19 NOV 2002

HOUSING COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Tuesday, 19 November 2002

PRESENT

Mr George Lonie (Chairman)

Mr Norman M Macleod (Vice-Chairman)

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Iain Morrison

Mr Angus Campbell

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Donald I Nicholson

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mr Martin C Taylor

Mr Roderick J Murray

Mr David Blaney

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Calum Mackay

APOLOGIES

Mr Ian M Macleod

Mr Angus Nicolson

MINUTES

Housing Committee

1

The Minute of Meeting of 1 October 2002 was approved.

Housing Review Panel

H13.01.03

2

The Minute of Meeting of the Housing Review Panel of 9 September 2002 was noted.

FINANCE

Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002

PR110.01

3

The Acting Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of progress with the Non-Housing Capital Account as at 30 September 2002. It was stated that the total forecast gross consent expenditure was £15,771,000, some £48,000 above the total available funding.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Acting Director of Finance concerning the Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002, insofar as the Committee's interests were concerned.

Second Quarter Revenue Forecast Out-turn 2002/2003

PR110.05

4

The Acting Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the Comhairle's forecast out-turn for 2002/03 following the second quarter monitoring.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Acting Director of Finance concerning the Second Quarter Revenue Forecast Out-turn 2002/2003, insofar as the Committee's interests were concerned.

Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003: Progress Report

PR110.01

5

The Director of Housing submitted a Report regarding the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003. The Report detailed expenditure on the Programme, summarised details of variations within the Programme, together with the reasons for such variations. It was stated in the Report that it was anticipated that an overspend would occur in relation to the budget line, headed `Change of Tenancy' and that in order to accommodate any projected overspend and to contain the level of expenditure within the overall Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme for 2002/2003, it had been necessary to undertake virements as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report.

It was agreed to:

(1) recommend that the Housing Capital Programme 2002/2003 be revised as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report to take account of project variations, and;

(2) note the Expenditure Profile as shown at Appendix 2 of the Report.

Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003: Capital Funded from Current Revenue

PR110.01

6

The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on progress on individual projects included in the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003: Capital Funded from Current Revenue (CFCR).

It was agreed to recommend that progress with respect to the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003 (CFCR) be noted.

Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2002/2003

PR100.04

7

The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving details of expenditure incurred and committed in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2002/2003. It was stated in the Report that it was anticipated that expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2002/2003 could exceed the existing budgetary provision in the sum of £14,476.00. The Report emphasised that the Repairs and Maintenance Budget for 2002/2003 would continue to be closely monitored.

It was agreed to note the Report.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman declared an interest in the following two items and left the Meeting during consideration of the matters.

Mr Donald I Nicholson chaired the Meeting.

Housing Revenue Account Financial Plan 2003/2004 - 2005/2006

PR110.15

8

The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report presenting the Housing Financial Plan for the years 2003/2004 to 2005/2006.

It was agreed to recommend approval of the Housing Revenue Account Financial Plan 2003/2004 - 2005/2006 be approved on the basis that the annual capital programme for 2003/2004 will be reported for approval once the Scottish Executive have issued formal notice of consent to borrow for that year.

Housing Revenue Account Budget Strategy 2003/04

PR110.05

9

The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report seeking Members' agreement for a budget strategy for the Housing Revenue Account 2003/2004.

It was agreed to recommend:

(1) that the strategy for the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2003/04 be based on the general principle of no growth and a standstill service; and

(2) approval of the budget-setting timetable detailed in Appendix to the Report.

MANAGEMENT

Homelessness 2002/2003

HO5.10.21

10

The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on homelessness statistics in the Western Isles during the period 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002. During this period, a total of 81 applicants for housing with the Comhairle had their housing needs assessed in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 Part II and the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Part I (Homeless Persons).

It was agreed:

(1) to note the Report, and;

(2) that further reports regarding the implications of the new Homelessness legislation be presented to the Committee as progress was made.

