Decision details

Housing Licensing Scheme – Award of Contract* - JUN23/CAB/3

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

On 16th January Cabinet approved the submission to the Secretary of State for a new Selective Licensing Scheme for the next 5 years. It was proposed that the Scheme, and an Additional Licensing Scheme (following public consultation) would be delivered by a third party. Following a full procurement exercise, the contract can be awarded.

Decision:

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED to:

 

Authorise the award of a services concession contract toThe Home Safe Scheme Ltd for the administration of a Selective Licencing Schemefor private sector housing covering the area approved by council on the 25 January 2023 and included at Appendix 1, subject to approval for the Scheme being granted by the Secretary of State.  

Reasons for the decision:

The council has a statutory responsibility with regards to regulating housing standards in the private rented sector. The introduction of a Selective Licensing Scheme is one of several measures designed to improve housing standards in the sector. 

 

A previous Selective Licensing Scheme ended in October 2021 after its 5-year period, and consequently there has been a gap in the regulatory controls in the locality. Housing standard complaints and officer inspections confirm there remain properties providing poor housing condition standards. 

 

Awarding a contract for the administration of the Selective Licensing Scheme to the third-party provides the infrastructure and associated resources necessary to implement the Scheme, the service provider working collaboratively with the council to ensure an effective and efficient service is provided. 

Alternative options considered:

Option One (Status Quo) 

Continuation of the current delivery arrangement does not provide the resources nor the operational framework necessary to materially improve housing standardsacross the breadth of our rental sector. The arrangement is in addition not sustainable financially as much of the current staffing was funded out of the previous Selective Licensing Scheme, therefore without additional revenue the size of the team would have to be reduced to reflect cash limits. The status quo position would rely on the Mandatory Licensing Scheme alone in conjunction with the enforcement sanctions available to officers.  

 

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None.

Background Documents:

Cabinet 16 January 2023 Report – Licensing Schemes – Raising Housing Standards 

 

Council 25 January 2023 Report – Executive Recommendation – Licensing Schemes – Raising Housing Standards 

 

Publication date: 19/06/2023

Date of decision: 19/06/2023

Decided at meeting: 19/06/2023 - Cabinet

Effective from: 24/06/2023

Accompanying Documents: