Agenda item

To consider recommendations from the meeting of Cabinet held on 20^th April 2026.

 

Members are asked to note that the recommendations arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 6^th March were considered at the Council meeting held on 6^th March 2026.  In addition, Members are asked to note that there were no recommendations arising from the meeting of Cabinet held on 25^th March 2026.

 

 

The Chairman opened the item by explaining that there were no recommendations from the meeting of Cabinet held on 6^th March 2026 requiring consideration.  This was because the recommendations arising from that meeting had subsequently been considered at the Council meeting held on the same date.

 

Members were asked to note that no recommendations had been made for Council’s consideration at the meeting of Cabinet held on 25^th March 2026.  Therefore, Council was only due to consider recommendations arising from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 20^th April 2026.

 

Recommendations on the following subjects were discussed during the meeting:

 

Revision of the Environmental Crime Enforcement Policy

 

The Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Community Safety presented proposed revisions to the Environmental Crime Enforcement Policy.  Members were advised that the updates to the policy were designed to protect the local environment.  This policy did not extend to addressing problems with abandoned vehicles or graffiti.

 

In considering the report, Members commented on the following points:

 

·             The powers available to the Council to remove abandoned vehicles and which team dealt with this.  Members were advised that a response would be provided to this query after the meeting.

·             The wider equality impact assessment that was proposed for the policy update, who would be consulted when undertaking the assessment and the timescales for this consultation.  Council was advised that further information would be provided in response to this query after the meeting.

·             The responsibilities that everybody had in terms of disposing of waste appropriately and the value arising from Members notifying their residents of the need to check the licences of organisations that offered to dispose of waste on their behalf.

·             The fines that could be issued against dog owners when their pets fouled in public places and they did not have access to an appropriate receptacle in which to dispose of the faeces.

 

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor P. Whittaker and seconded by Councillor K. May.

 

RESOLVED that the Bromsgrove and Redditch Enforcement Policy be adopted and replace the previous Joint Environmental Enforcement Policy.

 

Introduction of Enforcement of Littering from Vehicles

 

The Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Community Safety presented a report that proposed the introduction of the enforcement of littering from vehicles. 

 

The proposals detailed in the report would enable the Civil Enforcement Officers working in the District to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) when people in vehicles were observed to be engaged in littering behaviour.  Previously, this had been treated as a criminal offence and the burden of proof was onerous for this.  By contrast, under the proposals before Members, Civil Enforcement Officers would have the power to act when littering was observed.

 

Members discussed the proposals and in doing so noted that the power to issue PCNs to people observed to be littering from vehicles was likely to be welcomed by many local residents.  However, it was noted that often littering occurred from vehicles without this being observed.  The suggestion was made that it might therefore be helpful to monitor the effectiveness of this approach in tackling litter moving forward.

 

Questions were raised about whether technical equipment could be used to enable officers to issue PCNs safely.  It was noted that Civil Enforcement Officers unfortunately sometimes encountered aggressive behaviour amongst people when undertaking enforcement work and questions were raised about whether the issuing of PCNs on a face-to-face basis could place staff at risk.  Confirmation was provided that remote issuing of PCNs, using electronic tools, was the method that would be adopted at the Council.

 

Reference was also made to Operation Snap, a police initiative whereby the public could offer the police dashcam footage when they investigated alleged crimes. Members queried whether dashcam footage provided by the public could be utilised by the Council’s Civil Enforcement team.  The Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Community Safety suggested that he would explore this idea further.

 

Consideration was given to the length of time available to offenders, of no more than 14 days, to pay a reduced fine when issued with a PCN for littering from a vehicle.  By contrast, it was noted that offenders had no more than 10 days to pay a reduced rate for fines issued under the Environmental Crime Enforcement Policy.  Clarification was requested on the reasons for this discrepancy, although Members were asked to note that there were two different types of penalty notice.

 

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor P. Whittaker and seconded by Councillor A. Dale.

 

RESOLVED that

 

1)          Civil Enforcement of Littering from Vehicles be introduced;

 

2)          The Civil Enforcement Team be given delegated authority to issue Litter Penalty Charge Notices;

 

3)          The parking administration team be authorised to deal with appeals and enforcement matters in respect of Litter Penalty Charge Notices;

 

4)          The Penalty Notice Charge be set at the level set by Council for Criminal offences where a Fixed Penalty Notice is served for Depositing Litter (section 87/88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990) which for 2026/27 subject to Council approval are proposed to be set as:

 

a)          £250; and

b)          £125 for prompt payment (within 14 days); and

 

5)          Authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Regeneration & Property to issue Penalty Notice Charges for Littering from Vehicles under The Littering From Vehicles Outside London (Keepers: Civil Penalties) Regulations 2018.