It was further agreed that the Director of Housing be authorised to make representations to the Department of Work and Pensions with a view to securing a change in legislation which would remove disincentives, within the current payment system, for those wishing to rent houses in the private sector.

Homelessness Strategy - Update

HO5.10.21

11

The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on the progress made in connection with the development of a Homelessness Strategy for the Western Isles. The Report stated that in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Part I, every Local Authority was required to undertake an assessment of homelessness and to prepare and submit to Scottish Ministers, a formal "Homelessness Strategy". It was intimated that the Comhairle had received £50,000 in additional grant funding from Communities Scotland in the 2001/2002 financial year, in relation to the preparation of a Strategy and that DTZ Pieda Consulting, in consultation with the local Homelessness Task Force, had now prepared a draft Homelessness Strategy, which would be the subject of further consultation, following the official launch of the Draft Strategy at the Local Housing Conference, which was planned to take place on 22 November 2002.

It was stated in the Report that DTZ Pieda Consulting would give a presentation to the Committee at its meeting in February 2003 on the Draft Homelessness Strategy.

It was agreed that:

(1) the Western Isles Homelessness draft Executive Summary as detailed in the Report be approved, and;

(2) the Strategy be issued for public consultation at the Local Housing Conference in November 2002.

Supporting People Initiative - Update

H01.01

12

With reference to item 4 of the Minute of Meeting of 26 March 2002, the Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning matters relating to the implementation of the Supporting People Initiative. The Report indicated that the Supporting People Initiative was due to be introduced on 1 April 2003 and that there was a growing belief amongst local authority Supporting People teams that the implementation process was not progressing satisfactorily enough to allow the successful introduction of the Initiative on the target date.

It was agreed that:

(1) the Comhairle should express its concern to the Scottish Executive regarding the implementation timetable for the Supporting People Initiative, and;

(2) further reports relating to the initiative be brought to the Committee when the Scottish Executive response to COSLA representations is known.

It was further agreed that the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, be authorised to make representations, including the arrangement of a meeting with Margaret Curran, MSP, Minister for Social Justice, to express the Comhairle's concerns in connection with the Supporting People Initiative, on the basis that the Comhairle would be represented by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman at any meeting with the Minister.

Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2002/2003: Progress Report

H05.16

13

The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning progress with regard to the Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2002/2003 for properties held on the Housing Revenue Account. The Report stated that progress up to 1 November 2002 on the Programme had been satisfactory and that the Programme would continue to be closely monitored.

It was agreed to note progress made with respect to the Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2002/2003.

Estate Handyman Service

H05.10.02

14

The Director of Housing submitted a Report referring to the decision of the Committee to undertake a consultation exercise with Members and appropriate organisations as part of a review of the Estate Handyman Service. The Report intimated that due to staff absences, the Review was not yet available and that it was now envisaged that the Review of the Estate Handyman Service would be submitted to the Committee at its meeting in February 2003.

It was agreed that the revised timetable, as detailed in the Report, in relation to the presentation of the Report on the Estate Handyman Service be approved.

PRIVATE HOUSING

Scheme of Administration for Smoke Detector Installation in Private Housing

H10.01.01

15

With reference to Item 8 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 October 2002, the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report appending a draft Scheme of Administration for Private House Smoke Detector Installation. It was intimated in the Report that it was proposed to install hard wired smoke detectors in up to 200 private houses in the Western Isles and that the homes of the most at risk elderly would be targeted as a priority.

It was suggested in the Report that in light of their experience with similar types of projects, it would be appropriate for the Western Isles Care and Repair to be responsible for administering the Private House Smoke Detector Installation Scheme which would be the subject of a review in April/May 2003.

It was agreed to approve the draft Scheme of Administration for Private House Smoke Detector Installation as set out in Appendix 1 of the Report.

Mr David Blaney declared an interest in the following item and left the Meeting during consideration of the matter.

Formal Agreement with Care and Repair

H10.15

16

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report appending a formal Service Level Agreement between the Comhairle and Western Isles Care & Repair.

