Lead Member – Councillor Mal Price – Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment

Report of the Director of Public Health

Contact: Rod Thomson       Tel: 01743 258918

RESOLVED:

                     i)        That the introduction of the Student Accommodation Quality Accreditation Mark be approved in order to set out standards expected at an early stage in the development of the University Centre.

                    ii)        That the scheme be introduced on 1^st December 2016. 

                   iii)        That the fees for 2016/17 be £135 for each property and £40 for a half day briefing session for each landlord. Fees being payable every 3 years.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment presented a report by the Director of Public Health detailing the Council’s proposed Student Accommodation Quality Accreditation Mark scheme. 

A Member voiced his support for this initiative as a means of ensuring adequate accommodation for first year students and clarification of the Council’s role in this provision.  However, he queried the steps being taken to prevent the potential ‘studentification’ of parts of the town through the use of appropriate planning policy and the identification of Article 4 Direction [A4D] areas.  It was noted that further work needed to be undertaken to develop a register of Houses in Multiple Occupation [HMOs; these properties required mandatory licensing.  The Leader stressed the Council’s commitment to the University and the importance of its success to the county as a whole.

RESOLVED:

                     i)        That the introduction of the Student Accommodation Quality Accreditation Mark be approved in order to set out standards expected at an early stage in the development of the University Centre.

                    ii)        That the scheme be introduced on 1^st December 2016. 

                   iii)        That the fees for 2016/17 be £135 for each property and £40 for a half day briefing session for each landlord. Fees being payable every 3 years.