Minute
North Lanarkshire Council · 16 November 2022
Back to Housing Committee — 16 November 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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HOUSING - 16 NOVEMBER 2022 57 16 November 2022 at 10 am. A Meeting of the HOUSING COMMITTEE PRESENT Councillor Brannan-McVey, Convener; Councillor McPake, Vice-Convener; Councillors Brennan, Burgess, Carragher, M. Coyle, Crichton, Di Mascio, Duffy, Dunbar, Fotheringham, Goldie, Hughes, Jones, Keltie, Leckie, Lennon, Logue, MacGregor, McBride, McCluskey, B. McCulloch, M. McCulloch, McDade, McKay, McKendrick, McManus, McNally, McPhilemy, McVey, Nolan, Robinson, Smith, A. Stubbs, Sullivan, Thomas, and Toner. ALSO PRESENT In accordance with Standing Order 64(A) Councillors Patton and Roarty attended as substitutes for Councillors Fisher and Reddin respectively. CHAIR Councillor Brannan-McVey (Convener) presided. IN ATTENDANCE The Head of Housing, Property and Projects; Head of Housing Solutions; Head of Planning and Regeneration; Business Finance Manager (Resource Solutions); Housing Development Manager; Communications Officer, and Principal Democratic Officer. APOLOGIES Councillors Fisher and Reddin. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000 1. Councillor M Coyle, by virtue of being a Board Member of Mears LLP, declared a connection in respect of paragraph 2 – P014 Tower Strategy Update; paragraph 15 (a) – Ukrainian Resettlement – Negotiated Tender Procedure, and paragraph 15 (b) – Low Rise Fire Door Programme – Negotiated Tender Procedure, and left the meeting during consideration of the items. Councillor Hughes, by virtue of being the Office Manager for the Scottish Minister responsible for resettlement and support, declared a connection with Agenda item 15(a) – Ukrainian Resettlement Programme – Negotiated Tender Procedure and further declared that she considered the interest so sufficiently remote that it did not preclude her participation in that item. Councillor M Coyle, prior to consideration of the following item of business, having declared a connection by virtue of being a Board Member of Mears LLP, left the meeting during consideration of this item. P014 TOWER STRATEGY UPDATE 2. With reference to paragraph 9 of the Minute of the meeting of the former Housing and Regeneration Committee held on 24 November 2021, there was submitted a report by the Head of Housing, Property
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HOUSING - 16 NOVEMBER 2022 58 and Projects (1) detailing the progress of the (a) Tower Strategy and key achievements to date, and (b) Demolition/Ambition Programme and the Sprinkler/Fire Safety Programme; (2) highlighting the progress of the major refurbishment works within the four towers in Coatbridge, and (3) advising that, in order to support displaced citizens affected by the war in Ukraine, the Council had committed to reinstate approximately 200 properties, on a temporary basis, at the tower blocks in High Coats, Coatbridge, and Birkshaw, Wishaw, which were scheduled to be released on a phased basis over the course of the refurbishment programme. Decided: (1) that the progress of the Tower Demolition/Ambition Programme be noted; (2) that the progress of the Sprinkler Installation and Fire Safety Programmes be noted, and (3) that the progress of major refurbishment projects be noted. SCOTTISH HOUSING REGULATOR: 2021/22 LANDLORD REPORT 3. With reference to (1) paragraph 11 of the Minute of the meeting of the former Housing and Regeneration Committee held on 24 November 2021 when, inter alia, it had been agreed to note the 8th Scottish Housing Regulator Landlord Report, which detailed the Councils performance in relation to the Scottish Social Housing Charter, and (2) paragraph 7 of the Minute of the meeting of this Committee held on 31 August 2022, there was submitted a report by the Head of Housing Solutions (a) setting out details of the role of the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR), and the requirements for Scottish landlords to collect and provide on an annual basis key information on their performance in achieving the Scottish Social Housing Charter (SSHC) Outcomes and Standards; (b) advising (A) that all landlords had a legal requirement to submit a signed Annual Assurance Statement to the SHR by 31 October each year, and a separate report on this was presented to Committee on 31 August 2022, and (B) that, following submission from each Local Authority and Registered Social Landlord’s Annual Return on Charter (ARC), the SHR published a Landlord Profile of all Scottish landlords, which allowed tenants to compare landlords’ performance across Scotland; (c) providing details of the contents of the 9th North Lanarkshire Council Landlord Report which includes a summary of the performance figures for the five main areas; (d) intimating that the Council was performing above the Scottish average; (e) detailing within the report further information in respect of homes and rents; tenants' satisfaction; quality and maintenance of homes; neighbourhoods; value for money, and the Annual Performance