Agenda item

This report seeks approval for the introduction of an Additional Licensing scheme in the whole area of Brent and to defer a decision on introducing Selective Licensing in Brent to the next available meeting following a further two month consultation on which wards should be covered. Drawing on a range of evidence and the outcomes of an extensive consultation exercise it explains the basis and rationale for the schemes.

(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.

Councillor McLennan (Lead Member, Housing) introduced the report which sought approval for the introduction of an Additional Licensing scheme in the whole area of Brent and to defer a decision on introducing Selective Licensing in Brent to the next available meeting following a further two month consultation on which wards should be covered.

Councillor McLennan reminded the Executive that the Private Rented Sector now constituted a third of the housing in Brent and played a very important role in meeting the housing requirements of residents. Licensing would help address problems associated with parts of the sector arising from poor management, property conditions and related problems of anti-social behaviour. The initiative had been introduced in other boroughs and would help cover costs and the changes would be introduced in November/December 2014. Wards affected would be carefully selected.

The Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth drew attention to the extensive consultation that had been carried out with a significant number of responses from private landlords, private tenants, other residents and businesses. Following consideration of these it was proposed to proceed with the introduction of Additional Licensing which would cover all houses in multiple occupation in the borough.

Members welcomed the initiative and the response from residents. Councillor Mashari hoped it would help bring about improvements in areas such as fly-tipping.

In response to concerns expressed by non-Executive member Councillor Cummins that the changes would adversely affect those landlords who managed their properties well, costs would be passed on to tenants and rents increase, it was put that the need to ensure that tenants were protected and able to have decent living standards was paramount. It was explained that any increase in rent would be negligible as landlords would not be able to pass on disproportionate increases and could reclaim expenses. Councillor McLennan assured that the council would be working with the lettings agency and landlords would be supported.

RESOLVED:

(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 of the report 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.