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SOCIAL WORK & HOUSING COMMITTEE - 9 APRIL 2002
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Social Work & Housing Committee Tuesday 9 April 2002 at 3.00 pm |
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Present: Provost Roach, Councillors McCabe, McGraw, Mitchell, Morrison (D), Nimmo, O’Rourke and Rebecchi. |
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Chair: Councillor McCabe presided. |
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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). |
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Apologies: Councillors Jackson and Robertson (A). |
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With the exception of the decisions marked “C” which are open for
confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for
information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the
Committee. |
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315 |
Social Work &
Other Housing Services - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 12 |
315 |
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There was submitted a report dated 3 April 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the position of the Social Work and Other Housing Services Revenue Budget as at Period 12 (6 March 2002). (Provost Roach entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business). |
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Noted |
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316 |
Social Work
Capital Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress |
316 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the technical progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 2001/2002. |
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Noted |
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317 |
Social Work and
Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2001/02 - 2003/04 - Financial
Position |
317 |
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There was submitted a report dated 26 March 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the financial position of the Social Work and Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2001/02 - 2003/04. (Councillor Morrison (D) entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business). |
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Noted |
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318 |
Hospital
Resettlement Programme for People with Learning Disabilities : Commissioning
and Contracting Arrangements |
318 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on care services required for individuals with learning disabilities leaving long stay hospitals and (2) requesting approval to invite tenders to deliver care in terms of the Learning Disability Hospital !‚Reprovision Programme. |
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Decided: (1) that offers of interest be invited by public notice and thereafter that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the provision of care and support services from providers selected by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services; (2) that it be noted there is likely to be a variation in the care requirements dependent on individual need and that it is therefore essential that the tendering process addresses not only the cost element of provision but reflects the requirement for a flexible care system to be put in place to respond to changing needs; and (3) that on completion of the tendering process the Director of Social Work & Housing Services report further to the Committee. |
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319 |
Authorised
Providers List for Social Care Services |
319 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & 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. |
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Decided: that the amendments to the Authorised Providers List be approved. |
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320 |
Support Services
Infrastructure Report |
320 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) detailing the impact of the Scottish Executive’s policy initiatives upon the support services and administrative function across Social Work & Housing Services and (2) proposing amendments to the staffing structure to respond to the additional workload and new responsibilities, together with the financial implications. |
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Decided: (1) that the Committee approve additional resources for Social Work & Housing Services to deal with the administrative consequences of changes being implemented within Social Work Services; and (2) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services and the Head of Personnel Services to deal with the staffing implications. |
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321 |
Housing Revenue
Account - Revenue Monitoring Report - Period 12 |
321 |
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There was submitted a report dated 27 March 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at Period 12 (6 March 2002) which projected an overspend of £161,000, a decrease of £9,000 since the last report to the Committee. |
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Decided: that the decrease in the projected overspend in the Housing Revenue Account Budget be noted. |
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322 |
HRA Capital
Programme 2001/2002 - Technical Progress |
322 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002. |
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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 £12,647 in the electrical re-wiring 1999/2000 Phase 2 contract due to a reduced amount of sundry additional work required, non-expenditure of contingencies, a reduced number of houses, the omission of wiring to lighting circuits at certain addresses, a reduced requirement for additional earthing and non-expenditure of dayworks. |
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323 |
HRA Capital
Programme 2001/2002 - Financial Position |
323 |
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There was submitted a report dated 28 March 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 2001/2002. |
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Noted |
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324 |
Income Management
System - Housing Services |
324 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the position in respect of the current cash receipting system and (2) requesting approval to negotiate with selected suppliers for a new income management system. |
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Decided: that approval be given to negotiate with selected suppliers for a new income management system. |
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325 |
Gas Cut-Off
Switches |
325 |
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There was submitted a report dated 28 March 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the progress to date in respect of the gas cut-off switch trial agreed by the Committee at the meeting held on 14 August 2001 (para 656). |
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Noted |
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326 |
46-52 Grosvenor
Road, Greenock - Lead Water Mains Replacement |
326 |
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There was submitted a report dated 28 March 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services requesting approval to invite tenders for the replacement of lead water mains at 46-52 Grosvenor Road, Greenock. |
