Concise Minutes - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee

Meeting Venue:

Committee Room 3 - Senedd

Meeting date: Wednesday, 19 September 2018

Meeting time: 08.57 - 12.46
This meeting can be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/5161

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Attendance

Category	Names
Assembly Members:	John Griffiths AM (Chair) Gareth Bennett AM Siân Gwenllian AM Jenny Rathbone AM David Melding AM
Witnesses:	Jim McKirdle, Welsh Local Government Association Gareth Williams, Carmarthenshire County Council Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Housing and Regeneration Emma Williams, Welsh Government Helen Kellaway, Welsh Government Huw Charles, Welsh Government
Committee Staff:	Naomi Stocks (Clerk) Chloe Davies (Deputy Clerk) Jonathan Baxter (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 from Mark Isherwood AM, with David Melding AM as substitute. Apologies were also received from Jack Sargeant AM and Bethan Sayed AM.

</AI1>

<AI2>

2 Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill - evidence session 8

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

· Jim McKirdle, Housing Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association

· Gareth Williams, Accommodation Agency Manager (Environmental Health, Temporary Accommodation, Social Lettings and Private Sector Development), Carmarthenshire County Council

</AI2>

<AI3>

3 Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill - evidence session 9

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

· Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Housing and Regeneration

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

· Helen Kellaway, Lawyer, Welsh Government

· Huw Charles, Bill Manager, Welsh Government

3.2 At the meeting the Minister for Housing and Regeneration agreed to provide:

· an overview of what will be included in the guidance to tenants and landlords ahead of the Bill coming into force. The Minister committed to providing this overview before the Stage 2 scrutiny of the Bill.

· a note on why the provisions relating to Right to Rent that are currently in the Bill are required.

· further information on how the Act will be evaluated once it comes into force.

· clarification on why the Bill doesn’t give powers to local authorities to assist contract-holders in recovering prohibited payments.

</AI3>

<AI4>

4 Papers to note

</AI4>

<AI5>

4.1 Letter from the Llywydd in relation to voting rights for prisoners

4.1a The Committee noted the letter from the Llywydd in relation to voting rights for prisoners

</AI5>

<AI6>

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

4.2a The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Housing and Regeneration in relation to fire safety in high rise blocks in Wales

</AI6>

<AI7>

4.3 Letter from the First Minister to the Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee in relation to Human Rights in Wales

4.3a The Committee noted the letter from the First Minister to the Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee in relation to Human Rights in Wales

</AI7>

<AI8>

4.4 Letter from the Minister for Housing and Regeneration in relation to rough sleeping in Wales

4.4a The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Housing and Regeneration in relation to rough sleeping in Wales

</AI8>

<AI9>

4.5 Joint letter with the Chairs of the Children, Young People and Education Committee and the Finance Committee to the Leader of the House and Chief Whip in relation to the draft budget 2019-20

4.5a The Committee noted the joint letter with the Chairs of the Children, Young People and Education Committee and the Finance Committee to the Leader of the House and Chief Whip in relation to the draft budget 2019-20

</AI9>

<AI10>

4.6 Joint letter from stakeholders in relation to the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill

4.6a The Committee noted the Joint letter from stakeholders in relation to the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill

</AI10>

<AI11>

4.7 Letter from the Minister for Housing and Regeneration in relation to the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill

4.7a The Committee noted the letter from the Minister for Housing and Regeneration in relation to the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill

</AI11>

<AI12>

4.8 Letter from the Llywydd in relation to Senedd@ events

4.8a The Committee noted the letter from the Llywydd in relation to Senedd@ events

</AI12>

<AI13>

4.9 Written submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur in relation to poverty

4.9a The Committee noted the written submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur in relation to poverty

</AI13>

<AI14>

4.10Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport in relation to making the economy work for people on low incomes

4.10a The Committee noted the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport in relation to making the economy work for people on low incomes

</AI14>

<AI15>

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

5.1 The Committee agreed the motion.

</AI15>

<AI16>

6 Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill: consideration of key issues

6.1 The Committee agreed the key issues

</AI16>

<AI17>

7 Inquiry into pregnancy, maternity and work in Wales - consideration of Welsh Government response

7.1 The Committee noted the Welsh Government response

</AI17>

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