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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.