Issue - meetings

The Council was required to have in place a Housing Enforcement Policy and from time to time, as legislation was introduced or amended the policy would require revision.

Members gave consideration to a report which set out a revised version of the policy and which outlined the main changes made, as detailed in Section 3 of the report.   These were summarised to Members with rationale and explanation offered for each.

It was noted that the Council’s ability to enact parts of the policy were restricted currently due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Specific guidance had been issued to landlords and tenants in relation to disrepair and this was being applied at the current time. The main restriction related to the internal inspections of properties, which carried a significantly higher risk to staff than in any normal circumstance. Other methods for assessing matters under the policy were being developed to enable the service to continue to be delivered. The focus currently remained on high risk issues that could cause a threat to life.

Debate ensued and Members firstly congratulated Officers for the work they undertook in relation to Housing Enforcement.  Members considered the service performed well and was often ahead of the game in the approaches and measures it used.

In response to requests for data demonstrating activity across both Gainsborough and the District, Officers advised, whist the majority of activity was focussed within Gainsborough, as this was where issues were readily identified and reported, the approach taken was a District Wide approach.  It was acknowledged that similar issues existed in rural communities and Officers offered reassurance that all cases, regardless of location, would be addressed in the same manner.

Whilst the location of reports was not something regularly reported to Members, Officers advised they could provide information detailing the spread of cases.

Members again thanked the Team for the work undertaken and encouraged that this continue.

RESOLVED that:

(a)     the revised Housing Enforcement Policy be approved; and

(b)     delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee, to make minor housekeeping amendments to the Policy in the future.