Property Services Committee 27 August 2002

Transcription

1 Property Services Committee 27 August 2002 IRVINE, 27 August At a Meeting of the Property Services Committee of North Ayrshire Council at 2.00 p.m. Present Thomas Barr, Stewart Dewar, John Bell, Jacqueline Browne, Gordon Clarkson, Drew Duncan, David Gallagher, James Jennings, Margaret McDougall, Elizabeth McLardy, Margaret Munn, David O'Neill, Robert Rae. Also Present Peter McNamara. In Attendance B. Devine, Chief Executive, T. Orr, Corporate Director (Property Services), O. Clayton, Head of Housing, J. Paul, Head of Technical Services, J. Currie, Head of Cleansing, Grounds Maintenance and Transport, J. Mason, Principal Engineer and M. Cashmore, Principal Officer - Management Systems Support (Property Services); D. Green, Senior Solicitor (Legal and Protective): L. Morton, Principal Officer (Finance); S. Bale, and J. Bannatyne, Corporate and Democratic Support Officers and J. Stevenson, Communications Officer (Chief Executive's). Chair Councillor Barr in the Chair. Apologies for Absence Ian Clarkson, Jane Gorman, John Sillars, Samuel Taylor and Richard Wilkinson. 1. Minutes The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 June 2002, copies of which had previously been circulated, were confirmed. 2. New Scottish Secure Tenancy Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the outcome of an extensive consultation exercise on the proposed new North Ayrshire Council Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement. On 5 March 2002, the Committee agreed to approve (a) the content of the draft North Ayrshire Council Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement; (b) the production of a Tenants' Handbook in a variety of formats; (c) that consultation be undertaken in line with the proposed timescales; and (d) the establishment of additional posts on a fixed term basis funded by the Scottish Executive to assist with the implementation process. Page 1

2 The consultation process which has now been completed involved tenants, other relevant interested or representative groups, staff of Housing Services and other Council Services and included open days at local housing offices, libraries and community centres and the distribution of a newsletter. Discussion with tenants included how the Council would enforce the tenancy conditions and requested amendments included clarification to ensure that tenants fully understood their rights and obligations under the proposed new Agreement. The feedback obtained from the consultation highlighted areas of concern including the modernised 'right to buy' and 'succession'. Additional guidance amending the wording of the model Scottish Secure Tenancy was recently issued by the Scottish Executive and the Tenancy Agreement has been amended to take account of the issues raised. The new Tenancy Agreement will come into effect from 30 September 2002 and additional staff have been recruited to commence the signing up process for completion by September A new tenants' handbook is currently being printed for distribution to all tenants, once the new agreement takes effect. The Committee agreed to approve the amended version of the North Ayrshire Council Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement for implementation. 3. Warden Houses: Sheltered Housing Developments Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the implications arising from the removal of the tied house status for properties occupied by wardens within or adjacent to sheltered housing developments. As a result of the changes in the terms and conditions of employment of wardens, the properties occupied by wardens situated within or adjacent to sheltered housing developments can no longer be treated as tied houses and therefore wardens currently occupying such properties can now, if they so wish, exercise their 'right to buy' the property. At present a total of 27 units have been classified as wardens houses. Only 5 applications to purchase have been lodged to date, one of which is at a fairly advanced stage. There are a further 6 potential applications to purchase but the remaining balance of 16 units are not presently occupied by secure tenants. Although, as a result of a challenge by the Council, the first application to purchase has been referred to the Lands Tribunal, a previous decision of the Lands Tribunal in favour of a warden in a similar situation suggests that the Council will require to proceed with the sale. Page 2

