Agenda item

To consider and endorse an updated outline of proposed scrutiny work for 2022/23.

Consideration was given to an updated work programme including a briefing on  the terms of reference for the review of selective licensing which had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting. As part of the 2022/23 programme of scrutiny work, Improving Places Select Commission had resolved to review the impact of selective licensing in autumn 2022. In discussions of 10 April, 7 June, 04 August, 1 September, and 10 October 2022, Members had contributed to development of the scope for consideration and endorsement.

The purpose of the review was to examine how the Council currently uses its various powers to improve living standards in areas of deprivation in the Borough, including but not limited to the use of selective licensing. The review would examine current and recent interdisciplinary work, 2020-2022, to reduce deprivation in selective licensing areas, and the potential to promote greater engagement, awareness and compliance among landlords.

Although the ultimate aim of the review was to maximise the effectiveness of combined efforts to raise residents’ feelings of satisfaction and perceptions of safety in their neighbourhoods, this review was focussed primarily on the behaviour and responsibility of landlords rather than tenants. It was noted that a separate piece of scrutiny work by IPSC will consider antisocial behaviour in 2023/24.

It was noted that raising standards of private rented sector housing in selective licensing areas in Rotherham may involve:

·       infusing good practice into operations by applying learning from local stakeholders and from other local authorities;

·       eliciting buy-in from multidisciplinary partners and the third sector to enhance the offer delivered up by Council services, community organisations, and institutions;

·       working across directorates of the Council to ensure a policy-driven approach to raising standards of living in areas of greatest deprivation;

·       getting a baseline from residents by finding out what they would most like to see improve;

·       and promoting engagement, education, and compliance of landlords to empower them to self-assess and equip them to work proactively and advantageously with Council services such as the homelessness team.

Members felt that a review of selective licensing would add value because in achieving progress in selective licensing areas cascading positive effects could be felt across the private rented sector and throughout the Borough in the medium term.

Several areas of relevant background knowledge for the review of Selective Licensing were identified. Prior to considering evidence, Members would have a working knowledge of

·       background of selective licensing locally;

·       evolution of the private rented sector in Rotherham’s housing market;

·       proposed social reforms described in the Government White Paper, A Fairer Private Rented Sector, 2022;

·       recent proceedings of the National Landlord’s Association, which Rotherham MBC has attended and presented.

·       The seven indices of deprivation measured by the Government, which include health but conspicuously do not include housing as a primary element.

The proposed method of the review was to examine evidence in respect of several areas related to Selective Licensing:

·       The role of private sector housing in national and in local contexts.

·       The Council’s powers to raise standards in areas of greatest deprivation, including but not limited to selective licensing.

·       Myth-busting around selective licensing in Rotherham.

·       Role of partners in raising standards in areas of greatest deprivation, for example, South Yorkshire Police.

·       Perspectives of residents via Parish Councils.

·       Perspectives of landlords via regional and local landlord associations.

Officers from the Council’s Community Safety and Street Scene team and Strategic Housing team were requested to present to a meeting with Members on standards and relationships with landlords, as well as the powers that the Council has in terms of enforcement. Evidence from the service data dashboard would be consulted to demonstrate the ward-level impact of selective licensing and enforcement activity.

A prospective timeline for the review was suggested:

25 October 2022 – Discussion of Work Programme at Improving Places Select Commission Meeting, commencing at 1.30 pm.

15 November 2022 – Scrutiny meeting, Room 2 Rotherham Town Hall, commencing at 1.30 pm.

November to January 2023 – Consultation with key stakeholders, for example,

·       12 December 2022 – Consultation with South Yorkshire Police

·       30 January 2023 – Meeting of Regional Landlord Association

Indicative lines of inquiry on which the officers may be invited to expound were included in the terms of reference. Perspectives would be invited from landlords, Parish Councillors, tenants and South Yorkshire Police partners as appropriate.

Community Safety Team:

·       What led the Council to implement Selective Licensing?

·       What was the process leading up to establishing Selective Licensing areas?

·       What has been the impact of selective licensing?

·       What has been the impact of other enforcement powers?

·       What is the role of partners and third parties in enforcement in areas of deprivation?

·       What challenges do the service and partners face in improving safety and street pride and in reducing crime?

Strategic Housing Team:

·       How do the 7 indices of deprivation figure into the work of the service?

·       How has the Council infused good practice into private sector housing operations?

·       How does the Council monitor standards in private sector housing?

·       How does the Council monitor landlord participation?

·       What kinds of support do landlords receive?

·       What do landlords tell the service about challenges they face?

·       How does the landlord association link in with other partners such as the homelessness team or South Yorkshire Police?

·       What strategies and legislation currently guide private sector housing in Rotherham, and when are these due for review?

·       How will proposed housing reforms affect private sector housing?

Members of the Commission as well as Members who represent wards which have selective licensing areas were invited to participate in the review. Members who had put their names forward to participate were Cllrs Aveyard, T Collingham, Cooksey, Jones, Khan, Monk, Tinsley, and Sylvester.

In discussion of the work programme, Members noted the need to consider rent arrears and rates arrears, and the use of bailiffs in light of the cost of living crisis. The Chair noted the upcoming scrutiny review on cost of living.

Resolved:

1.    That the updated schedule of work including the terms of reference for the scrutiny review of selective licensing be noted.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Governance Advisor in consultation with the Chair and Vice-chair to make changes to the schedule of work as appropriate between meetings, reporting any changes back to the next meeting for endorsement.

3.    That the Chair of OSMB be consulted regarding the inclusion of rent and rates arrears and the use of bailiffs in the upcoming scrutiny review regarding the cost of living crisis.