Social Work & Housing Committee

Tuesday 27 February 2001 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor McCabe presided.

In Attendance:  Chief Executive, Mr H McNeilly (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Miss E Di Murro (for Head of Accountancy Services) and Head of Property Services.

Apologies:  Councillor Moody.

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

188

The Housing (Scotland) Bill - Presentation

188

The Convener advised that due to the inclement weather conditions, it would not be possible for Ms Fanchea Kelly, COSLA’s Housing Bill Adviser, to make a presentation to the Committee on the contents of the Bill.

(Provost Roach entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

189

The Housing (Scotland) Bill

189

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) on the contents of the Housing (Scotland) Bill and (2) advising of the implications for the Council of implementation of the proposals.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that it be agreed that the issues detailed in the report in relation to resourcing, the right to buy and the role of Scottish Homes be raised with COSLA to assist with the work which it is currently carrying out with a view to having the Bill amended.

190

The Housing (Scotland) Bill - Implications for the Homelessness Service in Inverclyde

190

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising of proposed changes to legislation concerning the local authority’s duties in relation to homelessness, as contained within Part I of the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

Decided:

(1) that it be agreed that the Director of Social Work and Housing Services be the lead officer in the production of a final Draft Homelessness Strategy;

(2) that appropriate notice of termination be served on the Salvation Army in respect of its occupation of the Inverclyde Centre which the organisation currently manages on behalf of the Council; and

(3) that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee with details of the additional management, operational and other implications of providing the improved homelessness service required by the Bill.

191

Social Work and Other Housing Services - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 10

191

There was submitted a report dated 16 February 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the position of the Social Work and Other Housing Services Revenue Budget as at Period 10 (10 January 2001).

Decided:

(1) that the current position of the Revenue Budget 2000/2001 be noted;

(2) that it be noted that work is continuing between Social Work and Finance Services to identify further savings and that the Director of Social Work and Housing Services will endeavour to reduce the projected overspend to no greater than the additional employee cost inflation; and

(3) that approval be given to virement of £28,000 from Care Element Transfer to Day Centres for Learning Disabilities in respect of sessional staff costs.

192

Social Work Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Technical Progress

192

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.

Decided:

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

(2) that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant financial regulations, an expenditure increase of £8,500 in respect of the Finnart House alterations project for the installation of a specialist damp proofing membrane and sump with associated builder work; and

(3)   that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant financial regulations, accumulated variations in the Finnart House alterations project which are £4,947 (11.31%) greater than the accepted tender amount.

193

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

193

There was submitted a report dated 7 February 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of the Social Work & Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Noted

194

Annual Report on Inspection of Residential and Day Care Services 1999/2000

194

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to approve the annual report on inspection of residential and day care services 1999/2000, copies of which had been circulated separately to Members.

Decided: that the annual report on inspection of residential and day care services 1999/2000 be approved.

195

Inverclyde Child Protection Procedures

195

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) advising of the completion of the new Inverclyde Council child protection procedures, copies of which had been circulated separately to Members, and (2) outlining the arrangements for introduction of the new procedures.

Decided:

(1) that the Inverclyde Council child protection procedures be approved; and

(2) that agreement be given to the introduction of the procedures within Social Work and Housing Services.

196

Authorised Providers List for Social Care Services

196

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.

197

Policy on Risk Assessment and Physical Intervention

197

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) requesting the Committee to approve the adoption of a policy document on risk assessment and physical intervention, copies of which had been circulated separately to Members, and (2) setting out the reasons why such a policy was required in order to safeguard service users and staff.

Decided:

(1) that the policy on risk assessment and physical intervention be endorsed; and

(2) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work and Housing Services to implement the policy as a means of improving services and safeguarding individuals, other service users and staff.

198

Revised Maintenance Rates - Independent Sector Provision

198

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) advising that central government had agreed an increased scale of charges for payments by local authorities to independent sector providers and (2) requesting the Committee to approve the revised rates as set out in the Appendix to the report.

Decided:

(1) that the increased scale of charges set by central government in respect of independent sector provision be noted; and

(2) that the maintenance rates as set out in the Appendix to the report be approved and implemented from 9 April 2001.

199

Revised Maintenance Rates for Establishments Outwith Inverclyde

199

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 located outwith Inverclyde.

Decided: that approval be given to the recommended rates applying to residents in establishments outwith Inverclyde funded by Inverclyde Council.

200

Housing Revenue Account - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 10

200

There was submitted a report dated 16 February 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at period 10 (10 January 2001).

Noted

201

HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Technical Progress

201

There was submitted a report dated 8 February 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001.  There was also circulated to the Committee, a proposed architect’s instruction in respect of the Eastern View replacement window contract, which the Committee was requested to approve.

Decided:

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

(2) that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant financial regulations, accumulated variations in the Central Gourock window replacement project which are £20,825 (10.9%) greater than the accepted tender amount; and

(3) that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant financial regulations, an expenditure increase of £12,156 in respect of the Eastern View window replacement project resulting from the removal of asbestos.

202

HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001 - Financial Position

202

There was submitted a report dated 7 February 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 2000/2001.

Noted

203

Central Gourock Window Replacement Project, Phase 2 - Inclusion of Additional Addresses

203

There was submitted a report dated 24 January 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure as set out in Standing Order 66(a) to include additional properties within Phase 2 of the Central Gourock window replacement project at an estimated cost of £28,328 including fees.

Decided:

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

(2) that it be noted that the additional costs can be contained within the Capital Programme for 2000/2001.

204

Housing Benefit Service

204

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising of the progress made in addressing the backlog of work within the Housing Benefit Service following the industrial action taken between November 2000 and January 2001.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that it be noted that a further report on the outstanding work within the Housing Benefit Service will be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

205

Increase in Garage Rents and Other Charges

205

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services recommending increases in garage rents and other charges for implementation from 1 April 2001.

Decided:

(1) that charges for tv aerial maintenance and stair lighting maintenance be increased by 3.4% in 2001/2002 and that all other charges (lock up garages, covered parking, ground sites, allotments, factorage charges, mortgage reference fees) be increased by 5.96% in line with the rent increase for 2001/2002; and

(2) that in future years these charges be increased automatically in line with the Council house rents and the retail price index.

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)

Irrecoverable Rent Arrears: Request to Write Off                       2 & 6

Houses in Dunlop Street Area, Greenock - Structural

Settlement                                                                                        6 & 8

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

Safeguarders                                                                                    6

Building Services - Revenue Monitoring Report -

Period 10                                                                                           8

Hospital Resettlement Programme for People With

Learning Disabilities: Commissioning and Contracting

Arrangements                                                                                   6, 8 & 9

206

Irrecoverable Rent Arrears: Request to Write Off

206

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the position in respect of arrears of rent in excess of £500 outstanding as at 31 March 2000.

Decided: that approval be given to the write-off of former tenants rent arrears totalling £167,759.63 detailed in Appendix 1 to the report without prejudice to the future recovery of the debts should that prove possible.

207

Houses in Dunlop Street Area, Greenock - Structural Settlement

207

There was submitted a report dated 16 February 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) advising of problems with structural settlement in the Dunlop Street area, Greenock and (2) making recommendations with regard to the remedial work required at specific addresses, which were agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix.

208

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

208

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal and Support Services seeking approval for the reappointment 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:

(1) that approval be granted for the reappointment of the Safeguarders listed in the Appendix to the report for the year 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 subject to no subsequent adverse comments being received by the Director of Legal and Support Services; and

(2) that authority be granted to the Director of Legal and Support Services to approve any further appointments of Safeguarders for 2001/2002.

209

Building Services - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 10

209

There was submitted a report dated 14 February 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the position of the Building Services Revenue Budget as at Period 10 (10 January 2001).

Noted

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its  consideration to allow the Committee, if in agreement, to approve the funding required to assist in progressing the proposed scheme.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

210

Hospital Resettlement Programme for People With Learning Disabilities: Commissioning and Contracting Arrangements

210

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) advising of the progress of the development in Port Glasgow which will accommodate five people with learning disabilities and (2) requesting the Committee to approve the balance of funding amounting to £12,000 to allow the project to proceed.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that agreement be given to utilisation of £12,000 of resource transfer funding from Argyll & Clyde Health Board to Inverclyde Council in financial year 2000/2001 to assist in progressing the proposed scheme.