Agenda item

Houses in Multiple Occupation

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Ian Lewis

Seconded by Councillor Chris Blakeley

 

Council notes the Planning Committee’s unanimous refusal of an application to create a 10-occupant house of multiple occupation in Laird Street, Birkenhead and congratulates those residents, supported by their Ward Councillors, who opposed this application.

 

Council wishes to promote the need for quality, affordable homes in Wirral that raise the quality of life for all residents, regardless of tenure.

 

Council therefore welcomes the recent consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government on proposals to extend mandatory licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation, including:

 

·  the extension of the scope of the definition of a HMO, which will enable the quality of potentially 200,000 more properties to be improved

·  the introduction of a national minimum room size, in order to ensure no HMO falls below the overcrowding standard established in the 1985 Housing Act

·  tougher standards for licensees, including potential DBS checks, and the increase and extension of fines imposed on licensees in breach of these standards

 

Council urges the DCLG to listen to the views expressed by authorities such as Wirral during the consultation and to introduce legislation in Parliament to secure these objectives.

___________

 

Two amendments which had been circulated in advance of the meeting were submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows:

 

Amendment 1

 

Proposed by Councillor Stuart Kelly

Seconded by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

 

Insert after final paragraph:.

 

In addition, Council notes that Planning Policy HS14 does not set out minimum communal facilities (washing/toilet) for HMOs, rather it is determined as a matter of ‘fact and degree’.

 

Council notes that the Planning Committee has refused applications where the communal facilities have fallen short of a ratio that would be considered acceptable to members of the Planning Committee, often against officer recommendations for approval; Members have also been successful at appeal where inspectors have upheld refusal due to poor standards of communal facilities, most recently at 63A Argyle Street, Birkenhead and at 151 Victoria Road, New Brighton.

 

Council considers that a local standard for communal facilities should be drawn up as local planning policies are reviewed. Council believes it essential to encourage responsible architects, planning to bring forward applications for HMO developments, to have due regard to the standard of accommodation and communal facilities expected by members for those who will be living in the HMO.

 

Amendment 2

 

Proposed by Councillor Adrian Jones

Seconded by Councillor George Davies

 

Revise as follows:

 

Council notes the increasing conversion for multi-occupancy of former family dwellings and shops in many areas of Wirral, often to the aesthetic and social detriment of surrounding neighbourhoods. Council further notes the Planning Committee’s unanimous refusal of an application to create a 10-occupant house of multiple occupation in Laird Street, Birkenhead and congratulates those residents, supported by their Ward Councillors, who opposed this application.

 

Council therefore seeks wishes to promote the need for to facilitate the supply of quality, affordable homes in Wirral that raise the quality of life for all residents, regardless of tenure.

 

Council therefore welcomes the recent consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government on proposals to extend mandatory licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation, including:

 

·  the extension of the scope of the definition of a HMO, which will enable the quality of potentially 200,000 more properties to be improved

·  the introduction of a national minimum room size, in order to ensure no HMO falls below the overcrowding standard established in the 1985 Housing Act

·  tougher standards for licensees, including potential DBS checks, and the increase and extension of fines imposed on licensees in breach of these standards

 

Noting that many of the present generation, growing up in the wake of the world financial crash of 2008, may earn less during a working life-time than their parents, obliging many to seek privately rented accommodation, Council urges the DCLG to listen to the views expressed by authorities such as Wirral during the consultation and to introduce legislation in Parliament to secure these objectives.

___________

 

 

The first and second amendment were put to the Council as one amendment, and carried (58:0) (Two abstentions).

 

RESOLVED – That

 

1)  Council notes the increasing conversion for multi-occupancy of former family dwellings and shops in many areas of Wirral, often to the aesthetic and social detriment of surrounding neighbourhoods. Council further notes the Planning Committee’s unanimous refusal of an application to create a 10-occupant house of multiple occupation in Laird Street, Birkenhead and congratulates those residents, supported by their Ward Councillors, who opposed this application.

 

2)  Council therefore seeks to facilitate the supply of quality, affordable homes in Wirral that raise the quality of life for all residents, regardless of tenure.

 

3)  Council welcomes the recent consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government on proposals to extend mandatory licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation, including:

 

·  the extension of the scope of the definition of a HMO, which will enable the quality of potentially 200,000 more properties to be improved

·  the introduction of a national minimum room size, in order to ensure no HMO falls below the overcrowding standard established in the 1985 Housing Act

·  tougher standards for licensees, including potential DBS checks, and the increase and extension of fines imposed on licensees in breach of these standards

 

4)  Noting that many of the present generation, growing up in the wake of the world financial crash of 2008, may earn less during a working life-time than their parents, obliging many to seek privately rented accommodation, Council urges the DCLG to listen to the views expressed by authorities such as Wirral during the consultation and to introduce legislation in Parliament to secure these objectives.

 

5)  In addition, Council notes that Planning Policy HS14 does not set out minimum communal facilities (washing/toilet) for HMOs, rather it is determined as a matter of ‘fact and degree’.

 

6)  Council notes that the Planning Committee has refused applications where the communal facilities have fallen short of a ratio that would be considered acceptable to members of the Planning Committee, often against officer recommendations for approval; Members have also been successful at appeal where inspectors have upheld refusal due to poor standards of communal facilities, most recently at 63A Argyle Street, Birkenhead and at 151 Victoria Road, New Brighton.

 

7)  Council considers that a local standard for communal facilities should be drawn up as local planning policies are reviewed. Council believes it essential to encourage responsible architects, planning to bring forward applications for HMO developments, to have due regard to the standard of accommodation and communal facilities expected by members for those who will be living in the HMO.

 

 

Note: The above minute has been subject to correction and republished as agreed by Council on Tuesday 16 May, 2017 (minute 8 refers).