It was stated in the Report that the proposed Service Level Agreement included more challenging performance targets for two key sectors of the grant application preparation process.

It was agreed to approve the formal agreement for the provision of Housing related services by Western Isles Care and Repair as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report.

LEGISLATION

Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 "The Modernised Right to Buy"

H01.01

17

The Director of Housing and the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Joint Report advising Members of changes affecting the Right to Buy, following the enactment of the Housing (Scotland) 2001.

The Report stated that the most important changes were to the terms and conditions attached to the Right to Buy, including changes to the initial qualifying period and to the way in which entitlement to discount was calculated. It was further intimated that, as a general rule, if a tenancy dated back prior to 30 September 2002, and it allowed the tenant to exercise the Right to Buy, then the old terms and conditions under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 would continue to apply, for as long as the tenant remained in that tenancy. However, with some limited exceptions, if a tenancy started on or after 30 September 2002, then the new terms and conditions associated with the modernised Right to Buy would apply in accordance with the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.

The Report stated that there had been an increase in Right to Buy applications within the Western Isles during the period April - October 2002, when compared to the same period in 2001.

It was agreed to note the Report.

CONFERENCES

Annual Housing Conference 2002

H11.02

18

The Director of Housing submitted a Report advising Member of the final details of the Annual Housing Conference to be held in Stornoway on 21^st and 22^nd November 2002. Details of the proposed Conference Programme were given in the Report.

It was agreed to:

(1) homologate the actions taken by the Director of Housing in connection with the organisation of the Annual Housing Conference 2002 as detailed in the Report, and;

(2) authorise the Director of Housing and Director of Corporate Services to make any further arrangements associated with the Conference.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Reports Outstanding: Progress

PR33.01.12

19

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the Reports Outstanding arising from the decisions of the Committee.

It was agreed to note the Report.

The Chairman indicated that a Report concerning the establishment of a Western Isles Credit Union would be submitted to the Policy & Finance Committee.