3 The majority of the properties involved can be classed as external to the sheltered development in that with only minor works to the properties they could operate independently of the sheltered unit itself. A small number are however, more integral to the sheltered unit and cannot be adapted or removed from the mainstream facility. In the event that any or all of the 5 applications to purchase submitted were to proceed, the Council would be obliged to give a title to the prospective owners in exchange for a capital receipt based on the valuation provided by the District Valuer, subject to the appropriate level of discount in each case. Deeds of Conditions also require to be prepared and all steps possible will be taken by officers of the Council to ensure the preservation of existing rights and obligations. Assurances were given that the situation will continue to be closely monitored and that further developments will be reported to a future Committee. Noted. 4. Irvine Cable TV Network Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the action taken to ensure continuity of the Irvine Cable TV network. Several thousand dwellings in the Irvine New Town area currently receive their television signals through an underground cable system. The physical infrastructure of the system is owned by BT who under the TV Licensing Regulations require to lease the system to a cable TV service provider, which currently is Metro. The Council and Irvine Housing Association pay the service provider an annual service charge which is met through general rental income. Metro recently advised the Council of their intention to discontinue the service after 30 September At a meeting subsequently arranged with representatives of all relevant parties involved, Metro and BT reported that the service was currently being provided at a loss. They also confirmed their willingness to consider continuation of the service provided a suitable funding package could be put in place. Agreement has now been reached, subject to increased payments by the Council and Irvine Housing Association to Metro, to continue the present service to 30 September Metro have agreed to write to all their customers advising them of this arrangement and the Corporate Director (Property Services) will take steps to ensure that all the tenants affected are made fully aware of the position. In view of increased competition in the future and the need for BT to upgrade their existing infrastructure, it seems unlikely that the service will continue beyond September The Committee agreed (a) to approve the action taken to ensure continuity of the Irvine Cable TV network till the end of September 2003; and (b) that the Corporate Director (Property Services) report back to the Committee early in 2003 with an update on the current position and recommendations based on the circumstances pertaining at that time. Page 3

4 5. Stanley Primary School, Ardrossan and Hayocks Primary School, Stevenston Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the tendering process for the installation of new UPVC windows at Stanley Primary School, Ardrossan and Hayocks Primary School, Stevenston. The first phase of UPVC window installation works at Stanley Primary School, Ardrossan and Hayocks Primary School, Stevenston was completed this year by Thermashield, Glasgow. Additional funding is now available this financial year through the School Improvement Fund to undertake further window installation works at both schools. It is considered that it would be advantageous to progress this work through a negotiated contract with Thermashield, Glasgow. The Committee agreed, in accordance with Clause 17 of the Council's Standing Orders Relating to Contracts, to authorise the Corporate Director (Property Services) (i) to enter into formal discussion with Thermashield, Glasgow to negotiate a tender for UPVC window installations at Stanley Primary School, Ardrossan and Hayocks Primary School, Stevenston; and (ii) subject to a satisfactory outcome to submit the tender to the Committee for approval on 8 October Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Fund Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the proposed programme of works for 2003/04 to be submitted to the Scottish Executive for approval, in relation to projects to be funded from the Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets Fund (CWSSF). The Council's allocation from the CWSSF for 2003/04 is 217,000. The Committee agreed to approve the nominations for projects to be submitted to the Scottish Executive in respect of the 2003/04 programme as follows:- Completion of Drybridge to Dreghorn footway across Holmsford Bridge; Provision of 'Safer Routes to Stations' access improvements for walkers and cyclists; Upgrading of existing off-road cycle routes in conjunction with Grounds Maintenance; Provision of 'School Zones' with traffic calming measures in conjunction with Educational Services; and Investigation of options for a cycle route from Fairlie to Largs by external consultants 7. Tenders for Vehicles Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on progress to date in the replacement vehicles programme for 2002/03. Page 4

5 In respect of offers for two 22 tonne refuse collection vehicles the offer received from Dennis Eagle, whilst not the lowest is considered to be the most cost effective. The Committee agreed, in accordance with Clause 13 of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts to accept the revised tender from Dennis Eagle amounting to 109,000 as the most economically viable tender. 8. Saltcoats: 1 Parkend Avenue (1st Floor Flat) Submitted report by the Corporate Director (Property Services) on the proposed revocation of a Closing Order on the property at 1 Parkend Avenue, Saltcoats. The Committee agreed to authorise the revocation of the Closing Order. 9. Revenue Budget 2002/03: Budgetary Control Submitted report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Finance) on the budgetary control position for Property Services at the end of July 2002 and projections for the financial year 2002/03. Noted. The meeting ended at 3.00 p.m. Page 5