Agenda item

            The Divisional Solicitor presented the Committee with an update in respect of the following report:

            Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

            To consider amendment of the Scheme of Delegation in respect of applications for renewal of a licence for the use of premises as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

            Recommendations

            Taking into account the information presented Committee is asked to consider whether it wishes to amend the Scheme of Delegation to:

(i)        Allow officers to grant a renewal application for a HMO licence where a valid objection has been received but where the objection relates to overprovision, either directly or indirectly; and

(ii)       Allow officers to grant a renewal application for a HMO licence where a valid objection has been received but where the issues raised are general in nature and not specific to the relevant property, applicant or managing agent.

            Amending the Scheme of Delegation does not fall within the delegated authority of Committee and must therefore be ratified by Council.

            Main report

            Key Issues

            Members will be aware that Section 20 of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (NI) 2016 states that the power to refuse an application on the grounds of overprovision or breach of planning control do not apply to renewal applications.

            Paragraph 3.6.27 of the Scheme of Delegation permits officers to exercising all powers in relation to the grant (but not refusal) of HMO licences, except in certain circumstances. One of those exceptions is where material objections are received. This means that where a material objection has been received the application must be referred to Committee.

            Council continues to receive objections in relation to renewal applications which raise general issues about overprovision or raise concerns about other issues in the general area which are not specific to either the property, owner or managing agent of the property. In accordance with the 2016 Act these objections are valid and whilst not dismissing the alleged issues, legal advice has consistently been that refusal of an application on the basis of such an objection would not be sustainable.

            It is considered that this process is unfair to the applicants and indeed to objectors. It also brings applications to Committee unnecessarily which increases work load for both Committee and officers.

            Officers therefore believe it may be appropriate to amend the Scheme of Delegation to allow officers to grant renewal applications licences in circumstances where the nature of the objection relates to overprovision, either directly or indirectly.

            Members may also wish to consider whether to grant delegated authority to officers to grant a renewal application where valid objections have been received but where the issues raised in the objection are not specific to the property in question.

            It is acknowledged that this is less straightforward as issues may arise which should be considered by Committee. In this context however members are reminded that paragraph 1.13 of the Scheme of Delegation states that Chief Officers may refer any delegated matter to Committee in any case. Furthermore, any decision which would otherwise be delegated under the Scheme should be reported to Committee it if is politically contentious, sensitive, significant or if it is otherwise in the public interest to do so.

            Financial and Resource Implications

            None.

            Equality and Good Relations Implications

            There are no equality or good relations issues associated with this report.

            Following discussion, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of the report until its meeting in December.