02 October 2001

HOUSING COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday 2 October 2001 at 11.00am

PRESENT

Mr George Lonie (Chairman)

Mr Norman M Macleod (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr James L Macarthur

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr David Blaney

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Calum Mackay

APOLOGIES

Mr Angus M Graham

Mr Angus Nicolson

MINUTES

Housing Committee H13.01.02

82

The Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2001, which included the record of decisions taken by the Committee at the meeting re-convened on 10 September 2001, was approved.

Housing Review Panel

H13.01.33

83

The Minute of Meeting of the Housing Review Panel of 12 September 2001 was noted.

FINANCE

Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2001/2002: Progress Report

84*

The Director of Housing submitted a Report regarding the Housing Revenue Account Capital Expenditure Programme for 2001/2002. The Report detailed the expenditure on the Programme and summarised details of variations within the Programme.

Details of the proposed revised Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme for 2001/2002 was appended to the Report, together with the anticipated expenditure profile for the Programme.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Director of Housing be authorised to revise the Housing Capital Programme for 2001/2002 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report to take account of project variations; and

(2) the expenditure profile shown at Appendix 2 of the Report by the Director of Housing be noted.

Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002

85*

With reference to item 66 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2001 the Director of Housing submitted a Report advising Members of expenditure incurred and committed in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002.

The Report stated that it was anticipated that expenditure in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget, for 2001/2002 could exceed the existing budgetary provision in the sum £6,148.

The Report stated that interim steps had been put in place in order to minimise the potential overspend.

It was agreed to recommend that:

(1) the Report concerning the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002 be noted; and

(2) the Director of Housing be authorised to implement the proposals identified at paragraph 6.1 and 6.2 of his Report in order the check the potential overspend on the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002.

It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely information relating to the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services would be disclosed.

Housing Revenue Account Reserves Transfer

86*

The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning the use of the Housing Revenue Account Reserves to fund the payment of a Building Maintenance DSO claim.

It was agreed to recommend that the Building Maintenance DSO claim of £55,060 be funded from the Housing Revenue Account Reserves.

Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002 Progress Report H04.42.70

87*

With reference to item 71 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2001 the Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on the Cyclical Painterwork Programme for 2001/2002 for properties held on the Housing Revenue Account.

It was intimated in the Report that there was at present some slippage in the remainder of the Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002 and that it was proposed to continue to closely monitor the Programme.

It was agreed to recommend that progress in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002 be noted.

Insurance Cover for Contaminated Land Balivanich H02.31.35

88*

With reference to item 81 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2001 the Director of Finance submitted a Report in connection with the costs associated with insuring against discovering any contaminated land at the site in Balivanich referred to in the Director of Housing's Report to the Committee on 10 September 2001, in relation to the acquisition by the Comhairle of 89 Ministry of Defence houses at Balivanich.

The Report by the Director of Finance stated that the Comhairle's brokers had approached three potential insurers in connection with the purchase of an insurance policy to cover any remedial works and potential liability claims that could arise as a result of contaminated sites at Balivanich and intimated that AIG Europe had provided a quotation, subject to the conditions detailed in Section 5 of Appendix 1 to the Report being satisfied.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Finance be authorised to accept the AIG Europe quote of £13,000 for £1 million Limit of Liability for a five year period, against discovering any contaminated land at the site in Balivanich referred to in the Report, provided that cover in these terms was confirmed by AIG Europe, following their review of the information detailed in Section 5 of Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Finance.

Balivanich Regeneration Project Acquisition of Ministry of Defence Houses H02.31.35

89*

With reference to item 81 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 September 2001 the Director of Housing submitted a Report intimating that missives had been concluded for the purchase of 89 houses at Balivanich from the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday 18 September 2001 with a Date of Entry of Thursday 20 September 2001. The Report gave details of the programme of works which it was proposed to undertake to the houses at Balivanich and it was further intimated that the properties had been insured from the Date of Entry.

It was recommended that the Report be noted.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Housing in consultation with any officers of the Comhairle determined by him, be authorised to prepare a letter for the Chairman for onward transmission to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, expressing the Comhairle's concerns about the manner in which the acquisition by the Comhairle of 89 former Ministry of Defence houses at Balivanich was dealt with by the Defence Estates Agency, on the basis that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, would be requested to ensure that any future disposals of property at Balivanich would be undertaken, in such a way, as to restore and re-build good relations with the community and subject to the draft text being circulated to Mr James L McArthur, Member for the Benbecula North Ward, within one week from 3 October 2001 and sent to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, by 17 October 2001.

