Agenda item

Private Sector Licensing (Additional & Selective Licensing Schemes)

Minutes:

Background:

The report sought approval to formally commence the proposed Additional Licensing Scheme in the following wards (Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton and Watling) and Selective Licensing Scheme in the recommended wards (Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Strood North & Frindsbury and Watling). This was following the statutory consultation process as outlined in Section 56 (3) (a) for additional licensing and Section 80 (9) of the Housing Act 2004.

The Cabinet had originally considered a report on 4 August 2026 where a number of decisions had been made in relation to additional and selective licensing schemes (decision nos. 104-106/2026). The Cabinet’s decisions had been contingent on the requirement to publish a notice within the designated areas within seven days of the designation being confirmed (Section 83 of the Housing Act 2004 refers).

Unfortunately, this requirement had not been fully complied with, meaning the Cabinet’s decisions made on 4 August 2026 were no longer effective, which was why the report had been resubmitted.

Since the publication of the main report an addendum report had been submitted within Supplementary Agenda No.1, which made a number of corrections to the main report and recommendations.

The expected commencement period on the previous report had been November 2026, it would now be 4 January 2027 following Cabinet approval, (Section 82 (4) required that the date of the selective licensing scheme must be no earlier than three months after the date on which the designation is confirmed).

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix G to the report.

Decision *number:*	Decision:
	The Cabinet noted the outcome of the consultation process detailed in the Consultation Report (June 2026), which provided evidence of the representations received from stakeholders, landlords, letting agents/management and residents, as set out in Appendix A to the report.
	The Cabinet noted the Council’s responses to comments and representations received during the public consultation, as set out in Appendix B to the report.
141/2026	Under s.80 Housing Act 2004, (which allows local housing authorities in England to designate areas for selective licensing to improve social or economic conditions) the Cabinet agreed to the designation of a Selective Licensing Scheme in the nominated wards (Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Strood North & Frindsbury and Watling).
142/2026	Under s.56 Housing Act 2004 (which allows location housing authorities to designated areas for additional licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)) the Cabinet agreed to the designation of an Additional Licensing Scheme in the nominated wards (Chatham Central & Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton and Watling).
143/2026	The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness, to make changes to the proposed administration, implementation and enforcement of the schemes where necessary and to ensure that all statutory notifications were carried out in the prescribed manner for the designations and to take all necessary steps to provide for the operational delivery of the licensing schemes.
144/2026	The Cabinet agreed that decisions 141, 142 and 143 were considered urgent and therefore should not be subject to call in.

Reason:

To ensure that Cabinet has considered all options and consultation findings before deciding on whether or not to proceed with (a) new five-year discretionary Licensing Scheme/s.

Supporting documents: