Agenda item

To approve the consultation and evidence gathering for the proposal to designate six areas for selective licensing.

Councillors Afrasiab Anwar and Howard Baker left the meeting at this point.

PURPOSE:

1.    To approve the consultation and evidence gathering for the proposal to designate six areas for selective licensing.  The draft case proposal document (attached as Appendix 1) sets out the Council’s reasons for proposing to designate the below areas for Selective Licensing. The draft proposed designation area maps and street lists are attached as appendices.

a.    Trinity (Appendices 2 and 3)

b.    Queensgate (Appendices 4 and 5)

c.     Gannow (Appendices 6 and 7)

d.    Daneshouse and Stoneyholme (Appendices 8 and 9)

e.    Padiham (Appendices 10 and 11)

f.      Lyndhurst Road Area (Appendices 12 and 13)

2.    To approve the proposed Fee and Charging Structure for consultation. (Appendix 14).

3.    To approve the proposed Staffing Structure for consultation. (Appendix 15).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

1.    To enable the statutory consultation of residents, landlords and stakeholders in the proposed areas.

2.    To ensure the consultation includes a proposed fee structure, proposal documents and agreed proposed boundaries and consultation area to assist in the delivery and analysis of the statutory consultation.

3.    To enable any issues to be addressed and evaluated before presenting the final proposal for the proposed selective licensing areas to the Executive Committee in August 2024.

DECISION:

The Executive resolved to:

1. Approve the carrying out of consultation in relation to the following areas proposed for selective licensing:

a.    Trinity

b.    Queensgate

c.     Gannow

d.    Daneshouse and Stoneyholme

e.    Padiham

f.      Lyndhurst Road Area

2.    Authorise the Head of Housing and Development Control:

a.    To approve for consultation the final proposed fee structure, staffing structure, case proposal document, proposed designation boundaries and areas for consultation, dates for consultation, Fit and Proper Person Criteria and Licence Conditions; and

b.    To carry out consultation in relation to those areas proposed for selective licensing (authorising such officers for that purpose as may be necessary).

3.    Approve the appointment of a Project Assistant at Grade 8 (subject to ongoing Job Evaluation) for the period April 2024 to January 2025.

4.    Approve the in principle upfront payment for statutory notices of designation in local newspapers, should the schemes by approved by the Secretary of State.