Issue - meetings

This report updates the Executive about the outcomes of the previous Private Sector Strategy 2008 -13 and to seek approval of the refreshed strategy and action plan.

Resolved:           That the Executive approve option One and sign off the Private Sector Housing Strategy and action plan as set in the report.

Reason:    To use the most up to date evidence base to ensure that the strategy focuses on the issues which cause the most impact on the health of the occupant and that private sector rented housing in York continues to be maintained and managed to a high standard.

The Executive considered a report which set out the outcomes of the Private Sector Strategy for 2008/13 and provided a copy of the draft 2016/21 refreshed strategy and action plan for approval.

The refreshed strategy had taken account of the new evidence base for private sector stock and recent Government consultation on extending Houses in Multiple Occupation licensing and the review of the city wide accreditation scheme. Consideration was also given to the consultation undertaken and the views of the scrutiny steering group from their meeting on 9 May 2016.

Officers highlighted that around 86% of York’s 87,507 homes were in the private sector of which 11,444 dwellings had a category 1 hazard most commonly relating to excess cold or a fall hazard and that a third of these were in the private rented sector. Officers also confirmed the existence of local pressure for an HMO licensing scheme, which would require a level of evidence, however monitoring would continue and the results of the government consultation awaited was noted.

Members welcomed the report and referred to continuing discussions around funding from the Leeds City Region for work in this area.

The Executive then considered the following options:

·               Option 1 – To approve the refreshed strategy and action plan as set out in appendix one

·               Option 2 – Not to approve the refreshed strategy and action plan as set out in appendix one

Resolved:           That the Executive approve option One and sign off the Private Sector Housing Strategy and action plan as set in the report. ^1.

Reason:    To use the most up to date evidence base to ensure that the strategy focuses on the issues which cause the most impact on the health of the occupant and that private sector rented housing in York continues to be maintained and managed to a high standard.