Having previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item, Councillors David Burgess-Joyce, Steve Foulkes, Geoffrey Watt, Stuart Whittingham, Irene Williams and Steve Williams vacated the Council Chamber and did not take part in the voting thereon (minute 18 refers).

Proposed by Councillor Ian Lewis

Seconded by Councillor Tom Anderson

“Council notes that people seeking affordable homes to rent are too often faced with unfair tenancy fees which prevent them from obtaining suitable accommodation or leaves them with additional debt and financial stress.

Council therefore welcomes proposals to make the private rental market more affordable by introducing a ban on landlords and agents from requiring tenants to make any payments as a condition of their tenancy with the exception of:

·  the rent

·  a capped refundable security deposit

·  capped refundable holding deposit and tenant default fees

Council supports measures that will cap holding deposits at no more than one week’s rent and security deposits at no more than one month’s rent.

Council therefore urges existing registered social landlords, private landlords and the Private Landlords Forum to participate in pre-legislative consultation and to ensure changes to information, advice and guidance for tenants post legislation.”

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

Proposed by Councillor George Davies

Seconded by Councillor Adrian Jones

At the end add new paragraph:

“Council further notes the differences of ideology and intent in the “bedroom tax” approach of the Conservative-LibDem collaboration of 2010 – 15, during which fewer new homes were built than in any period since the early 1920s, and Labour’s “Secure Homes for all” general election manifesto-declaration for a massive programme of genuinely affordable house building.”

Following a debate and Councillor Ian Lewis having replied the amendment was put and carried (36:15) (One abstention).

The substantive motion, as amended was then put and carried (51:0) (One abstention).

Resolved (51:0) (One abstention) -

Council notes that people seeking affordable homes to rent are too often faced with unfair tenancy fees which prevent them from obtaining suitable accommodation or leaves them with additional debt and financial stress.

Council therefore welcomes proposals to make the private rental market more affordable by introducing a ban on landlords and agents from requiring tenants to make any payments as a condition of their tenancy with the exception of:

·  the rent

·  a capped refundable security deposit

·  capped refundable holding deposit and tenant default fees

Council supports measures that will cap holding deposits at no more than one week’s rent and security deposits at no more than one month’s rent.

Council therefore urges existing registered social landlords, private landlords and the Private Landlords Forum to participate in pre-legislative consultation and to ensure changes to information, advice and guidance for tenants post legislation.

Council further notes the differences of ideology and intent in the “bedroom tax” approach of the Conservative-LibDem collaboration of 2010 – 15, during which fewer new homes were built than in any period since the early 1920s, and Labour’s “Secure Homes for all” general election manifesto-declaration for a massive programme of genuinely affordable house building.