Environment and Regeneration Committee

Tuesday 13 December 2005 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, Hill, McCabe, McCormick (P), Mitchell, Stewart and White.

Chair:  Councillor Fyfe presided. 

In attendance:  Depute Chief Executive, Mr G Douglas (for Solicitor to the Council), Chief Financial Officer, Head of Housing Services and Head of Planning Services.

Apologies:  Councillors Gallacher and Roach.

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

942

Heat with Rent - Charges

942

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on the current position of the Heat with Rent Account (1) advising that, as a result of the rules governing the fund over the years together with recent, significant increases in fuel prices, there was a deficit of £80,000 at the start of the current financial year and (2) setting out proposals with regard to charges for 2006/07.

(Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1)      that it be agreed to reinstate the full 10% contribution for fuel costs from the Housing Revenue Account to the Heat with Rent Account with effect from the date of withdrawal and to continue with that contribution;

(2)      that non-fuel costs be fully funded from the Housing Revenue Account with effect from 2 February 2006;

(3)      that, to reflect increases in fuel costs, Heat with Rent charges be increased by 73% with effect from 2 February 2006;

(4)      that a six-monthly review be undertaken with a report back to the Committee in August 2006;

(5)      that, in view of the significant increases in fuel costs, the Scottish Executive be requested to provide support to lessen the financial impact on vulnerable people;  and

(6)      that letters be issued to all affected tenants explaining the position and the steps being taken to manage the situation.

943

Housing Revenue Account Budget 2006/07

943

There was submitted a report dated 8 December 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer (1) on the current position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2006/07 indicating an initial base budget deficit of £2.58m had been identified prior to any savings or increase in rent, (2) setting out proposed cost reductions and indicating other options would be identified prior to the finalisation of the 2006/07 rent increase and (3) advising of the position of the Housing Reserve.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the latest position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2006/07 and that Officers are continuing to work on other cost reduction options;

(2)      that the Committee indicate its aspiration of limiting the increase in rents to no more than 5%, requiring £1.5m in savings;  and

(3)      that the timescales for consultation and the timing of the Committee to set the rents for the year 2006/07 be noted.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Depute Chief Executive was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to be apprised of the position with regard to the Housing Revenue Account 2005/06 and, if in agreement, approve action.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

944

Housing Revenue Account 2005/06

944

There was submitted a report by the Depute Chief Executive on options to balance the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2005/06, following the decision of the Committee at the meeting held on 1 November 2005 to remit it to the Corporate Management Team to report on options to balance the budget.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note the savings identified to reduce the overspend on the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2005/06;

(2)      that it be agreed that only works required to make houses safe, wind and watertight and to maintain essential services be carried out to houses scheduled for demolition;  and

(3)      that the multi-storey properties at Jedburgh and Langholm Courts be declared surplus to requirements and scheduled for demolition.

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 item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 13 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

945

Proposed Provisional Tree Preservation Order

945

There was submitted a report dated 6 December 2005 by the Depute Chief Executive on proposals relative to the making of a provisional Tree Preservation Order and the Committee approved the making of a provisional Tree Preservation Order at the area depicted on the plan annexed to the report, all as detailed in the appendix.