Issue - meetings

Key Decision

Portfolio Holder

Councillor John Wilmott – Portfolio Holder for Licensing, Environmental Health and Regulatory Services

RESOLVED that

a)    the findings from the 10-week consultation period with stakeholders regarding the proposal to renew selective licensing for private rented homes in designated parts of Stanton Hill and Sutton Central (New Cross), be received and noted;

b)    the in-principle decision made at Cabinet on 7 December 2021, to approve renewing selective licensing for private rented properties in designated parts of Stanton Hill and Sutton Central (New Cross), be confirmed;

c)    the proposed changes to the geographical boundaries of each scheme, in accordance with details contained at Appendix C, D and E of the report, be approved;

d)    the proposed fee structure  to charge a licence fee of £350 per property for a 5 year period (the same fee level as in 2017) to cover the cost of administering the scheme with the fee being discounted by £100 per property if the landlord is a member of a landlord accredited body at the time of application, be approved;

e)    approval be given for a re-orientation of the scheme in order to dedicate additional officer time to positive, pro-active engagement with landlords, better supporting them in the day-to-day management of their homes and their tenants.

Cabinet was advised of the findings from the 10-week consultation period with stakeholders regarding the proposal to renew selective licensing for private rented homes in designated parts of Stanton Hill and Sutton Central (New Cross). In addition, approval was sought to confirm the in-principle decision made by Cabinet on 7 December 2021 to renew selective licensing for private rented homes in the designated areas.

Members considered the alternative option of declining to renew the selective licensing scheme, but this was not recommended because the Evaluation

Report had highlighted the improvements and benefits of selective licensing and the further gains that could be achieved.

RESOLVED that

a)    the findings from the 10-week consultation period with stakeholders regarding the proposal to renew selective licensing for private rented homes in designated parts of Stanton Hill and Sutton Central (New Cross), be received and noted;

b)    the in-principle decision made at Cabinet on 7 December 2021, to approve renewing selective licensing for private rented properties in designated parts of Stanton Hill and Sutton Central (New Cross), be confirmed;

c)    the proposed changes to the geographical boundaries of each scheme, in accordance with details contained at Appendix C, D and E of the report, be approved;

d)    the proposed fee structure  to charge a licence fee of £350 per property for a 5 year period (the same fee level as in 2017) to cover the cost of administering the scheme with the fee being discounted by £100 per property if the landlord is a member of a landlord accredited body at the time of application, be approved;

e)    approval be given for a re-orientation of the scheme in order to dedicate additional officer time to positive, pro-active engagement with landlords, better supporting them in the day-to-day management of their homes and their tenants.

Reasons:

1.    At the Cabinet Meeting on 7 December 2021 Members agreed in principle to renew the existing selective licensing schemes for private rented homes subject to a 10-week period of public consultation.

2.    The report considered the responses received from stakeholders and recommended that the in-principle decision be confirmed to ensure the improvements achieved during the first 5 years of the schemes were maintained and built upon.

(Having previously declared Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in respect of this item, Councillors Samantha Deakin, Helen-Ann Smith and Jason Zadrozny left the meeting and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.  However, Councillor David Martin, having declared a Non-Registrable Interest in this item, remained in the room and took part in the proceedings.)