Agenda item

In accordance with Standing Orders, the following motions have been received for consideration:

 

(1)       Renters Rights Act 2025

 

To be moved by Councillor Jackie Hollywell

 

This Council welcomes the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 — long-overdue reform that finally puts renters’ rights first. The Act, coming into force in May 2026, ends “no-fault” Section 21 evictions, creates open-ended periodic tenancies, strengthens repair standards, and gives renters clearer routes to challenge unfair rent increases.

 

For the estimated 5,000 households who privately rent in Stevenage, this legislation means real security: no more being pushed out of their homes with two months’ notice, no more landlords dodging their responsibilities, and no more uncertainty about the basics — safe homes, fair rents, and predictable tenancies.

Since 1980, there has been a drastic reduction in the amount of social housing in Stevenage and the UK.  A significant number of those homes are now owned by private landlords and the residents pay higher rents with fewer rights than they would have had as social housing tenants.

 

Labour councillors have consistently argued for these changes, and the Act finally delivers many of the reforms for which renters have waited years, including:

 

• Abolition of fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) and the move to periodic tenancies, giving renters more stability and choice.
• Stronger legal duties on landlords to maintain homes, tackle hazards and carry out timely repairs.
• Limits on advance rent and fees, so renters are not forced into financial insecurity simply to secure a home.
• A clear right to request pets, with landlords needing a good reason to refuse.
• New enforcement powers for councils — expanded civil penalties, better investigatory tools, and required reporting of enforcement activity.
• A national landlord database, improving transparency and helping councils tackle criminal and rogue landlords.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

1. Actively promote renters’ new rights — making sure tenants know how to use them, how to report poor conditions, and how to challenge illegal behaviour.
2. Set clear expectations for landlords and letting agents, explaining their new duties under the Act and what full compliance looks like in Stevenage.
3. Strengthen the Council’s enforcement capacity so that we are ready from day one to act against unlawful evictions, sub-standard homes and non-compliant landlords.
4. Write to the Minister for Housing, welcoming the introduction of long-overdue protections for renters, and suggesting that additional funding for councils will be needed to do justice to this Act and achieve the Government’s ambitions for renters.
5. Champion renters locally, ensuring that Stevenage leads the way in delivering a fairer, safer and more secure private rented sector.

 

(2)  A Green Enterprise Partnership and Incentive Scheme in Stevenage.

 

To be moved by Councillor Wilkins

 

This Council notes that:

 

• Forward thinking local authorities throughout the UK are providing incentives and encouragement for local businesses to introduce innovative sustainability schemes in partnership with industry experts.
• Through this collaboration local businesses can reduce their environmental impact and reinvest savings in sustainability.
• Central to this success is the GO GREEN scheme, the UK’s first green tax incentive for SMEs, funded by the Government’s shared prosperity fund.

 

This Council believes that:

 

• Stevenage must take proactive steps to support local businesses in reducing carbon emissions to achieve net-zero targets.
• A scheme similar to the award-winning GO GREEN scheme introduced by Sutton Council would strengthen the local economy, encourage sustainable practices, and demonstrate leadership in environmental innovation.

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

 

1. Commission a report into establishing a Green Enterprise Partnership in Stevenage, engaging with local business networks, sustainability organisations and strategic partners.
2. Investigate the introduction of a GO GREEN-type incentive, providing significant business rates relief to SMEs that commit to measurable carbon reduction plans.
3. Develop a comprehensive roadmap for supporting businesses in transitioning to sustainable operations, including access to expert advice, certification schemes and reinvestment opportunities.
4. Report back to Full Council within six months with findings, recommendations and an implementation plan for Stevenage’s own Green Enterprise Partnership.

 

 

(3)     Residents First: Protecting Family Homes and Community Cohesion in Stevenage 

 

          To be moved by Councillor Rob Henry

 

This Council notes that:

1.      Residents have raised concerns about the use of hotels and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within Stevenage to accommodate people arriving via irregular migration routes and other Government placement schemes.

2.      The conversion of family homes into HMOs can place pressure on parking, waste services, community cohesion, anti-social behaviour management, and the supply of family housing across the town.