Report, and (f) informing that 99.1% of anti-social behaviour cases were resolved at the year end and within the targets, compared to the Scottish average of 94.7%. Decided: (1) that the contents of the Landlord Report provided by the SHR in Section 4 of the report which sets out the Council’s performance in relation to the Scottish Social Housing Charter, be noted; (2) that it be noted that a separate report had been submitted to this Committee on 31 August 2022 on the Annual Assurance Statement; (3) that the progress being made to produce the Council’s Annual Report to tenants be noted, and (4) that the report be otherwise noted. COST OF LIVING (TENANT PROTECTION) (SCOTLAND) ACT 2022 4. There was submitted a report by the Head of Housing Solutions (1) setting out details of the measures contained within the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 and potential implications
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HOUSING - 16 NOVEMBER 2022 59 across the wider housing sector; (2) outlining the background to the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill 2022 which came into force on 27 October 2022 as part of the Scottish Government's overall response to the Cost of Living crisis and aimed to help mitigate the impact for those renting their home; (3) advising (a) that the provisions of the Act would remain in force initially until 31 March 2023 and could be extended by Regulations to 30 September 2023, and thereafter to 31 March 2024, and (b) that the Scottish Government would confirm by 14 January 2023 whether the provisions would continue beyond 31 March 2023; (4) detailing, within the report, the intentions of the Temporary Measures, and the three key measures introduced by the Act, and (5) providing further information in respect of the Rent Cap; Moratorium on Evictions; Increased Damages for Unlawful Eviction; Additional Points and Potential Implications. Decided: (1) that it be noted that the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill 2022 was passed on 6 October 2022, received Royal Assent, and became an Act on 27 October 2022; (2) that it be noted that the requirements set out in the Act would be in place until the end of March 2023, although they could be extended beyond this period for up to a year, and that the Scottish Government would confirm by 14 January 2023 whether these provisions would continue beyond 31 March 2023; (3) that the potential implications for the Council and wider housing sector in North Lanarkshire be noted; (4) that, should the measures contained within the Act be extended beyond 31 March 2023, a further report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee, and (5) that the report be otherwise noted. LICENSING OF SHORT-TERM LETS 5. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) outlining the background to, and the need to introduce, a Short-Term Lets Policy which placed a statutory duty on all Local Authorities; (2) seeking approval of the Short-Term Lets Policy, attached in Appendix 1 to the report; (3) advising that there was a requirement for the licensing authority to publish, and keep under review, a statement of its policy and, in conjunction with this, the Council must carry out a period of public consultation which would include information relating to fees, applications etc., and required to be published on the Council website, with the results of this consultation attached in Appendix 1 of the Short-Term Lets Policy document, and (4) providing details of the fee structure proposed by the Council in respect of secondary letting; home letting; and home sharing. Decided: (1) that the Short-Term Lets Policy, attached in Appendix 1 to the report be approved, and (2) that the report be otherwise noted. NEW SUPPLY COMMUNITY BENEFITS - SUMMARY REPORT 6. There was submitted a report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration (1) outlining the background to the provision of Community Benefits which were tangible, and positive outcomes linked to public sector contracts; (2) advising that Community Benefits for each new build development were submitted by the Contractors as part of the tender process and monitored through the period of the contract; (3) informing that a Community Benefits Development Group had been established comprising of a number of stakeholders to co-ordinate and maximise opportunities created through the new supply C
