Issue - meetings

In April 2014 the Executive approved the introduction of an Additional Licensing scheme, covering all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the borough and in August 2014 approved the introduction of a Selective Licensing scheme, covering all private rented housing in the wards of Harlesden, Wembley Central and Willesden Green.  Both schemes came into effect in January 2015 and run to 31^st December 2019. In June 2018 the selective licensing scheme was extended to the electoral wards of Dudden Hill, Kensal Green, Kilburn, Mapesbury and Queens Park. This latter designation will run until May 2023.

This report makes recommendations in relation to the operation of Additional & Selective Licensing Schemes within the Borough beyond 31 December 2019.

RESOLVED:

     i)        Cabinet noted the outcome of the consultation process detailed in the Consultation Findings Report of September 2019 as set out in Appendix 1, in particular the representations received and the Council’s consideration thereof, and the response to these representations as set out in Appendix 2.

    ii)        Cabinet noted the consultation evidence set out in Appendix 3 relating to the problems being caused by poorly managed HMOs, and also that the report has considered that additional licensing will assist the Council in achieving wider objectives, as well as alternatives to additional licensing.

   iii)        Cabinet noted the content of the Equality Impact Assessment as set out in Appendix 10.

   iv)        Cabinet agreed, subject to recommendations 1 – 3 above, that the legal requirements for introducing additional licensing for the whole of the Borough of Brent as set out in paragraphs 10.1 to 10.6 of the report have been met.

    v)        Cabinet agreed, subject to recommendations 1 – 3 above, that the Council using its powers under section 56 of the Housing Act 2004, to renew and authorise the designation of the entire Borough of Brent as an area subject to additional licensing to last for five years from 1st February 2020 or on a later date to be set by the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing as delineated and edged red on the map at Appendix 5.

   vi)        Cabinet agreed that the evidence report set out in Appendix 3, highlights that the legal requirements as set out in the report, paragraphs 10.11 to 10.21, for introducing Selective Licensing on the grounds of anti-social behaviour (ASB); and/or poor property conditions; and/or high levels of deprivation have been met with regard to the proposed selective licensing designation areas as summarised in table 2 in section 5.0 of the report.

  vii)        Cabinet agreed, subject to recommendations 1 – 3 above, to authorise the designation of four areas for selective licensing to last for five years from the date of designations coming into force, and which cover the following Council wards as delineated and edged red on the map(s) in appendices 4A to 4D:

                      i.        Designation 1: A selective licensing scheme designation in the wards of Harlesden, Wembley Central and Willesden Green wards under Part 3, s.80 Housing Act 2004 on the grounds of poor housing (property) conditions and ASB with effect from 1st April 2020, or at a later date in accordance with the statutory time required for the scheme to come into force.

                    ii.        A selective licensing scheme under Part 3, s.80 Housing Act 2004 to the following designated areas of the borough with effect from 1st April 2020, or at a later date in accordance with the statutory time required for the scheme to come into force,

for the reasons as follows:

Designation 2: Queensbury, Fryent and Brondesbury Park – this is along the A5 corridor and on the Grounds; Poor Housing (Property) Conditions and ASB

Designation 3: Barnhill and Welsh Harp – Grounds; Poor Housing (Property Conditions), Deprivation and  ...  view the full decision text for item 11

Councillor Ellie Southwood, Cabinet Member for Housing & Welfare Reform, reminded Cabinet Members that in April 2014 the Executive approved the introduction of an Additional Licensing scheme, covering all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the borough and in August 2014 approved the introduction of a Selective Licensing scheme, covering all private rented housing in the wards of Harlesden, Wembley Central and Willesden Green. 

Cabinet noted that both schemes came into effect in January 2015 and run to 31st December 2019. In June 2018 the selective licensing scheme was extended to the electoral wards of Dudden Hill, Kensal Green, Kilburn, Mapesbury and Queens Park. This latter designation will run until May 2023.

Councillor Southwood stated that, under the licensing schemes, landlords of privately rented homes within the designations are required to apply to the Council for licences for which fees must be paid. Where licences are granted, the Licence Holder and Manager, if different, are required to comply with property management licence conditions.

Councillor Southwood stated that it had been agreed to consult on proposals to renew the 2014 additional and selective licensing and on extending selective licensing to other areas of the borough.

RESOLVED:

     i)        Cabinet noted the outcome of the consultation process detailed in the Consultation Findings Report of September 2019 as set out in Appendix 1, in particular, the representations received and the Council’s consideration thereof, and the response to these representations as set out in Appendix 2.

    ii)        Cabinet noted the consultation evidence set out in Appendix 3 relating to the problems being caused by poorly managed HMOs, and also that the report has considered that additional licensing will assist the Council in achieving wider objectives, as well as alternatives to additional licensing.

   iii)        Cabinet noted the content of the Equality Impact Assessment as set out in Appendix 10.

   iv)        Cabinet agreed, subject to recommendations 1 – 3 above, that the legal requirements for introducing additional licensing for the whole of the Borough of Brent as set out in paragraphs 10.1 to 10.6 of the report have been met.

    v)        Cabinet agreed, subject to recommendations 1 – 3 above, that the Council using its powers under section 56 of the Housing Act 2004, to renew and authorise the designation of the entire Borough of Brent as an area subject to additional licensing to last for five years from 1st February 2020 or on a later date to be set by the Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing as delineated and edged red on the map at Appendix 5.

   vi)        Cabinet agreed that the evidence report set out in Appendix 3, highlights that the legal requirements as set out in the report, paragraphs 10.11 to 10.21, for introducing Selective Licensing on the grounds of anti-social behaviour (ASB); and/or poor property conditions; and/or high levels of deprivation have been met with regard to the proposed selective licensing designation areas as summarised in table 2 in section 5.0 of the report.

  vii)        Cabinet agreed, subject to recommendations 1 – 3  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11