Decision details

To agree the Council’s approach to licensing in the private rented sector, taking account of the results of public consultation.

(i)         that the evidence and the responses to consultation on Additional and Selective Licensing set out in the report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth be noted and the proposed schemes introduced;

(ii)        that subject to (i) above, agreement be given that the legal requirements for introducing additional licensing for the whole area of the borough of Brent as set out in paragraphs 11.1 to 11.6 of the report have been met;

(iii)       that subject to (i) and (ii) above, the designation of an Additional Licensing area to cover the whole borough of Brent, as delineated and edged red on the map at Appendix 3 be authorised to take effect from 1 January 2015 and to last for five years from that date;

(iv)       that that the council will begin to accept applications for Additional Licensing from 1^st November 2014, in anticipation of the scheme coming into effect on 1^st January 2015;

(v)        that authority to issue the required statutory notifications in relation to the Additional Licensing Scheme designation be delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth;

(vi)       that the decision to proceed with Selective Licensing in Wembley Central, Harlesden and Willesden Green be deferred to a future Executive meeting and before then, proceed with:

·         Further consultation over a two month period on whether other wards, namely Dudden Hill and Mapesbury, should be included in addition to Harlesden, Wembley Central and Willesden Green in the areas to be subject to a Selective Licensing scheme.

·         Further analysis and consideration of the evidence relating to additional wards.

(vii)      that the fees for Additional Licensing be set at £550 for the five-year licensing period;

(viii)     that, subject to further consultation, authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth to agree the basis for and level of any discounts to be applied to these fees;

(ix)       that the Additional Licensing scheme be kept under review annually and that any significant changes, including the withdrawal of a licensing designation, be subject to further consultation and a decision by the Executive.