12 September 2001

HOUSING REVIEW PANEL

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 12 September 2001 at 9.30am

PRESENT

Mr Norman M Macleod (Vice-Chairman, In the Chair)

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr James L Macarthur

APOLOGIES

Mr George Lonie (Chairman)

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Angus Nicholson

Mr David Blaney

CONSTITUTION

Appointment of Chairman

49

The Principal Administrator chaired the Meeting and called for nominations for Chairman of the Committee.

Mr Norman M Macleod, seconded by Mr Murdo Macleod, moved the election of Mr George Lonie.

There being no further nominations, the Principal Administrator declared Mr George Lonie duly elected as Chairman of the Committee until the end of the current term of the Comhairle, expected to be in May 2003, subject to any changes arising from the introduction of the new Committee structures.

Appointment of Vice-Chairman

50

In the absence of the Chairman, the Principal Administrator chaired the Meeting and called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

Mr Iain Morrison, seconded by Mr James L Macarthur, moved the election of Mr Norman M Macleod.

There being no further nominations, the Principal Administrator declared Mr Norman M Macleod duly elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee until the end of the current term of the Comhairle, expected to be in May 2003, subject to any changes arising from the introduction of the new Committee structures.

MINUTES

Minute of Meeting of 20 June 2001

51

The Minute of Meeting of 20 June 2001 was approved.

PRIVATE HOUSING

Grant Application

52

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Repairs Grant in respect of works at 44 Cross Skigersta Road, Ness, Isle of Lewis from Mr Norman Morrison, who is the brother in law of Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, the Member for the Ness ward. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 44 Cross Skigersta Road, Ness, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant.

However, the applicant inadvertently started the work in advance of grant approval but he has explained that the commencement of works was the result of a genuine misunderstanding on his part.

It was agreed that the grant application be approved in principle and that the Director for Sustainable Communities be given delegated authority for formally approve this case when the applicant has accrued sufficient points to be included in the tranche of approvals being awarded in a particular month.

Grant Application

53

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Disabled Grant in respect of installation of supplementary heating works at 6 Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis from Mr Hugh Macinnes, who is the brother in law of a Senior Building Control Officer in the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 6 Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant.

It was agreed, subject to the approval by the Housing Committee on 28 August 2001 of the amendment in policy relating to Disable Heating Grants, this grant application be approved.

Grant Application

54

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Disabled Grant in respect of works at 6 Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis from Mr Hugh Macinnes, who is the brother in law of a Senior Building Control Officer in the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 6 Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant.

It was agreed that the grant application be approved.

Grant Application

55

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Disabled Grant in respect of works at 43 Breasclete, Isle of Lewis from Mrs Elizabeth Fraser, who is the mother of Principal Officer (Community Services) in the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 43 Breasclete, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant.

It was agreed that the grant application be approved.

Grant Application

56

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for an Improvement Grant in respect of works at Bruinish, 13 Upper Coll, Isle of Lewis from Mr Malcolm J Graham, the Member for the Coll Ward. The Report indicated that the proposed works at Bruinish, 13 Upper Coll, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant.

It was agreed that this application be approved in principle and that the Director for Sustainable Communities be given delegated authority to formally approve this case when the applicant has accrued sufficient points to be included in the tranche of approvals being awarded in a particular month.

Grant Application

57

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Repairs Grant in respect of works at 20 Balemore, Bayhead, North Uist from Mr J Macaulay, who is a Care & Repair Project Officer. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 20 Balemore, Bayhead, North Uist were eligible for grant.

It was agreed that this application be approved in principle and that the Director for Sustainable Communities be given delegated authority to formally approve this case when the applicant has accrued sufficient points to be included in the tranche of approvals being awarded in a particular month.

Grant Application

58

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for an Improvement Grant in respect of works at 4 North Glendale, South Uist from Mrs M Campbell, who is the mother-in-law of an Economic Development Officer employed by the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 4 North Glendale, South Uist, were eligible for grant.

It was agreed that this application be approved in principle and that the Director for Sustainable Communities be given delegated authority to formally approve this case when the applicant has accrued sufficient points to be included in the tranche of approvals being awarded in a particular month.

The Chairman ruled in accordance with Standing Order 8(b) that the following two items be considered as matters of urgency in order to minimise delay in determining the applications.

Grant Application

59

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Disabled Grant in respect of works at 52 Macaulay Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis from Mr Angus Murray who is the father-in-law of a Care & Repair Project Officer. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 5 Rushgarry, Berneray were eligible for grant.

It was agreed that this grant application be approved.

Grant Application

60

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Repair Grant in respect of works at 5 Rushgarry, Berneray from Mrs Jessie B Macleod. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 5 Rushgarry, Berneray were required in order to reduce a risk to health.

It was agreed that in light of the risk to health, notwithstanding current policy restrictions, it be delegated to the Director for Sustainable Communities to formally approve this application.

MANAGEMENT

Application for Essential Incoming Workers Status

61

The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning a request for Essential Incoming Worker Status for the post of Community Education Worker in Harris.