The Committee unanimously agreed that in accordance with the provision of Paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration the Committee determine the above recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers in light of the need to have the matter dealt with prior to the next meeting of the Comhairle, on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.

New Housing Partnerships: Progress Report

90*

The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on the progress made in relation to the New Housing Partnerships Initiative.

It was stated in the Report that it was anticipated the New Housing Partnerships Feasibility Study would be completed by mid-October 2001 and that a firm of Independent Tenants Advisors had been appointed by the Western Isles Residents Forum to provide tenants with independent advice on the proposals contained in the Feasibility Study. It was further intimated that the Independent Tenants Advisors who would hold a series of meetings with Tenants/Residents Associations in the Western Isles and would also produce news letters and brochures examining the Options Appraisal and Feasibility Study.

It was suggested in the Report that it would be appropriate to hold a housing conference to be held in Stornoway on the afternoon of 22 and the morning of 23 November 2001 at which DTZ Pieda Consulting, the consultants commissioned to carry out the Feasibility Study, would present their findings to Members, tenants and Officers of the Comhairle. It was further suggested that the implications arising from the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, particularly in relation to Homelessness could be explored at the conference together with the consultation on the Annual Budget Strategy.

It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Housing be authorised to arrange, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, a Housing Conference for the afternoon of 22 and the morning of 23 November 2001 at which the recommendations of the DTZ Pieda Consulting Feasibility Study would be discussed and the policy options in relation to stock transfer debated on the basis that all Members of the Comhairle would be invited to attend the Conference.

Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.02

91

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee since 1 May 1994.

It was agreed to note the Reports outstanding progress Report.

Arising out of consideration of the above item it was agreed to request the Director of Social Work to submit a Report giving information on the outcome of the research project relating to domestic abuse and the implications for future service development.

___

PRESENT	Mr George Lonie (Chairman)
	Mr Norman M Macleod (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Iain Morrison	Mr Norman L Macdonald
	Mr Alexander A Macdonald	Mr Angus Campbell
	Mr Malcolm J Graham	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Ian M Macleod	Mr James L Macarthur
	Mr Roderick J Murray	Mr David Blaney
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Mr Calum Mackay

APOLOGIES	Mr Angus M Graham	Mr Angus Nicolson

		MINUTES
Housing Committee H13.01.02	82	The Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2001, which included the record of decisions taken by the Committee at the meeting re-convened on 10 September 2001, was approved.
Housing Review Panel H13.01.33	83	The Minute of Meeting of the Housing Review Panel of 12 September 2001 was noted.
		FINANCE
Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2001/2002: Progress Report	84*	The Director of Housing submitted a Report regarding the Housing Revenue Account Capital Expenditure Programme for 2001/2002. The Report detailed the expenditure on the Programme and summarised details of variations within the Programme. Details of the proposed revised Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme for 2001/2002 was appended to the Report, together with the anticipated expenditure profile for the Programme. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Director of Housing be authorised to revise the Housing Capital Programme for 2001/2002 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the Report to take account of project variations; and (2) the expenditure profile shown at Appendix 2 of the Report by the Director of Housing be noted.
Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002	85*	With reference to item 66 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2001 the Director of Housing submitted a Report advising Members of expenditure incurred and committed in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002. The Report stated that it was anticipated that expenditure in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget, for 2001/2002 could exceed the existing budgetary provision in the sum £6,148. The Report stated that interim steps had been put in place in order to minimise the potential overspend. It was agreed to recommend that: (1) the Report concerning the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002 be noted; and (2) the Director of Housing be authorised to implement the proposals identified at paragraph 6.1 and 6.2 of his Report in order the check the potential overspend on the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2001/2002.
		It was agreed that the public, including the press, be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following Item on the grounds that exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7A of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 would be disclosed, namely information relating to the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Comhairle under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services would be disclosed.
Housing Revenue Account Reserves Transfer	86*	The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning the use of the Housing Revenue Account Reserves to fund the payment of a Building Maintenance DSO claim. It was agreed to recommend that the Building Maintenance DSO claim of £55,060 be funded from the Housing Revenue Account Reserves.
Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002 Progress Report H04.42.70	87*	With reference to item 71 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2001 the Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on the Cyclical Painterwork Programme for 2001/2002 for properties held on the Housing Revenue Account. It was intimated in the Report that there was at present some slippage in the remainder of the Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002 and that it was proposed to continue to closely monitor the Programme. It was agreed to recommend that progress in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2001/2002 be noted.
Insurance Cover for Contaminated Land Balivanich H02.31.35	88*	With reference to item 81 of the Minute of Meeting of 28 August 2001 the Director of Finance submitted a Report in connection with the costs associated with insuring against discovering any contaminated land at the site in Balivanich referred to in the Director of Housing's Report to the Committee on 10 September 2001, in relation to the acquisition by the Comhairle of 89 Ministry of Defence houses at Balivanich. The Report by the Director of Finance stated that the Comhairle's brokers had approached three potential insurers in connection with the purchase of an insurance policy to cover any remedial works and potential liability claims that could arise as a result of contaminated sites at Balivanich and intimated that AIG Europe had provided a quotation, subject to the conditions detailed in Section 5 of Appendix 1 to the Report being satisfied.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Finance be authorised to accept the AIG Europe quote of £13,000 for £1 million Limit of Liability for a five year period, against discovering any contaminated land at the site in Balivanich referred to in the Report, provided that cover in these terms was confirmed by AIG Europe, following their review of the information detailed in Section 5 of Appendix 1 of the Report by the Director of Finance.
Balivanich Regeneration Project Acquisition of Ministry of Defence Houses H02.31.35	89*	With reference to item 81 of the Minute of Meeting of 10 September 2001 the Director of Housing submitted a Report intimating that missives had been concluded for the purchase of 89 houses at Balivanich from the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday 18 September 2001 with a Date of Entry of Thursday 20 September 2001. The Report gave details of the programme of works which it was proposed to undertake to the houses at Balivanich and it was further intimated that the properties had been insured from the Date of Entry. It was recommended that the Report be noted. It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Housing in consultation with any officers of the Comhairle determined by him, be authorised to prepare a letter for the Chairman for onward transmission to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, expressing the Comhairle's concerns about the manner in which the acquisition by the Comhairle of 89 former Ministry of Defence houses at Balivanich was dealt with by the Defence Estates Agency, on the basis that the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, would be requested to ensure that any future disposals of property at Balivanich would be undertaken, in such a way, as to restore and re-build good relations with the community and subject to the draft text being circulated to Mr James L McArthur, Member for the Benbecula North Ward, within one week from 3 October 2001 and sent to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, by 17 October 2001. The Committee unanimously agreed that in accordance with the provision of Paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Administration the Committee determine the above recommendation on behalf of the Comhairle under delegated powers in light of the need to have the matter dealt with prior to the next meeting of the Comhairle, on the basis that the recommendation was not contentious and did not breach a major policy position of the Comhairle.
New Housing Partnerships: Progress Report	90*	The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on the progress made in relation to the New Housing Partnerships Initiative. It was stated in the Report that it was anticipated the New Housing Partnerships Feasibility Study would be completed by mid-October 2001 and that a firm of Independent Tenants Advisors had been appointed by the Western Isles Residents Forum to provide tenants with independent advice on the proposals contained in the Feasibility Study. It was further intimated that the Independent Tenants Advisors who would hold a series of meetings with Tenants/Residents Associations in the Western Isles and would also produce news letters and brochures examining the Options Appraisal and Feasibility Study. It was suggested in the Report that it would be appropriate to hold a housing conference to be held in Stornoway on the afternoon of 22 and the morning of 23 November 2001 at which DTZ Pieda Consulting, the consultants commissioned to carry out the Feasibility Study, would present their findings to Members, tenants and Officers of the Comhairle. It was further suggested that the implications arising from the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, particularly in relation to Homelessness could be explored at the conference together with the consultation on the Annual Budget Strategy.
		It was agreed to recommend that the Director of Housing be authorised to arrange, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, a Housing Conference for the afternoon of 22 and the morning of 23 November 2001 at which the recommendations of the DTZ Pieda Consulting Feasibility Study would be discussed and the policy options in relation to stock transfer debated on the basis that all Members of the Comhairle would be invited to attend the Conference.
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.02	91	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the Reports outstanding arising from decisions of the Committee since 1 May 1994. It was agreed to note the Reports outstanding progress Report. Arising out of consideration of the above item it was agreed to request the Director of Social Work to submit a Report giving information on the outcome of the research project relating to domestic abuse and the implications for future service development.