Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of Housing and Property Services outlining the proposed ‘change of use’ of Common Rooms.

The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Housing and Property Services presenting the proposed ‘change of use’ of Common Rooms.

The Building Services Manager outlined the contents of the report explaining that the authority currently had four commons rooms, three of these were within the Westexe area of Tiverton that were only a few hundred metres apart, and one in Cullompton.

The Tenants Together group were asked if they would like to undertake a full review of their use as it was felt that the rooms were underutilised and that better use could be made of these assets.

The recommendations contained within the proposed policy were fully supported by the Tenants Together Scrutiny Group. Their review identified that room usage had strayed from the original intent, that they were underutilised in many cases, and also used by non-tenant organisations

The officer further explained that surveys had identified that three of the four Common Rooms could easily be converted into lettable units, pending ‘change of use’ permission being granted.

Due to the proximity of the three rooms in the Westexe area of Tiverton it was felt by the scrutiny group that the organisations using these rooms could easily be relocated into one central location freeing up the properties for conversion to lettable units.

The Common Room at Brewin Road Flats had a communal washing/drying room which was available for the tenants to use free of charge. They felt that although this facility was required due to the fact that there was no room in the flats for this sort of appliance, it should not be free and that tenants should be expected to cover the running costs.

The Common Room at Woolcott Way, Cullompton was rarely used and the site was unsuitable for this type of usage due to its location and lack of parking.

The Cabinet Member for Housing thanked the members of Tenants Together for their work on this project.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet recommends to Council the proposed ‘change of use’ of our Common Rooms.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs E M Andrews and seconded by Cllr J D Squire)

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.