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Agenda item

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT MOTION - HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION

Minutes:

The Council considered a motion from the Liberal Democrat group.

 

Councillor Alan Hale raised a point of order, although the specific procedural rule which he considered had been breached was not specified.  His query, supported by various other councillors, was whether it was appropriate to have this motion on the agenda in a pre-election period.  Councillor Hardman explained that advice had been sought from the Chief Executive (and Returning Officer) and Monitoring Officer and that her decision had been to permit the motion, the core element of which was requesting additional powers from Government

 

On a motion from Councillor Sarah Moore, seconded by Councillor Jess David, it was then

 

RESOLVED that

 

Council believes:

 

  1. HMOs are an essential part of the local housing market, particularly within Bath, providing affordable accommodation not only for students, but also for professionals, key workers, lower-income workers and temporary workers among others.

 

  1. Students are an important part of the fabric of life here in Bath and North East Somerset; that the universities and colleges are vital strategic partners; and that both bring important social, community, cultural and economic benefits to our area.

 

Council notes that:

 

  1. ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ (HMO) and ‘large House in Multiple Occupation’ are defined terms under housing legislation.

 

  1. Council tax exemptions applied to those HMOs solely occupied by students represent a reduction in potential income to the local authority and in funds available to support the vital public services on which all residents rely.

 

  1. Government no longer compensates local authorities for this reduced tax income via grant funding.

 

  1. More widely, overall grant funding awarded to B&NES has been reduced by central government from £31 million in 2013/14 to just £1.3 million in 2025/26, a reduction of over 95%.

 

  1. Government has indicated willingness to recognise the impact of mandatory discounts and exemptions in the Fair Funding Review.

 

  1. B&NES faces a housing affordability crisis which is exacerbated by new HMO conversions reducing the supply of affordable family homes.

 

  1. B&NES Council has previously adopted planning policies to support the aim of maintaining an appropriately balanced housing mix in the city of Bath.

 

  1. The forthcoming Local Plan Options consultation represents an opportunity to consult on new potential policy approaches to HMOs.

 

Council therefore:

 

  1. Calls on government to recognise the challenges faced by university cities in the Fair Funding Review formula proposals.

 

  1. Highlights the opportunity for B&NES residents to participate in the Local Plan Options consultation, from 3 October to 13 November 2025.

 

  1. Invites the Council Leader and local MPs to press central government to acknowledge the impact of student HMOs on local authority finances and to address it with a Fair Funding formula that compensates local authorities in full.

 

[Notes;

 

  1. The above resolution was carried with the votes set out below;

 

For (36) – Councillors Michael Auton, Alex Beaumont, David Biddleston, Alison Born, Anna Box, Paul Crossley, Chris Dando, Jess David, Fiona Gourley, Kevin Guy, Liz Hardman, Steve Hedges, Oli Henman, Joel Hirst, Lucy Hodge, Duncan Hounsell, Grant Johnson, Samantha Kelly, Hal MacFie, John Leach, Sarah Moore, Ruth Malloy, Lesley Mansell, Paul May, Matt McCabe, Simon McCombe, Rovin Moss, Michelle O’Doherty, Manda Rigby, Dine Romero, Paul Roper, Onkar Saini, Toby Simon, Shuan Stephenson-McGall, George Tomlin, Malcolm Treby,

 

Abstain (11) – Councillors Colin Blackburn, Sarah Evans, Alan Hale, Gavin Heathcote, Saskia Heijltjes, Shaun Hughes, Sam Ross, June Player, Chris Warren, Tim Warren, Joanna Wright]

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