Agenda and minutes

Councillor Alan Clark   –   annual leave

Councillor Jon Collins   –   other Council business

Councillor Nick McDonald  –   work commitments

None.

Last meeting held on 18 October (for confirmation).

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2016 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Vice-Chair.

Report of Deputy Leader/Portfolio Holder for Resources and Neighbourhood Regeneration

The Deputy Leader/Portfolio Holder for Resources and Neighbourhood Regeneration introduced the Treasury Management 2016/17 Half Yearly Update.

The report details treasury management actions and performance from 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2016.  This includes £20m of new long-term borrowing, no debt rescheduling, compliance with Prudential Indicators and information on the average return on investments.

RESOLVED to note the treasury management actions taken in 2016/17 to date.

Reasons for decision

Councillors have been informed of the actions taken by the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) under delegated council. 

The currently adopted Treasury Management Code of Practice requires the CFO to submit at least three reports on treasury management each year; a policy and strategy statement for the ensuing financial year, a 6 monthly progress report and an outturn report after the end of the financial year.  The Code also requires that the reports be considered by relevant scrutiny or executive committees, and that the City Council approves any treasury management strategy decisions.

Other options considered

No other options were considered as the report is required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

Report of Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing introduced a proposal for a scheme of selective licensing for privately rented houses.

Data collection and analysis work has been completed, informing a decision on proposals for a selective licensing scheme for privately rented houses.

An addendum to the report highlighted an ongoing European Court case relating to fees – further work will be required with regard to its potential impact on the operational proposals for this scheme.

Officers involved with the report were thanked for their hard work.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  approve in principle to pursue a scheme of selective licensing as outlined in the report and to delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing and the Portfolio Holder for Community Services, in consultation with the Corporate Director for Commercial and Operations and the Corporate Director for Development and Growth, to make any amendments to the scheme prior to consultation;

(2)  approve the draft designation contained in Appendix 3 of the report for consultation in accordance with the statutory requirements and Department for Communities and Local Government guidance document Selective Licensing in the Private Rented Sector: A Guide for local authorities;

(3)  bring back the results of the consultation to a future meeting of the Executive Board to consider and determine if the proposed scheme and designation should be made and submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities for confirmation;

(4)  note the requirement to establish a ring fenced reserve for this scheme (detailed in approval 5);

(5)  approve the use of reserves to fund setup costs of £0.080m should the scheme be approved (contained within paragraph 4.1 of the report).

Reasons for decisions

The designated area has been chosen because evidence, gathered in accordance with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) guidance suggests that relevant statutory tests have been met and that selective licensing of privately rented houses in the area would be an appropriate tool to resolve problems.  Ward Councillors have been consulted on the scheme and designation.

Other Options considered

The Council has operated a range of schemes and initiatives to improve property conditions and management of private rented sector properties for a number of years.  These initiatives and work with other partners have ensured ongoing engagement with landlords. However problems still exist with a large number of landlords and properties which the Council believes can appropriately be addressed using selective licensing powers alongside existing initiatives and legislative provision. Details of these initiatives, work and considerations can be found in “Nottingham City Council: The Strategic case for Selective Licensing” – Appendix 2 of the report.

There could have been a decision to not pursue a selective licensing scheme; however the evidence that is presented within Appendix 2 of the report supports the view that the proposed scheme is needed. If the scheme is not implemented the City will continue to experience the significant problems in the private rented sector which have been identified.

To consider excluding the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining item(s) in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs in the public interest in disclosing the information

RESOLVED to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the remaining item(s) in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the basis that, having regard to all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs in the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Board considered the exempt appendices to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing’s report.

RESOLVED to note the information contained within the exempt appendix.

Reasons for decision

As detailed in minute 51.

Other options considered

As detailed in minute 51.

Report of Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture

The Board considered the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture’s exempt report.

RESOLVED to approve the recommendations in the report.

Reasons for decisions

As detailed in the report.

Other options considered

As detailed in the report.