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

APOLOGIES	Mr Ian M Macleod
	Mr Angus Nicolson

		MINUTES
Housing Committee	1	The Minute of Meeting of 1 October 2002 was approved.
Housing Review Panel H13.01.03	2	The Minute of Meeting of the Housing Review Panel of 9 September 2002 was noted.
		FINANCE
Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002 PR110.01	3	The Acting Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of progress with the Non-Housing Capital Account as at 30 September 2002. It was stated that the total forecast gross consent expenditure was £15,771,000, some £48,000 above the total available funding.
		It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Acting Director of Finance concerning the Non-Housing Capital Monitoring 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002, insofar as the Committee's interests were concerned.
Second Quarter Revenue Forecast Out-turn 2002/2003 PR110.05	4	The Acting Director of Finance submitted a Report informing Members of the Comhairle's forecast out-turn for 2002/03 following the second quarter monitoring. It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report by the Acting Director of Finance concerning the Second Quarter Revenue Forecast Out-turn 2002/2003, insofar as the Committee's interests were concerned.
Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003: Progress Report PR110.01	5	The Director of Housing submitted a Report regarding the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003. The Report detailed expenditure on the Programme, summarised details of variations within the Programme, together with the reasons for such variations. It was stated in the Report that it was anticipated that an overspend would occur in relation to the budget line, headed `Change of Tenancy' and that in order to accommodate any projected overspend and to contain the level of expenditure within the overall Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme for 2002/2003, it had been necessary to undertake virements as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report.
		It was agreed to: (1) recommend that the Housing Capital Programme 2002/2003 be revised as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report to take account of project variations, and; (2) note the Expenditure Profile as shown at Appendix 2 of the Report.
Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003: Capital Funded from Current Revenue PR110.01	6	The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on progress on individual projects included in the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003: Capital Funded from Current Revenue (CFCR). It was agreed to recommend that progress with respect to the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2002/2003 (CFCR) be noted.
Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2002/2003 PR100.04	7	The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving details of expenditure incurred and committed in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2002/2003. It was stated in the Report that it was anticipated that expenditure on the Housing Revenue Account Repairs and Maintenance Budget 2002/2003 could exceed the existing budgetary provision in the sum of £14,476.00. The Report emphasised that the Repairs and Maintenance Budget for 2002/2003 would continue to be closely monitored.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
		The Chairman and Vice-Chairman declared an interest in the following two items and left the Meeting during consideration of the matters. Mr Donald I Nicholson chaired the Meeting.
Housing Revenue Account Financial Plan 2003/2004 - 2005/2006 PR110.15	8	The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report presenting the Housing Financial Plan for the years 2003/2004 to 2005/2006. It was agreed to recommend approval of the Housing Revenue Account Financial Plan 2003/2004 - 2005/2006 be approved on the basis that the annual capital programme for 2003/2004 will be reported for approval once the Scottish Executive have issued formal notice of consent to borrow for that year.
Housing Revenue Account Budget Strategy 2003/04 PR110.05	9	The Assistant Director of Housing submitted a Report seeking Members' agreement for a budget strategy for the Housing Revenue Account 2003/2004. It was agreed to recommend: (1) that the strategy for the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2003/04 be based on the general principle of no growth and a standstill service; and (2) approval of the budget-setting timetable detailed in Appendix to the Report.
		MANAGEMENT
Homelessness 2002/2003 HO5.10.21	10	The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on homelessness statistics in the Western Isles during the period 1 April 2002 - 30 September 2002. During this period, a total of 81 applicants for housing with the Comhairle had their housing needs assessed in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 Part II and the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Part I (Homeless Persons).
		It was agreed: (1) to note the Report, and; (2) that further reports regarding the implications of the new Homelessness legislation be presented to the Committee as progress was made. It was further agreed that the Director of Housing be authorised to make representations to the Department of Work and Pensions with a view to securing a change in legislation which would remove disincentives, within the current payment system, for those wishing to rent houses in the private sector.
Homelessness Strategy - Update HO5.10.21	11	The Director of Housing submitted a Report giving information on the progress made in connection with the development of a Homelessness Strategy for the Western Isles. The Report stated that in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Part I, every Local Authority was required to undertake an assessment of homelessness and to prepare and submit to Scottish Ministers, a formal "Homelessness Strategy". It was intimated that the Comhairle had received £50,000 in additional grant funding from Communities Scotland in the 2001/2002 financial year, in relation to the preparation of a Strategy and that DTZ Pieda Consulting, in consultation with the local Homelessness Task Force, had now prepared a draft Homelessness Strategy, which would be the subject of further consultation, following the official launch of the Draft Strategy at the Local Housing Conference, which was planned to take place on 22 November 2002. It was stated in the Report that DTZ Pieda Consulting would give a presentation to the Committee at its meeting in February 2003 on the Draft Homelessness Strategy.
