Environment and Regeneration Committee

Monday 31 January 2005 at 1.30 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, Gallacher, Hill, McCabe, McCormick (P), Roach, Snoddy and Stewart.

Chair:  Councillor Fyfe presided. 

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Services, Mr G Douglas (for Head of Legal Services), Head of Housing Services and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

Apologies:  Councillor Mitchell.

The following paragraphs are submitted for confirmation or otherwise.

128

HRA Revenue Account Budget - 2005/06

128

There was submitted (1) a report dated January 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive on the proposed Housing Revenue Account Budget 2005/06 advising that the estimated shortfall in the Housing Revenue Account for 2005/06, on the basis of current levels of service, is estimated to be £933,270 but there are two ongoing exercises relative to possible Council Tax charges on long term voids and on the out-turn of housing jobbing repairs, and (2) a report dated 31 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services providing financial advice relating to the use of revenue reserves for consideration.

After discussion, Councillor Gallacher moved:-

(1)      that the report by the Director of Corporate Services be noted;

(2)      that the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2005/06 be agreed;

(3)      that funds from the Housing Reserve Fund Balance be applied to the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2005/06 to achieve an average weekly rent increase of 1.9%, to take effect from 31 March 2005;  and

(4)      that the charges in respect of lockup garages, covered parking, ground sites, allotments, mortgage reference fees and stair lighting maintenance be increased by 1.9% and that the TV aerial maintenance charge be increased to £12 per annum, to take effect from the first charging period after 31 March 2005;  and

(5)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to submit a report to the Committee with proposals for savings which would have no adverse impact on the level of service provision.

As an amendment Councillor McCabe moved :-

(1)      that the report by the Director of Corporate Services be noted;

(2)      that the Housing Reserve Fund balance be applied to the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2005/06 and that savings be identified to achieve no increase in rents for 2005/06;

(3)      that the charges in respect of lockup garages, covered parking, ground sites, allotments, mortgage reference fees, stair lighting maintenance and TV aerial maintenance be increased in line with the Retail Price Index as at December 2004 (approximately 3.5%);

(4)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to submit a report to the Committee with proposals for savings which would have no adverse impact on the level of service provision;  and½

(5)      that subject to the above the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2005/06 be agreed.

On a vote 3 Members voted for the amendment and 7 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1)      that the report by the Director of Corporate Services be noted;

(2)      that the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2005/06 be agreed;

(3)      that funds from the Housing Reserve Fund Balance be applied to the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2005/06 to achieve an average weekly rent increase of 1.9%, to take effect from 31 March 2005;

(4)      that the charges in respect of lockup garages, covered parking, ground sites, allotments, mortgage reference fees and stair lighting maintenance be increased by 1.9% and that the TV aerial maintenance charge be increased to £12 per annum, to take effect from the first charging period after 31 March 2005;  and

(5)      that it be remitted to the Depute Chief Executive to submit a report to the Committee with proposals for savings which would have no adverse impact on the level of service provision.

129

HRA Capital Programme 2005/2007

129

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the draft HRA Capital Programme for the years 2005/07.

Decided:

(1)      that the Capital Programme 2005/06 comprise the following projects:

(a)      the committed and uncommitted projects carried forward from 2004/05 at a total cost of £3,266,000 as set out in appendix 1 to the report;  and

(b)      the following projects:-

Ad hoc Heating Replacement          £200,000

Electrical Rewiring          £150,000

Replacement Roof Coverings                                                                         £  50,000

External Door Replacement Phase 4          £250,000

Kitchens and Bathrooms Phase 4          £200,000

Gibshill Phase 4          £600,000

BISF Houses Phase 2          £500,000

Sheltered Housing - Sprinklers                                                                        £  80,000

Aids & Adaptations          £300,000

HECA                                                                                                                         £180,000

Major Repairs £200,000

Lift Renewal £220,000

Heather, Thistle and Rowan Courts - External Cladding £400,000

Capitalised Salaries                                                                                         £  89,000; and

(2)      that the following projects be included in the Capital Programme 2006/07:-

Gibshill Phase 4 £160,000

BISF Houses Phase 2 £500,000

Heather, Thistle and Rowan Courts - External Cladding £100,000