Issue - meetings

Councillor Wesley Harcourt presented the joint report with Councillor Lisa Homan, who was in attendance virtually. The report was seeking approval to implement new property licensing schemes from June 2022 for a further 5 years, focussing on the types of properties and streets where there were the most significant problems. Those were Additional Licensing for Houses and Flats in Multiple Occupation (“HMOs”) and Selective Licensing for rented dwellings in 24 specified streets.

In response to a question asked virtually by Councillor Adronie Alford regarding simplifying the licensing process that may overwhelm some people, Councillor Harcourt asked Councillor Alford to send him the details of her concerns and he would ask officers to look into it to resolve the issue.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS PRESENT:

That Cabinet approves:

1.    Designation of an Additional HMO Licensing scheme from 5 June 2022 in accordance with the designation document in Appendix 1.

2.    Designation of a Selective Licensing scheme for rented houses and flats which are not HMOs from 5 June 2022 in accordance with the designation document in Appendix 2.

3.    Delegation of authority to the Strategic Director of Environment to set licence fees, and to amend these fees from time to time as is necessary to reflect the actual costs of administering and managing the schemes.

4.    Delegation of authority to the Strategic Director of Environment (in relation to licensed dwellings) to set (and amend from time to time)

a.    minimum standards for amenities and management, and

b.    licence conditions