A LOCAL authority is set to raise the rents for its garage plots.

A report to Hyndburn Council's Cabinet on Wednesday recommends an increase from £96 to £102 a year from April 1 next year.

The proposal from Cllr Loraine Cox, the borough's asset management boss, says: "The council completes a garage rent review every three years, with the aim of ensuring that the garage plot rents keep pace with inflation.

"It is reasonable for the council to increase the garage plot rents having taken into consideration the annual rate of inflation and rents charged by neighbouring local authorities.

"The council last increased the annual garage plot rent on April 1 2019.

"The term 'garage plot' means an area of land owned by the Council roughly equal in size to that which permits the erection of a three metre by six metre single garage, together with a narrow strip of land around the plot thereby permitting vehicle access and garage maintenance.

"Garage plots are rented to members of the public who may, at their own expense, erect a garage which can be used for parking a domestic motor vehicle.

"Some plots are used for parking cars or caravan storage without a garage building.

"It is a condition of the agreement that the garage plots are not used for commercial purposes and that the garage itself and the plot are maintained by the tenant.

"The council has 184 garage plots, all of which are tenanted.

"The proposed annual rent of £102.00 is comparable with neighbouring local authorities: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council £96.00; Pendle Borough Council £94.55; Burnley Borough Council £89.15; and Rossendale Borough Council £165.00."