Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning considering the introduction a Selective Licensing Scheme for landlords in parts of the City where the quality of private rented accommodation falls below an acceptable level.

RESOLVED:

(1)     A further report be brought to Cabinet towards the end of 2018 recommending whether or not additional HMO licensing should be implemented in Gloucester and recommending the implementation of other policy options detailed in this report.

(2)     A policy for the implementation of fixed penalty notices for housing act offences be developed within the next six months.

(3)     The investigation for the case for a discretionary licensing scheme is postponed until 2018 which will be after the extended mandatory HMO licensing scheme has been implemented.

(4)     A policy for the implementation of fixed penalty notices be agreed with the relevant Cabinet Member within the next six months.

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning regarding the introduction of a Selective Licensing Scheme for landlords in parts of the City where the quality of private rented accommodation failed below an acceptable level.

Cabinet were made aware that the report had been produced in response to the motion raised at the Council meeting on 1 December 2016. 

The Leader of the Council advised that tenants should live in decent and clean homes and that the Council would prosecute less responsible landlords of poorly maintained homes of multiple occupancy.

It was noted that further report would be presented to Cabinet next year.

Following the recent tragic events in London, the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources commented on the need for the City Council to ensure they work closely with the Fire Service to ensure high rise buildings in Gloucester are risk assessed.

The Managing Director advised that the City Council had been in regular contact with the Fire Service and Gloucester City Homes and risk assessments and emergency procedures were being undertaken.

RESOLVED that:

(1)     A further report be brought to Cabinet towards the end of 2018 recommending whether or not additional HMO licensing should be implemented in Gloucester and recommending the implementation of other policy options detailed in this report.

(2)     A policy for the implementation of fixed penalty notices for housing act offences be developed within the next six months.

(3)     The investigation for the case for a discretionary licensing scheme is postponed until 2018 which will be after the extended mandatory HMO licensing scheme has been implemented.

(4)     A policy for the implementation of fixed penalty notices be agreed with the relevant Cabinet Member within the next six months.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources concerning the draft Council Plan 2017-20 and outlining the timetable for the development of the final Plan.