Agenda item

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

1)    Cabinet notes the following recommendations for consideration and response.

a)    That reinspection be prioritised for landlords whose properties have required action previously.

b)    Consideration be given to how the Council may support retention of experienced inspectors already in the Council’s employment.

c)    That consideration be given to incentivising responsible landlords, and, where there is a proven track record, empowering landlords to self-assess, provided that the service can still obtain assurances that decent standards are maintained.

d)    That consideration be given to managing expectations around selective licensing as a measure focused on the health of residents, rather than aesthetics or regeneration.

e)    That consideration be given to how uptake of the cost-of-living support offer among families in selective licensing areas may be further promoted and monitored, with a view to identifying gaps and promoting financial inclusion.

f)      Given the complexity of measuring impact on deprivation and difficulty in improving relative levels of deprivation, that consideration be given to how internal measures may better reflect the real impact of the scheme.

g)    That a joined-up approach be sought with relevant Council strategies and services, with partner and voluntary sector organisations and with resident-led initiatives prior to any future selective licensing declaration.

h)    That engagement with landlords and with tenants be considered alongside any response to the above recommendations, and that the response to the above recommendations be subject to the learning derived from continued engagement with landlords and tenants.

2)    Cabinet responds to the recommendations by November 2023 in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

Consideration was given to the report which was a good example of cross party working and it was felt it was very timely for this to be considered. The Council had limited powers over private landlords, but a huge chunk of housing was provided by the private rented sector. Selective Licensing was one thing the Council could do to look at housing which was below standard.

The review looked at how the scheme was aimed at keeping landlords accountable and holding them to maintain decent standards in rented properties within those designated areas. 

The review found that some people thought Selective Licensing was regarding aesthetics, about regeneration, about schemes of environmental improvement, however the funding was around keeping people safe.

The report showed the inspections delivered by the service were working and hazards were being found and notices had been served to put those right. The potential impact of improving people’s health and safety was significant where those inspections had been carried out. Members of the review did feel the service was struggling, the progress with inspections was behind schedule and it was recognised that there was a difficult period during the pandemic, which was outside of the services control. It was felt there was difficulty in getting and retaining the right number of skilled people required for the task at hand.

The inspections were deemed even more important during the cost-of-living crisis with more homes at risk of damp and mould. It was felt more could be done to understand the impact of the service, what it delivered, and what it did to try to keep people safe.

The review recommended a more joined up approach across the Council, working with internal services and with the community, more effective engagement. Communication and engagement with this group needed to be increased.

The people who participated in the review were thanked for their time. The recommendations were around targeting resources where they were needed, around working with landlords to get reassurance that things were working well. It was also around engagement and identifying other gaps, including issues around financial inclusion.

The Leader noted that it looked a very thorough review with Cabinet’s response to following in November 2023.

Resolved That:

1)    Cabinet noted the following recommendations for consideration and response.

a)    That reinspection be prioritised for landlords whose properties have required action previously.

b)    Consideration be given to how the Council may support retention of experienced inspectors already in the Council’s employment.

c)    That consideration be given to incentivising responsible landlords, and, where there is a proven track record, empowering landlords to self-assess, provided that the service can still obtain assurances that decent standards are maintained.

d)    That consideration be given to managing expectations around selective licensing as a measure focused on the health of residents, rather than aesthetics or regeneration.

e)    That consideration be given to how uptake of the cost-of-living support offer among families in selective licensing areas may be further promoted and monitored, with a view to identifying gaps and promoting financial inclusion.

f)      Given the complexity of measuring impact on deprivation and difficulty in improving relative levels of deprivation, that consideration be given to how internal measures may better reflect the real impact of the scheme.

g)    That a joined-up approach be sought with relevant Council strategies and services, with partner and voluntary sector organisations and with resident-led initiatives prior to any future selective licensing declaration.

h)    That engagement with landlords and with tenants be considered alongside any response to the above recommendations, and that the response to the above recommendations be subject to the learning derived from continued engagement with landlords and tenants.

2)    Cabinet responds to the recommendations by November 2023 in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.