Issue - items at meetings - Executive Response to Scrutiny Panel on Lettings Agents

(1)       That the evidence, findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel on Lettings Agents be noted (see Appendix 2).

(2)       That the responses summarised in Appendix 1 to this report be approved, subject to a further report on progress to a future Housing Cabinet Member Meeting, following consideration of the Panel’s recommendations at the next meeting of the Strategic Housing Partnership.

44.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Strategic Director Place which explained that a cross party Scrutiny Panel (prior to May 2011) consisting of former Councillor Paul Elgood, Councillor Bill Randall & former Councillor Christine Simpson, considered issues in relation to the activities of letting agents in the city.  These were set out in paragraph 1.1 of the report.  The Panel made 6 recommendations which were detailed in the report and appendix. 

44.2    The Executive response welcomed the recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel on Letting Agents, and recommended their acceptance in principle and where appropriate, and updates on progress on implementation to date.  The Executive response also recommended that the Scrutiny Report was considered in full at the next meeting of the Strategic Housing Partnership prior to a further report on progress to a future Housing Cabinet Member Meeting. 

44.3    Councillor Peltzer Dunn stated that some form of further regulation of letting agents was long overdue.  Successive governments had failed to instigate a proper legal governance scheme to ensure people were safeguarded.  Councillor Peltzer Dunn was worried that the council were considering a localised scheme and wondered if it would be useful to look at other large conurbations, particularly university towns, to see if they had similar problems. Meanwhile, he welcomed the report and looked forward to hearing the recommendations in due course. 

44.4    The Chair stated that Councillor Peltzer Dunn’s comments would be taken on board.  She agreed it was important to learn from other towns, especially university towns.

44.5    Councillor Peltzer Dunn referred to Appendix 2 (the Scrutiny Panel report).  He stated that it would have been helpful if this had had a heading stating that it was Appendix 2.  The Chair concurred and stated that in future all appendices should have a correct heading.

44.6    RESOLVED - (1)      That the evidence, findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel on Lettings Agents be noted (see Appendix 2).

(2)       That the responses summarised in Appendix 1 to this report be approved, subject to a further report on progress to a future Housing Cabinet Member Meeting, following consideration of the Panel’s recommendations at the next meeting of the Strategic Housing Partnership.