Issue - meetings

This item was chaired by Diana Minns (Vice Chair / Tenant Representative).

 

Matter for Decision

The report described a deteriorating problem with an underused and increasingly vandalised two storey garage block, comprising 82 separate units, at St. Matthew’s Street in Petersfield ward. The report summarised existing problems at the site and included alternative options and a recommendation for demolition and replacement with a reduced number (38) of new ground floor garages which could be delivered within the budget available.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

 

     i.        Approved the proposals, as described in section 3.8.5 – 3.8.7 of the Officer’s report to:

a)   demolish the existing two storey garage structure and,

b)   provide 38 new pre-cast concrete garages on the same site area;

    ii.        Agreed to review, if necessary, the decision to erect new garages (2.1 (b) above) on the cleared site should the final provisions of the 2015/16 Housing and Planning Bill, prove onerous, in respect of payments for “disposal of high value property”. In such circumstances, options for disposal, rather than the planned retention of garage site, may have to be re-considered.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Estates & Facilities regarding garages in St Matthews Street.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

     i.        Sought clarification regarding the cost of demolition and raised concerns regarding possible asbestos contamination. 

    ii.        Expressed surprise regarding recommendation 2.2, as this committee had previously expressed the view that it was opposed to any sale of Housing Revenue land.

   iii.        Suggested that options to develop the site in partnership with a developer should be explored. Cross subsidy might allow this site to generate housing or profit.

  iv.        Suggested that the report was addressing two unrelated issues; the problematic garages and the unknown impact of a future levy on high value assets.

   v.        Stated that any sale of assets would be regrettable but losing this land would be preferable to selling housing stock.

  vi.        Stated that there were currently no funds to build new council houses on this site or other sites.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Head of Estates & Facilities said the following:

     i.        Any asbestos contamination would be address when the buildings were demolished.

    ii.        Demolition of the run down garages would increase the potential sale value of the land.

 

The Executive Councillor for Housing stated that this site should not be confused with other, mixed use, redevelopment of garage sites. Recommendation 2.2 was an acknowledgement of the fact that the impact of any future levy, which might be imposed retrospectively, was currently unknown. At present there was a lack of funds for development and considering this site as an option toward payment of a levy was a sensible approach. Loss of an underused garage site was preferable to any loss of housing stock.

 

The Director of Customer and Community Services stated that it was expected that there would be greater clarity about the levy after the June Housing Bill.  

 

The Committee resolved by 11 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendation.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.