 

Climate Change Strategy 2026 to 2031

 

The Cabinet Member for Local Government Reorganisation, WRS and Climate Change presented the Climate Change Strategy 2026 to 2031.

 

The strategy replaced the Council’s previous Carbon Reduction Action Plan and it set out a clear, practical pathway to reduce emissions from the Council’s operations by 50% by 2030, and achieve Net Zero by 2040. It also aligned with national and international commitments, including the UK Net Zero target and the Paris Agreement.  The aim of the strategy was to deliver real, tangible improvements for local residents, the environment, and the local economy.

 

The strategy was designed to be ambitious but grounded, focused on the areas where the Council could make the biggest difference.  Key highlights raised for Members’ attention included:

 

·             Improving energy efficiency and renewable generation in Council buildings;

·             Supporting warmer, more efficient homes and tackling fuel poverty;

·             Decarbonising transport, including the Council’s fleet and Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure;

·             Embedding climate considerations into planning and development;

·             Enhancing biodiversity and green spaces;

·             Reducing waste and rolling out weekly food waste collections; and

·             Strengthening partnerships, governance and funding.

Members were asked to note that these were all areas where the Council had direct control or strong influence.

 

Council was advised that action had already been taken in respect of tackling climate change, in line with the authority’s declaration of a climate emergency.  This included:

 

·             Over £284,000 invested in domestic retrofit since 2019, improving homes and reducing bills;

·             Nearly 613,000 kWh of EV charging delivered, saving around 479 tonnes of CO?; and

·             A downward trend in energy use across the Council’s estate, supported by solar Photovoltaic (PV) installations.

The strategy built on that foundation and was designed to scale it up.

 

The actions proposed in the strategy would benefit local residents by:

 

·             Reducing energy bills and tackling fuel poverty;

·             Improving air quality and public health;

·             Creating warmer, healthier homes;

·             Supporting local green jobs and skills; and

·             Enhancing green spaces and biodiversity.

A key strength of the strategy was how it would be delivered.  Members were asked to note that the strategy would be embedded into service business plans, ensuring ownership across the organisation. Progress would be monitored annually and reported to Cabinet and Council.  In addition, a new climate dashboard would track carbon impacts and outcomes.

 

Members were asked to note that the Council could not tackle climate change alone.  Partnership working would instead be key to future success, which would involve working with:

 

·             Worcestershire County Council and regional partners;

·             Housing providers and businesses; and

·             Community organisations and residents.

 

This collaboration would be essential to unlocking funding, delivering projects, and maximising the impact across the District.

 

There were challenges and risks that could potentially impact on progress with the implementation of the strategy.  This included:

 

·             Funding constraints;

·             Market and supply chain pressures;

·             Policy and regulatory change; and

·             Local Government Reorganisation.

However, the strategy was designed to be flexible and resilient, so that the Council could adapt while maintaining momentum. Implementation of the strategy would support the Council’s work to address the ‘Green Thread’ which underpinned all of the priorities in the Council’s Plan.

 

Once the report had been presented, Members discussed the following points in detail:

 

·             The extent to which it would be appropriate to apply targets to help monitor progress with the implementation of the strategy and the impact at the local level.

·             The action that had already been taken to tackle carbon emissions and climate change in Bromsgrove District and the potential for this to be highlighted as a key legacy achievement during Local Government Reorganisation.  In particular, the Council’s work with Birmingham University on air quality was highlighted as a positive outcome of previous efforts to tackle carbon emissions.

·             The Eight Hills Project and progress that had been achieved on this.  Members were informed that the Council had made it to the last four applicants but had ultimately not been awarded any funding.  However, work on this project would continue and had been built into the Local Plan.

·             The action that was being taken to plant trees in the District.

·             The action that could be taken to ensure that new homes were adapted to address issues arising from climate change and the extent to which these adaptations could be made to affordable homes in the District.  Members were advised that as part of the work on the Local Plan information would be included on the environment.

·             The graph that had been included in the report relating to energy consumption.  Further information on this subject was requested to be provided to Members after the meeting.

·             The hard work of the Council’s Climate Change Manager on developing this strategy.  Members thanked him for his hard work.

·             The positive impact that action to tackle climate change and carbon emissions would have on children and young people growing up in the District.

 

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor K. Taylor and seconded by Councillor P. Whittaker.

 

RESOLVED that

 

1)          The Council’s Climate Change Strategy 2026–2031 be approved; and

 

2)          An annual review of the Climate Change Strategy be reported to Council.

