Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration to a report from the Housing and Enforcement Manager seeking approval of funding based on the feasibility information to consult on future proposals for Selective Licensing in West Lindsey. It was explained that, at their meeting on 2 November 2021, the Prosperous Communities Committee approved that the Council would commence consultation on its proposals to deliver a selective licensing scheme across a total of five wards within the district. These wards being Gainsborough South West Ward; Gainsborough North; Wold View; Hemswell and Market Rasen. The Prosperous Communities Committee also approved that the report be referred to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to seek a decision in relation to the financial commitment of £126, 921 needed to deliver phases 2 and 3 of the scheme.

Councillor O. Bierley, as Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee, explained to Members that the proposals had been discussed in detail at the meeting on 2 November and the Committee had been pleased to support the report. The direction of focus had been welcomed and allowed a priority based approach. If property was in need of improvement, it did not matter where in the district it was located, and these plans would help achieve those improvements. He reiterated his support and moved the paper.

Another Member of the Committee welcomed the further district approach and was happy to second the paper.

It was noted that the proposed fee was significantly increased and a Member of the Committee explained his understanding of the reasons for this, as well as understanding the benefits to tenants under the scheme. The Housing and Enforcement Manager explained that the fee was over a five year period, not an annual fee and there was provision for those under the previous scheme to remain at the same level of fee. Additionally, there would be an ‘early bird’ fee for new landlords signing up to the scheme. This answer was welcomed by the Member of the Committee who had not realised it was not an annual fee and suggested, as that was a positive to note, it could be made more visible within the details of any future scheme.

With support from the Committee and the Chairman taking the vote it was unanimously

            RESOLVED that

a)    a budget and at risk funding of £122.9k to deliver phase 2 and 3 of the Selective Licensing Scheme as recommended by the Prosperous Communities Committee on 2November 2021 be approved; and

b)    the use of the £84.2k of general fund balance for the phase 2 consultation costs should a selective licensing scheme not progress, be approved; and

c)    a further report be received once the outcome of the consultation is known, and a Scheme be agreed, for the purpose of setting the Selective Licensing Fee.

The Committee gave consideration to a report from the Housing and Enforcement Manager seeking approval, based on the feasibility information, to consult on future proposals for Selective Licensing in West Lindsey. He explained that there were a number of appendices in relation to this item, with the main justification report attached at appendix 1, this being the report that would be used in any consultation, subject to approval. He highlighted that item 8a on the agenda was an exempt appendix relating to the phase 2 and 3 procurement. He also emphasised that the Committee were being asked to approve that consultation was undertaken on the proposals, not to confirm any final scheme. A further committee decision would be required for this, following on from any consultation.

Members were advised that Section 3 of the main report provided the overall findings of the feasibility work and set out the preference to explore option 1 as the preferred approach. Section 5 set out the financial proposals for the level of fee and advised that approval for the additional revenue to carry out phases 2 and 3 of the work would require approval from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee. Section 8 set out how it was intended to carry out the consultation to ensure that the legislative requirements were met.

The Committee commended the work that been undertaken, both in relation to the previous scheme and also in preparing for subsequent schemes. Members recognised the importance of engaging with landlords, whilst recognising that any scheme would likely be seen as an additional fee for them. It was accepted that there had been opposition to the original scheme and that there were elements that could and would be improved in the future. It was also acknowledged that the work to date had provided a clear oversight of the needs of the district, and, in some cases highlighted surprising results.

Note:              Councillor M. Devine briefly left the meeting and returned at 8.08pm

The Committee was also keen to note that there were some complex issues to be addressed and it would overlap with other areas of the council’s work. Any future scheme would play an important role in improving conditions across the district.

The Chairman reiterated the purpose at this stage was to approve consultation on future options, and, having had a proposer and seconder, he took the vote. With thanks once again extended to the Housing and Enforcement Manager and his team it was

            RESOLVED that

a)    the supporting evidence, financial information and risks in relation to the Selective Licensing proposals, be considered and noted; and

b)    it be noted that, as per the report, alternative options had been considered in regards to improving the Private Rented Sector within the District; and

c)    the preferred option for consultation to be presented to Prosperous Communities Committee is option 1; an initial designation for Gainsborough South West Ward, followed by a further designation for four additional wards; Gainsborough North, Hemswell Cliff, Wold View and Market  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43