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HOUSING - 16 NOVEMBER 2022 60 programme, and (4) highlighting, within the report, the various elements of Community Benefits Menu which included; Employment Targeted Recruitment and Employment; Education; Enterprise – Supply Chain Development; Community Engagement – Financial Support, and Non-Financial Support. Decided: (1) that the delivery of Community Benefits from the new supply programme be noted; (2) that an update on Community Benefits from the new supply programme be submitted annually to the Housing Committee, and (3) that the report be otherwise noted. NEW SUPPLY PROGRAMME – UPDATE ON PROGRESS – PROGRAMME OF WORK – P013(1) 7. With reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of the meeting of the former Housing and Regeneration Committee held on 24 November 2021, when, inter alia, approval had been given for the targets for delivery of the programme, and it was agreed that an update on overall progress with the delivery of the new supply programme against targets be reported to Committee annually, there was submitted a report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration (1) advising that the new supply programme aimed to deliver 5,000 new homes by 2035; (2) detailing the progress in respect of the New Build programme; the New Market Purchase Scheme (OMPS); Off the shelf purchases (Affordable Housing Policy Sites), and the Development Pathfinder approach; (3) providing details (a) of the current challenges in respect of the availability/suitability of sites; Scottish Water Drainage Policy; Procurement/Contractor Capacity; Costs, and Programme Targets which were impacting on the progress of the programme, and (b) the reasons that the targets for 2021/22 had not been met; (4) informing that the new supply programme would be closely monitored with regular updates reported to Committee, including an annual update on progress against targets, and any adjustments to the programme that may be required, and (5) seeking approval of the revised programme targets as set out in Section 2.4 of the report. Decided: (1) that the progress and the challenges associated with the delivery of the new supply programme be noted; (2) that the targets for delivery of the programme as set out in Section 2.4 of the report be approved; (3) that an update on overall progress with the delivery of the new supply programme against targets be reported to Committee annually, and (4) that the report be otherwise noted. HOUSING SUPPLY PROGRAMME – PROCUREMENT REPORT 8. With reference to paragraph 15 of the Minute of the meeting of this Committee held on 31 August 2022, there was submitted a report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration (1) providing an update on the current procurement activity relating to the New Build Programme; (2) proposing (a) in line with the Scotland Excel New Build Residential Framework, to engage with contractors for the projects (A) at Dunnottar Avenue, and Burleigh Place, Shawhead, Coatbridge, up to 102 units, up to the value of £26.5m, and (B) the former Masonic Hall, Hope Street, Motherwell, up to 10 units, up to the value of £3m, with both projects containing a contingency allowance; (b) in line with the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) H2 Framework Agreement Conditions, to engage with contractors for the projects (A) at the former St. Mary’s Primary School, Hill Street, Caldercruix, up to 25 units, up to the value of £6.5m;
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HOUSING - 16 NOVEMBER 2022 61 (B) at Thornlie Church Halls, Caledonian Road, Wishaw, up to 6 units, up to the value of £1.5m; (C) at Airdriehill Road, Airdrie, up to 65 units, up to the value of £16.9m, and (D) at the former Cumbernauld Village School, Glasgow Road, Cumbernauld, up to 8 units, up to the value of £2m, with all projects containing a contingency allowance, and that a final tender price for all contracts be agreed to allow the contract to be awarded; (c) in line with the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) PB3 Framework Agreement Conditions, to engage with the contractors for the project at Old Motherwell Town Hall, Hamilton Road, Motherwell up to 20 units, up to the value of £5.5m, including a contingency allowance, and (d) to award a call-off contract in line with the Scotland Excel New Build Residential Framework for the construction of new build housing at the former Petersburn Primary School, Petersburn Road, Airdrie up to the value of £9.4m to McTaggart Construction, including contingency allowance, and (3) advising that, in line with the Scotland Excel New Build Residential Framework, the contracts for the construction of new build housing at (a) Ravenscliff Road, Motherwell up to 24 units, up to the revised value of £5.75m, had been awarded to CCG (Scotland) Limited, and (b) at Glenacre Drive, Airdrie up to 16 units, up to the revised value of £3.726m, had been awarded to McTaggart Construction, with both projects containing a contingency allowance. Decided: (1) that call-off contracts in line with the Scotland Excel New Build Residential Framework for the construction of new build housing at Dunnottar Avenue, and Burleigh Place, Shawhead, Coatbridge up to 102 units, up to the value of £26.5m, and the conversion and refurbishment of the former Masonic Hall, Hope Street, Motherwell up to 10 units, up to the value of £3m, with both projects containing a contingency allowance, be approved; (2) that the call-off contracts in line with the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) H2 Framework Agreement Conditions for the construction of new build housing at the former St. Mary’s Primary School, High Street, Caldercruix up to 25 units, up to the value of £6.5m; at the former Thornlie Church Halls, Caledonian