Decision details

Approval of Business Case and Consultation Approach for Proposed Selective Licensing

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The report sets out a proposal to continue Wirral’s Selective Licensing Scheme through re-designating the four areas that have been in place since 2015 and are due to end on 30th June 2020 and extending the scheme into two further areas, all in East Wirral.

Decisions:

Councillor Stuart Whittingham introduced a report which set out a proposal to continue Wirral’s Selective Licensing Scheme through re-designating the four areas that had been in place since 2015 and were due to end on 30 June, 2020 and extending the scheme into two further areas, all in East Wirral. Selective Licensing was a scheme to improve private rented sector homes within specific designated neighbourhoods by requiring private landlords to obtain a licence and comply with certain agreed conditions. A Business Case which supported the extension of the scheme and relevant appendices was attached to the report. Members were asked to agree that the evidence was the subject of a statutory consultation exercise to seek wider views on this proposal.

 

The Scheme contributed to the Wirral Plan 2020 Pledge on good quality housing to meet the needs of residents, by improving the quality of Wirral’s housing offer for Wirral’s residents, which was a key component of Wirral’s Housing Strategy and aimed to improve 2250 private sector properties by 2020.

 

Cabinet Members expressed support for the proposals and on a motion by Councillor Anita Leech, seconded by Councillor Stuart Whittingham, it was -

 

Resolved: That –

 

(1)  The draft proposal for Selective Licensing in the following six areas from July 2020 until June 2025 in the Borough based on the robust evidence base, be approved:

 

·  Birkenhead South (LSOA E01007129);

·  Egerton North (LSOA E01007179);

·  Egremont Promenade South (LSOA E01007215);

·  Egremont South (LSOA E01007275);

·  Seacombe Library (LSOA E01007278); and

·  Tranmere Lairds (LSOA E01007291);

 

(2)  The consultation plan and draft Business Case as attached to the report as the basis for public consultation on Selective Licensing, be approved; and

 

(3)  Delegated authority be given to the relevant Director and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning to undertake minor amendments to the Business Case should further evidence be made available which should be included in the consultation.

 

Reasons for decision: There is clear evidence within the Business Case on the rationale for commencing with a ten week consultation process on the proposed continuation of Selective Licensing in the four existing designated areas in the borough which commenced in 2015 and the introduction of Selective Licensing in two further areas. There is a requirement to undertake a consultation exercise with those stakeholders affected. The consultation will obtain the views of tenants, residents, landlords and stakeholders and is a requirement of the approval process required by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

Report author: kingls

Publication date: 26/07/2019

Date of decision: 22/07/2019

Decided at meeting: 22/07/2019 - Cabinet

Effective from: 03/08/2019

Accompanying Documents: