Agenda item

6.1

The Committee considered a project highlight report containing an update on the implementation of London Road, Abbeydale Road and Chesterfield Road Selective Licensing Scheme, which had been implemented on 1^st November 2018.

6.2

In attendance for this item were Councillor Jim Steinke (Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety) and Janet Sharpe (Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods Service).

6.3

The report set out information regarding the Scheme, which had been approved by the Cabinet at its meeting on 20^th June 2018, the number of applications received to date, the plans in terms of undertaking inspections and a summary of enforcement action taken to date. 

6.4

Janet Sharpe reported that approximately 600 properties, including residential and commercial, were included in the Scheme, and as a result of effective communications and publicity, as well as a high level of co-operation by the landlords/letting agents, 363 applications had already been received.  As expected, as part of the work, officers had already identified a number of problems, including finding a number of properties in a poor state of repair, some of which had tenants living there, which highlighted issues with regard to their health and safety, and wellbeing.  She stated that all applications were checked thoroughly, then arrangements would be made for officers to inspect the properties. Although the Scheme had only been implemented on 1^st November 2018, significant progress had been made, with arrangements in place to issue a number of Civil Penalty Notices for failure to licence.  Ms Sharpe stated that the vast majority of landlords and letting agents were co-operating, and working closely with, the Council.  Councillor Jim Steinke added that particular work was required, as part of the Scheme, to bring back the large number of vacant properties above shops, into occupation.  He stated that the feedback from shopkeepers to date, had been mainly positive, with indications that it was benefiting their trade.

6.5

Members of the Committee raised questions, and the following responses were provided:-

·             The figure 29 represented the actual number, not the percentage, of residential properties found empty as at the date the report was drafted. 

·             The policy giving the Council the necessary powers to issue Civil Penalty Notices on those landlords or shop owners who had failed to licence their properties had been introduced in 2017.  Should a landlord or agent be found to be renting out a property without a licence, an investigation would take place, and appropriate action would be taken against them.

·             The period from making an application, to the application being granted, would normally be around two months.  Unless there were any extenuating circumstances, the landlords or shop owners were able to carry out their businesses in the meantime.

·             There were seven full-time members of staff deployed to undertake the work under the Scheme, together with a number of support/administrative officers.  There would also be input from officers in other Services, such as Environmental Health. 

·             If a property was found vacant, checks would be made with the owner or letting agent and, if required, further checks would be made for any illegal activities taking place at the property. 

·             Property owners had been informed, in writing, on 1^st August, 2018, that the scheme would be live with effect from 1^st November, 2018, and an application form and guidance notes had been sent with the letter, with a reminder being sent out on 17^th September, 2018. The licence fee structure was sent out with both letters, and confirmed that valid applications must be submitted by 1^st November, 2018. The letter also indicated that not making a valid application by this deadline would be classed as a failure to licence, the consequence of which constituted a criminal offence, carrying an unlimited fine or conviction in a Magistrates’ Court or a financial penalty (civil penalty) of up to £30,000 levied by the Council. To date, 15 civil penalties have been served for failure to licence, with investigations on other unlicensed properties progressing. 

·             As part of their investigations, officers would check the Electoral Roll, and other systems to verify ownership and occupancy. 

·             Representatives of the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were part of the multi-agency team working alongside the Council on the Scheme. 

·             When inspections had begun, those properties that showed evidence of disrepair, health and safety breaches or intimidation of tenants would be subject to enforcement action, during which, sufficient time would be given to resolve the issue.

·             A considerable amount of work, including extensive consultation with property owners, had been undertaken prior to implementation of the scheme on 1^st November 2018.  There had  been some objections, mainly with regard to the cost of the licence and potential cost of repair works required.  During the targeted work, the investigating officers had been forced to deal with some very serious issues and, where required, had received the relevant support to deal with such circumstances. 

6.6

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)      notes the progress made with regard to the London Road, Abbeydale Road and Chesterfield Road Selective Licensing Scheme, as detailed in the report now submitted, together with the responses to the questions raised;

(b)      endorses the highlight report template that will be used for monitoring the Scheme; and

(c)      requests that a further update report on the scheme be submitted to a meeting of the Committee to be held in six months’ time.