The Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 12 October 2026 to discuss proposals for additional licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Plasnewydd, changes to the Gypsy Traveller and general Housing Allocation Policies, and the response to a Task and Finish Inquiry into Adult Services' Equalities Action Plan. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year.

HMO Additional Licensing Consultation for Plasnewydd

The committee discussed the proposed consultation for a new additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the Plasnewydd ward. Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities, explained that the previous scheme had improved housing standards and tenant safety, but significant issues remained, necessitating further consultation. Officers from Shared Regulatory Services, including Christina Hill and Steve Tudball, presented evidence gathered from the previous scheme, highlighting that 84% of inspected HMOs required improvement works, with issues including fire safety risks and Category 1 hazards related to excess cold. They noted that without an additional licensing scheme, 75% of HMOs in Plasnewydd would not be subject to proactive inspection.

Concerns were raised by councillors regarding the potential impact of licensing fees on landlords, particularly in the context of the current housing crisis. However, officers noted that the private rented sector in Cardiff was growing, with 44,000 properties registered with RentSmartWales. Councillors also questioned how the consultation would reach residents whose first language was not English or Welsh, and were assured that translation services and support at council Hubs would be available. The committee heard that pest control issues in Plasnewydd were likely linked to waste management and high population density. Officers also detailed the enforcement actions available against non-compliant landlords, including prosecutions and the work of a new, funded Landlord Compliance Team targeting rogue landlords. The consultation process was outlined, including the use of online questionnaires, social media campaigns, and engagement with universities and student unions due to the significant student population in the area.

Changes to Gypsy Traveller Allocation Policy & Allocation Policy (Post Consultation)

The committee reviewed proposed changes to the Housing Allocation Policy and the development of a new allocation policy for Gypsy Traveller (GT) sites. Councillor Lynda Thorne highlighted the ongoing housing emergency in Cardiff and the need to prioritise those in greatest need. Officers presented data showing a high demand for social housing, with 9,600 people on the waiting list and only around 1,400 homes becoming available annually. Overcrowding was identified as a significant issue, affecting 33% of households on the waiting list.

Four key changes to the Housing Allocation Policy were being taken forward following consultation:

• Higher priority for overcrowded households with other significant issues: This change aims to give greater priority to households that are both overcrowded and have additional complex needs.
• Use of parlour rooms as bedrooms: Second reception rooms will now be counted as bedrooms for overcrowding assessments, which is estimated to affect 94 families by reducing their housing need status.
• Revised age for bedroom sharing: The age at which two same-sex household members can share a room has been raised from 16 to 18, impacting an estimated 733 applicants.
• Higher priority for complex prevention cases: Households at risk of homelessness with complex needs will receive higher priority on the waiting list.

The committee also discussed the proposed new Gypsy & Traveller Allocation Policy, which aims to align with the main Housing Allocation Scheme. The current points-based system, where waiting time could outweigh housing need, was seen as problematic. The new scheme will introduce a banding framework, prioritising those with the greatest need, including overcrowding and fire safety issues.

Questions were raised about the frequency of pitch availability at GT sites, with officers confirming that it was rare but that new pitches were being developed. Concerns were also raised about the privacy implications for young adults sharing rooms up to the age of 18, with officers acknowledging this was not ideal but necessary to manage scarce resources. The committee sought clarification on what constituted complex needs for allocation purposes, specifically whether this included issues such as substance misuse or neurodiversity, and requested further information on this aspect. It was confirmed that parlour rooms would not lead to under-occupancy charges.

Response to CASSC's Task and Finish Inquiry & Adult Services Equalities Action Plan

The committee reviewed the response to the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee's (CASSC) Task and Finish Inquiry into the experiences of older ethnic minority communities with adult social care services, and the subsequent Adult Services Equalities Action Plan. Councillor Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member for Social Services, thanked the committee for their thoughtful and constructive inquiry which had informed the new plan.

Officers presented the findings of the inquiry, which noted strengths in community engagement and workforce diversity but also identified barriers such as language, cultural and trust issues, underrepresentation of ethnic minority staff in senior roles, and gaps in ethnicity monitoring. The report made 28 recommendations, 22 of which were fully accepted and 6 partially accepted. Officers explained the rationale for partial acceptance, such as the difficulty in achieving 100% training targets due to staff turnover and the limited number of leadership roles for setting specific diversity targets.

The draft Equalities Action Plan, which incorporates findings from the inquiry and the Welsh Government's Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, sets out a vision for fair, accessible, and culturally appropriate services. Key commitments include improving engagement with diverse communities, encouraging workforce diversity, and reviewing policies through an anti-racist lens. The plan includes actions such as developing a Community Engagement Framework, reviewing cultural competency training, and improving the use of translation and interpretation services.

Members welcomed the comprehensive response and the speed at which it had been developed. Questions were raised about how the impact of training would be measured, and officers explained that this would involve quantitative data on uptake and qualitative feedback from evaluation forms. The committee also discussed the support for young carers who act as interpreters for older relatives, noting that this falls under Children's Services but requesting more information on how adult services ensure appropriate support is available to alleviate this pressure. The underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in leadership roles was discussed, with officers explaining that they would consult staff to understand barriers to applying for these roles and explore options such as mentoring and shadowing. The committee also noted the ageing workforce within Adult Services and requested more information on projected retirement rates and recruitment plans to address potential future vacancies and improve workforce diversity.

Work Programme 2026/27

The committee discussed its work programme for the upcoming year. Councillor Naughton withdrew his proposal for a Task and Finish group on improving council services for vulnerable adults during hot weather. The committee noted a joint short scrutiny on Tackling Illicit Retail, which will involve the Economy & Culture and Environmental Scrutiny Committees. This scrutiny will examine the scale and impact of illicit retail activity, including illegal tobacco and vape sales, and assess the effectiveness of current enforcement approaches and partnership working. The committee also agreed to prioritise topics for future scrutiny, including disabled facilities adaptations.

Way Forward

The committee reviewed the discussions and noted observations and requests for further information to be conveyed to the relevant Cabinet Members. Key requests for further information included:

• Clarification on the definition of complex needs within the Housing Allocation Policy, specifically regarding substance misuse, neurodiversity, and whether it is limited to physical disabilities and impairments.
• Details on the specific actions being taken to understand why individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds are not applying for leadership roles and how the council will support recruitment from these groups, including potential gender and ethnicity balance in recruitment.
• Information on the projected retirement rates within Adult Services and the council's recruitment plans to address the ageing workforce and improve diversity, including the scale of potential recruitment drives.
• Further details on the specific actions planned to support Gypsy and Traveller communities and address their needs.
• Clarification on the responsibilities of Adult Services regarding young people acting as interpreters for older relatives accessing adult social care services, and whether existing services are adequate to alleviate this pressure, including whether Children's Services has a plan for young people caring for older relatives, particularly as interpreters.