Agenda item - Chairs Communications

19.1    The Chair stated the following:

          “We have had a busy summer in housing. After much work, a new ‘Selective Licensing Scheme’ for private rented homes in 12 central and coastal wards in the city has been agreed by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

          The Selective Licensing Scheme will be introduced for all private rented homes not currently covered by mandatory or additional licensing for houses in multiple occupation. Members will remember that this scheme was approved by committee in November 2017 following an in-depth consultation. I am also pleased that we have received 1627 applications for our additional licensing scheme which, with Selective Licensing, will raise the standard of Private Sector Housing in the city. A full update on Private Sector Housing will be brought to committee in due course.

          I am pleased that we are continuing to deliver our ambition to increase the number of new homes in the city. A positive planning decision for Selsfield Drive will enable us to build thirty new flats. This in addition to the homes purchased under our buy back policy, which members will see has been reviewed, the scope widened and is on the agenda this evening.

          I would finally like to remind you that we are holding a special Housing and New Homes Committee next Wednesday at Brighton Town Hall at 4pm. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and agree the new arrangements for the delivery of our responsive repairs and capital works programmes currently provided by Mears. I have attended Area Panel meetings to discuss this and have been impressed with the engagement of tenants and leaseholders in this process.  

          I will be moving item 28 forward on the agenda as there are young people in the audience supported by officers.”