Concise Minutes - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee

Meeting Venue:

Committee Room 2 - The Senedd

Meeting date: Thursday, 21 June 2018

Meeting time: 09.16 - 12.32
This meeting can be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/4853

------

Attendance

Category	Names
Assembly Members:	Gareth Bennett AM David Melding AM Siân Gwenllian AM Bethan Sayed AM Joyce Watson AM (In place of Rhianon Passmore AM) Jenny Rathbone AM Jack Sargeant AM
Witnesses:	Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Housing and Regeneration Emma Williams, Welsh Government Neil Buffin, Welsh Government Huw Charles, Welsh Government
Committee Staff:	Naomi Stocks (Clerk) Elizabeth Wilkinson (Second Clerk) Chloe Davies (Deputy Clerk) Jonathan Baxter (Researcher) Hannah Johnson (Researcher) Megan Jones (Researcher) Stephen Davies (Legal Adviser)

<AI1>

1 Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest

1.1 The Chair welcomed Members and members of the public to the meeting.

1.2     Apologies for absence were received for Rhianon Passmore AM. Joyce Watson AM substituted for Rhianon. David Melding AM substituted for Janet Finch-Saunders AM for items 1, 2 and 3 of the meeting.

</AI1>

<AI2>

2 Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill - evidence session 1

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

· Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Housing and Regeneration

· Emma Williams, Deputy Director, Housing Policy Division, Welsh Government

· Neil Buffin, Senior Lawyer, Welsh Government

· Huw Charles, Bill Manager, Welsh Government

2.2 During the evidence session, the Minister agreed to provide:

· An assessment of the  evidence considered in Westminster while scrutinising the Tenants Fees Bill that there was a 4.2% increase in rent in Scotland when equivalent legislation was passed compared to a decrease of 0.7% in England over the same time period.

· Further consideration of whether the provision in Schedule 2, paragraph 3, sub-sub-paragraph (b), is sufficient to cover incidences whether a landlord/agency breaches this agreement, in particular in instances when students secure properties months before they move into the property and the agreement is pending further works by the landlord.

· Further consideration as to whether fines issued by the Courts given to those in breach of the Bill should go to local authorities, as with fixed penalty notices.

2.3 At the end of the session the Chair agreed that the Committee would write to the Minister with questions not reached during the evidence session.

</AI2>

<AI3>

3 Paper(s) to note

</AI3>

<AI4>

3.1 Letter from the Minister for Housing and Regeneration in relation to fire safety in high rise blocks in Wales

3.1.a The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Housing and Regeneration in relation to fire safety in high rise blocks in Wales and agreed to respond to the letter on several matters.

</AI4>

<AI5>

3.2 Stakeholders' views on the First Minister's letter in relation to human rights in Wales

3.2.a The Committee note the stakeholders' views on the First Minister's letter in relation to human rights in Wales.

</AI5>

<AI6>

3.3 Response from the Welsh Refugee Coalition to the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary – Refugee & Asylum Seeker Delivery Plan

3.3.a The Committee noted the response from the Welsh Refugee Coalition to the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary – Refugee & Asylum Seeker Delivery Plan.

</AI6>

<AI7>

4 Motion under Standing Order 17.42 (vi) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting and from the meeting on 27 June 2018

4.1 The Committee agreed the motion.

</AI7>

<AI8>

5 Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill - consideration of the evidence received under item 2

5.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 2.

</AI8>

<AI9>

6 Inquiry into pregnancy, maternity and work in Wales - consideration of key issues

6.1 The Committee agreed the key issues for inclusion in its report.

</AI9>

<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>

2.1FIELD_TITLE

FIELD_SUMMARY

</SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>

<TITLE_ONLY_SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>

2.2FIELD_TITLE

</TITLE_ONLY_SUBNUMBER_LAYOUT_SECTION>