Decision details

The council’s existing selective licensing designation, which applies to certain parts of Cliftonville West and Margate Central, is due to expire on 20 April 2016. Cabinet considered a proposal to make a further five-year selective licensing designation in respect of a substantially similar area. A selective licensing designation requires all private landlords to obtain a licence and effectively manage their properties.

Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To make a further selective licensing designation in respect of certain parts of Cliftonville West and Margate Central as set out in the annexed proposal document;

(ii)  To delegate the implementation and enforcement arrangements for the designation to the Director of Community Services.

The area concerned suffers from a wide range of problems. While much has already been achieved through selective licensing, it is clear that the initial five-year designation will not provide enough time in which to effect long-lasting change in the area.

The new designation was proposed because the area continues to be an area of low housing demand which suffers from poor housing conditions and high levels of deprivation, crime and anti-social behaviour. Cabinet made the designation as it is expected to contribute to:

1.  An improvement in the social and economic conditions in the area;

2.  A reduction in anti-social behaviour;

3.  An improvement in general housing conditions;

4.  A reduction in the level of deprivation; and

5.  A reduction in crime.

Cabinet considered the option of taking no further action in respect of selective licensing and rejected the option, as it determined that failing to make a further designation would be detrimental to community regeneration in Margate.