05/09/08 - Seven year programme to renovate council garages

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s Cabinet members are being asked to agree an extensive renovation programme of its 6,000 council owned garages at its meeting on Tuesday 9 September.

A survey conducted earlier in the year showed several garages requiring renovation. It also showed that asbestos is present in some of the roof sheeting of the garages with some signs of deterioration.

To improve the standards of the garages, a three year programme to replace the asbestos roofs with a modern substitute and a seven year programme for other repairs is being proposed.

Councillor Alan Franey, Executive Member for Resources said: “We are very mindful of our duty towards our tenants and this work is essential to keep the garages in good order for the benefit the tenants.”

The work would need to be carried out by a specialist firm and once approved could start as soon as January 2009, after the selection of  an appropriate  contractor.

Mike Storey, Head of Corporate Property said: “We have informed tenants involved of its presence and the potential renovation programme. The work may result in tenants having to vacate their garage while the roof is being replaced and we apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. However if the work does go ahead we do intend not to charge tenants rent during the one to two weeks required for the work to be done to their garage.”

Once  the work programme is approved, a timetable of work will be scheduled. Garage tenants would then be notified when the renovation of their garage is likely to occur.