Social Work & Housing Committee

Tuesday, 15 January 2002 at 3.00 pm

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

Chair: Councillor McCabe presided.

In Attendance: Ms L Brabender (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Head of Financial Services and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

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

  20

Home Energy Conservation Act - Presentation

20

The Committee heard a presentation by Mr Graham McLennan, Housing Development Officer, Social Work & Housing Services on the progress of Inverclyde’s Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) Strategy from 1999 to 2001 and outlining the various initiatives undertaken during 2001/2002.  (Councillor Mitchell entered the meeting during the course of the presentation).

Members then asked Mr McLennan a number of questions which were answered by him, following which he left the meeting.

  21

Social Work & Other Housing Services - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 8

21

There was submitted a report dated 19 December 2001 by the Director of Finance Services on the position of the Social Work and Other Housing Services Revenue Budget as at Period 8 (14 November 2001).

Noted

22

Social Work & Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2001/02 - 2003/04

22

There was submitted a report dated 20 December 2001 by the Director of Finance Services on the financial position of the Social Work & Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2001/02 - 2003/04.

Noted

23

Inverclyde Partnership in Practice Agreement

23

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking approval of the draft Inverclyde Partnership in Practice Agreement appended to the report which it was proposed would form the section of the Joint Community Care Plan dealing with learning disability services.

Decided:  that the draft Partnership in Practice Agreement 2001-2004 appended to the report be approved.

24

Social Work Services Inspectorate Annual Report - Inspection Visit to Inverclyde Council

24

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the proposed visit to Inverclyde Council by the Social Work Services Inspectorate, the purpose of which was to review the development of Social Work Services within the Council area.  It was noted that the findings of the inspection visit would be made available for public scrutiny.

The Acting Head of Social Work Services advised the Committee that the visit of the Social Work Services Inspectorate would take place on 7 March 2002.

Decided:

(1)  that the importance of the inspection visit be noted;

(2)  that the Council be represented at the inspection visit by the Leader of the Council, the Convener of the Social Work & Housing Committee and one Member of the Minority Groups; and

(3)  that the Social Work Services Inspectorate be advised that the Council would wish the issue of recruitment and retention of staff within the national context placed on the Agenda for the visit.

25

National Child Protection Review

25

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the National Review of Child Protection initiated by the then Minister for Education, Europe and External Affairs, Jack McConnell, MSP, the aim of which was to promote the reduction of abuse or neglect of children and improve services for children who experienced abuse or neglect. 

Decided:

(1)  that the National Review of Child Protection and its importance be noted; and

(2)  that responsibility for co-ordinating a corporate response to the Review be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services.

26

Improving the Educational Attainment of Looked After Children - Additional Resources 2001/2002

26

There was submitted a report by the Directors of Social Work & Housing Services and Education Services (1) advising of the intention of the Scottish Executive to provide one-off additional funding aimed at improving the educational attainment of children and young people looked after and accommodated by the Council and (2) outlining proposals for utilising the funding which had been submitted to the Scottish Executive. 

The Acting Head of Social Work Services advised the Committee that the Scottish Executive had now approved funding to the Council totalling £208,000‘.

Decided:

(1)  that the Committee give its support to the initiative to improve the educational attainment of looked after and accommodated young people;

(2)  that the increased additional resources totalling £208,000 be noted; and

(3)  that a report on progress be submitted following implementation of the outline proposal.

27

HM Inspectors of Schools - Social Work Services Report : Learning with Care

27

There was submitted a report by the Directors of Education Services and Social Work & Housing Services on the progress made in implementing the recommendations contained in the report “Learning with Care” issued jointly by HM Inspectors of Schools and the Social Work Services Inspectorate.

Decided:

(1)  that the successful progress made towards implementation of recommendations 1 to 4 of the report, “Learning with Care” which had been reported to the Minister of Education, be noted; and

(2)  that progress reports be submitted to the Education Services and Social Work & Housing Committees on an annual basis in respect of the numbers, placement types and educational attainment of children and young people looked after and accommodated by the Council.

28

Criminal Justice Strategic Plan

28

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking endorsement and approval of the Strategic Plan for Criminal Justice Services covering the new inter-authority grouping of Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Councils as agreed by the Committee in August 2001.

Decided:  that the Strategic Plan for Criminal Justice Services appended to the report be approved.

29

Hector McNeil Baths - Demolition - Relocation of Sub-Station - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

29

There was submitted a report dated December 2001 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to accept a quotation from Scottish Power in the sum of £36,500 to relocate a sub-station on the site of the Hector McNeil Baths.

Noted

30

Housing Revenue Account - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 8

30

There was submitted a report dated 17 December 2001 by the Director of Finance Services (1) on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at Period 8 (14J November 2001) and (2) requesting the Committee to approve virement of £70,000 from open space maintenance to estate tidy costs, within Repairs to Council Houses.

