Agenda item

The following 2 questions were put:

"When will the Green Box be removed from the Guinness Estate. I hope this is soon as Guinness are about to undertake the huge task of installing fire suppressant sprinklers in all the flats and the space is sorely needed for parking contractors' vehicles."

Officers had contacted the Guinness Trust (without prejudice) in respect of a financial settlement, which is common at the end of a lease period.  This would enable Guinness to undertake restoration and removal of the Green Box and release the Department from the procurement and project management costs.  Initial indications were that the Guinness Trust would like the site to be restored for parking.  Members noted that a meeting was scheduled for 16th February 2022, after which officers would update the Chair, Deputy Chair and Ward Members.  The Member who put the question offered support, if required.  

“In respect of the water charges refund, what will the requirements be for tenants in residence between 2001 and 2005, to enable them to receive their refund, and how do officers plan to deal with requests for monetary refunds, particularly from residents on housing benefits. Currently, the web site only contains the press release and when will there be more information”?

Officers had produced a letter to all tenants; due to go out the following week, together with a fact sheet explaining how current and former tenants can claim.   In the absence of records by Thames Water and the City Corporation from this time, if tenants are able to provide evidence of  paying charges between 2001 and 2005, then they will be included in the refund process.  However, if they have proof of tenancy, with no possibility of them having paid for their water by alternative means, then they too would be refunded.  However, this might be more complex in the case of deceased former tenants. 

The web site was being updated to include the fact sheet.  In terms of those tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit and Universal Credit, as has been the case with other local authorities, any debts would be cleared first from the refunds, and current tenants would be offered a credit against their rent. If they preferred a cash payment, then this would be provided in the same way as for previous tenants.

Members were reminded that the previous report on this matter had included evidence gathered from other local authorities, which had demonstrated different approaches.  A Members suggested that, had the refund been paid from 2001, then the process would have been far less complex.