Purpose

Approval of the steps for new licensing
schemes.

Content

Cabinet RESOLVED
 
(1)      To note the
outcome of the consultation process detailed in the Consultation
Findings Report of February 2023 and the Report Appendices (as detailed in
Appendix 1 & Appendices 1(A) of the report), the
representations received and the Council’s consideration
thereof, and response to these representations (as detailed in
Appendix 2 of the report).
 
(2)     
To note the consultation evidence (as detailed in
Appendix 3 of the report) relating to the problems being caused by
poorly managed privately rented properties, and that the report has
considered that selective licensing will assist the Council in
achieving its wider objectives, as well as having considered the
alternatives to licensing.
 
(3)     
To note the content of the Equality Impact
Assessment as set out in Appendix 9 of the report.
 
(4)     
To note the legal implications as set out in
paragraph 11 of the report, which detail the legislative
requirements for selective licensing.
 
(5)     
To note that after Cabinet approval, if confirmed by
the Secretary of State (DLUHC), the scheme shall be publicised via
an agreed communications plan, and in accordance with the
regulations before the scheme comes into force.
 
(6)     
To agree that the evidence report (as detailed in
Appendix 3 of the report) highlights that the legal requirements as
set out in paragraphs 11.1 to 11.16 of the report for introducing
Selective Licensing on the grounds of poor property conditions have
been met regarding the proposed selective licensing
designation.
 
(7)      To note
that this designation falls within the description of designations
which need confirmation by the Secretary of State under section 82
of the Housing Act 2004 and The Housing Act 2004: Licensing of
Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing of Other
Residential Accommodation (England) General Approval 2015 as both
the size of the private rented stock and the geographical area of
the designation cover more than 20% of their geographical area or
would affect more than 20% of privately rented homes in the local
authority area.
 
(8)     
To agree, subject to (1) and (2) above, to authorise
the designation of 18 wards for selective licensing to last for
five years from the date of designations coming into force, and
which cover the following Council wards as delineated and edged red
on the map in Appendix 5 of the report:
 
Designation 2/2023: A selective licensing scheme designation in
the 18 wards of Alperton, Barnhill, Brondesbury Park, Cricklewood
& Mapesbury, Kenton, Kilburn, Kingsbury, Northwick Park,
Preston, Queens Park, Queensbury, Roundwood, Stonebridge, Sudbury,
Tokyngton, Welsh Harp, Wembley Central, and Wembley Hill under
Part 3, s.80 Housing Act 2004 on the grounds of poor housing
(property) conditions with effect from April 2024 (in accordance
with the criteria set out in the Housing Act 2004 and
Selective Licensing of Houses (Additional
Conditions) (England) Order 2015 , or at a
later date in accordance with the statutory time required for the
scheme to come into force.
 
(9)      To agree
that the selective scheme described in (8) above shall be cited as
the London Borough of Brent Designation No 2/2023.
 
(10)    To agree the
authority to issue the required statutory notification in relation
to the Selective Licensing Scheme Designation 2/2023 be delegated
to the Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation
with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness, and
Renters’ Security.
 
(11)    To agree that,
subject to the issue of statutory notifications, the Corporate
Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing,
Homelessness & Renters Security be authorised to decide the
date from which the council will begin to accept applications for
selective licensing.
 
(12)    To agree that
authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Residents
Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing,
Homelessness & Renters Security to agree the basis for, and
level of any changes including discounts which may be applied to
the licensing application fees.
 
(13)    To note the
standard licensing conditions for licences granted in the proposed
designation areas for selective licensing as set out in Appendix 8
of the report, which were approved by Cabinet on 17 April 2023, and
to authorise the Corporate Director for Residents Services, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness
& Renters Security, to make any minor variations to such
licensing conditions.
 
(14)    To note that the
Selective Licensing scheme will be kept under review at least
annually and that any significant changes, including the withdrawal
of a licensing designation or a proposal to introduce any new
designation(s), will be subject to further decision by
Cabinet.
 
(15)    To note the letters of support for the licensing proposals as
attached in Appendices 10 a & b of the
report.