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Decided: that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the replacement of lead water mains at 46-52 Grosvenor Road, Greenock. |
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327 |
Benefit Control
Team - Performance 2001/2002 |
327 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services providing management information on the performance of the Benefit Control Team and its ©anti-fraud work during the financial year 2001/2002. |
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Noted |
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328 |
Housing Control
Accounts: Over £500 Write-Offs |
328 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking authority to write-off outstanding transactions exceeding £500 within the Housing Control Account. |
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Decided: that approval be given to write-off outstanding transactions amounting to £1,386.85 from the Housing Control Account to the Housing Revenue Account. |
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329 |
Housing Services
Review Group : Minute of Meeting of 26 February 2002 |
329 |
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There was submitted minute of meeting of the Housing Services Review Group of 26 February 2002. |
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Noted |
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330 |
Allocation of
Community Flats to Tenant/Resident Associations |
330 |
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There was submitted a report dated 27 March 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking endorsement of a policy and procedures as set out in the report for the allocation of community flats to Tenant/Resident Associations which it was noted had been agreed by the Tenant Participation Working Group at the meeting held on 13 March 2002. |
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Decided: that the policy and procedures as set out in the report for the allocation of community flats to Tenant/Resident Associations as approved by the Tenant Participation Working Group be endorsed for future use. |
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331 |
Rent Arrears
(Quarterly Update) |
331 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the rent arrears position for the third quarter 2001-2002 and (2) providing statistics relative to the financial year to date. |
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Decided: that the continuing improvements made in arrears recovery performance be noted. |
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332 |
Grant Payments
for Tenants Associations |
332 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking the Committee’s agreement to draft procedures for the administration and payment of grants to Inverclyde Council Tenants Associations as set out in the report. |
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Decided: that the draft procedures for the administration and payment of grants to Inverclyde Council Tenants Associations as set out in the report be approved. |
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333 |
Housing Services
- Service Plan 2002/2003 |
333 |
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There was submitted a report dated 3 April 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the Service Plan 2002/2003 highlighting the strategic and operational context, outlining the achievements of the Service Plan 2001/2002 and the principles, aims and objectives for future years together with details of the objectives for 2002/2003. |
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Decided: that the Committee endorse the Service Plan 2002/2003. |
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334 |
Implementing the
Joint Future Agenda |
334 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the implementation of the Scottish Executive’s Joint Future Agenda to make public services more responsive to service users by developing a more co-ordinated and integrated approach, with the emphasis on a Single Shared Assessment process, (2) detailing joint resourcing, joint management and human resource issues with specific reference to Inverclyde and (3) recommending the establishment of a Joint Community Care Board from July 2002, with membership from Inverclyde Council, local health agencies and Communities Scotland, together with a number of operational groups with particular remits. |
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Decided: (1) that the contents of the reported be noted; and (2) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to arrange a Seminar for all Elected Members and Senior Council Officers to be held at 1 pm on Tuesday, 23 April 2002 to discuss the report and its implications to allow Officers of the Council to meet with Partners to prepare a Local Partnership Agreement for submission to the Scottish Executive. |
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335 |
Local Outcome
Agreement |
335 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the Scottish Executive’s response to Inverclyde’s Local Outcome Agreement for services to older people and (2) action required to obtain the Scottish Executive’s approval for a revised Local Outcome Agreement. |
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Decided: that, for its interest, the Committee confirm a revised Local Outcome Agreement be submitted to the Scottish Executive based on:- (i) the further substantial allocation of funds to Social Work Services in 2002/2003; and (ii) the further funds of £342,000 from the Scottish Executive in 2003/2004 being allocated to Social Work Services and highlighted in the revised submission of the Local Outcome Agreement. |
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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 appropriate payments to be made
if agreed by the Committee. This was
unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order. |
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336 |
Revised
Maintenance Rates for Establishment Outwith Inverclyde |
336 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services requesting the Committee to approve maintenance rates which reflect the weekly costs per person for permanent residents in a registered residential establishment located outwith Inverclyde. (Councillor Mitchell left the meeting during consideration of this item of business). |
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Decided: (1) that the establishment where persons from Inverclyde reside as appropriate 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 & Housing Services may make appropriate payments in the event of residential placements being made. |
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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 consider the
proposed investment framework at the earliest opportunity. This was unanimously agreed in terms of the
relevant Standing Order. |
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337 |
Prioritisation of
Investment in Private Sector Housing |
337 |
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There was submitted a report dated 3 April 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the development of a 10 year investment programme by the independent consultants appointed by the Council in conjunction with Communities Scotland and (2) seeking the Committee’s agreement to the proposed investment framework to enable investment in the Below Tolerable Standard houses within Inverclyde to be prioritised. (Councillor Mitchell returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business). |
