Agenda item

It was noted that interests were declared by Cllr Colin Blackburn and Sally Harris who both have connections to properties in Bath.

Robin Kerr provided a statement on behalf of FOBRA. This is attached and available on the Council website.

Harry Tedstone gave a presentation on behalf of BIGHA. This is attached and available on the Council website.

An additional statement from the FSB was submitted but was not read out. This is attached and available on the Council website.

Question and observations:

1.  Cllr Rob Appleyard asked how we had got to the numbers that had been shown in the presentations. There appears to be an amount of cross over in the points made about party houses, the general problems in Bath with housing and high cost properties being taken out of the market.

Response – There are a mix of properties being taken out of the market half are larger properties and the rest are 1-2 bed apartments. The smaller properties make it harder for first time buyers and people in low paid jobs who need to rent.

2.  Cllr Dine Romero felt there are similarities to the problems that HMO’s bring to the city, planning is not covering the issues that are being raised and there needs to be changes in legislation by central government.

3.  Cllr Dine Romero – A report has been written by Ben woods team, is this going to be circulated?

Response – Lisa Bartlett, Divisional Director – Development B&NES explained that the report that was written is an internal document that was being used by officers in-house, this is not a formal Council report that is being held back. Further work is required before a document will be ready to circulate.

4.  Cllr Joe Rayment felt that people were opting to use Air B&B as it is a cheaper option for visitors. If noise is such a big issue why is this not being addressed? It appears the bigger problem is the lack of affordable houses that are being supplied to the city.

Response – Harry Tedstone explained that noise issues are not dealt with by the police and they refer people to the Council.

5.  Chris Mordent, Housing Services B&NES explained that there are schemes in place that deal with the introduction of HMOs to the city.

Response - Harry Tedstone felt that where buy to lets are happening there has to be better management where the use changes to a HMO. 

6.  Chris Roche – It appears that owners of ‘’party houses’’ have lower overheads and greater profits. What potential is there for the Council to raise funds from these properties?

Response – Ashley Ayre explained that B&NES Council have to gather evidence first and must act legally in how it operates, there are constraints on what revenue could be achieved. To change there needs to be a challenge to Parliament; national regulations are giving us the powers to make decisions.

7.  Virginia Williamson – There are place in Bath such as Brougham Hayes where Air B&B is being advertised for rental on Facebook. It seems that we are so restricted by the way the class of use is set out?

Response – Lisa Bartlett explained that outside of London larger properties can fall outside and do need planning permission. There are examples of local applications that are being looked at presently. Where smaller properties enter the market there are no controls outside of London, this is where there is a need for new powers, the housing act has selective powers which exempt holiday lets at the moment.

8.  Caroline Kay felt that we need to look further afield at what other cities are doing and lobby nationally for action. 

9.  Leslie Redwood felt that that there are number of cities across the UK that is suffering the same effects from unauthorised lettings as in Bath. Visit Bath supports change and recognises that presently there are lacks of tools that can be used around planning class.

Response – Harry Tedstone explained all BIGHA members operate safe, clean, legal and fair businesses. The city is soon to open a new casino that will see an increase in the stag market. 

Actions

·  It was agreed that the Bath City Forum will write to Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath to lobby central government on the change in legislation, business rates issues and fire regulations for unregulated holiday lets.

·  Lobby the LGA

·  Review progress at a future forum meeting in about six months’ time.  Bring in others to the discussion where required.