It was agreed that:

(1) the post of Community Education Worker, detailed in the Report, be awarded Essential Incoming Worker status; and

(2) the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to allocate a house in accordance with the housing needs of the postholder and his/her family.

Update of Information on Serious Rent Arrears Cases

62

The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information in relation to Serious Rent Arrears Cases which had been determined previously by the Sub-Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

Serious Rent Arrears

63

The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 0804810007. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history.

It was agreed:

(1) to note that £250.00 had been paid on 11 September 2001;

(2) to accept the tenant's offer to repay £356.47 per month inclusive of current rent due by Direct Debit from 1 October 2001;

(3) that the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection to repossess the property, if the abovementioned repayment agreement or any subsequent repayment agreement agreed by him was not discharged to his satisfaction; and

(4) in the event of the house being repossessed, all rent arrears associated with tenancy reference number 0804810007 be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued

Serious Rent Arrears

64

The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 0517890000. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history.

It was agreed:

(1) to note that £657.91 had been paid on 11 September 2001; and

(2) to accept the tenant's offer to repay £196.17 per month , inclusive of the current rent due, by monthly Direct Debit from 1 October 2001;

Serious Rent Arrears

65

The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 0510776633. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history.

It was agreed:

(1) that the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection to repossess the property; and

(2) in the event of the house being repossessed, all rent arrears associated with the tenancy be pursued.

Serious Rent Arrears

66

The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 0153507116. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history.

It was agreed:

(1) to accept the tenant's offer to repay £200.00 per week, inclusive of the current rent due, until the debt is cleared;

(2) to accept the tenant's proposal to commence weekly Direct Debit payments for current rent due when the debt is paid in full;

(3) that the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection to repossess the property, if the abovementioned repayment agreement or any subsequent repayment agreement agreed by him was not discharged to his satisfaction; and

(4) a further report be submitted on the current rent arrear situation to the next meeting.

Serious Rent Arrears

67

The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 09053560A3. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history.

It was agreed:

(1) that the Director of Housing write to the tenant expressing serious concern regarding the fact that the rent arrears situation had not been addressed by the tenant;

(2) that a substantial payment be made to considerably reduce the outstanding debt before the end of September 2001;

(3) that it be delegated to the Director of Housing to negotiate repayment to have the outstanding rent arrears paid in full by 30 March 2002; and

(4) a further report be submitted on the rent arrears situation for this tenancy to the next meeting.

___

PRESENT	Mr Norman M Macleod (Vice-Chairman, In the Chair)
	Mr Iain Morrison
	Mr Murdo Macleod	Mr James L Macarthur

APOLOGIES	Mr George Lonie (Chairman)	Mr Donald I Nicholson
	Mr Norman L Macdonald	Mr Angus Nicholson
	Mr David Blaney

		CONSTITUTION
Appointment of Chairman	49	The Principal Administrator chaired the Meeting and called for nominations for Chairman of the Committee. Mr Norman M Macleod, seconded by Mr Murdo Macleod, moved the election of Mr George Lonie. There being no further nominations, the Principal Administrator declared Mr George Lonie duly elected as Chairman of the Committee until the end of the current term of the Comhairle, expected to be in May 2003, subject to any changes arising from the introduction of the new Committee structures.
Appointment of Vice-Chairman	50	In the absence of the Chairman, the Principal Administrator chaired the Meeting and called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Committee. Mr Iain Morrison, seconded by Mr James L Macarthur, moved the election of Mr Norman M Macleod. There being no further nominations, the Principal Administrator declared Mr Norman M Macleod duly elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee until the end of the current term of the Comhairle, expected to be in May 2003, subject to any changes arising from the introduction of the new Committee structures.
		MINUTES
Minute of Meeting of 20 June 2001	51	The Minute of Meeting of 20 June 2001 was approved.

