Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

The Housing Revenue Account managed a portfolio of 1,652 garages and 43 parking spaces, which were let as separate tenancies on a weekly rental basis to a variety of customers, including council housing tenants, leaseholders, and other residents of the city, charities, business and commuters.

The current complex variable charging structure for garages had been in place since a whole scale review of garages in 2013/14. It was now considered timely to review and simplify the process, particularly in light of new garages and parking spaces available as part of the new build programme and in preparation for the intended replacement of the existing Housing Management Information System.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

       i.          Approved the garage and parking space charging structure as outlined in Appendix A of the Officer’s report.

     ii.          Approved delegated authority to the Strategic Director to designate an area of garages or parking spaces as being in a high value or high demand area, and therefore attracting the higher rental charge.

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 Business Manager & Principal Accountant, Shared Housing Finance Team.

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

       i.          Questioned the even-handedness of charging some tenants more for their garages based on their addresses.

     ii.          Questioned why tenant representatives had not been involved in the review and requested better engagement in the future.

The Principal Accountant said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          Confirmed that if renting a garage or parking space was a condition of the tenancy, then those charges would be eligible for housing benefit.

     ii.          Confirmed that where tenants were facing an increase in garage costs, these could be phased in over a 5 year period.

   iii.          Garages in high value areas would not be classed as high value assets.

   iv.          Confirmed that sensible decisions would be made regarding future development where the boundary between high and low garage rents crossed the site.

    v.          Housing officers were responsible for marketing garage and discussed options with potential tenants on site visits.

   vi.          Potential tenants were never forced to take a property with a garage which incurred a cost and was unwanted.

The Committee resolved by 9 votes to 2 and one abstention to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.