Concise Minutes - Local Government and Housing Committee

Meeting Venue:

Committee Room 3

Meeting date: Wednesday, 13 March 2024

Meeting time: 09.00 - 12.30
This meeting can be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/13738

Hybrid

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Attendance

Category	Names
Members of the Senedd:	John Griffiths MS (Chair) Jayne Bryant MS Mabon ap Gwynfor MS (In place of Luke Fletcher MS) Joel James MS Sam Rowlands MS Carolyn Thomas MS
Witnesses:	Steffan Evans, Bevan Foundation Steven Bletsoe, National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) JJ Costello, Head of Strategy and Development, Shelter Cymru Elizabeth Taylor, TPAS Cymru Orla Tarn, NUS Wales Darren Baxter, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Annabel Berdy, Cats Protection James Hickman, Dogs Trust Ben Leonard, Undeb Rhentwyr Acorns Richard Rowntree, Paragon Bank Debbie Thomas, Crisis Billie-Jade Thomas, RSPCA Ben Twomey, Generation Rent
Committee Staff:	Catherine Hunt (Clerk) Angharad Era (Deputy Clerk) Rachael Davies (Second Clerk) 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 Luke Fletcher MS.  Mabon ap Gwynfor MS substituted for Luke Fletcher MS.

</AI1>

<AI2>

2 Private rented sector - Evidence session 5

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Ben Leonard, Senior Remote Organiser and Policy and Research Officer, Acorn UK Renters Union

Ben Twomey, Chief Executive, Generation Rent

Elizabeth Taylor, Engagement and Policy Officer, TPAS Cymru

Orla Tarn, President, NUS Wales

</AI2>

<AI3>

3 Private rented sector - Evidence session 6

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

JJ Costello, Head of Housing Services, Shelter Cymru

Debbie Thomas, Head of Policy and Communications, Crisis

Steffan Evans, Head of Policy (Poverty), Bevan Foundation

Darren Baxter, Principal Policy Adviser, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

</AI3>

<AI4>

4 Private rented sector - Evidence session 7

4.1 The Committee received evidence from:

Steven Bletsoe, Wales Operations Manager, National Residential Landlords Association

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns, PropertyMark

Richard Rowntree, Managing Director, Paragon Bank

</AI4>

<AI5>

5 Private rented sector - Evidence session 8

5.1 The Committee received evidence from:

James Hickman, Head of Outreach Projects, Dogs Trust

Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager, RSPCA

Annabel Berdy, Senior Advocacy and Government Relations Officer, Cats Protection

5.2 James Hickman agreed to share the Dogs Trust guidance relating to what’s appropriate when considering pets in rented accommodation.

</AI5>

<AI6>

6 Papers to note

</AI6>

<AI7>

6.1 Letter from the Minister for Climate Change - Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25

6.1a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI7>

<AI8>

6.2 Additional evidence from Dr Edith England and Dr Josie Henley - Private rented sector

6.2a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI8>

<AI9>

6.3 Letter from the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to the Minister for Climate Change - Legislative Consent Memorandum - Renters (Reform) Bill

6.3a The Committee noted the letter.

</AI9>

<AI10>

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

7.1 The Committee agreed the motion.

</AI10>

<AI11>

8 Private rented sector - Consideration of evidence

8.1 The Committee considered the evidence.

</AI11>

<AI12>

9 Social housing supply - Approach to engagement

9.1 The Committee considered its approach to engagement.

</AI12>

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