Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Coleman-Cooke.

To receive any declarations of interest. Members are advised to consider the advice contained within the Declaration of Interest advice attached to this Agenda. If a Member declares an interest, they should complete the Declaration of Interest Form

There were no declaration of interests.

To approve the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 18 January 2022, copy attached.

Councillor Paul Moore proposed, Councillor Austin seconded and the Panel agreed that the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 18 January 2022 were a correct record.

An overview presentation on the Private Sector Housing in Thanet and commenting on how the Council regulates private sector housing in the district.

Councilor Jill Bayford introduced the item and handed over to Mr Hopkins, Private Sector Housing Manager, TDC, who provided a presentation on private sector housing and how it was regulated by the Council.  The presentation has been attached as an annex to the minutes for reference.

During consideration of the item the following points were noted:

• Thanks were offered to Mr Hopkins and his team for their excellent work.
• The data of the number of privately rented properties was shown by ward in the presentation.
• The Government confirmed that they intended for Section 21 notices to be scrapped, when this happened Landlords would not be able to evict Tenants without a reason.
• There were three levels of response to complaints:

• • 1 - High priority, such as no water or a severe danger or some kind. The service standard was to attend within 2 days, however an officer would normally attend immediately.
  • 2 – Priority, such as no hot water or heating. The service standard was to attend within 10 days, however normally officers would attend these significantly sooner than 10 days.
  • 3 – Standard, such as some damp or mould.  The service standard was to attend within 10 weeks, at the moment visits were taking place within five weeks.
• There would be no further Cold Homes Team funding after March 2022, however the main thrust of the work had been completed and penalty notices would be sent out soon.
• There was a need to do a stock condition survey of Thanet. This would also help in deciding what areas might be suitable for future selective licensing designations. Overall, it would take around two years for a new selective licensing to be implemented, if one was to be made, as there were various stages of consultation and Government approval required.
• In cases where there was a rogue tenant, TDC was sympathetic in its approach with Landlords who demonstrated a willingness to co-operate.
• Selective licensing designations were introduced by the Government in 2006, which permitted terms of five years. TDC was thought to be the first Council to do a back to back scheme, which totalled 10 years. The targeted area had improved, however there were still further improvements to be made and other areas of Thanet that could also benefit from selective licensing.

Report to follow.

Mr Verrall, Strategic Planning Manager, TDC introduced the item noting that Regulation 16 was the final formal stage of consultation before the examination of the Plan took place. The consultation would finish on 24 February 2022.  TDC was working with Birchington Parish Council to appoint an examiner.

Cllr Fellows made a statement on behalf of the Birchington Parish Council group who prepared the Plan, of which he was a member. He offered thanks to those involved in the collaboration with TDC, however it was felt that there needed to be more support from TDC regarding policy B4, heritage assets.

During consideration of the item it was noted that:

• The words “Parish Council'' needed to be deleted from policy B21 as it was the District Council who was responsible for ensuring compliance with Local Plan Policies.
• TDC’s comments would be submitted alongside the Plan, for review by the examiner, who would then give their recommendations.

It was proposed by Councillor Tomlinson, seconded by Councillor L Piper and agreed that option one be approved, namely:

‘1) That the comments in Annex 1 of this report are agreed to be submitted as the Council's formal response to the Regulation 16 Consultation.’

The Chair advised of a number of upcoming topics from the work programme including an item to provided a climate emergency update, scheduled for the April Panel meeting.  If any Panel member had a topic they would like to propose for a future meeting then they should contact the Chair or Mr Hungwe.

There had been a request from a Ramsgate Town Councillor that a working party be set up to monitor the Future High Street Fund projects in Ramsgate, however it was noted that there were a number of online videos now available that provided a lot of information about the projects.  Ms Homer, Chief Executive, TDC suggested that the Panel could receive an update on the subject in due course.

Councillor Fellows gave a brief update regarding the work of the Coastal Waste Scrutiny Review Working Party.  He noted that they would be meeting in the next couple of weeks to review the report, and intended to bring their report before the Panel at the March meeting.  Thanks were offered to all involved, including Mr Hungwe for his support.

Members noted the report.