Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety.

Decision

That the adoption of the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy and Statement of Principles for determining Financial Penalties 2020-2025, be approved.

Reason for the Decision

In April 2019 all existing Housing Enforcement Policies novated to the new Dorset Council. These policies remain in force until 31st March 2021 or until a new policy supersedes them. The formation of Dorset Council on the 1 April 2019 required that the Council adopt one new Enforcement Policy and Statement of Principles for determining Financial Penalties across the new council area.  The new policy is not significantly different from those of the original sovereign councils. They have been amalgamated and updated to reflect changes in legislation and good practice.

Cabinet considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety, who advised members that the Housing Act 2004, associated regulations and statutory guidance provided Dorset Council with a wide range of duties and powers to take enforcement action to tackle the worst housing conditions. The policy enabled officers to be guided in their housing enforcement decisions, to ensure a consistent and proportionate approach to regulation as required by the Regulators Code. The document also contained the Councils policy in relation to setting penalties for certain criminal and other offences under the Housing Act 2004 and associated regulations; and how the Council would regulate and take enforcement action in relation to houses in multiple occupation (HMO’s), long term empty homes and Mobile Home sites.

The Portfolio Holder reported that the policy had also been considered  and supported by People & Health Overview Committee at its meeting on 27 October 2020.

Decision

That the adoption of the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy and Statement of Principles for determining Financial Penalties 2020-2025, be approved.

Reason for the Decision

In April 2019 all existing Housing Enforcement Policies novated to the new Dorset Council. These policies remain in force until 31st March 2021 or until a new policy supersedes them. The formation of Dorset Council on the 1 April 2019 required that the Council adopt one new Enforcement Policy and Statement of Principles for determining Financial Penalties across the new council area.  The new policy is not significantly different from those of the original sovereign councils. They have been amalgamated and updated to reflect changes in legislation and good practice.