Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

The Housing Revenue Account managed a portfolio of 1,344 garages and 320 parking spaces, which are let as separate licences on a weekly rental basis to a variety of customers, including council housing tenants, other residents (including leaseholders) of the city, charities, businesses and commuters.

The current charging structure for garages had been in place since April 2018. It was considered timely to review the charging structure, particularly considering new garages and parking spaces available as part of the new build programme, and the introduction of a right to park in new underground parking provisions.

The revised charging structure was presented for decision by the Executive Councillor for Housing, following scrutiny and debate at Housing Scrutiny Committee, in line with the Council’s constitution in respect of setting rent and service charges.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

      i.         Approved the garage and parking space charging structure as outlined in Appendix A, to be implemented from April 2025, with the exception of the reduction in right to park charges for council tenants, which will be implemented from 1 October2024.

    ii.         Approved delegated authority to the Director of Communities to designate an area of garages or parking spaces as being in a high value or high demand area, therefore attracting the higher rental charge, or in a low value or low demand area and therefore attracting a lower 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 Assistant Head of Finance and Business Manager.

An updated charging schedule (Appendix A) and an Equality Impact Assessment were published and circulated to the Committee in advance of the meeting.

The Assistant Head of Finance and Business Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.         Noted concerns raised regarding allocated parking spaces at the Ironworks site; officers would liaise with members outside of the meeting.

    ii.         There was a balance to be struck when setting the garage charges. On the one hand the council did not want to lose income on the other, the rates needed to be affordable for all council tenants. The garage charges could be reviewed again in the future.

   iii.         If any anti-social use of the garages arose, this would be dealt with in the same way as any other anti-social behaviour.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

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.