3.      Stevenage Borough Council has existing powers in relation to licensing, enforcement, and planning policy, including the ability to review and amend Article 4 Directions.

 

This Council believes:

1.      Stevenage residents should receive clear information on how temporary accommodation is being used locally and the impact on services.

2.      The Council should use its planning and housing powers to protect residential balance and prevent inappropriate HMO proliferation.

 

This Council resolves to:

1.      Publish a quarterly summary, open and accessible to Members and residents, outlining:

·         The number of placements made into local hotels or HMOs via Home Office or other external schemes;

·         The general type of accommodation used (hotel, HMO, other);

·         Any direct costs to the Council or local services.

2.      Write to the Home Office and other responsible agencies requesting routine, timely communication with the Council regarding local placements to support service planning.

3.      Undertake a review of existing HMO licensing and enforcement, with the aim of:

·         Identifying unlicensed HMOs;

·         Ensuring compliance with safety, amenity and management standards. 

4.      Amend or expand Article 4 Directions where evidence shows:

·         A concentration of HMOs is affecting residential amenity, parking or local services; 

·         Family housing stock is being reduced and community cohesion is or at risk of being impacted. 

5.      Update local planning guidance so that new HMO applications must clearly demonstrate:

·         Adequate room sizes and waste storage;

·         Sufficient parking provision;

·         Effective management arrangements.

 

 

 

 

Renters Rights Act 2025

 

Councillor Jackie Hollywell moved the following motion:

 

‘This Council welcomes the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 — long-overdue reform that finally puts renters’ rights first. The Act, coming into force in May 2026, ends “no-fault” Section 21 evictions, creates open-ended periodic tenancies, strengthens repair standards, and gives renters clearer routes to challenge unfair rent increases.

 

For the estimated 5,000 households who privately rent in Stevenage, this legislation means real security: no more being pushed out of their homes with two months’ notice, no more landlords dodging their responsibilities, and no more uncertainty about the basics — safe homes, fair rents, and predictable tenancies.

 

Since 1980, there has been a drastic reduction in the amount of social housing in Stevenage and the UK.  A significant number of those homes are now owned by private landlords and the residents pay higher rents with fewer rights than they would have had as social housing tenants. 

Labour councillors have consistently argued for these changes, and the Act finally delivers many of the reforms for which renters have waited years, including:

 

• Abolition of fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) and the move to periodic tenancies, giving renters more stability and choice.
• Stronger legal duties on landlords to maintain homes, tackle hazards and carry out timely repairs.
• Limits on advance rent and fees, so renters are not forced into financial insecurity simply to secure a home.
• A clear right to request pets, with landlords needing a good reason to refuse.
• New enforcement powers for councils — expanded civil penalties, better investigatory tools, and required reporting of enforcement activity.
• A national landlord database, improving transparency and helping councils tackle criminal and rogue landlords.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

1. Actively promote renters’ new rights — making sure tenants know how to use them, how to report poor conditions, and how to challenge illegal behaviour.
2. Set clear expectations for landlords and letting agents, explaining their new duties under the Act and what full compliance looks like in Stevenage.
3. Strengthen the Council’s enforcement capacity so that we are ready from day one to act against unlawful evictions, sub-standard homes and non-compliant landlords.
4. Write to the Minister for Housing, welcoming the introduction of long-overdue protections for renters, and suggesting that additional funding for councils will be needed to do justice to this Act and achieve the Government’s ambitions for renters.
5. Champion renters locally, ensuring that Stevenage leads the way in delivering a fairer, safer and more secure private rented sector.

 

In moving the motion, Councillor Hollywell advised that she welcomed this new legislation which had received Royal Ascent in October and would come into force in May 2026.  The Act was important to the well-being of residents, and represented the most significant expansion of tenant protections in many years, improving housing standards and the creation of a fairer relationship between landlords and renters.

 

She advised that the Act would abolish no fault evictions, ensuring that landlords could no longer remove tenants without a valid reason, giving families stability.  The Act also ended fixed term contracts replacing them with rolling tenancies.  Although there was some concern about the reduction to the rights of landlords, she advised that good landlords would have no concerns as they should already be complying with the legislation.

