Council and democracy

Agenda item

Garage Project Update

Minutes:

The report, which can be found on pages 41 – 48 of the Agenda, was presented by Carol Hinvest.

 

The Chair commented that most of the Borough’s garages were not storing cars and the main purpose of garages were to keep cars off roads and pavements. However, the Borough’s garages were too small to store today’s modern cars and the question was whether to use the garages for cheap storage solutions or to turn them into affordable homes.

 

Councillor Redsell agreed and said that the better option would be to demolish the garages and build parking spaces in place. She went on to say that anti-social behaviour occurred behind garages as people could not be seen behind the garages. She queried whether the painting of the garages would be undertaken by Mears and that the painting should not be over another layer as it would cause the layers of paint to peel off. She went on to say that garages tended to be used to store items other than cars and in some cases, there had been hazardous items stored which resulted in a fire. Carol Hinvest explained that a plan was in place that outlined which garages would be demolished and which ones would be repaired. The Stock Condition Survey had identified which garages had a future; could become parking spaces; or needed refurbishment. Most of the garages were too small for modern cars and some residents stored their bicycles in the garages instead. There were a number of sites that were already on the housing development list which had previously been garage sites as well.

 

Councillor Redsell suggested that the service speak with Ward Councillors on garages within their wards. Carol Hinvest agreed and encouraged Members to speak with the Housing service of any other garage sites that could potentially be developed for council housing or other ideas for use.

 

Lynn Mansfield pointed out that the Council was still letting garages out and most were used for storage purposes. Carol Hinvest explained that the service was aware that garages were rented for storage purposes and the issue was what was stored in the garages. It was acknowledged that the garages were too small to store cars and there was a Garage Tenancy Agreement which highlighted that nothing combustible such as gas canisters could be stored in the garages.

 

Councillor Worrall questioned if there was an income from the let of garages and if this paid towards the garages project or if there were reserved funds for the project. Carol Hinvest was uncertain from a revenues point and would ask for business case to be put together and circulated to the Committee. She went on to say that the garages were the Council’s assets and some funds would need to be used to maintain them to prevent them from falling into a state of disrepair or being fenced off due to its unsafe structure. The Project Manager for the garages project was looking at which garage sites could be demolished and developed into homes or car parking spaces.

 

Councillor Worrall asked for an update of the project to be brought back to the next municipal year. The Chair agreed and said that he wished to see the project bring forth exciting and bold ideas that would add social value and also revenue potential to it. He gave the example of the bungalow project and Carol Hinvest said that the garages on Defoe Parade was the pilot scheme that would prove viability of the project.

 

RESOLVED:

 

It was recommended that Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive this report for information and comment.

Supporting documents: