Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The report set out the progress made in the review of garages     across the City following the June 2012 HMB committee report.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

(i)   To approve the implementation of the variable garage charges effective from September 2013 for all existing and future garage tenancies.

(ii)  To approve the reviewed Conditions of Tenancy and Agreement for garage tenants.

(iii)                    To approve the recommendation to undertake a thorough and detailed cost appraisal of the St Matthews Street garage site and bring a report to a future HMB with the findings of the appraisal and recommended options based on this.

 

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 Area Housing Manager.

 

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

 

(i)             Thanked officers and members of the Garages Working Party for their hard work.

(ii)            Emphasised the need for a flexible charging Policy to ensure that garages in more suburban areas remained occupied.

 

Councillor Rosenstiel raised concern on behalf of his constituents that, as all garage sites were on one side of the City, the ‘half mile walking distance’ criteria for Priority Table 1 (page 37 of the agenda) may not be sufficient. 

 

The Head of City Homes confirmed that this was merely an administrative indicator to ensure that priority was given to local residents. It was noted that strict measurement would not be implemented.

 

The Executive Councillor confirmed that the original wording had been ‘local’ and did not specify a distance. It was upon her request that a more specific distance was included. However it was again emphasised that this would be used merely as an indicator.

 

Councillor Rosenstiel formally proposed that the distance listed in Priority Table 1 (page 37 of the agenda) be amended to read ‘within 1 mile walking distance’.

 

On a show of hands (3 votes to 8) this proposed amendment was not endorsed. 

 

In response to Members’ questions the Area Housing Manager confirmed the following:

 

(i)             The revised Conditions of Tenancy and Agreement would apply for both existing and new garage tenants.

 

The Committee resolved unanimously 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.