Social Work & Housing Committee

 Tuesday 22 May 2001 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair:  Councillor McCabe presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillors Mitchell and Nimmo.

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

463

Social Work Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress

463

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1) that the reallocation of the current Social Work Minor Capital Works Budget to the Glenburn Phase 2 project be approved;

(2) that it be noted that the Director of Social Work and Housing Services will report further on funding options for Glenburn Phase 2 at a later date; and

(3) that the report be referred to the Policy and Strategy Committee for approval to enter into a contract for the refurbishment of 10-16 Gibshill Road with expenditure in 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 to be met from the available capital allocation for Social Work and Housing Services in 2002/2003.

464

Social Work and Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2001/2002 - 2003/2004 - Financial Position

464

There was submitted a report dated 4 May 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of the Social Work & Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2001/2002 - 2003/2004.

Noted

465

Adaptations to Finnart House - Permission to Issue Architect’s Instruction - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

465

There was submitted a report dated May 2001 by the Depute Chief Executive advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to issue an Architect’s Instruction to the value of £5,200 in respect of necessary reinstatøement work at Finnart House, Greenock.

Noted

466

Revised Maintenance Rates for Establishments Within and Outwith Inverclyde

466

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services requesting the Committee to approve maintenance rates which reflect the weekly cost per person for permanent residents in registered residential establishments located both within and outwith Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that approval be given to the recommended rates detailed in the Appendix to the report in order that the Director of Social Work and Housing Services may make appropriate payments in the event of residential placements being made.

467

Modernising Services for Older People in Argyll and Clyde - A Multi-Agency 10 Year Strategy

467

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the background to and content of the multi-agency 10 year strategy, Modernising Services for Older People in Argyll and Clyde, which was presently in second draft form.  The report advised that it was anticipated the final strategy document would be produced by May 2001 and that local authority and health partners across the Argyll and Clyde area would endorse the strategy prior to a public launch in June.

Decided: that the draft strategy be endorsed in order that the finalised version may be jointly signed and published.

468

HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress

468

There was submitted a report dated 3 May 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1) that the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002 be noted; and

(2) that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant financial regulations, an expenditure decrease of £10,000 in respect of Phase 4 of the refurbishment works at Brown Street/Baxter Street, Greenock as a result of the deletion of an allowance for external works to owner-occupied houses.

469

HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Financial Position

469

There was submitted a report dated 4 May 2001 by the Head of Accountancy Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002.

Decided:

(1) that the current position of the HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002 be noted; and

(2) that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the position with regard to the installation of safety devices in Council houses.

470

Major Repairs Programme 2001/2002

470

There was submitted a report dated 8 May 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) on the position of the Major Repairs Programme for 2001/2002 and (2) seeking authority to invite competitive tenders for certain projects.

Decided:

(1) that the proposed Major Repairs Programme for 2001/2002 as set out in the Appendix to the report be noted;

(2) that authority be granted to the Director of Legal and Support Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of tenders for extension works and associated adaptations to a house at Milton Road, Port Glasgow for use by a disabled occupant;

(3) that authority be granted to the Director of Legal and Support Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the installation of a passenger lift to serve Westburn Buildings, Greenock; and

(4) that the roughcast repairs project at Gael Street, Greenock be funded from the Major Repairs Budget in the current financial year.

471

Heat Leasing Programme 2000/2001

471

There was submitted a report dated 14 May 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the progress of the Heat Leasing Programme.

Noted

472

Review of Delivery of Homelessness Service

472

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services making recommendations in respect of the restructuring of the delivery of the homelessness service in Inverclyde as a consequence of the proposals contained within the Housing (Scotland) Bill.

Decided:

(1) that agreement be given to the establishment of the proposed homelessness service unit as outlined in the Appendix to the report and that it be remitted to the Head of Personnel Services to report on the staffing implications to the Corporate Business Committee for approval; and

(2) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work and Housing Services to report further to the Committee with proposals for the redesign of the Inverclyde Centre to provide a suitable facility for the delivery of an improved homelessness service.

473

Housing Benefit Service

473

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) advising of the progress made in addressing the backlog of work in the Housing Benefit Service following the industrial action taken between November 2000 and January 2001 and (2) proposing an extension to the current opening hours of the service.

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.

474

Benefit Control Team - Performance 2000/2001

474

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services providing management information on the performance of the Benefit Control Team and its anti-fraud work during the financial year 2000/2001.

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 progress the works proposed without delay.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

475

Refurbishment of Retained Stock in Gibshill Estate, Greenock

475

There was submitted a report dated 8 May 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on proposals for the refurbishment of the retained housing stock in the Gibshill estate, Greenock.

Decided:

(1) that agreement be given to the refurbishment of the ten houses at 18, 20, 26-40 Fir Street, Greenock, during 2001/2002 and to commence the upgrading of the retained stock within the Gibshill estate;

(2) that the design specification as detailed in Paragraph 4.1 of the report be approved and authority be granted to the Director of Legal and Support Services in consultation with the appropriate Officers to arrange for the invitation of tenders based on this scope of works; and

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

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)

Satellite TV-Upgrade                                                                             6 & 8

Funding for Individual Care Package in Excess of

£30,000 per annum                                                                                 3, 6 & 8

Provision of Residential Care - Request for Additional

Financial Resources to Meet Increased Needs                                   3, 6 & 8

Residential Project for Young People with Disabilities                        3, 6 & 8

Hospital Resettlement Programme for People with

Learning Disabilities - Tender Evaluation                                            3, 6 & 8

Staffing Amendments: Housing Benefit and Rent

Accounting Services                                                                               1

Property Shop - Greenock Town Centre                                              8

Property Shop - Greenock Town Centre -

Supplementary Report                                                                           6, 8 & 9

Housing Services Accommodation - Nicolson Street, Greenock        6, 8 & 9

Maintenance and Repair of Gas Boiler Plant within

Sheltered Housing Complexes                                                              6 & 8

5, 7, 9 and 11 Gael Street, Greenock - Re-rendering -

Report on Tenders                                                                                 6 & 8

476

Satellite TV - Upgrade

476

There was submitted a report dated 14 May 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services (1) on proposals for the upgrading of the Council’s satellite TV systems within its housing stock and (2) seeking consent to accept a negotiated price received from the existing maintenance contractor.

Decided:

(1) that with the exception of 53/59 Ann Street, Greenock, the satellite receiving facilities at the addresses contained in the Appendix to the  report be upgraded at a total cost of £27,620; and

(2) that an order be placed with the Council’s existing maintenance contractor, Greenock Relay Signals, for the appropriate work at each location.

477

Funding for Individual Care Package in Excess of £30,000 Per Annum

477

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services seeking agreement to fund a care package for an individual with a learning disability who is being resettled into the community from Merchiston Hospital.

Decided: that the augmented care package be approved, to be funded through Resource Transfer.

      478

Provision of Residential Care - Request for Additional Financial Resources to Meet Increased Needs

478

There was submitted an amended report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services seeking approval for additional supplementation to meet the increased highly specialised needs of an individual.

Decided: that approval be given to the additional financial provision required, to be funded through Resource Transfer.

479

Residential Project for Young People with Disabilities

479

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services advising of a proposed project in partnership with Quarriers to provide a small residential unit for young people with disabilities located within Quarriers Village to be met from the Child Care Supplementation Budget.

Councillors O’Rourke and Robertson (A) left the meeting during consideration of this item of business.

Decided:

(1)   that approval be given to the development of the small residential unit as detailed in the report which will meet the individual needs of young people with disabilities for whom the Council has a statutory responsibility; and

(2) that it be noted that the new service is in accordance with the principles of the Children’s Services Plan and the requirements of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

480

Hospital Resettlement Programme for People with Learning Disabilities - Tender Evaluation

480

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the results of the tender evaluation process undertaken in relation to the delivery of the care support element of the resettlement of a number of people with learning disabilities into the community.  It was noted that the proposals would involve a housing association development in Port Glasgow and a number of individual tenancies within Greenock.  The Committee agreed to award a contract and enter into contract negotiations, all as detailed in the Appendix.

481

Staffing Amendments: Housing Benefit and Rent Accounting Services

481

There was submitted an amended report by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services recommending revisions to the present staffing structure within Housing Benefit and Rent Accounting Services.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee give its agreement to the revised management structure of Housing Benefit and Rent Accounting Services as detailed in Appendix 3 to the report; and

(2) that it be remitted to the Head of Personnel Services to report on the staffing implications to the Corporate Business Committee for approval.

482

Property Shop - Greenock Town Centre

482

There was submitted a report dated 2 May 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on the current position with regard to the establishment of a Property Shop to be located within Greenock Town Centre, together with supplementary report dated 21 May 2001 advising that a retail unit in West Blackhall Street, Greenock would shortly become available, and recommending that the Council enter into a lease in respect of the premises, approve the establishment of the Property Shop and remit the staffing implications to the Corporate Business Committee for approval.  The Committee agreed to the proposals and for a progress report to be submitted to the Committee in August 2001, all as detailed in the Appendix.

483

Housing Services Accommodation - Nicolson Street, Greenock

483

There was submitted a report dated 1 May 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services requesting authority to lease a property at 30 Nicolson Street, Greenock to allow the relocation of the Kilblain Court and Broomhill Court housing offices and the creation of new office accommodation and public service facilities.

Decided: that the Council enter into a 15 year lease in respect of the premises at 30 Nicolson Street, Greenock on the terms and conditions detailed in the report and on such other conditions as are considered appropriate in consultation with the Director of Legal and Support Services.

484

Maintenance and Repair of Gas Boiler Plant Within Sheltered Housing Complexes

484

There was submitted a report dated 9 May 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services seeking authority to extend the contract for the annual maintenance and repair of gas boiler plant in sheltered housing complexes for a further 12 months.

Decided: that it be agreed to extend the current contract with ECG Building Maintenance Limited for the annual maintenance and repair of gas boiler plant in sheltered housing complexes for a further 12 months subject to an increase in rates as detailed in the report.

485

5, 7, 9 and 11 Gael Street, Greenock - Report on Tenders

485

There was submitted a report dated 10 May 2001 by the Director of Social Work and Housing Services on five tenders received for re-rendering works at 5, 7, 9 and 11 Gael Street, Greenock.

Decided:

(1) that it be remitted to the Director of Legal and Support Services to accept the lowest tender, that by Tamburini and Shields, in the sum of £37,057.95; and

(2) that should agreement not be reached with the one owner-occupier included in the proposed works, authority be given to substitute an alternative property within the estate.