Agenda and minutes

Councillor L Yeadon substituted for Councillor A Davison.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared.

No public speaking requests had been received.

Minute 7 of the Deputy Leader - Adults, Health, Families and Communities Cabinet Member meeting held on 8 August 2023 - Selective Licensing of Private Rented Accommodation

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited Councillor L Yeadon and Councillor H Yates to introduce their reasons for calling in the decision.  The reasons being -

·        Through data the Labour Group had obtained and analysed, we believe there were in excess of 180 unlicensed properties that were being used for multiple occupation within the Crosby and Park Ward alone, with yet more properties in the Town Ward.

·        Houses of Multiple Occupancy was a huge issue in Scunthorpe.  Consequently, the Labour Group had submitted an added item to be considered by a scrutiny panel in the near future on this very issue.

·        The Labour Group had the following concerns about the report, namely –

·     The report referenced a public consultation and business case for a selective licensing scheme in North Lincolnshire.  However, the appendix referred to in paragraph 2.6 had not been published alongside the report.  Please could the Labour Group see the appendix to explore which properties in Crosby, Park and Town wards it included?

·     What evidence was the council seeking to obtain, and how would this evidence be used to draft a business case?

·     How would any business case, that was to be consulted on, be agreed before it was to be circulated for comment?  Would members be able to view the evidence that had been received to assist in the process?

·     How would the council consult on the business case?  No information was contained in the report as to how it would be undertaken ie public events, written invitation to comment etc.

·     Labour Councillors, via the Local Government elections, represented all of Scunthorpe.  Therefore, the Labour Group, or at least the Shadow Cabinet Member, would respectfully request that once the evidence had been received, the council share the evidence so that it could contribute towards the business case.

The signatories also believed that the decision was contrary to the policy framework or contrary to, or not wholly in accordance with the budget.  The reason being -

·        This had significant potential financial implications on associated budgets and future budget setting.

Councillor R Hannigan, Deputy Leader - Adults, Health, Families and Communities Cabinet Member, responded to questions, explaining the rationale for the decision and describing the agreed methodology for the selective licensing of private rented accommodation.  Officers assisted the Cabinet Member by responding to technical questions about the council’s policy and its implementation.

Resolved – That no further action be taken, and the decision be implemented with immediate effect.

There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.

There was no urgent business for consideration at the meeting.