Issue - meetings

B Copy herewith

2.1         Cabinet agreed the policy responses to the public consultation exercise held between August and October 2019 as set out in paragraph 3.2.5 below, and

2.2         Cabinet approved the adoption of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Document (Appendix 1) which takes into account the responses to the public consultation exercise.

2.3         Cabinet agreed that the Head of Planning be given delegated authority in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning to make any necessary minor amendments, including spelling and changes in the format of the SPD where they do not alter the intent of the SPD, prior to its publication.

Councillor Hill as the relevant Cabinet Member presented the report seeking approval to adopt the Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Councillor McCutcheon considered that the report was good overall, although dovetailing of policies and joined-up thinking was very important.  The requirement for HMOs was related to the lack of new homes.  There were matters of detail which would need to be resolved during implementation.

Councillor Stone expressed concern at the time taken to make progress.  There was no evidence that more HMOs were needed – people were being forced into HMOs because other housing was not available.  All rooms should have en-suite facilities and the standard room size needed to be larger.

Councillor Stone referred to the second point under 2.1.1 on page 29.  She considered that HMOs had adversely affected the character and amenity of local areas – particularly when there was a high turnover of residents and neighbours did not know each other.

Councillor Hill stated that progress had been dictated by the strict conditions of the Planning Inspectorate.  It was important that processes were followed and this had resulted in a strong and robust policy. 

The Head of Planning pointed out that HMO room sizes were standard and that work had been done with Housing regarding this.

RESOLVED:

2.1         Cabinet agreed the policy responses to the public consultation exercise held between August and October 2019 as set out in paragraph 3.2.5 below, and

2.2         Cabinet approved the adoption of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Document (Appendix 1) which takes into account the responses to the public consultation exercise

2.3         Cabinet agreed that the Head of Planning be given delegated authority in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning to make any necessary minor amendments, including spelling and changes in the format of the SPD where they do not alter the intent of the SPD, prior to its publication.