Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Director of People and Places (enclosed). 

1.         Recommendation approved.

2.         Recommendation approved.

3.         Recommendation approved.

4.         Recommendation approved.

With the agreement of the Chair this item was brought forward on the agenda. 

The Executive Member for Places presented the report and explained that in April 2012 an Overview and Scrutiny Task Group had produced a report relating to ‘Private Sector Housing Inspection’. 

Within the report recommendations had been made to the Executive Cabinet that additional resource be directed to establishing a programmed private sector housing standards inspection service.  This would supplement the existing reactive housing standards work undertaken within the People and Places Directorate. 

Since the Task Group findings and recommendations received and accepted for consideration in June 2012 work had commenced within the Environment and Neighbourhoods Team to establish a programmed inspection regime for the private rented housing sector in Chorley.  This utilised the existing resources of officers trained to inspect housing to the required standard.

A new database system had been introduced and, since October 2012, officers had undertaken over 50 programmed inspections.  Work had commenced to build up a database of private rented sector accommodation using local intelligence, housing benefits information and council tax details.

As part of the Service Improvement Plan for 2013/14 and in line with the Corporate Strategy there was a specific project in place within the Health Environment and Neighbourhoods Team to ‘Develop and deliver a scheme to increase housing standards’.  This project would be delivered during 2013/14 and would redirect existing resources to fully establish a programmed inspection regime for the private rented housing sector.  It would also develop a private rented housing standards policy subject to Council approval against which housing standards compliance could be measured.

A query was raised in relation to a Landlord Accreditation Scheme not being introduced.  Councillor Bev Murray, who had been the Chair of the Task Group, explained that this was considered during the inquiry, but that Members felt there would be a low take up of this kind of scheme.  This could be revisited in the future. 

The Executive Leader commented that the work being undertaken would help to locate where the private rented houses were.  The recommendation relating to the development of a private rented housing standards policy would improve standards, as would the inspection regime.  Members could report issues, as could tenants. 

Decision made

1.         Approval granted to accept the basic recommendation of providing a proactive inspection programme for private rented sector housing standards.

2.         Approval granted that the resourcing of the inspection programme was made through the utilisation of existing resources by shifting workloads and using capacity created from the reduction in workload arising from the transfer of private sewers to United Utilities as public sewers.

3.         Confirmation that a Landlord Accreditation Scheme was not introduced in Chorley at this time.

4.         Approval granted that a private rented sector housing standards policy be developed.

Reason(s) for decision

To respond to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees recommendations in regard to the introduction of a proactive housing inspection programme in the private rented housing sector.

Alternative option(s) considered and rejected

None. 

Councillor Adrian Lowe left the meeting at 6.50pm.