000 by the Director of Resource Services on the position of the Building Services Revenue Budget as at Period 6 (20 September 2000).

Noted

      926

Application for Improvement Grant

926

There was submitted a report dated 6 October 2000 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services providing further information in respect of an application for improvement grant.  The Committee agreed not to award grant assistance and to authorise development of a private sector housing strategy, all as detailed in the Appendix.