Agenda item

1.

Question from Tess Beck to Cabinet Member Housing, Councillor Peter Jeffries

Today's report to Cabinet on HMO survey work seems to suggest that the survey will take 18 months.  Allowing for the time needed to recruit the new officer, realistically, when does the Cabinet member for Housing expect the survey to be completed?

Response from Cabinet Member Housing

The survey will start in June/July using existing staffing resource while recruitment of the new post takes place.

The survey will follow a two staged approach, with officers initially inspecting HMO’s in the St Pauls ward.  Completion of this stage is likely to take approximately 9 months, however this will depend upon the enforcement activity generated as a result of the survey inspections.  The Council has a duty to take action in respect of serious housing conditions and associated enforcement work may extend the survey.

The whole survey works could take somewhere in the region of 18 months, but it is our intention to be thorough and detailed as well as expedient when collecting this evidence, giving any application for an article 4 directive or any selective / additional licensing a robust evidence base.

2.

Question from Tess Beck to Cabinet Member Housing, Councillor Peter Jeffries

The Pittville Student Village comes into operation at the start of the 2017-18 academic year, reducing the University's need for private student housing.  Is it feasible that Additional Licensing (should the council decide to go down that route) could be in place for September 2017? 

Response from Cabinet Member Housing

Yes it is feasible that Additional Licensing could be in place in St Pauls for September 2017 (or shortly afterwards, depending on the amount of enforcement activity generated by survey work).

As to how the new student village will impact existing private rental accommodation in St Pauls or across the town is unclear, equally how the Private sector will react will be one to watch, it is worth noting that not all HMO’s are occupied by students.

3.

Question from Daud McDonald to Cabinet Member Housing, Councillor Peter Jeffries

In January 2013 I met with Cheltenham Borough Council Director, Jane Griffiths to discuss my concern about the number of HMOs in St Paul's and the damage this imbalance was causing to the community.  She agreed it was a serious issue and called an urgent meeting.  We then had to wait until September 2014 for the proposal for a survey of housing conditions to go on the Forward Plan.  It is now June 2016, and this much needed survey is only just being agreed.  

What does the Cabinet Member for Housing have to say to the residents of St Paul's whose lives and community have been blighted by the ongoing unregulated spread of HMOs and the increasing overcrowding in the area due to the intensity of occupation and development?

Response from Cabinet Member Housing

During 2013 to 2014 additional resources were utilised to deal with the direct impact from issues highlighted, such as alleyway fly tipping and refuse collection adjustments. When it comes to carrying out the survey we have been navigating the complexities of quite restrictive legislation. 

There were other challenging hurdles during the time period you describe in overlapping housing and planning issues, and budgetary constraints to employ suitably qualified consultants to carry out the extensive survey work required and ensuring internal staffing capacity.

The expanding numbers of HMO’s is a national phenomenon and planning intervention is being carefully considered within the overall planning strategy for the council.  This requires statutory procedures to be followed, which are all being pursued.

As Cabinet Member for Housing I take the effect and impact of the increasing numbers of HMOs on existing residents seriously, we are actively looking to address this issue and will continue to do so vigorously.

4.

Question from Daud McDonald to Cabinet Member Housing, Councillor Peter Jeffries

Living in St Paul's for several years, I have become aware of several basement bedrooms being rented out, which have been converted cellars, but given a lick of paint instead of proper damp proofing.  Some of these basement bedrooms have very little access to daylight _or ventilation.  Will these be included in the planned HMO survey?

Response from Cabinet Member Housing

Any serious housing act contraventions discovered during the survey work inspections will be the subject of enforcement action while the survey is being undertaken.  This would include unsuitable basement rooms and statutory overcrowding.

If any specific properties are causing you concern, please let me have any information you may have and I will pass this on to the enforcement team, assuming that you haven’t already done so.