Agenda item - Rent Smart Partnership Agreement

Presentation and report of Acting Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached).

(1)       That the attached Rent Smart Partnership Agreement be noted as background information to the Rent Smart presentation and discussion.

(2)       That the Committee request an officer report to the next meeting on the Council becoming a partner of Rent Smart.

20.1   The Committee considered a presentation from representatives of Rent Smart and a report of the Executive Director Economy Environment & Culture which drew attention to the Rent Smart Partnership Agreement.  Rent Smart, Brighton and Hove was a new citywide partnership of organisations committed to supporting tenants in the private rented sector. The aims of Rent Smart were set out in paragraph 1.4 of the report.   

20.2   Councillor Hill informed the Committee that she had encouraged a broad range of organisations to get together to look at areas relating to the private rented sector which were outside the remit of the council.  Rent Smart had agreed to have a website for tenants which would be launched in November 2016. Councillor Hill asked members to consider requesting an officer report on the council becoming part of the Rent Smart Partnership agreement.

20.3   Alex from Brighton Housing Trust and Sarah from Sussex University Students’ Union were in attendance at the meeting.  Alex stated that he worked in the Private Sector Housing Team in Brighton Housing Trust and stressed that it had never been so difficult for tenants in the private rented sector.  He stated that Rent Smart had a number of key partners and wanted more partners to get involved.  The organisation would help to signpost people to relevant agencies. 

20.4   Sarah stated that Sussex University, Students’ Union was involved in representative work and valued the opportunity of being part of the partnership.  There were many shared interests and she hoped that it could be demonstrated that organisations are stronger together.  The website would be a great resource.    

20.5   The Chair considered that Rent Smart was a great initiative and a wonderful way forward.

20.6    Councillor Gibson welcomed the suggestion that a report be brought back to the committee.  He paid tribute to the efforts of Councillor Hill in convening a private rented sector workshop to consider responses to the Private Rented Sector scrutiny report which were outside the remit of the council.  Councillor Gibson stressed that Rent Smart was an important group and he was pleased to see that the Living Rent Campaign wanted to be involved.

20.7    Councillor Hill asked members to consider adding an additional recommendation 20.2 (2) “That the Committee request an officer report on the council becoming a partner of Rent Smart.”  This was agreed.

20.8    RESOLVED:-

(1)      That the attached Rent Smart Partnership Agreement be noted as background information to the Rent Smart presentation and discussion.

(2)      That the Committee request an officer report to the next meeting on the Council becoming a partner of Rent Smart.