Consult properly urges Tony Sutton

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 12th Jun 2009

Local Lib Dem councillor Tony Sutton has urged the Council to take the time to properly consult local people before making decisions on community issues such as the management of houses in multiple occupancy.

Speaking during Monday's council meeting, Cllr Sutton criticised the Labour executive for attempting to rush-through legislation in Nottingham without taking enough time to consult local groups. Cllr Sutton said:

"The Lib Dems support the use of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 in Nottingham, but I am concerned that these proposals are only just coming to the Council today and it is intended that proposals should be submitted to Government by 31st July."

Cllr Sutton also praised the work of organisations such as Nottingham Action Group, who have "been prime movers in addressing serious problems" with issues regarding houses in multiple occupancy, amenities, and behaviour.

However, referring to proposals to license all houses in multiple occupancy, the councillor queried the estimate of 7,700 properties likely to be affected. He hoped that this figure was not based solely on houses where there is an exemption from Council Tax, as that would amount to a discriminatory definition restricted to student accommodation.

Cllr Sutton said that proper consultation could only be demonstrated if there was a clear definition of the properties the authority proposed should be licensed, and transparency of the powers such licensing conferred to the authority.

He strongly warned against neglecting to include students in the consultation process. He said: "We are sometimes in danger of forgetting that students and their landlords are also our constituents!"

Useful links…

Sustainable Communities Act 2007…

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/sustainablecommunitiesact