Agenda item

Mr Alex Schlesinger made a statement to the Panel on the subject of Houses in Multiple Occupation. A copy of the statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

He stated that he represented the Bath based Small Business Focus. The association is concerned about the possible unintended consequences of the Council taking a more restrictive view of the provision of housing through Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Small Business Focus shares the concerns of B&NES council and the universities that the city is failing to retain its graduates, often through lack of employment opportunities. It is the declared policy of the Council to encourage new businesses in the city, so as to provide the local economy with a broader base than retailing and tourism.

In order to enable and encourage the necessary retention of young people it is essential that they should have somewhere to live, and that they should be able to afford to remain in a city where even the smallest studio flat now costs well over £100, 000, and the rent for a single bedroom flat is in excess of £400 per month.

With no solution to the problem of housing costs apparent, it will be essential for many of these young people to share accommodation, often at a cost of below £300 per month. Without this accommodation being available in sufficient quantity to keep prices relatively low, our most able and best qualified young people will leave Bath for the available opportunities in neighbouring Bristol, where new businesses are being actively encouraged and low cost accommodation is readily available.

We accept that the high concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation in just a few parts of the city does present problems for these areas. These concentrations, however, do reflect the problems faced by having large areas of Listed Buildings, that are more desirable to the housing market, and therefore more expensive, whilst adaption to the requirements of the Housing Regulations are more difficult, costly and sometimes even impossible in listed buildings. 

Whilst management of housing, preferably working through landlords and enlightened application of regulation is desirable, what must be avoided is a policy that leads directly to a reduction of affordable housing for young people, many of whom are just starting on worthwhile careers of self-employment.

Councillor Will Sandry asked if the group had a view on what the Council should be doing to aid young people, not necessarily student and couples and families with housing needs.

Mr Schlesinger replied that the group was relatively new in its origin, but had already identified the need to focus on employment and the retention / provision of housing.

Councillor Barry Macrae commented that he felt that greater student accommodation is required on campus in order to release current HMO’s back into regular use. He asked if the group would acknowledge that some form of student accommodation is required.

Mr Schlesinger replied that the group would no doubt support further proposals for student accommodation, but he wished to highlight that the focus should be on retaining graduates through affordable homes.

The Chairman thanked Mr Schlesinger for his statement and asked for it to be passed to the Planning, Transport & Environment Panel prior their debate on the matter on December 6^th 2011.