The Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety submitted a report to Cabinet on 10 March 2021 informing Cabinet of the results of the consultation exercise carried out into the proposal to introduce a selective licensing scheme in the city.

Following the consultation it was proposed that a selective licensing scheme be introduced with the proposed changes to the scheme based on the feedback received. Following approval of the recommendations, a submission to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government was required for confirmation before the scheme could be implemented.

Recommendation: Cabinet recommends that Council resolves to approve the fee structure for licence applications, as set out in Appendix 7.

Cllrs Rehman and Clarkson declared an interest and left the room for this item.

Council had before it a report from the Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety which had been submitted to Cabinet on 10 March 2021 informing Cabinet of the results of the consultation exercise carried out into the proposal to introduce a selective licensing scheme in the city.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report and proposed the recommendations, which was seconded by Cllr Hollingsworth.

Cllr Miles spoke on behalf of her colleagues in support of the scheme which she hoped would improve housing conditions for those in private rented accommodation in the city and looked forward to being able to scrutinise the success of this scheme.

In response to a question from Cllr Malik, Cllr Linda Smith advised that funds raised from this scheme will be used to support the scheme including 26 additional customer service officers and 11 additional enforcement officers boosting the capacity of this council, further details on how this is profiled over the 5 years can be provided in writing.  Following a subsequent question from Cllr Malik, Cllr Hollingsworth advised that this scheme would extend beyond HMO properties, thereby providing assurances for the private sector in the city.

Cllr Waite joined the meeting.

On being put to the vote, Council were resolved to approve the fee structure for licence applications, as set out in Appendix 7.