		It was agreed that: (1) the Western Isles Homelessness draft Executive Summary as detailed in the Report be approved, and; (2) the Strategy be issued for public consultation at the Local Housing Conference in November 2002.
Supporting People Initiative - Update H01.01	12	With reference to item 4 of the Minute of Meeting of 26 March 2002, the Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning matters relating to the implementation of the Supporting People Initiative. The Report indicated that the Supporting People Initiative was due to be introduced on 1 April 2003 and that there was a growing belief amongst local authority Supporting People teams that the implementation process was not progressing satisfactorily enough to allow the successful introduction of the Initiative on the target date.
		It was agreed that: (1) the Comhairle should express its concern to the Scottish Executive regarding the implementation timetable for the Supporting People Initiative, and; (2) further reports relating to the initiative be brought to the Committee when the Scottish Executive response to COSLA representations is known. It was further agreed that the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, be authorised to make representations, including the arrangement of a meeting with Margaret Curran, MSP, Minister for Social Justice, to express the Comhairle's concerns in connection with the Supporting People Initiative, on the basis that the Comhairle would be represented by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman at any meeting with the Minister.
Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2002/2003: Progress Report H05.16	13	The Director of Housing submitted a Report concerning progress with regard to the Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2002/2003 for properties held on the Housing Revenue Account. The Report stated that progress up to 1 November 2002 on the Programme had been satisfactory and that the Programme would continue to be closely monitored.
		It was agreed to note progress made with respect to the Housing Revenue Account Cyclical Painterwork Programme 2002/2003.
Estate Handyman Service H05.10.02	14	The Director of Housing submitted a Report referring to the decision of the Committee to undertake a consultation exercise with Members and appropriate organisations as part of a review of the Estate Handyman Service. The Report intimated that due to staff absences, the Review was not yet available and that it was now envisaged that the Review of the Estate Handyman Service would be submitted to the Committee at its meeting in February 2003.
		It was agreed that the revised timetable, as detailed in the Report, in relation to the presentation of the Report on the Estate Handyman Service be approved.
		PRIVATE HOUSING
Scheme of Administration for Smoke Detector Installation in Private Housing H10.01.01	15	With reference to Item 8 of the Minute of Meeting of 1 October 2002, the Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report appending a draft Scheme of Administration for Private House Smoke Detector Installation. It was intimated in the Report that it was proposed to install hard wired smoke detectors in up to 200 private houses in the Western Isles and that the homes of the most at risk elderly would be targeted as a priority. It was suggested in the Report that in light of their experience with similar types of projects, it would be appropriate for the Western Isles Care and Repair to be responsible for administering the Private House Smoke Detector Installation Scheme which would be the subject of a review in April/May 2003.
		It was agreed to approve the draft Scheme of Administration for Private House Smoke Detector Installation as set out in Appendix 1 of the Report.
		Mr David Blaney declared an interest in the following item and left the Meeting during consideration of the matter.
Formal Agreement with Care and Repair H10.15	16	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report appending a formal Service Level Agreement between the Comhairle and Western Isles Care & Repair. It was stated in the Report that the proposed Service Level Agreement included more challenging performance targets for two key sectors of the grant application preparation process.
		It was agreed to approve the formal agreement for the provision of Housing related services by Western Isles Care and Repair as detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report.
		LEGISLATION
Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 "The Modernised Right to Buy" H01.01	17	The Director of Housing and the Director of Corporate Services submitted a Joint Report advising Members of changes affecting the Right to Buy, following the enactment of the Housing (Scotland) 2001.
		The Report stated that the most important changes were to the terms and conditions attached to the Right to Buy, including changes to the initial qualifying period and to the way in which entitlement to discount was calculated. It was further intimated that, as a general rule, if a tenancy dated back prior to 30 September 2002, and it allowed the tenant to exercise the Right to Buy, then the old terms and conditions under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 would continue to apply, for as long as the tenant remained in that tenancy. However, with some limited exceptions, if a tenancy started on or after 30 September 2002, then the new terms and conditions associated with the modernised Right to Buy would apply in accordance with the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. The Report stated that there had been an increase in Right to Buy applications within the Western Isles during the period April - October 2002, when compared to the same period in 2001.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
		CONFERENCES
Annual Housing Conference 2002 H11.02	18	The Director of Housing submitted a Report advising Member of the final details of the Annual Housing Conference to be held in Stornoway on 21^st and 22^nd November 2002. Details of the proposed Conference Programme were given in the Report.
		It was agreed to: (1) homologate the actions taken by the Director of Housing in connection with the organisation of the Annual Housing Conference 2002 as detailed in the Report, and; (2) authorise the Director of Housing and Director of Corporate Services to make any further arrangements associated with the Conference.
		PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Reports Outstanding: Progress PR33.01.12	19	The Director of Corporate Services submitted a Report detailing the Reports Outstanding arising from the decisions of the Committee.
		It was agreed to note the Report.
		The Chairman indicated that a Report concerning the establishment of a Western Isles Credit Union would be submitted to the Policy & Finance Committee.