Decision details

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of proposed fees for licensing houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and caravan sites for permanent residential use with effect from 1 April 2026.  The charging proposals reflected a range of factors including the Borough Councils overall financial position, market position, trading patterns, the current rate of inflation and customer feedback.

Due regard was given to the views of the Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the assessment of risk and the legal implications.

In recognition of the Borough Councils overall financial position, the increasing challenges in achieving further expenditure savings and the importance of maximising income Cllr Boughton proposed, Cllr Mehmet seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the proposed fee for licensing HMOs (representing an increase of 4%) as detailed in 5.1 of the report, be approved;

(2)             the proposed fee for caravan sites for permanent residential use (representing an increase of 4%), as detailed in the 5.2 of the report, be approved; and

(3)             the proposed fees be implemented from 1 April 2026.