Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests,

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Cabinet Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests she may have in the business on the agenda.  She confirmed she had none.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report leads on from the decision made at Cabinet on the 4 December approving the introduction of a Citywide Private Landlord Accreditation Scheme and provides an update on Scheme development.  It outlines proposals for the Scheme and a system to operate it.  It is suggested that the Scheme is launched in July with a view to going “live” in August.

RESOLVED: That the implementation of the Landlord Accreditation Scheme as outlined in the report be approved and the Cabinet Member be advised of the final scheme details prior to launch.

REASON: To ensure the operation of an effective, fit for purpose accreditation scheme in order to support private rented sector in York.

The Cabinet Member considered a report that introduced “YorProperty” a voluntary Landlord Accreditation Scheme which would support the private rented sector in York.

Officers gave an update and confirmed that they had already received some interest from local landlords who particularly liked Localpad, the web based property management system approach and that the scheme would be launched mid September 2013.

The Cabinet Member stated that Councillors across the country were encouraging Local Authorities to introduce a Voluntary Landlord Accreditations Scheme. The scheme would improve the private rented sector, give those letting confidence in their property and allow people to live in a decent standard of accommodation.

RESOLVED:       That the implementation of the Landlord Accreditation Scheme as outlined in the report be approved and the Cabinet Member be advised of the final scheme details prior to launch.

REASON:           To ensure the operation of an effective, fit for purpose accreditation scheme in order to support private rented sector in York.

The Cabinet Member is asked to consider a draft tenancy policy for Housing Services and agree to its adoption.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the Tenancy Policy in its current form be adopted.

(ii)          That a further report on tenancy successions  be submitted at the earliest opportunity.

REASON: All social landlords are required under the Localism Act and the regulatory framework to have a tenancy policy in place by Jan 2013.

The Cabinet Member considered a report that asked her to agree to the adoption of a draft tenancy policy for Housing Services.

Officers gave an update and stated that the Government had introduced the requirement for all social landlords to publish a tenancy policy. The reforms included the introduction of flexible (fixed term) tenancies and affordable rent policy, changes to allocations and homelessness and promotion of increased mobility for social tenants.

The Cabinet Member considered the options available in the report and agreed to option 1.

RESOLVED:       (i)      That the Tenancy Policy in its current form be adopted.

(ii)      That a further report on tenancy successions be submitted at the earliest opportunity.

REASON:           All social landlords are required under the Localism Act and the regulatory framework to have a tenancy policy in place by Jan 2013.