Agenda item

The Car Repair and Spay Painting task group was set up following a motion to council.  The attached report sets out the work and key findings of the task group.

Councillor Moloney, chair of the task group, was invited to address the committee.  Councillor Moloney began by explaining that the task group was set up to investigate car repair and spray painting garages following the agreement by Council of a motion put forward by Councillor Allie.  Although the activities of such garages were not widespread in the borough, there were cases of significant problems caused at some specific locations.  Councillor Moloney stated that the task group had investigated sites which were considered hotspots, including Alperton, Dollis Hill and Willlesden Green with the relevant service area officers.  Enforcement action had subsequently been taken at a premises in Willesden Green.  Councillor Moloney drew Members’ attention to the recommendations of the task group in the report as set out below:-

1.         That the complaint and referral form and log developed by officers at the task group’s request is implemented.  Each department will nominate an officer responsible for maintaining and monitoring this.

2.         That complaints made in relation to this type of premises should be monitored and reported back to members via the annual complaints report.

During discussion, Councillor Lorber enquired what measures were being undertaken to ensure that other relevant service areas were aware of the problems that can be caused by such garages and added that the problems can remain even after they have been reported.

The Chair welcomed the report and suggested that assurances should be made to residents that reporting the problem to any service area would lead to the problem being investigated by relevant officers.  He added that residents should be encouraged to use all forms of contacting the council about such matters, including the internet, and a template form may well assist. 

With the approval of the Chair, Councillor S Choudhary addressed the committee.  Councillor S Choudhary welcomed the recommendations of the task group and stated that some garages along Hassop Road continued to cause significant problems.

In reply to the issues raised, Councillor Moloney advised that there was a long term plan to address issues in relation to Hassop Road, however it would require funding for the regeneration that was sought for the area.  Members heard that the task group report had set out that problems could be reported to any service area of the council.  It was also noted that there were many garages carrying out car repairs legally, however the measures recommended by the task group would be reviewed after a period to identify their effectiveness to date and to see whether any other measures should be considered.

Jacqueline Casson (Senior Policy Officer, Strategy, Partnerships and Improvement) added that the customer service project was also addressing matters in relation to reporting problems and submitting complaints to the council.  The relevant service areas had attended site visits along with task group members and a referral form was in the process of being developed.

RESOLVED:-

(i)        that the recommendations of the car repair and spray painting task group be agreed; and

(ii)       that the report be forwarded to the Executive for consideration.