Agenda item - Issues Raised by Members

To consider the following matters raised by councillors:

(a)       Petitions: to receive any petitions submitted to the full Council or at the meeting itself;

(b)      Written Questions: to consider any written questions;

(c)       Letters: to consider any letters;

(d)   Notices of Motion: to consider any Notices of Motion referred from Council or submitted directly to the Committee.

21.       a) Petitions: None for this meeting

b) Written Questions: Four questions from Councillor McLeay: For this agenda Councillor McLeay asked the following questions and agreed, in the interests of time, that only question number 2 be read out in the meeting and the other 3 would receive a response from officers. 

1.    Theobald House needs attention. Ahead of the May election I was led to understand that there is major investment capital proposed for the block’s improvements this year. Is there a plan in place for when these major works will start, and if so, what will be involved, how will residents be involved and how will that apply to residents wanting a playground?? 

Response:Thank you for your question, your question will receive a response from officers. 

2.    As evictions are a major contributing factor to homelessness, we should strive to keep a closer eye on the numbers and trend indicators. Can there be a report on evictions in emergency accommodation to a future Housing & New Homes Committee, within the next 6 months?? 

Response:Thank you for your question. A report on evictions from both emergency and supported accommodation over the past year is being compiled. Once complete, this will be published on the Council’s website. 

Supplementary question: What steps can be undertaken by the council to stop residents be evicted.

Response: As this is a personal case, the Assistant Director Housing Needs & Supply will talk with the councillor after the meeting.

3.    What rent collection rate is budgeted for 23-24 from council tenants and how much rent is this? What were the actual collection rates for 2022-23 and 21-22?? 

Response:Thank you for your question, your question will receive a response from officers.

4.    When will the annual report for 22/23 of the homeless reduction board and homeless reduction operational board be presented to housing committee? Given the abolition of the homeless reduction board which was a key part of the homelessness and rough sleeping strategy agreed in June 2020, will it be revied andrewritten to reflect this?? 

Response:Thank you for your question, your question will receive a response from officers.  

c) Members Letters: None for this agenda.

d) Notices of Motion: One for this meeting: Notice of Motion submitted by Labour Group 

This committee notes: 

1. Private Rent in Brighton & Hove is one of the highest in the country, with an average rent of £1,100 which accounts for 50% of the average monthly income and this causes distress and poverty. 

2. The Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has called on the Conservative Government to grant him powers to freeze rents in the city. The Labour Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, has also called for powers to intervene in the rental market. 

This committee will take action to: 

3. Request an officer report to be brought to the Housing & New Homes Committee assessing private rental costs in the city and analysing the impact that rental controls would have on affordability and our local housing market, should such powers be granted by an incoming Labour Government. 

4. Explore how we can develop a long-term strategy to improve conditions and affordability for private renters in our city.  

Supporting evidence: 

On 16^th March 2022 a motion was passed at Housing committee requesting that the Chief executive Write to the Secretary of State to ask that powers to implement rents controls are given to the city of Brighton and Hove. This has had absolutely no effect on the plight of renters. 

This administration will act and take steps to initiate a report to assess private rental costs in the city and analyze the impact of rent controls should such powers be granted by an incoming Labour Government. We will explore how we can develop a long-term strategy to improve conditions and affordability for private renters on our city.  
 

Why is renting in Brighton so hard? MP and union respond | The Argus 

SN06760.pdf (parliament.uk) 

21.1    Councillor Sheard presented the Notice of Motion to the committee and was seconded by Councillor De Oliveira.

Debate

21.2    Councillor McLeay considered the costs and officer time relating to the motion.

21.3    Councillor Grimshaw considered the motion to be excellent and supportive of residents.

21.4    Councillor Meadows considered that private landlords were under extreme pressure and this motion could lead to less properties being available to rent, as landlords are pushed out of the city.

21.5    Councillor Nann considered that some landlords may disappear, but builders would stay and work with efficient landlords.

21.6    Councillor Czolak considered rent controls to be good with competition in the city the less fortunate are excluded from bidding on properties.

21.7    Councillor Fowler noted families are leaving the city as the rents are too high.

21.8    Councillor Baghoth noted from Health Watch that Doctors can not afford to live in the city.

            Vote

21.9    A vote was taken, and by 9 to I against the committee agreed to accept the motion. (Councillor Meadows was against the motion).