Decision

Resolved:-

(1)          that approval be given to the consultation on the expansion of additional licensing across Sandwell;

(2)          that the Director of Housing and the Director for Regeneration and Growth be authorised to carry out research into the distribution of small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (not currently subject to planning permission) to provide a robust dataset allowing the preparation of a non-immediate Article 4 direction which will be applied to relevant areas within the borough to remove permitted development rights for the change of use of dwelling houses (C3 use) to small houses in multiple occupation (C4 use);

(3)          that the following recommendation of the Safer Neighbourhoods and Active Communities Scrutiny Board be approved:

a.    the Council works closely with external bodies, agencies and individuals, including West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Councillors, Community Support Officers and other community facing organisations to identify un-registered Houses in Multiple Occupation;

(4)          that a further report be submitted to the Safer Neighbourhoods and Active Communities Scrutiny Board, within 2 months’ time, on the decision of Cabinet in relation to (3) above.