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Decided: that agreement be given to the investment framework appended to the report thus enabling Organisational Development and Support to undertake its core work of generating a 10 year investment programme for private sector housing in Inverclyde against which the Council and Communities Scotland can target funds. |
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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 informed of the
inspection of the Housing Service by Communities Scotland at the earliest
opportunity. This was unanimously
agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order. |
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338 |
Housing Regulator |
338 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising that notification had been received from Communities Scotland that Inverclyde Council’s Housing Service would be subject to inspection in September 2002. |
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Noted |
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339 |
House Electrical
Testing - Permission to go to Tender |
339 |
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There was submitted a report dated March 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services requesting approval to invite tenders for the testing of house electrical installations. |
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Decided: that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for house electrical testing and that it be noted that the lowest acceptable offer will be accepted in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations. |
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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. |
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Item Paragraph(s) Funding for Care Package for 3
Individuals 3 & 8 Shop : Tay Street, Greenock 6,
8 & 9 Proposed Extension - Milton Road, Port
Glasgow 2, 6, 8 & 12 Proposed Demolition - 1-25 Osprey Road, Greenock and 1-49 Curlew Lane, Greenock 6 & 8 Structural Settlement - Old Inverkip
Road, Greenock 6 30 Nicolson Street, Greenock : New Office Refurbishment - Report on Tenders 6
& 8 58-66 Corlic Street and 48-56 Corlic Street, Greenock : Demolition - Report on Tenders 6 & 8 19/21 Lynedoch Street, Greenock : Conversion of Shops to Form Offices - Report on Tenders 6
& 8 DLO Performance Report - Building
Services 8 |
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340 |
Funding for Care Package for 3 Individuals |
340 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking agreement to fund a care package for 3 individuals with a learning disability who cannot be provided for within mainstream day services.á |
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Decided: (1) that the individual care package 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 package. |
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341 |
Shop: Tay Street,
Greenock |
341 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposals for the extinguishment of the lease of a shop at Tay Street, Greenock which were agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix. |
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342 |
Proposed
Extension: Milton Road, Port Glasgow |
342 |
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There was submitted a report dated 26 March 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services requesting authority to issue instructions for the relocation of a power cable in Milton Road, Port Glasgow to allow proposed extension works to be completed and this was agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix. |
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343 |
Proposed
Demolition - 1-25 Osprey Road, Greenock and 1-49 Curlew Lane, Greenock |
343 |
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C |
There was submitted a report dated 28 March 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services requesting authority to appoint a company to carry out the demolition of a vacant maisonette property at 1-25 Osprey Road, Greenock and adjacent lock-up garages at an estimated cost of £70,000 including fees. The Committee agreed to include the demolition of both properties within the Capital Programme, to appoint a company to carry out the works at 1-25 Osprey Road, Greenock and to invite tenders for the works at 1-49 Curlew Lane, Greenock, all as detailed in the Appendix. |
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344 |
Structural
Settlement - Old Inverkip Road, Greenock |
344 |
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There was submitted a report dated 21 March 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services requesting authority to invite tenders for structural repair works at Old Inverkip Road, Greenock and it was agreed to include the works in the Capital Programme and to invite tenders, all as detailed in the Appendix. |
C |
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345 |
30 Nicolson
Street, Greenock : New Office Refurbishment - Report on Tenders |
345 |
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There was submitted a report dated 25 March 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on 5 tenders received for the refurbishment and fitting out of the new Housing Office at 30 Nicolson Street, Greenock. |
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Decided: that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the lowest tender, that by Elim Construction Ltd in the corrected sum of £86,667.14. |
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346 |
58-66 Corlic
Street and 48-56 Corlic Street, Greenock : Demolition - Report on Tenders |
346 |
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There was submitted a report dated 18 March 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on tenders received for the demolition of the property at 58-66 Corlic Street, Greenock and seeking approval to negotiate with the lowest tenderer for the demolition of the property at 48-56 Corlic Street, Greenock. The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender for the demolition of 58-66 Corlic Street, Greenock and to negotiate with the lowest tenderer for the demolition of 48-56 Corlic Street, Greenock, all as detailed in the Appendix. |
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347 |
19/21 Lynedoch
Street, Greenock : Conversion of Shops to Form Offices - Report on Tenders |
347 |
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There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on 5 tenders received for the conversion of the shops at 19/21 Lynedoch Street, Greenock to form offices. |
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Decided: that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the lowest tender, that by Building Services in the sum of £34,793.11. |
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348 |
DLO Performance
Report - Building Services |
348 |
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There was submitted a report dated 26 March 2002 by the Director of Finance Services providing information on the performance of the Social Work & Housing Services DLO for the period to 6 March 2002. |
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Decided: (1) that the current position with regard to the performance targets be noted; and (2) that it be noted that the business plan targets and key performance measures would be developed further as a result of the approval of the Business Plans in due course. |
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SW&H-09APR02