Minute No. 317 (Cabinet Book 2, Agenda Item No. 8 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet

The Committee considered Minute 317 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 29 September 2022, which had been referred directly to the Committee for scrutiny, together with a report of the Interim Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the draft Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy for public consultation.

In response to questions from members of the Committee, the Cabinet Member for Public Protection confirmed that he would be willing to consider the revision of Section 4.2 (Situations Where a Service May Not be Provided) of the draft enforcement policy to address concerns raised by councillors and to provide additional clarity within the enforcement policy in relation to its application to Small Houses in Multiple Occupation. 

Resolved:

That the following decisions of the Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the draft Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2022, set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved for a 6-week public consultation.

2. That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment), in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Economic Recovery, Regeneration and Housing and Public Protection to make amendments to the Policy, following the consultation should it be required.

3. That the finalised Enforcement Policy (post consultation) be presented to Cabinet on 12 January 2023.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Councillors I Gilbert and M Terry

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the draft Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy for public consultation.

Resolved:

1. That the draft Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2022, set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved for a 6-week public consultation.

2. That authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment), in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Economic Recovery, Regeneration and Housing and Public Protection to make amendments to the Policy, following the consultation should it be required.

3. That the finalised Enforcement Policy (post consultation) be presented to Cabinet on 12 January 2023.

Reasons for decision:

1. To ensure that all landlords and managing agents renting out accommodation in the private rented sector are dealt with in a fair, transparent and consistent manner.

2. To target the Council’s resources to the areas of greatest demand whilst ensuring that statutory responsibilities are still met with respect to other tenure groups.

3. To strengthen the enforcement response by formally enforcing against substantial Category 2 hazards.

4. To set out how the Council intends to apply penalties under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.

5. To publish a statement of principle, so as to apply the financial penalties under the Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015.

Other options:

To adopt the Policy in part rather than in full or to not adopt the Policy.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Referred direct to: Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Members: Cllr Gilbert and Cllr Terry

Report of Director of Public Protection