Issue - meetings

Following a report of the Group Manager for Housing, the Homes Policy Development Group has made the following recommendation: that the revised policy be approved.

Following a * report of the Group Manager for Housing, the Homes Policy Development Group had made the following recommendation: that the revised policy be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report stating that the Council was committed to improving the Housing Service and having an effective car park management policy which would give clear guidance to tenants and officers. The amendments to the policy were clearly outlined with tracked changes in the report before Members and included vehicle repairs, virtual parking permits and abandoned vehicles.  Although any further review of the policy was programmed for 10 years time, if there was any change to the legislation, then the policy would of course be reviewed earlier.

Consideration was given to:

·         The consultation process with tenants and the formation of a new Tenant Involvement Group

·         The utilisation of sustainable opportunities as outlined in the Impact of Climate Change section of the report and the work that was taking place with the building service to consider such opportunities for heating, power sourcing and electric car charging points

·         The report having been written prior to the outbreak of the pandemic and concerns raised with regard to the refusal of virtual parking permits to tenants with outstanding debts. The meeting was advised that a sympathetic and pragmatic view would be taken at the current time

·         Abandoned vehicles in parking areas and how they would be dealt with; officers suggested that if the owner of the vehicle could be identified  then discussions would take place with the vehicle owner, if not then the parking enforcement team would be contacted.

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr S J Clist and seconded by Cllr L D Taylor)

Note:  * Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Group Manager for Housing detailing a review of the Car Park Management Policy.

The Group had before it a report * from the Group Manager for Housing Services outlining a review of the Car Park Management Policy.

It was explained that the policy had last been updated in January 2016 and it had therefore been due for review. The review had identified a number of minor changes which included:

·         A clause in relation to vehicle maintenance and a requirement for tenants not to block dropped curbs.

·         A move to virtual car parking permits rather than paper permits.

·         Where vehicles have been abandoned contact would be made with the DVLA.

·         The need for the policy to be clear on tenants not parking on grass verges.

Consideration was given to:

·         Concerns regarding abandoned vehicles and the difficulties involved in trying to get them removed. These vehicles were not only untidy but quite often attracted anti-social behaviour. The officer explained that removal of these vehicles depended on whether they were on Devon Highways land or on MDDC housing land. If a vehicle was on housing land a notice could be served and enquiries made to find out who the registered keeper was. If the registered keeper did not respond to the notice then the Council had the ability to seize the vehicle and dispose of it. However, this was a lengthy process with officers having to prioritise workloads and other important housing matters. There were cross overs, in terms of how these matters were dealt with, with the Street Scene service who operated under different regulations.

·         Abandoned vehicles were just as much of an issue in the rural areas as well as the urban ones.

·         The officer requested that the details of specific cases be provided to her outside of the meeting so that further investigations could take place.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the revised Car Park Management Policy be approved.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

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