 

Empty Homes Strategy

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Strategic Housing presented the Empty Homes Strategy for Members’ consideration.

 

Council was informed that the strategy was designed to respond to a growing housing challenge in the country.  There were estimated to be over 5,000 empty domestic properties in the UK, including in excess of 600 empty homes in Bromsgrove District.  At the same time, there were lots of households registered on local housing registers and waiting to secure suitable social housing, including within the District.  Returning vacant properties back to use could help to address some of the demand for appropriate accommodation.

 

There were additional risks associated with empty housing that Members were asked to take into account.  This included that vacant properties could attract squatters, anti-social behaviour, and pests.  Empty properties, if left unoccupied for some time, could also have a negative impact on the physical appearance of the local environment.

 

There were many potential causes of properties becoming vacant.  This included probate, following the death of a resident, financial arrears and emotional attachments to homes.

 

Councils had broader responsibilities in respect of empty homes.  Since 2018, local authorities had been able to charge property owners extra Council Tax for empty homes.  Councils were encouraged to engage with relatives at an early stage to ensure that appropriate advice and support could be offered where needed.

 

After the report had been presented, Members discussed the content and in doing so referred to the potential for the return of empty homes into use to be taken into account as part of the Council’s work to meet the Government’s house building target for the District.  Clarification was provided that this was treated as a separate matter.

 

Reference was made to the potential for data on empty homes to be provided broken down to ward level and distinguishing between private and social housing.  In addition, questions were raised about the potential for an accurate figure to be provided in respect of the housing waiting list for residents based in Bromsgrove District.  Members were informed that there were 3,749 households on the housing waiting list at that time, although there were due to be changes to arrangements in the future that would result in a change to the calculations.  It was further noted that there could be a difference between households listed on the housing waiting list and those in desperate need of more suitable accommodation, which included people living temporarily in Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation.

 

Members commented that they were aware of a number of cases where residents had passed away and the award of their estate had been contested.  Questions were raised as to whether this was taken into account in the strategy as well as in respect of the flexibility available to officers to act in these circumstances.  Council was advised that communication and engagement would be key to the implementation of this strategy and there would be a need to assess requirements on a case-by-case basis.

 

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor S. Baxter and seconded by Councillor K. Taylor.

 

RESOLVED that the Bromsgrove District Council Empty Homes Strategy 2026 – 29 be adopted.

 

(Prior to consideration of the Empty Homes Strategy, Councillor C. Hotham declared an other disclosable interest in the item.  Members were advised that a relative of Councillor Hotham was renovating a property located in the District and whilst this work was taking place the building was empty.  Councillor Hotham took part in the debate and voted thereon.)

 

Renters Rights Act 2025

 

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Strategic Housing presented the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 report.

 

The report provided an update on the implementation of the Renters Rights Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 27^th October 2025 and represented the most significant reform of the private rented sector in a generation.  The Act fundamentally changed the relationship between tenants, landlords and local authorities and would have a direct operational impact on the Council, particularly the Private Sector Housing service.

 

Implementation was being introduced in three phases, with Phase 1 commencing on 1^st May 2026.  The introduction of the national landlord database in Phase 2 would provide a much clearer picture than at present of the sector locally.

 

From 1^st May 2026, the Council had been required to enforce a number of major legislative changes.  These included:

 

·             The abolition of Section 21 “no fault” evictions;

·             The introduction of assured periodic tenancies;

·             Reforms to possession grounds;

·             Restrictions on rent increases to once per year;

·             The banning of rent bidding and excessive rent in advance;

·             New protections preventing discrimination against families with children and tenants in receipt of benefits; and

·             New rights for tenants to request pets.

The legislation also significantly strengthened local authority enforcement powers, including increased civil penalties and new reporting requirements.

Phase 2 of the legislation, expected from late 2026 onwards, would introduce a mandatory landlord database and a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.

Landlords would be required to register properties, provide key compliance information and pay an annual fee. This would increase transparency within the sector and expand the amount of regulated activity overseen by Councils.

 

Phase 3 would introduce the Decent Homes Standard into the private rented sector for the first time, alongside further anticipated reforms linked to energy efficiency standards and the future extension of Awaab’s Law.

 

The reforms would create significant operational pressures for the Council.  The authority was anticipating:

 

·             Increased enquiries from tenants regarding their rights;

·             Additional enforcement activity; and

·             Likely increases in homelessness approaches as some landlords would Exit the sector or issue notices ahead of implementation.

The Private Sector Housing team would also need to take on entirely new areas of enforcement activity, including:

 

·             Discrimination offences;

·             Unlawful rent practices;

·             Pet request disputes; and

·             Misuse of possession grounds.

