Concise Minutes - Local Government and Housing Committee

Meeting Venue:

Committee Room 5

Meeting date: Thursday, 29 February 2024

Meeting time: 09.15 - 14.00
This meeting can be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/13708

Hybrid

------

Attendance

Category	Names
Members of the Senedd:	John Griffiths MS (Chair) Jayne Bryant MS Janet Finch-Saunders MS (In place of Joel James MS) Sam Rowlands MS Carolyn Thomas MS
Witnesses:	Bethan Jones, Rent Smart Cymru Jim McKirdle, Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) Dr Tom Simcock, Edge Hill University Dr Bob Smith, Cardiff University Henry Dawson, Cardiff Metropolitan University Edith England, Cardiff Metropolitan University Josie Henley, Cardiff University
Committee Staff:	Catherine Hunt (Clerk) Angharad Era (Deputy Clerk) Rachael Davies (Second Clerk) Ben Harris (Legal Adviser) Osian Bowyer (Researcher) Gwennan Hardy (Researcher) Jennie Bibbings (Researcher)

<AI1>

1 Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest

1.1 The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting of the Local Government and Housing Committee.

1.2 Apologies were received from Joel James MS.  Janet Finch-Saunders MS substitued for Joel James MS.

</AI1>

<AI2>

2 Private rented sector - Evidence session 1

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Dr Tom Simcock, University of Huddersfield

Dr Bob Smith, Cardiff University

Dr Edith England, Cardiff Metropolitan University

Dr Josie Henley, Cardiff University

2.2 Dr Edith England agreed to provide additional information in relation to category 1 hazards in the private rented sector.

2.3 Dr Tom Simcock agreed to provide information commissioned from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in relation to private landlords and pet insurance.

</AI2>

<AI3>

3 Private rented sector - Evidence session 2

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Jim McKirdle, Housing Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association

Bethan Jones, Operational Manager, Rent Smart Wales

Henry Dawson, Lecturer in Housing and Health, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Housing Expert Panel

3.2 Apologies were received from Gareth Williams, Carmarthenshire County Council and Housing Expert Panel

</AI3>

<AI4>

4 Papers to note

</AI4>

<AI5>

4.1 Letter from the Minister for Climate Change to the Children, Young People and Education Committee - White Paper on ending homelessness in Wales

4.1a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI5>

<AI6>

4.2 Letter from the First Minister to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee - Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

4.2a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI6>

<AI7>

4.3 Letter from the Minister for Finance and Local Government - Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill

4.3a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI7>

<AI8>

4.4 Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution - Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill

4.4a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI8>

<AI9>

4.5 Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution to the Finance Committee - Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill

4.5a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI9>

<AI10>

4.6 Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee - Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill

4.6a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI10>

<AI11>

4.7 Letter from the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to the Minister for Climate Change - Renters (Reform) Bill LCM

4.7a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI11>

<AI12>

4.8 Letter from the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to the Llywydd - Renters (Reform) Bill LCM

4.8a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI12>

<AI13>

5 Motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting

5.1 The Committee agreed the motion.

</AI13>

<AI14>

6 Private rented sector - Consideration of evidence

6.1 The Committee considered the evidence.

</AI14>

<AI15>

7 Legislative Consent Memorandum and Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

7.1 The Committee considered the Legislative Consent Memorandum and Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill.

</AI15>

<AI16>

8 Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Renters (Reform) Bill

8.1 The Committee considered the Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Renters (Reform) Bill.

</AI16>

<AI17>

9 Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill - Consideration of draft report

9.1 The Committee considered the draft report.

</AI17>

<TRAILER_SECTION>

</TRAILER_SECTION>

<LAYOUT_SECTION>

1. FIELD_TITLE

FIELD_SUMMARY

</LAYOUT_SECTION>

<TITLE_ONLY_LAYOUT_SECTION>

2. FIELD_TITLE

</TITLE_ONLY_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<HEADING_LAYOUT_SECTION>

FIELD_TITLE

</HEADING_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<TITLED_COMMENT_LAYOUT_SECTION>

FIELD_TITLE

FIELD_SUMMARY

</TITLED_COMMENT_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<COMMENT_LAYOUT_SECTION>

FIELD_SUMMARY

</COMMENT_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>

2.1 FIELD_TITLE

FIELD_SUMMARY

</SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<TITLE_ONLY_SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>

2.2 FIELD_TITLE

</TITLE_ONLY_SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>