Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services concerning guest rooms at Golden Lane Estate and Middlesex Street Estate.

A Member enquired as to whether staff used the guest rooms and how much they were charged for its usage. Officers confirmed that staff were charged the standard rate and advised Members that staff usage of these rooms was rare and only occurred if they were in the locality on work business. The rooms were primarily for resident use.

In terms of the recommended change in nightly rates, a Member asked if there was any evidence that this would increase usage of the guest rooms. In reply, officers advised that the evidence was largely based on discussions with both Members and residents. Officers had attempted to make a generous discount but were willing to review it at a later date. A Member requested that officers provide a date for this review at the next meeting.

A Member asked if officers supported opening up the Middlesex Street Estate guest rooms to the residents of Mansell Street, in a similar way to how residents of the Barbican Estate could use guest rooms on Golden Lane Estate. Officers undertook to review this after refurbishment had been completed on the guest rooms on Middlesex Street Estate before making a commitment. The Chair asked officers to make this a six-month review to which officers agreed.

A Member, acknowledging the pressures on the Housing Revenue Account, and noted that data suggested that the guest rooms were a loss-making service. They felt that if the losses continued then it should be reviewed. Officers replied that if the permanent member of staff on Golden Lane were to focus on the cleaning of the rooms as their sole responsibility then that could help to alleviate the running costs of the guest rooms; better advertising of the guest rooms was also mentioned.

RESOLVED, that - Members agreed to approve the proposed pricing structure for the guest room facilities (includes reductions to current nightly rates).