Issue - meetings

The Council considered a motion from the Green group moved by Councillor Joanna Wright and seconded by Councillor Saskia Heijltjes.  Following a vote, this motion was

NOT CARRIED

Council Notes:

?  Bath’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage city attracts tourists, generating nearly half a billion pounds annually. However, the rise in short-term rentals, such as over 1,000 Airbnb listings, has reduced housing availability and pushed up rents by 5.2% from February 2023 to 2024.

?  House prices in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) have surged by over 72% in the last decade, making it increasingly difficult for residents to buy or rent affordable homes.

?  The Right to Buy scheme has diminished social housing stock nationally by 165,000 homes over the past decade, further reducing affordable options in B&NES.

?  The government has proposed new rules for property owners to register short-term lets and require planning permission for rentals exceeding 90 days per year.

Council Believes:

?  Housing costs are forcing residents out of the area.

?  Government regulations on short-term lets are essential to freeing up homes for long-term renters.

?  Tackling the housing crisis in B&NES requires more social housing investment and rent controls.

Council Resolves to:

1. Request the Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Sustainable Development to write to the government, asking for local authorities to have the power to introduce rent controls in B&NES.
2. Develop local measures to limit the impact of short-term holiday lets, including:

3. Request the Leader of the Council to write to the government calling to:

4. Improve policies on empty homes by:

5. Requests Cabinet to

[Notes;

1.  The above motion was lost with 4 Councillors voting in favour, 40 Councillors voting against and 4 abstentions.]