Social Work & Housing Committee

 Wednesday 24 January 2001 at 2.00 pm

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

Chair: Councillor McCabe presided.

In Attendance: Chief Executive, Mr G Douglas (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Social Work & Housing Services and Head of Accountancy Services.

Apologies:  Councillors Moody and O’Rourke.

The following paragraph is submitted for confirmation or otherwise.

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Housing Revenue Account Budget 2001/2002

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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the proposed Housing Revenue Account Budget 2001/2002.  The report advised that the estimated deficit in the Housing Revenue Account for 2001/2002, taking into account all appropriate adjustments but excluding any bids, savings or application of balances, amounted to £1,854,280 which equated to an average rent increase of approximately £3.80 per house per week on a 48 week basis.  (Provost Roach and Councillor Robertson (A) entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

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Following discussion Councillor McCabe moved:-

(1) that an average rent increase of £2.70 per house per week on a 48 week basis be agreed and implemented from 29 March 2001;

(2) that it be agreed to adopt the following development and savings options -

Option

Estimated Expenditure/Saving

Develop the Inverclyde Centre in response to changing homelessness legislation

£200,000 expenditure

Improve tenant participation processes

£50,000 expenditure

Establish a Housing and Building Services training unit

£50,000 expenditure

Develop a research budget

£40,000 expenditure

Establish a letting initiative directed at difficult to let properties

£40,000 expenditure

Staff turnover savings (4.1%)

£100,000 saving

Reduced painting budget

£50,000 saving

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(3) that the options to (a) establish a computer/IT development budget to allow purchase of an integrated housing management software package and (b) increase estate repairs across all estates be funded from Capital;

(4)  that a Repairs and Renewal fund balance of £762,098 be applied to the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2001/2002; and

(5)  that approval be given to reducing the rebate from Building Services to the Housing Revenue Account by £300,000 to £333,060 in 2000/01.

As an amendment, Councillor Nimmo moved that the proposal as set out in the motion above be adjusted as follows:-

(1)  that the Committee not proceed with the establishment of a Housing and Building Services training unit and development of a research budget;

(2)  that the sum from the Repairs and Renewal fund balance be increased by £10,000 to £772,098; and

(3)  that an average rent increase of £2.50 per house per week on a 48 week basis be implemented from 29 March 2001.

On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1) that an average rent increase of £2.70 per house per week on a 48 week basis be agreed and implemented from 29 March 2001;

(2) that it be agreed to adopt the following development and savings options -

Option

Estimated Expenditure/Saving

Develop the Inverclyde Centre in response to changing homelessness legislation

£200,000 expenditure

Improve tenant participation processes

£50,000 expenditure

Establish a Housing and Building Services training unit

£50,000 expenditure

Develop a research budget

£40,000 expenditure

Establish a letting initiative directed at difficult to let properties

£40,000 expenditure

Staff turnover savings (4.1%)

£100,000 saving

Reduced painting budget

£50,000 saving

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(3) that the options to (a) establish a computer/IT development budget to allow purchase of an integrated housing management software package and (b) increase estate repairs across all estates be funded from Capital;

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(4)  that a Repairs and Renewal fund balance of £762,098 be applied to the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2001/2002; and

(5)  that approval be given to reducing the rebate from Building Services to the Housing Revenue Account by £300,000 to £333,060 in 2000/01.