Issue - meetings

Report from the Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the report and progress to date.

2.    Approve the approach to the community liaison roles and stakeholder panels.

3.    Approve the approach to establishing the capital programme, with stakeholder groups identifying local priorities and delegate agreement  ...  view the full agenda text for item 166

Consideration was given to the report which set out the operational model, responsibilities, governance and expected outcomes for both the liaison function and the capital funding in relation to Selective Licensing.

The Council had made declarations for 6 new Selective Licensing areas which commenced in February 2026 for a period  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166

Report from the Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the report and progress to date.

2.    Approve the approach to the community liaison roles and stakeholder panels.

3.    Approve the approach to establishing the capital programme, with stakeholder groups identifying local priorities and delegate agreement for the final governance arrangement to the Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Service Director for Legal Services.

At the Chair’s invitation the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Beresford updated on the Selective Licensing Scheme, covering progress, investment, and governance.

Six licensing areas had gone live in February 2026 for five years, building on earlier schemes that improved housing standards and neighbourhood stability. Delivery was underway, with systems operational, applications processed, draft licences issued, and local improvement plans agreed. Communications had been launched to increase landlord uptake.

The 2026-27 budget approved £362,000 annual revenue funding for three enforcement officers, two community liaison officers, and a management role. Recruitment had begun, with five posts expected to be in place from 5 May. The focus extended beyond enforcement to visibility, early intervention, service coordination, and use of community intelligence.

A further £500,000 capital funding had been approved for small-scale local improvements (e.g. lighting, gating, waste and environmental works), with priorities set locally.

Local stakeholder panels were to be established to identify priorities and review performance, advising on proposals but not making decisions. Oversight would sit with a Selective Licensing Board, ensuring accountability and reporting to Cabinet and scrutiny. Overall, the scheme had shifted to a coordinated, place-based approach combining enforcement, engagement, and visible improvements.

The Chair invited members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) to raise questions and queries and began with Councillor Monk, who asked how stakeholder panels would be supported to enable full participation for those with communication needs, including individuals whose first language is not English, members of the deaf community, and those with disabilities, health conditions, or anxiety affecting communication.

Sam Barstow, the Service Director, Community Safety and Street Sceneresponded that the panels were intended to be inclusive, enabling all who wished to participate to have their voice heard. It was noted that individual communication needs would need to be understood to determine appropriate support, and officers were committed to considering requests and putting reasonable adjustments in place where required. It was further noted that an Equality Impact Assessment would help ensure the panels were transparent, accessible, and fair.

Councillor Monk asked whether a commitment could be made to communicate clearly about the stakeholder groups, including the support available, and to strongly encourage participation and the Service Director for Community Safety and Street Scene confirmed that such a commitment would be made.

Councillor Blackham noted that the report stated neighbourhood improvement plans had already been formed and adopted, while stakeholder group recruitment had only commenced in March 2026. Concern was raised that this could indicate decisions had already been made, potentially limiting the influence of stakeholder groups, and clarification was sought on how confidence would be maintained and appropriate membership encouraged in those circumstances.

The Service Director, Community Safety and Street Scenethanked members and reassured them that concerns about stakeholder panels were unfounded. It was explained that, as part of governance and approval processes, draft neighbourhood development improvement plans had been prepared. Stakeholder panels would review these plans, sense-check proposals, and suggest additions. Local officers would report to panels on progress.

Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145