Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Thursday 7 March, 2024 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 7 March 2024 were approved as a correct record.

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

The following Councillors declared an interest in Agenda Item 8:   Review of the Consultation on Landlord Licensing and the enforcement of housing standards in the West End of Morecambe.

·        Councillor Potter declared an interest in view of her being a private landlord but not with a property in the West End

·        Councillor Wilkinson declared an interest in view of him being an HMO landlord but not with a property in the West End

·        Councillor Hamilton-Cox declared an interest in view of him being a landlord but not with property in the West End.

·        Councillor Ainscough declared an interest in view of her son being in privately rented accommodation in the West End.

Members were advised that there had been no requests to speak at the meeting in accordance with Cabinet’s agreed procedure.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive to provide an update on performance and projects during Quarter 3 of 2023-24 (October – December 2023).

No options were provided as the report was for commenting and noting.  Cabinet welcomed the revisions that officers had made to the presentation of the reports .  It was noted that the range of indicators would be reviewed, and suggestions were made for inclusion in future reports including progress on Whitelund , B&B figures and the inclusion of a project summary.

Resolved

(1)             That the report be noted.

Reasons for making the decision:

Monitoring of strategic projects and key performance indicators provides a link between the Council Plan 24-27 by providing progress updates.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Report of Chief Officer Housing & Property (report published on 12 April 2024). 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer Housing and Property to review the outcome of the public consultation on the introduction of licensing in a defined area in the West End of Morecambe and make a decision on the approach to enforcement of housing standards.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 1: Do nothing

Option 2: Introduce a selective landlord licensing scheme in the West End of Morecambe.

Option 3: Update an alternative enforcement approach, build on landlord and tenant engagement and explore the introduction of a Good Landlord Charter.