Issue - meetings

ES20076

Joanne Stowell, (Assistant Director for Public Protection and Enforcement) advised the Committee that the Council had an overarching community safety enforcement policy. The policy being brought to the attention of the Committee on the night was aimed at outlining the proposed process and protocols going forward for the private rented housing sector and to outline specific enforcement options for the sector that the Council was not currently utilising. It was proposed that civil penalties be used in lieu of prosecutions.

It was explained that the Council had a statutory duty to publish their policies regarding enforcement in the private rented housing sector. It was recommended that the draft policy go out for a six week consultation period, and that an updated report be brought back to the Committee on 22^nd June, highlighting the final draft post consultation. The recommendation at that time would be for the policy to be adopted.

The Assistant Director said that there were no additional cost implications for consideration, and that the Community Safety Team would prepare a flowchart that would be provided to Members—this could be used for advising their constituents. 

The Vice Chairman suggested that as no decision was being made on the night, Members should avoid discussing the matter further and wait for the final draft to be presented in June.

It was agreed that the consultation would be advertised as widely as possible, using social media as well as the Council’s website. This would be overseen by the Council’s Communications Executive.

It was noted that currently the service employed four enforcement officers who would be tasked with enforcement in this area, as well as undertaking HMO inspections.

RESOLVED that:

1)  The Portfolio Holder agreed that the draft Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2021 (PRSEP) attached to the report (Appendix 1), and the subsequent appendices for Civil Penalties Policy, imposing financial penalties under the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing and Planning Act 2016 at Appendix 2 and the Statement of Principles for the determining of financial penalties under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) regulations 2015 (Appendix 3) be approved for 6 week public consultation (1st April – 13th May 21).

2)  The Portfolio Holder agreed to give delegated authority to the Director of Environment and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Enforcement to make any amendments to the policy as required post consultation.

3)  The Portfolio Holder agreed that the results of the consultation be presented to the PDS Committee at its meeting on 22^nd June.

4)  The draft private rented sector housing policy be recommended for approval on June 22^nd

5)  The Portfolio Holder agreed that delegated authority be given to the Director of Environment and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Enforcement, to make minor amendments to the policy post adoption should this be required.