Boss says council are hypocrites over pothole court threats

A businessman has branded Coventry City Council “hypocrites” after being told to resurface his car park – or face legal action.



Dean Malham, who runs Autochoice Car Sales in Fletchamstead Highway, Tile Hill, has been told that unless he stumps up for thousands of pounds worth of repairs to the car park he could be taken to court.

It would mean putting on hold plans to expand the business and employ two more people.

The 44-year-old said: “I know it’s not flawless, but there are no trip hazards or potholes.

“Compared to some of the roads round here it’s pretty good.

“But here’s the bigger issue – the council should have more empathy with local business that are trying hard to ride the current financial climate.

“We appreciate health and safety issues are important, but this is a non-essential repair and would put unnecessary burden on the business and take us back years.

“We all need to chip in and support local businesses and that especially means the council.

“Their action here is irresponsible.”

The enforcement action comes weeks after Dean and his eight employees opened a new £160,000 MOT and service centre on the site of their business, which opened in 2009 on land previously occupied by The Fletch pub.

Lord Mayor of Coventry Coun Keiran Mulhall officially opened the new building.

“He didn’t trip over,” Dean said. “And it was absolutely fantastic to have him here. He commended us on the effort we put into the business.

“I was born here and I’m proud to be part of the culture. It really felt like we were getting a massive pat on the back when he arrived, that’s the kind of support that helps progress.”

Robert Downes, from the Forum of Private Business, said: “This is a classic example of heavy-handed bureaucracy from an out of touch local government department.

“To try and force a business, which is doing its best to trade through difficult times and create jobs in the local economy, to spend this kind of money on a nonsensical project is deeply troubling.

“Here we have a private customer car park, which while not looking as neat and tidy as the day it was first laid, is quite clearly not a danger to anyone’s health.

“Councils simply cannot be allowed to let over-zealous inspectors without a clue how small businesses operate be in charge of this kind of decision making which could finish some firms already struggling in the current climate. We would strongly urge the council to think again.”

The action comes against a backdrop of complaints by members of the public about the state of Coventry’s roads, many of which were left with huge potholes due to poor maintenance and harsh winter weather. The subsequent Labour-run council has pumped millions into fixing the problem – but faced claims for compensation from disgruntled motorists whose cars were damaged.

A council spokesman said it had made recommendations to carry out work to prevent a tripping hazard at an inspection in June 2010, adding: “In a recent follow up inspection, it was noted that the work had not been carried out and the surface was in a worse condition and it was identified as a legal requirement.

“We have given the owner time to get this done.

“Safeguarding the health and safety of members of the public is a priority for us, as is giving businesses the advice they need to protect themselves and their customers.”

Tile Hill car dealership boss's delight over council £30,000 car park bill U-turn

THE OWNER of a car dealership who was told he would have to repair his car park or face legal action has won a “victory for common sense”.

As the Telegraph reported last month, Dean Malhan the director of Autochoice Car Sales in Fletchamstead Highway, Tile Hill, said health and safety experts at the council had told him his car park was a trip hazard because of potholes last month.

The furious company boss – who had only recently spent £160,000 opening a new MOT and service centre on the site – denied that his car park was a danger.

He said that the only way to repair the car park would be to resurface it, at a cost of £30,000.

But after the Telegraph intervened the council has now relaxed its stance and performed a U-turn, asking Mr Malhan to “explore the resurfacing of the area within the next 12 months”.

Dean said: “It’s a victory for common sense.

“Not only has this change of heart by the council saved us somewhere in the region of £30,000, we will now be able to go ahead with our plans to increase our MOT, service and repairs business and hopefully recruit two new members of staff by the end of this year.

“That’s good news, not just for us but for the local economy as well.

“Only the council know why they singled us out, but I’m glad they reviewed their decision and I can now get on with running my business.”

Rob Downes, of the Forum of Private Business, said: “Without rational explanation, the town hall was trying to force a small business to spend a huge amount of cash on a job that quite simply didn’t need doing.

“It really is high time local authorities stopped creating barriers to business for small firms with stupid amounts of red tape and petty officialdom, particularly in the current climate.

“We can only hope that this case serves as a wake up call for all decision making officials in positions of power that they are not the lord and master of their own personal fiefdoms, and need to act responsibly and within the realms of their remit.”

A spokesman for Coventry City Council denied that they had ever asked Mr Malhan to resurface the car park. He said: “What has been requested is that the surface be kept in a condition where employees or the public would not be liable to trip or fall.

“We met with Mr Malhan and agreed how this matter would be dealt with. In the revised report, this is still listed as a legal requirement and Mr Malhan has agreed to consider resurfacing the area in the next year as he does not feel that it is repairable in any other way.”