Apologies for absence were received from Councillor T Cowdrey (Substitute: Councillor K Mitchell).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a)       Councillors I Gilbert and P Collins (Cabinet Members) - Interest in the called-in item; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19 July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011.

(b)       Councillor S Habermel – Agenda Item 5 (Selective Licensing) - Landlord of property not within the areas of designation for the Selective Licencing Scheme - Non-pecuniary interest.

(c)        Councillor I Shead - Agenda Item 5 (Selective Licensing) - Landlord of property within the areas of designation for the Selective Licencing Scheme - Pecuniary interest (withdrew).

(d)       Councillor S George - Agenda Item 5 (Selective Licensing) - Council’s representative on the South Essex Alliance of Landlords and Residents (SEAL) - Non-pecuniary interest.

(e)       Councillor S Wakefield – Agenda Item 5 (Selective Licensing) – Landlord of House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) property within the Borough - Non-pecuniary interest.

The Committee noted the response of the Cabinet Member for Public Protection to questions submitted by Mr D Webb, which would be sent to Mr Webb as he was not present at the meeting.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 2 September 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Minute 333 (Cabinet Agenda item No. 9 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 333 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 14 September 2021, which had been called-in to the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee, together with a report of the Interim Executive Director (Growth and Housing) that provided an update on the work underway to prepare for the implementation of the Selective Licensing scheme within neighbourhoods in the Milton, Kursaal, Victoria and Chalkwell wards.

The Leader of the Council undertook to provide a written response to questions raised by members of the Committee with regard to the financial implications of the Selective Licensing Scheme, specifically the cost of the specialist software procured for the management of the Scheme and the number and cost (including on-costs) of officers required to manage and enforce the Scheme.

Resolved:

1. That the matter be referred back to the Cabinet for reconsideration, with reference to the additional information requested by the Committee in relation to the financial implications of the Selective Licensing Scheme.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Councillor I Gilbert

Report of Executive Director (Legal and Democratic Services) attached.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Legal and Democratic Services) on progress with regard to the joint in-depth scrutiny project for 2021/22.  

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Note: This is a Scrutiny function