Decided:

(1)  that the reduction in the projected overspend in the Housing Revenue Account to £407,000 be noted; and

(2)  that approval be given to virement of £70,000 from open space maintenance costs to estate tidy costs, within Repairs to Council Houses.

31

HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress

31

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & 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, accumulated variations in the soft strip demolition works at Arran and Bute Courts, Greenock which are 27.6% (£33,382) less than the accepted tender amount and re-measured quantities of (a) £6,200 due to a reduction in the amount required for dayworks, (b) £21,000 due to unused provisional sums and (c) £7,913 due to an underspend in the provisional sums for the removal of electrical consumer units and the draining down of water tanks.

32

HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Financial Position

32

There was submitted a report dated 21 December 2001 by the Director of Finance Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002.

Noted

33

Residential Sprinklers - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

33

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to approve a response to the sponsor of a Bill in the Scottish Parliament in relation to residential fire sprinklers by the deadline of 12 December 2001.

(Councillor O’Rourke left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided: 

(1)  that it be noted that comments were passed to the Bill sponsor as detailed in the report and in accordance with the comments set out in Section 4; and

(2)  that agreement be given to consider the installation of residential sprinklers in any Council new build projects should these take place.

34

Lift at Westburn Buildings, Greenock - Permission to Invite Tenders

34

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on proposals for the installation of a passenger lift at Westburn Buildings, Greenock and (2) requesting approval to invite tenders for the work.  (Councillor O’Rourke returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the installation of a passenger lift at Westburn Buildings, Greenock; and

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

35

Window Replacement Programme 2001/2002 - Holmscroft Area - Additional Addresses

35

There was submitted a report dated 13 December 2001 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services requesting approval to include additional properties at 24, 26 and 34 Roxburgh Way, Greenock within the Holmscroft Area window replacement programme at an additional estimated cost of £18,000 including fees.

The Head of Housing and Building Services advised the Committee that it was now proposed also to include the properties at 17 and 19 Roxburgh Way within the programme at an estimated cost of £12,000 including fees.

Decided:  that it be agreed to include the properties at 24, 26 and 34 Roxburgh Way and 17 and 19 Roxburgh Way within the Holmscroft Area window replacement programme.

36

Housing Services Review Group - Minute of Meeting of 6 November 2001

36

There was submitted minute of meeting of the Housing Services Review Group of 6 November 2001.

Noted

37

Rent Arrears (Quarterly Update)

37

There was submitted a report dated December 2001 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the rent arrears position for the second quarter 2001 and (2) providing statistics relative to the financial year to date.  (Councillor Morrison (D) left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that the continuing improvements made in arrears recovery performance be noted.

38

Factoring

38

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the background to and current position of the factoring service provided by the Council following the introduction of the RÏight to Buy legislation in 1980.  (Councillor Morrison (D) returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)  that the report be noted;

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to convene a Working Group of Elected Members, representatives of ECHO and appropriate Officers to discuss and, where possible, resolve outstanding issues relative to the factoring of former Council houses; and

(3)  that Councillors McCabe, Jackson and Rebecchi be appointed as the Council’s representatives on the Working Group.

(Provost Roach left the meeting at this juncture).

39

Implementation of Housing (Scotland) Act 2001

39

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the resource and other implications for Inverclyde Council resulting from the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and (2) providing an action plan to ensure successful implementation of the Act.  (Councillor O’Rourke left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)  that agreement be given to alterations to the original homelessness structure through the establishment of supplementary functions to address the prevention of homelessness and that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services and the Head of Personnel Services to consider the staffing implications thereof;

(2)  that agreement be given to the establishment of a temporary post to inform and support tenants through the new secure tenancy arrangements and to facilitate full tenant involvement in housing services and that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services and the Head of Personnel Services to determine the appropriate grade for the post;

(3)  that agreement be given to extension of the training time each Wednesday to allow the release of experienced staff to contribute to the preparations for the Single Regulator; and

(4)  that it be agreed to facilitate the development of a range of strategies by supporting a temporary planning analyst post and that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services and the Head of Personnel Services to determine the appropriate grade for the post.

40

Development of a Housing Support Service

40

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the proposed development of a Housing Support Service which would have the aims of assisting tenants, particularly new tenants, to sustain their tenancies, reduce turnover and increase length of tenancies.

Decided: 

(1)  that the report be noted; and

(2)  that a report evaluating the scheme be submitted to the Committee following the first six months of operation.