 

In seconding the Motion, Councillor Peter Clark advised that the Act provided a transformative platform for the private rented sector for stability and mutual respect between landlords and tenants. Stable tenancies would also foster stronger neighbourhood ties and social cohesion and help to ensure more stable school life for children

 

Councillor Booth, Leader of the Opposition advised that he welcomed the legislation and the Lib Dem Group would be supporting the motion but expressed disappointment that the Labour Government had not introduced the Legislation earlier in their term.

 

A number of other Members spoke mainly in support of the motion and made the following comments:

 

·      Importance was stressed regarding the fundamental nature of a secure home;

·      The number of reasonable tenants with unscrupulous landlords far outweighed the number of unscrupulous tenants;

·      The Council must ensure that the level of staff and resources was sufficient to address the new enforcement responsibilities on the Council;

·      The Act failed to properly consider and address the adverse impact this would have on the housing market;

·      The Act would result in fewer homes to rent and higher rents;

·      Additional burdens would be placed on an already stretched council budget;

·      The Motion reflected the Government’s action on delivering a manifesto commitment.  The security for private renters should result in a reduction in homelessness, the need for homelessness prevention and a reduction in people calling on the Council services

 

Following further debate, Councillor Hollywell, thanked Members for their contributions. 

 

Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was carried.

 

A Green Enterprise Partnership and Incentive Scheme in Stevenage

 

Councillor Peter Wilkins moved the following motion:

 

This Council notes that:

 

• Forward thinking local authorities throughout the UK are providing incentives and encouragement for local businesses to introduce innovative sustainability schemes in partnership with industry experts.
• Through this collaboration local businesses can reduce their environmental impact and reinvest savings in sustainability.
• Central to this success is the GO GREEN scheme, the UK’s first green tax incentive for SMEs, funded by the Government’s shared prosperity fund.

 

This Council believes that:

 

• Stevenage must take proactive steps to support local businesses in reducing carbon emissions to achieve net-zero targets.
• A scheme similar to the award-winning GO GREEN scheme introduced by Sutton Council would strengthen the local economy, encourage sustainable practices, and demonstrate leadership in environmental innovation.

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

 

1. Commission a report into establishing a Green Enterprise Partnership in Stevenage, engaging with local business networks, sustainability organisations and strategic partners.
2. Investigate the introduction of a GO GREEN-type incentive, providing significant business rates relief to SMEs that commit to measurable carbon reduction plans.
3. Develop a comprehensive roadmap for supporting businesses in transitioning to sustainable operations, including access to expert advice, certification schemes and reinvestment opportunities.
4. Report back to Full Council within six months with findings, recommendations and an implementation plan for Stevenage’s own Green Enterprise Partnership.

 

In moving the Motion, Councillor Wilkins advised that Stevenage had always been a town that led from being the UK’s first new town to hosting worldclass science and technology firms and that innovation was key to the Town.  This motion outlined an opportunity to build on that legacy and set the direction for sustainability.  He advised that the London Borough of Sutton had adopted a Go Green Scheme which was the UK’s first green tax incentive for local enterprises and had helped local businesses to cut carbon emissions by up to 30% in 2years while unlocking thousands of pounds worth of savings that could be reinvested into further sustainability measures.  The motion proposed that Stevenage investigate and look at the feasibility of introducing a green enterprise partnership to bring together local businesses and sustainability experts to provide practical support, expert advice and incentives to reduce carbon emissions and work towards net zero.  Significant business rate relief would be given to businesses to achieve these goals as studies showed that sustainable businesses were 21% more profitable on average and that councils that led on green innovation attracted new investment and jobs into the area.

 

In seconding the Motion, Councillor Stephen Booth advised that the key dates for net zero loomed closer and this motion outlined a scheme which could help to achieve the target.  Schools would be encouraged to get involved and funds would be available for businesses under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to help businesses get on board.  The scheme was designed to curb energy consumption, encourage cleaner energy and encourage businesses to embrace sustainability.

 

During further debate, the following points were raised:

 

·      Carbon reduction was essential but the proposed scheme would duplicate many existing provisions whilst also creating potential financial risks for the Council;

·      A number of business support mechanisms were already in place including green business grants, SmartGo Stevenage and a winter action zero programme outnumbering the businesses supported by the London Borough of Sutton;

·      The reduction of business rates at a time of ongoing pressure on local authorities finances would impact the Council’s ability to fund essential services;

·      Advise was also available to local businesses through the Hertfordshire Growth Board;

·      The Council already supported businesses through a number of programmes including 200 funded gold memberships with the aim of enabling local businesses achieve net zero;

·      The business rates reduction would incentivise local businesses to adopt carbon reduction initiatives.

 

Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was lost.

 

Protecting Family Homes and Community Cohesion in Stevenage

 

Councillor Rob Henry moved the following motion:

 

This Council notes that:

 

1. Residents have raised concerns about the use of hotels and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within Stevenage to accommodate people arriving via irregular migration routes and other Government placement schemes.

2. The conversion of family homes into HMOs can place pressure on parking, waste services, community cohesion, anti-social behaviour management, and the supply of family housing across the town.

3. Stevenage Borough Council has existing powers in relation to licensing, enforcement, and planning policy, including the ability to review and amend Article 4 Directions.

 

This Council believes:

 

1.  Stevenage residents should receive clear information on how temporary accommodation is being used locally and the impact on services.

2.  The Council should use its planning and housing powers to protect residential balance and prevent inappropriate HMO proliferation.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

1. Publish a quarterly summary, open and accessible to Members and residents, outlining:

·         The number of placements made into local hotels or HMOs via Home Office or other external schemes;

·         The general type of accommodation used (hotel, HMO, other);

·         Any direct costs to the Council or local services.

2. Write to the Home Office and other responsible agencies requesting routine, timely communication with the Council regarding local placements to support service planning.

3.  Undertake a review of existing HMO licensing and enforcement, with the aim of:

·         Identifying unlicensed HMOs;

·         Ensuring compliance with safety, amenity and management standards. 

4. Amend or expand Article 4 Directions where evidence shows:

·         A concentration of HMOs is affecting residential amenity, parking or local services; 

·         Family housing stock is being reduced and community cohesion is or at risk of being impacted. 

5. Update local planning guidance so that new HMO applications must clearly demonstrate:

·         Adequate room sizes and waste storage;

·         Sufficient parking provision;

·         Effective management arrangements.

 

In moving the Motion, Councillor Rob Henry advised that during his election campaign the local residents in his ward had raised concerns about the use of hotels and houses in multiple occupation (HMO’s) to accommodate people arriving by irregular migration routes and other Government placement schemes.  The conversion of family homes into HMO’s put pressure on parking, waste services, community cohesion and antisocial behaviour management which should be a concern for all Members.  The Council had existing powers in relation to licensing and enforcement and planning policy and had the ability to review and amend Article 4 directions, a planning tool for Councils to remove specific permitted development right in defined areas.  Residents should be given clear information from the Council on how temporary accommodation was being used and the impact this use had on services.  The motion would help the Council manage the reality of the current situation that the town faced using existing legislation.

 

Councillor Mason Humberstone seconded the motion.  He advised that the intention of the motion was to put Stevenage residents first.  The Council had failed to use its powers to respond to the use of HMOs. Unlicensed and poorly managed HMOs undermined neighbourhoods and damaged community cohesion and this motion aimed to restore balance to the town.  He advised that quarterly public reporting on placements, accommodation types and costs was a standard the Council should comply with.

 

During further debate, the following points were raised:

 

·      A councillor felt that there was a disconnect between the Home Office requirements of HMOs used to house asylum seekers and council requirements;

·      It was inappropriate to house asylum seekers locally in hotels and HMOs and also ex-military sites. The answer was for robust immigration controls;

·      The motion was not reasonable as it was deeply cynical with a misleading focus on HMOs.  The Council had no powers to decide who would occupy such properties in private ownership;

·      The existing licensing powers on HMOs required stock condition surveys to be undertaken. Stevenage did not have a high number of these properties and any issues were addressed by the enforcement team including gas and electrical safety and the maintenance of heating, lighting and sanitation alongside overcrowding issues;

·      The motion did not reflect reality as the HMOs within the town were less than 1% of dwellings in Stevenage;

·      The Council had strong, robust controls, compliant with national law in relation to the properties and every new HMO reflected these;

 

Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was lost.