To support implementation, funding had already been secured for a new regulatory case management system to improve enforcement recording, statutory reporting and case management processes.

 

Additional New Burdens and Domestic Abuse Grant funding had already been received earlier in the year, which would help to assist with further implementation costs.  Those costs included:

 

·             Officer training;

·             IT improvements;

·             Legal support; and

·             Increased homelessness pressures.

There was a need to amend the Scheme of Delegations to ensure that the Assistant Director for Community and Housing Services was formally authorised to exercise the Council’s new enforcement powers under the Renters Rights Act 2025.  This was necessary to enable officers to act lawfully, proportionately and efficiently when investigating offences, issuing notices and exercising the Council’s new enforcement responsibilities.

 

Following the presentation of the report, Members discussed a number of points in detail:

 

·             The Government’s timeframes for landlords in the private rented sector to meet decent homes standards.

·             The positive impact that decent homes standards had had on the quality of housing in the social housing sector.

·             The number of residents in Bromsgrove District living in the private rented sector who were likely to benefit from decent homes standards.

·             The important role of the Strategic Housing team at the Council in respect of the Council’s use of powers granted under the Renters Rights Act 2025.

·             The extent to which additional staff would be needed to enable the Council to meet its duties and utilise powers provided in the Renters Rights Act 2025. 

·             The sad circumstances leading to Awaab’s Law and the impact that the quality and location of housing could have on a child’s prospects in life.

·             The challenges that had historically been encountered by residents when they had been subject to no fault evictions and the positive impact on the security of residents that would arise from ending this practice.

·             The suggestion was made that the majority of landlords operating in the District were good landlords.  However, Members noted that the powers provided under the Renters Rights Act 2025 would help the authority to tackle rogue landlords and protect vulnerable residents.

·             The support that the CAB could provide to tenants and landlords in the event of difficulties arising.

·             The benefits arising from further information about the work of the Private Sector Housing team being shared with Members.

·             The extent to which conversations had been held with Housing Associations regarding this matter.

·             The approach that the Council would adopt to communicate new rights available to tenants under the Renters Rights Act 2025.

·             The extent to which there was a risk that some landlords might involve bailiffs and the courts as a first choice now that no fault evictions were no longer an option.  Concerns were raised that this could result in tenants gaining a criminal record which might otherwise not have occurred.

·             The number of landlords who were likely to dispose of their properties in response to the legislation and the impact that this could have on the supply of suitable accommodation in the private rented sector.

·             The potential for the impact of the Renters Rights Act 2025 to be reviewed six months after the legislation came into effect.

·             The previous Member briefing that had been delivered on the subject of private sector housing by the team and the benefits arising from delivering an updated version of that briefing.

 

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor S. Baxter and seconded by Councillor K. Taylor.

 

RESOLVED that the Scheme of Delegations be amended to incorporate new powers under the Renters Rights Act 2025.

 

(During consideration of the Renters Rights Act 2025 report, Councillor S. Ammar declared an other disclosable interest as a landlord of a property located outside the District.  She remained in the room during the debate and voted thereon.)

 

Quarter 3 2025/26 Finance and Performance Monitoring Report

 

The Cabinet Member for Finance presented the Quarter 4 Finance and Performance Monitoring Report 2025/26 for Members’ consideration.

 

Council was advised that the report detailed the Council’s budget position as of the end of the third quarter which ended in December 2025.  Members were asked to note that a more accurate overview of the position at the end of the financial year would emerge in the Quarter 4 report.

 

The report included the latest Treasury Monitoring report, which provided information about borrowing and financial resilience.  The report was also proposing additional funding to address potholes on the road surface of the Aston Road Roundabout, which was on an unadopted highway.

 

During consideration of this item, questions were raised about the performance data that had been provided in respect of economic development and targets for fly tipping.  However, Members were advised that this was not due to be considered at the Council meeting and instead it was suggested that information could be provided outside the meeting.

 

Questions were raised as to why Bromsgrove District Council was considering funding works to address potholes when highways functions were generally managed by Worcestershire County Council.  Council was informed that because the highway had not been adopted, Worcestershire County Council’s highways department was not responsible for the works and therefore Bromsgrove District Council had opted to cover the expenditure required.

 

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor S. Nock and seconded by Councillor K. May.

 

RESOLVED that

 

1)          That the Balance Sheet Monitoring Position for Q3 is noted – which is the Treasury Monitoring Report and required to be reported to Council; and

 

2)          That £120k capital funding be approved for work on fixing potholes on the Aston Road roundabout and the road leading to the depot.