Road, Wishaw up to 6 units, up to the value of £1.5m; at Airdriehill Road, Airdrie up to 65 units, up to the value of £16.9m, and at the former Cumbernauld Village School, Glasgow Road, Cumbernauld up to 8 units, up to the value of £2m, with all projects including a contingency allowance, be approved; (3) that a call-off contract in line with the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) PB3 Framework Agreement Conditions for the conversion and refurbishment of Old Motherwell Town Hall, Hamilton Road, Motherwell up to 20 units, up to the value of £5.5m, including a contingency allowance, be approved; (4) that the award of a call-off contract in line with the Scotland Excel New Build Residential Framework for the construction of new build housing at the former Petersburn Primary School, Petersburn Road, Airdrie up to 40 units, up to the value of £9.4m, to McTaggart Construction, including a contingency allowance, be approved; (5) that the award of a call-off contract in line with the Scotland Excel New Build Residential Framework for the construction of new build housing at Ravenscliff Road, Motherwell up to 24 units, up to the revised value of £5.75m to CCG (Scotland) Limited, including contingency allowance, be noted; (6) that the award of a call-off contract in line with the Scotland Excel New Build Residential Framework for the construction of new build housing at Glenacre Drive, Airdrie up to 16 units, up to the revised value of £3.726m to McTaggart Construction, including contingency allowance, be noted, and (7) that the report be otherwise noted.
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HOUSING - 16 NOVEMBER 2022 62 FUTURE APPROACHES TO HEATING WITHIN NEW BUILD HOMES 9. There was submitted a report by the Head of Planning and Regeneration (1) setting out (a) details of the requirement to provide space and water heating in new build homes to comply with the Scottish Government's Heat in Buildings Strategy, and (b) the challenges of meeting the requirements of the Heat in Buildings Strategy, while keeping rents and heating bills affordable; (2) advising that an options appraisal had been carried out to consider various options for zero emissions heating systems that could be used in new homes for social rent, with the options highlighted within Section 2.3, and Table 1 of the report, with Option A being the preferred option; (3) providing details of options which would be considered going forward; (4) intimating (a) that a pilot project for net zero emission heating was currently under construction at Dykehead Road, Airdrie, with the pilot project consisting of 19 properties, out of a site total of 150 properties, and (b) that data and tenant feedback would be collected from both the net zero homes and the properties heated by gas combination boilers, which would allow the Council to assess the performance and future viability of the proposals, and (5) seeking approval of the approach set out in Section 2.7 of the report for achieving low/zero emissions for space and water heating systems to both new build and regeneration/redevelopment projects. Decided: (1) that the approach to heating new build homes and conversions, as set out in Section 2.7 of the report, be approved; (2) that further options to deliver energy efficient homes continue to be explored, and (3) that the report be otherwise noted. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING REPORTS (1) REVENUE MONITORING REPORT - HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT 10. There was submitted a report by the Head of Housing Solutions (1) providing a summary of the Housing Revenue Account Financial Performance for the period from 1 April to 16 September 2022 (Period 6); (2) illustrating the projected outturn as at 31 March 2023, with major outturn variances highlighted and explained in accordance with the Council's approved Financial Regulations, and (3) advising (a) that the Service was currently projecting a breakeven position for the financial year, and (b) that it was anticipated that £1.849m of savings would be delivered by the financial year-end. Decided: that the financial position of the HRA Revenue Budget 2022/23 be noted. (2) ENTERPRISE AND COMMUNITIES - REVENUE MONITORING REPORTS 11. There was submitted a report by the Deputy Chief Executive (1) highlighting the Financial Performance of the Enterprise and Communities Service for the period from 1 April to 16 September 2022 (Period 6); (2) illustrating the projected outturn as at 31 March 2023, with major outturn variances highlighted and explained as per the Council's approved Financial Regulations, and (3) advising, that the Enterprise and Communities Service was currently forecasting an overspend of £3.958m, as a result of (a) inflationary pressures of £3.068m, which would be offset by the corporate contingency, and (b) the re-allocation of the digital savings to Services of £0.890m, which the Service continued to work with Business and Digital to progress plans for delivery of savings. Decided: that the financial position of the 2022/23 Enterprise and Communities Revenue Budget be noted.
