Decision details

To consider the evidence and the responses to consultation and determine whether the selective licensing scheme should be extended to other areas of Brent, and that subject to the approval of the above, to agree that the proposal be submitted to the Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for confirmation.

Reason for Deferral:

This item has been deferred from the May Cabinet Agenda to June as data is still being analysed in order to verify the approach taken.

RESOLVED

13.1       Cabinet agreed that the legal requirements for introducing Selective Licensing on the grounds of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and/or migration and/or deprivation and/or poor housing conditions have been met with regard to the proposed selective licensing designation areas as summarised in table 6 in paragraph 10.10 of the report from the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing, which cover the following Council wards: 

(i) Dudden Hill, Kensal Green, Kilburn, Mapesbury, Queens Park (designation area 1 - on grounds of anti-social behaviour, poor housing conditions, migration and high levels of crime);

(ii)   Brondesbury Park, Queensbury (designation 2 on grounds of migration, anti-social behaviour and high level of crime);

(iii) Dollis Hill, Welsh Harp (designation 3 on grounds of poor housing conditions and anti-social behaviour);

(iv) Alperton, Barnhill, Sudbury, Tokyngton (designation 4 on grounds of anti-social behaviour and poor housing conditions);

(v)   Stonebridge (designation 5 on grounds of anti-social behaviour, high levels of crime, deprivation and poor housing conditions);

(vi) Fryent, Kenton, Northwick Park, Preston (designation 6 on grounds of anti-social behaviour and migration).

13.2       Cabinet agreed to authorise the designation of six areas for selective licensing to last for five years from the date of designation which cover the following Council wards as delineated and edged red on the map(s) at Paragraph 10.10, Figure 16 of the report from the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing:

(i) Dudden Hill, Kensal Green, Kilburn, Mapesbury, Queens Park (designation area 1);

(ii) Brondesbury Park, Queensbury (designation 2);

(iii) Dollis Hill, Welsh Harp (designation 3);

(iv) Alperton, Barnhill, Sudbury, Tokyngton (designation 4);

(v) Stonebridge (designation 5);

(vi) Fryent, Kenton, Northwick Park, Preston (designation 6)

13.3       Cabinet agreed to seek consent from the Secretary of State for the designation for Selective Licensing of the six areas as set out in paragraphs 2.1 and 10.9 of the report from the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing, which would last for five years from the date of designation, if approved by the Secretary of State.

13.4       Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the lead member for housing and welfare reform, to issue the required statutory notifications in relation to the Selective Licensing Scheme designations.

13.5       Cabinet approved the licensing conditions for the proposed designation areas for selective licensing as set out in Appendix 4 of the report from the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing and authorised the Strategic Director for Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the lead member for housing and welfare reform, to make any minor variations to such licensing conditions.

13.6       Cabinet agreed that, subject to consent being obtained from the Secretary of State, and the issue of statutory notifications, the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the lead member for housing and welfare reform be authorised to decide the date from which the council will begin to accept applications for Selective Licensing for the six designated areas and the date on which the designations and the extended Selective Licensing scheme will come into effect.

13.7       Cabinet agreed that the fees for Selective Licensing would be set at £540 in all proposed designated wards for the five year licensing period, including those three wards covered by the current scheme, as set out in paragraph 11.2. of the report from the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing 

13.8       Cabinet agreed that authority should be delegated to the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the lead member for housing and welfare reform to agree the basis for and level of any discounts to be applied to these fees.

13.9       Cabinet noted that the proposed Selective Licensing scheme will be kept under review annually.  Any significant changes, including the withdrawal of a licensing designation or a proposal to introduce a new designation, would be subject to further consultation and a decision by Cabinet.