Issue - meetings

The Private Sector Housing Manager presented a report on the subject of the introduction of licensing fees under the Mobile Homes Act 2013.

Members were informed that the Mobile Homes Act 2013 introduced the potential for Councils to charge licensing fees to cover the costs of various activities associated with site inspections, including an annual site inspection.  Inspections were undertaken to ensure that there was compliance with required standards.  The legislation also permitted Councils to serve notice, which previously could only be undertaken following court action.

There were no mobile home sites in the Borough on the date of the meeting.  However, Officers were aware of 10 applications having been submitted to the planning department relating to mobile home sites.  The introduction of licensing fees for mobile home sites would ensure that there would be a clear framework in place prior to the introduction of any such sites.

Following the presentation of the report, Members discussed the potential for mobile home sites to be introduced in the Borough.  Officers clarified that the sites that were the subject of the Council’s planning process could involve single units or a collection of units at one site.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Procurement explained that the proposed licensing fees had been suggested at a level that would cover costs but which would not be punitive.  There would be a fine of £5,000 in cases where non-compliance was identified.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the Mobile Home Fee Structure is approved and implemented to all relevant sites throughout Redditch Borough and reviewed on an annual basis; and

2)         the recovery of expenses through enforcement action is approved and implemented to all relevant sites throughout the Borough.