Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Alderman McCoubrey and Councillors Bradley and Collins.

            The minutes of the meeting of 21st February, 2024 were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council, at its meeting on 4th March, 2024, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee.

Councillor Smyth declared an interest in Item 2c, Update on the Renewal of an Entertainments Licence for Shaftesbury Bowling and Recreation Club, in that he had previously been approached by the complainant and had provided them with advice and he would therefore leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

Councillor McKeown advised the Committee that he had previously raised the issue of a lack of regulation of short-term lets, such as Airbnbs, but that there had been no Executive in place at that time. 

At his request, the Committee agreed that a letter be sent to the newly reinstated NI Executive, asking it to consider taking action in establishing an appropriate regime for the management of short-term lets in Northern Ireland.

The Committee noted a list of applications for licences which had, since its last meeting, been approved under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

The Committee noted a list of applications which had been approved under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation during March 2024.

(Councillor Smyth, having declared an interest, left the room for the duration of this item)

The Building Control Manager reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 21st June 2023, it had received representations from the applicant and objectors in relation to the application to renew the licence. At that meeting, the Committee had agreed to defer the application to enable further consideration by officers of the new evidence which had been raised by the objector and to allow the Council to support further mediation between the applicant and objector.

He outlined to the Committee that the additional evidence provided had since been reviewed by the Service and that further discussions had taken place with the applicant and objectors.  As a result of communication between both parties, the Members were advised that the objectors were no longer pursuing their objection to the application.

No noise complaints had been received by the Council since the meeting in June, 2023.  The Service carried out monitoring and a “during performance” inspection at the club on 13th February, 2024, and all management and technical matters were satisfactory.  The Committee was reminded that, under the Scheme of Delegation, the Director of Planning and Building Control had responsibility for exercising all powers in relation to the issue of Permits and Licences except where adverse representations had been made.  As the issues raised by the objectors had been resolved, the Entertainments Licence had since been issued under delegated authority.

            The Committee noted the update which had been provided.

Before the officer presented the report, a Member stated that they felt that the seven applications for new Licences to operate a House of Multiple Occupation should be deferred to a Special meeting to enable the Members to further consider the issue of the displacement of those currently residing in the seven properties.

The HMO Manager outlined to the Committee that a Temporary Exemption Notice (TEN) had been granted for Apartments 1 and 3, 6 Ireton Street, in October 2023, which had expired in January, 2024.  He explained that the owner of an unlicensed HMO could apply to the Council for a TEN, having outlined what steps would be taken to stop the premises from being an HMO, such as reducing the number of residents to below three, or that sufficient basic amenities for exclusive use were installed so that occupants did not have to share them.  He outlined that officers had not yet revisited the properties to determine whether such actions had been carried out.

A further Member queried whether the deferral of the applications would place a financial burden on the Council.  In response, the HMO Manager confirmed that there would be a cost to the Council attached to each application to the Court, as well as the solicitors time which would be required to lodge the applications.

The HMO Manager highlighted that applications to the Court would have to be made in respect of each of the properties by 3rd April and 19th April respectively.

The City Solicitor advised the Committee that, due to upcoming staff leave, it would not be possible to hold a Special Meeting before 3rd April.

The City Solicitor advised the Committee that, if it was to defer the applications, it was required to have the permission of the owner/landlord before applications could be made to the Court. 

Mr. G. Treacy, the owner of the six apartments in Ireton Street, was in attendance.  He stated that, while he was not familiar with the process of making applications to the Court, if it would mean that the Committee would give the licences further consideration, he was content for the applications to be made to the Magistrates Court.

The Committee was advised that the owner of Flat 2, 4 Donnybrook Street, was not in attendance.

            The Committee, therefore, agreed to initially deal with Items 2e - 2j, namely, the applications for Flats 1, 2 and 3, 6 Ireton Street and Flats 1, 2 and 3, 23 Ireton Street.

Moved by Councillor McCabe,

            Seconded by Councillor Doran,

      That the six applications for a new Licence to operate a House of Multiple Occupation at Flats 1, 2 and 3, 6 Ireton Street and Flats 1, 2 and 3, 23 Ireton Street, be deferred to the next meeting, so that the Members can further consider the issue of displacement of those currently living in the properties.

On a vote by show of hands, thirteen Members voted for the proposal and three against and it was accordingly declared carried.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6j