DECISION

1.    To vary/amend the Cabinet decision of 28 April 2021 relating to the selective licensing designation (due to commence 1st October 2021), to exclude the following post codes:  E1 1ES, E1 1FA, E1 7HS, E1 8EU, E1 1LP and E1 1DQ.

2.    To note that these postcodes relate to student accommodation accredited by ANUK and fall within the Weavers, Whitechapel and Spitalfields and Banglatown areas Selective Licensing scheme.(pre 2014 boundaries) 

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Divisional Director Public Realm (D. Jones)

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

Reasons for the decision

Following Cabinet approval on 28th April 2021 for the continuation of the selective licensing scheme for a further five years, during the statutory publication process the Council received a query as to why the student accommodation blocks associated with ANUK were excluded and whether the Council could actually make this exclusion.

After further consideration it was determined that the Council may not be able to make this exclusion via accreditation awards. Therefore, officers have determined to remove this exclusion from the designation and to amend the designation to remove geographical locations for the selective licensing area. This report effects that change.

Alternative options

The current designation made on the 28th April 2021 could remain in place without correction. This may result in a legal challenge and delay the commencement on the designation on the 1st October 2021. However, by making this small administrative change excluding the geographical areas where the accommodation blocks accredited by ANUK sit reduces the risk of a challenge.

Councillor Eve McQuillan, Lead Member for Planning and Social Inclusion – Lead on Planning, introduced the report that proposed to correct the designation, made at the 28 April 2021 cabinet meeting, to remove the student accommodation accredited to ANUK by geographical basis rather than by accreditation basis. Councillor McQuillan explained the change was a minor administrative amendment.

The Mayor moved the recommendations as set out and they were agreed without dissent. It was:

RESOLVED

1.    To vary/amend the Cabinet decision of 28 April 2021 relating to the selective licensing designation (due to commence 1st October 2021), to exclude the following post codes:  E1 1ES, E1 1FA, E1 7HS, E1 8EU, E1 1LP and E1 1DQ.

2.    To note that these postcodes relate to student accommodation accredited by ANUK and fall within the Weavers, Whitechapel and Spitalfields and Banglatown areas Selective Licensing scheme.(pre 2014 boundaries).