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 of business 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)

Roof Contract Phase 1, Port Glasgow                                6 & 8

Revised Maintenance Rates - Ridgepark House:            3 & 8

Scottish Society for Autism

Funding for Individual Care Packages in Excess              3 & 8

of £30,000 per Annum

Gas Heat Leasing Project - Group 6 - Use of                    6 & 8

Emergency Powers Procedure

Demolition of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae Courts -             6, 8 & 9

Removal of Materials Containing Asbestos Fibre -

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

Irrecoverable Rent Arrears : Request to Write-Off         2 & 6

Building Services - Revenue Monitoring Report -            8

Period 8

Additional Works to Glebe Court Sheltered                     6 & 8

Housing Complex : Use of Emergency Powers

Procedure

Structural Repair Work at Murdieston Street/                 6, 8 & 9

Dunlop Street, Greenock - Report on Tenders

Termination of Appointment to Panel of                            6, 13 & 14

Curators Ad Litem and Reporting Officers

and Panel of Persons to Safeguard the Interests

of Children

41

Roof Contract Phase 1, Port Glasgow

41

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services making recommendations with regard to the award of the contract for Phase 1 of the re-roofing works in Port Glasgow and the Committee agreed to award the contract in accordance with the recommendations, subject to the suspension of Standing Orders by the Council, all as detailed in the Appendix.  (Councillor Morrison (D) left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

42

Revised Maintenance Rates - Ridgepark House : Scottish Society for Autism

42

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking approval for an increase in the supplementation rate charged by the Scottish Society for Autism in respect of the services provided at Ridgepark House, to reflect the level of care required for a particular client.  (Councillor Morrison (D) returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:  that the increase in the supplementation rate be approved as detailed in the report with effect from 1 April 2001.

43

Funding for Individual Care Packages in Excess of £30,000 per Annum

43

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking agreement to fund a number of care packages for individuals with learning disabilities who had been re-settled into the community from Merchiston Hospital and the Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert.

Decided: 

(1)  that the individual care packages detailed in the report be approved; and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services in consultation with the Director of Legal & Support Services to make the necessary contractual arrangements to secure the care packages.

44

Gas Heat Leasing Project - Group 6 - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

44

There was submitted a report dated 19 December 2001 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to accept the lowest tender received for the installation of gas central heating systems in houses in Group 6 of the Heat Leasing Project, that by G D Chalmers Ltd in the corrected sum of £672,250.81.

Decided:

(1)  that the use of the emergency powers procedure to accept the tender submitted by G D Chalmers Ltd in the corrected sum of £672,250.81 be noted; and

(2)  that it be noted that a leasing arrangement would be entered into with Mileshield Commercial Funding Ltd for the leasing element of the contract.

45

Demolition of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae Courts - Removal of Materials Containing Asbestos Fibre

45

There was submitted a report dated December 2001 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to authorise additional work totalling £140,750 for the removal of material containing asbestos fibre at Arran, Bute and Cumbrae Courts and for a 6 week delay to the demolition contract resulting from these works.

Noted

46

Irrecoverable Rent Arrears : Request to Write-Off

46

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the position in respect of outstanding arrears of rent in excess of £500 as at 31 March 2001.

The Head of Finance and Administration advised the Committee that current tenant arrears as at 12 December 2001 totalled £1,075,661. 

Decided: 

(1)  that approval be given to the write-off of former tenants’ arrears totalling £230,622.91 detailed in Appendix 1 to the report without prejudice to the future recovery of the debts should that prove possible; and

(2)  that a further report be submitted to the Committee on the practice currently adopted for pursuing former tenant arrears and any proposals for altering the existing arrangements in terms of the Council’s debt management policy.

47

Building Services - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 8

47

There was submitted a report dated 17 December 2001 by the Director of Finance Services on the position of the Building Services Revenue Budget as at Period 8 (14 November 2001).

Decided:

(1)  that the action being taken by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services as detailed in the report be noted; and

(2)  that the report be referred to the Finance & Audit Sub-Committee to examine the position in detail.

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be advised at the earliest opportunity of the use of the emergency powers procedure in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 66(a).  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

48

Additional Work, Glebe Court Sheltered Housing Complex, Kilmacolm -

Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

48

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to authorise the Head of Property Services to instruct additional works within Glebe Court Sheltered

Housing Complex, Kilmacolm comprising the fitting of baths and other minor works in the total sum of £45,360 excluding fees.

Noted

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work & 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.

49

Structural Repair Work - Murdieston Street/Dunlop Street, Greenock - Report on Tenders

49

There was submitted a report dated 15 January 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services setting out for consideration tenders received for structural repair work at a number of properties in the Dunlop Street area, Greenock.  The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender and to authorise negotiations with a view to having work undertaken at a number of further properties, all as detailed in the Appendix.

The Convener, being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Legal & Support Services was relevant, competent and urgent, moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider the request for approval of the termination of the appointment without delay.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

50

Termination of Appointment to Panel of Curators Ad Litem and Reporting

Officers and Panel of Persons to Safeguard the Interests of Children

50

There was submitted a report by the Director of Legal & Support Services seeking approval of the termination of the appointment of an individual to both the Panel of Curators ad Litem and Reporting Officers and the Panel of Persons to Safeguard the Interests of Children maintained by Inverclyde Council for the Sheriff Court and the Children’s Hearing system in Inverclyde and this was agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix.