The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To agree the option to renew (redesignate) the current Licensing Scheme in operation within; Weavers, Whitechapel and Spitalfields and Banglatown area (pre 2014 ward boundaries) that is due to come to an end on 30th September 2021 for a further five years.

2.    To agree to exclude the Students Accommodation Blocks that are regulated by the Accreditation Network UK (ANUK) which are currently included within the scope of the current scheme.

3.    To agree to delegate to the Head of the Environmental Health and Trading Standards to make minor administrative and delivery adjustments as and when required.

4.    To agree to approve/endorse the revised Licensing conditions/fees and amenities / accommodation standards to achieve consistency and transparency as may be required on a case by case basis.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards (D. Tolley)

Note – Councillors Asma Islam and Motin Uz-Zaman left the meeting for the duration of this item.

Councillor Eve McQuillan, Cabinet Member for Planning and Social Inclusion (Job Share) – Lead on Planning, introduced the report. She explained that the proposal was to continue the selective licensing scheme in three areas of the borough as set out in the report. The scheme had been in place since 2016 and had been really important in improving standards in the private rental sector. The report set out why these areas were being considered for the scheme although benefits were being seen through a wider area.

A consultation had been run which showed that a large majority of landlords were not in favour but a significant majority of tenants were in favour and the Council considered that it was important to be supportive of tenants.

During discussion it was noted that, following a request, it was proposed to exclude purpose-built student accommodation where they were already regulated by the Accreditation Network UK. It was also noted that the scheme boundaries related to the old boundaries of Weavers, Whitechapel and Spitalfields and Banglatown Wards and it was considered these were still the appropriate boundaries for the scheme.

The Mayor noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses. He then proposed the recommendations as set out, these were agreed without dissent, and it was:

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the option to renew (redesignate) the current Licensing Scheme in operation within; Weavers, Whitechapel and Spitalfields and Banglatown area (pre 2014 ward boundaries) that is due to come to an end on 30th September 2021 for a further five years.

2.    To agree to exclude the Students Accommodation Blocks that are regulated by the Accreditation Network UK (ANUK) which are currently included within the scope of the current scheme.

3.    To agree to delegate to the Head of the Environmental Health and Trading Standards to make minor administrative and delivery adjustments as and when required.

4.    To agree to approve/endorse the revised Licensing conditions/fees and amenities / accommodation standards to achieve consistency and transparency as may be required on a case by case basis.