Agenda item - Update on Private Rented Sector Scrutiny Panel Recommendations

Report of Acting Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached).

(1)      That the progress made in implementing the Scrutiny Panel recommendations (Summarised in 3.5 and 3.6, and detailed in Appendix 1) be noted.

21.1   The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Economy Environment & Culture which explained that the Private Rented Sector Scrutiny Panel’s report and recommendations were published in 2015 and the council’s formal response was approved by Housing & New Homes Committee on 11 November 2015. The current report was the first annual update to the Housing & New Homes Committee. The report was presented by the Housing Strategy Manager.  

21.2    Councillor Druitt asked for clarification about 3.6 (1) – Support a strong and buoyant local private sector housing - which was reported as complete.  The Housing Strategy Manager explained that pages 42 and 43 of the agenda gave a more detailed response.  The private sector was thriving and supported many residents.

21.3    Councillor Druitt stressed that most people he knew were paying a disproportionate amount of their income on rent.  The Housing Strategy Manager appreciated that there were many issues, but private sector housing was important to the house market in Brighton. 

21.4    Councillor Hill pointed out that the wording “strong and buoyant local private sector housing” came from the Scrutiny report.  The council was aware of major issues regarding rents and housing.  She commented that trading standards work was excellent and that recommendations/responses 4 and 5 listed current discussion about HMOs. 

21.5    Councillor Atkinson considered this to be a significant piece of work.  He noted that encouraging a requirement for 40% affordable housing might perversely be affected by the government’s Starter Homes Initiative.  This might reduce the 40% figure and put accommodation costs beyond most local people.  Councillor Atkinson considered that establishing a Greater Brighton living rental model was a positive move.  He questioned why Housing Associations would want to build properties if they were forced to sell them and asked if the council was receiving money back from Council house sales.  Councillor Atkinson noted that 158 council properties had been brought back into use in 2015/16 and 40 in this quarter alone.  He strongly supported the extension of licensing of HMOs and would like to see more work carried out.  He stressed that housing for key workers was an important issue and that the Living Rent campaign was a positive and important move.

21.6    Councillor Mears noted that the report referred to talking to universities about student numbers.  She hoped that there would be a report on this matter.

21.7    Councillor Gibson stated that he welcomed the process of bringing back an update. He referred to the comment about a “strong and buoyant local private sector housing”. Councillor Gibson stressed that 70% of private rented housing was not decent. HMO Licensing worked and if extended should improve this situation. He welcomed the 89% improvement through the licensing scheme and hoped to see reports on further extensions to the scheme and an update on the improvements achieved.

21.8    In response to questions put by Councillor Gibson the following was explained by officers.

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·     The Living Rent issue needed to be joined up with work on the new delivery vehicle.

·         Anston House was not part of the affordable housing offer. There were discussions on whether the wholly owned and special purpose vehicle could carry out that type of activity.

·         Officers would hopefully provide a further report on the Licensing of HMO’s to the next committee.

21.9    Councillor Bell referred to page 78 with regard to prioritising family housing in the council’s housing investment plan.  There were gaps on family sized type of accommodation.  He referred to page 76 – update – and asked for more information about the Greater Brighton Housing and Growth Working Group. 

21.10  Officers responded to Councillor Bell’s questions/comments as follows.

·       There was a demand for smaller units.  Officers were trying to prioritise family housing.  It was hoped that a sizable number of family homes could be built at Toads Holel Valley.

·       The Greater Brighton Housing and Growth Working Group had been formed to discuss the acceleration of housing delivery. 

21.11  Councillor Bell made the point that the Greater Brighton Housing and Growth Working Group was looking at the housing needs of the Greater Brighton area. He stressed that the City had its own housing needs. The Head of Housing Strategy, Property and Investment explained that the work was linked to the City Plan and looking at the Greater Brighton area.  Work was carried out with planning as well as housing colleagues.  It was not about meeting each other’s housing needs but about accelerating growth.

21.12  RESOLVED:-

(1)      That the progress made in implementing the Scrutiny Panel recommendations (Summarised in 3.5 and 3.6, and detailed in Appendix 1) be noted.