		PRIVATE HOUSING
Grant Application	52	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Repairs Grant in respect of works at 44 Cross Skigersta Road, Ness, Isle of Lewis from Mr Norman Morrison, who is the brother in law of Mrs Katie M Mackenzie, the Member for the Ness ward. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 44 Cross Skigersta Road, Ness, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant. However, the applicant inadvertently started the work in advance of grant approval but he has explained that the commencement of works was the result of a genuine misunderstanding on his part. It was agreed that the grant application be approved in principle and that the Director for Sustainable Communities be given delegated authority for formally approve this case when the applicant has accrued sufficient points to be included in the tranche of approvals being awarded in a particular month.
Grant Application	53	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Disabled Grant in respect of installation of supplementary heating works at 6 Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis from Mr Hugh Macinnes, who is the brother in law of a Senior Building Control Officer in the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 6 Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant. It was agreed, subject to the approval by the Housing Committee on 28 August 2001 of the amendment in policy relating to Disable Heating Grants, this grant application be approved.
Grant Application	54	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Disabled Grant in respect of works at 6 Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis from Mr Hugh Macinnes, who is the brother in law of a Senior Building Control Officer in the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 6 Lionel, Ness, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant. It was agreed that the grant application be approved.
Grant Application	55	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Disabled Grant in respect of works at 43 Breasclete, Isle of Lewis from Mrs Elizabeth Fraser, who is the mother of Principal Officer (Community Services) in the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 43 Breasclete, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant. It was agreed that the grant application be approved.
Grant Application	56	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for an Improvement Grant in respect of works at Bruinish, 13 Upper Coll, Isle of Lewis from Mr Malcolm J Graham, the Member for the Coll Ward. The Report indicated that the proposed works at Bruinish, 13 Upper Coll, Isle of Lewis were eligible for grant. It was agreed that this application be approved in principle and that the Director for Sustainable Communities be given delegated authority to formally approve this case when the applicant has accrued sufficient points to be included in the tranche of approvals being awarded in a particular month.
Grant Application	57	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Repairs Grant in respect of works at 20 Balemore, Bayhead, North Uist from Mr J Macaulay, who is a Care & Repair Project Officer. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 20 Balemore, Bayhead, North Uist were eligible for grant. It was agreed that this application be approved in principle and that the Director for Sustainable Communities be given delegated authority to formally approve this case when the applicant has accrued sufficient points to be included in the tranche of approvals being awarded in a particular month.
Grant Application	58	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for an Improvement Grant in respect of works at 4 North Glendale, South Uist from Mrs M Campbell, who is the mother-in-law of an Economic Development Officer employed by the Department for Sustainable Communities. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 4 North Glendale, South Uist, were eligible for grant. It was agreed that this application be approved in principle and that the Director for Sustainable Communities be given delegated authority to formally approve this case when the applicant has accrued sufficient points to be included in the tranche of approvals being awarded in a particular month.
		The Chairman ruled in accordance with Standing Order 8(b) that the following two items be considered as matters of urgency in order to minimise delay in determining the applications.
Grant Application	59	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Disabled Grant in respect of works at 52 Macaulay Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis from Mr Angus Murray who is the father-in-law of a Care & Repair Project Officer. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 5 Rushgarry, Berneray were eligible for grant. It was agreed that this grant application be approved.
Grant Application	60	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for a Repair Grant in respect of works at 5 Rushgarry, Berneray from Mrs Jessie B Macleod. The Report indicated that the proposed works at 5 Rushgarry, Berneray were required in order to reduce a risk to health. It was agreed that in light of the risk to health, notwithstanding current policy restrictions, it be delegated to the Director for Sustainable Communities to formally approve this application.
		MANAGEMENT
Application for Essential Incoming Workers Status	61	The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning a request for Essential Incoming Worker Status for the post of Community Education Worker in Harris. It was agreed that: (1) the post of Community Education Worker, detailed in the Report, be awarded Essential Incoming Worker status; and (2) the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to allocate a house in accordance with the housing needs of the postholder and his/her family.
Update of Information on Serious Rent Arrears Cases	62	The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information in relation to Serious Rent Arrears Cases which had been determined previously by the Sub-Committee. It was agreed to note the Report.
Serious Rent Arrears	63	The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 0804810007. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history. It was agreed: (1) to note that £250.00 had been paid on 11 September 2001; (2) to accept the tenant's offer to repay £356.47 per month inclusive of current rent due by Direct Debit from 1 October 2001; (3) that the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection to repossess the property, if the abovementioned repayment agreement or any subsequent repayment agreement agreed by him was not discharged to his satisfaction; and (4) in the event of the house being repossessed, all rent arrears associated with tenancy reference number 0804810007 be written off against the bad debt provision and be not pursued
Serious Rent Arrears	64	The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 0517890000. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history. It was agreed: (1) to note that £657.91 had been paid on 11 September 2001; and (2) to accept the tenant's offer to repay £196.17 per month , inclusive of the current rent due, by monthly Direct Debit from 1 October 2001;
Serious Rent Arrears	65	The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 0510776633. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history. It was agreed: (1) that the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection to repossess the property; and (2) in the event of the house being repossessed, all rent arrears associated with the tenancy be pursued.
Serious Rent Arrears	66	The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 0153507116. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history. It was agreed: (1) to accept the tenant's offer to repay £200.00 per week, inclusive of the current rent due, until the debt is cleared; (2) to accept the tenant's proposal to commence weekly Direct Debit payments for current rent due when the debt is paid in full; (3) that the Director of Housing be given delegated authority to seek, obtain and implement a Decree of Ejection to repossess the property, if the abovementioned repayment agreement or any subsequent repayment agreement agreed by him was not discharged to his satisfaction; and (4) a further report be submitted on the current rent arrear situation to the next meeting.
Serious Rent Arrears	67	The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning tenant rent arrears in respect of tenancy reference number 09053560A3. The Report gave background information and detailed the tenancy history. It was agreed: (1) that the Director of Housing write to the tenant expressing serious concern regarding the fact that the rent arrears situation had not been addressed by the tenant; (2) that a substantial payment be made to considerably reduce the outstanding debt before the end of September 2001; (3) that it be delegated to the Director of Housing to negotiate repayment to have the outstanding rent arrears paid in full by 30 March 2002; and (4) a further report be submitted on the rent arrears situation for this tenancy to the next meeting.