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HOUSING - 16 NOVEMBER 2022 63 CAPITAL PROGRAMMES MONITORING REPORTS (1) HRA CAPITAL MONITORING REPORT - 1 APRIL TO 16 SEPTEMBER 2022 12. There was submitted a report by the Head of Housing, Property and Projects (1) reviewing progress towards agreed spending plans within the 2022/23 HRA Capital Programmes, and (2) advising that full spend was projected for the Mainstream and New Build Programmes but, due to lack of demand within the Council Buy Back, and Mortgage to Rent Schemes, an underspend of £3.310m was projected, thereby reducing the borrowing requirements for the year. Decided: that the financial position of the 2022/23 HRA Capital Programmes be noted. (2) ENTERPRISE AND COMMUNITIES - CAPITAL MONITORING REPORT 13. With reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of the meeting of the Policy and Strategy Committee held on 30 September 2021, when, inter alia, it had been agreed to note the Medium Term Financial Plan 2022/23 to 2026/27, there was submitted a report by the Deputy Chief Executive (1) highlighting the financial performance of the 2022/23 Enterprise and Communities Capital Programme for the period from 1 April to 16 September 2022 (Period 6); (2) advising that the Service had a total Capital Budget of £161.151m, and that, at this stage in the financial year, the Service was currently reporting an underspend of £3.085m, and (3) providing further explanation of project variances and management action taken by the Service, as set out in the report and attached Appendices. Decided: that the financial position of the 2022/23 Enterprise and Communities Capital Programmes be noted. CENTRAL HEATING SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT MODIFICATION 14. With reference to the decisions taken by the Chief Executive under delegated authority on 20 May 2020, there was submitted a report by the Head of Housing, Property and Projects (1) seeking approval to modify the existing contract for Central Heating Servicing and Maintenance provided by Saltire Facilities Management Limited; (2) advising that the existing contract would be replaced by the Enterprise Contract in January 2024, resulting in this contract modification being utilised as an interim measure to ensure continuity of service for the Council’s tenants, until such time as the new contract was awarded, and (3) detailing within the report the rationale for the modification. Decided: (1) that the one-off modification to the existing Central Heating Repairs and Maintenance Contract be approved, and (2) that the report be otherwise noted. Councillor M Coyle, prior to consideration of the following item of business, having declared a connection by virtue of being a Board Member of Mears LLP, left the meeting during consideration of this item. Councillor Hughes, prior to the consideration of the following item of business, having declared a connection by virtue of being the Office Manager for the Scottish Minister responsible for resettlement and support, further declared that she considered that the interest was so sufficiently remote that it did not preclude her participation in consideration of the matter.
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HOUSING - 16 NOVEMBER 2022 64 CONTRACTS FOR NOTING (1) UKRAINIAN RESETTLEMENT – NEGOTIATED TENDER PROCEDURE 15. There was submitted a report by the Head of Housing, Property and Projects (1) seeking homologation of the decision taken by the Deputy Chief Executive in awarding a contract for the Ukrainian Resettlement Works to recommission the previously decommissioned properties at Birkshaw Tower, Wishaw, and High Coats, Coatbridge to Mears Scotland LLP, and (2) advising that the contract commenced on 18 July 2022 for approximately 24 weeks, with the maximum value of the contract being approximately £5m, exclusive of VAT. Decided: that the report be noted. Councillor M Coyle, prior to consideration of the following item of business, having declared a connection by virtue of being a Board Member of Mears LLP, left the meeting during consideration of this item. (2) LOW RISE FIRE DOOR PROGRAMME – NEGOTIATED TENDER PROCEDURE 16. There was submitted a report by the Head of Housing, Property and Projects (1) seeking homologation of the decision taken by the Deputy Chief Executive in awarding a contract for the installation of fire doors to low rise properties and fire stopping to supported and linked sheltered housing complexes across North Lanarkshire to Mears Scotland LLP, and (2) advising that the contract had commenced late Summer 2022 for approximately 24 weeks, up to the maximum value of the contract of £8m, exclusive of VAT. Decided: that the report be noted. CONTRACTS AWARDED BELOW COMMITTEE APPROVAL THRESHOLD 17. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions intimating that the contracts highlighted within Appendix 1 to the report had been awarded by him in accordance with the General Contract Standing Orders during the period from 1 July to 30 September 2022. Decided: (1) that the contracts awarded by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions in the reported period from 1 July to 30 September 2022 be noted, and (2) that the report be otherwise noted.