Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors:

Emma Baker

David Bellamy

Harrish Bisnauthsing

Steven Cunnington

James Denniston

Patsy Ellis

Ben Green

Graham Jeal

Nikki Manterfield

Penny Milnes

Rhea Rayside

Nick Robins

Penny Robins

Vanessa Smith

Peter Stephens

Mark Whittington

The public open forum will last for a maximum period of 30 minutes.

There were no questions or statements from members of the public.

This Council notes:

1.       Currently small HMOs (3-4 occupants) can be established without planning permission under permitted development rights, meaning no community consultation.

2.       There is a widespread perception that HMOs cause over-intensive use, noise disturbance, traffic problems, and negative impacts on property values.

3.       Many councils have successfully introduced comprehensive HMO regulation through Article 4 directions and additional licensing schemes. Rushcliffe has recently passed a resolution to commence a consultation around an Article 4 direction for all HMOs.

4.       Whilst HMOs can often be a valuable addition to an area’s housing stock the government’s strategy of moving asylum seekers from hotels to HMOs has tarnished this type of accommodation in the eyes of many residents.

5.       There have been 16 new HMO licences issued across Grantham in 2025 so far, totalling 100 permitted occupants. Serco are the licence holders of 5 of these properties.

This Council believes:

1.       All residents deserve to know about and have input on HMO developments that could affect their neighbourhood.

2.       Comprehensive regulation through both licensing and planning control provides the best protection for communities while ensuring legitimate housing needs are met.

3.       Current gaps in regulation allow problematic HMOs to operate without proper oversight or community input.

This Council resolves:

1.       To commence a public consultation as required by law to determine if an Article 4 Direction should be introduced across South Kesteven to:

a.            Removing permitted development rights so that all HMOs (small and large) require planning permission and to

b.            establish mandatory HMO licensing covering all HMOs regardless of size, with robust standards including fire safety, room sizes, parking, noise management, and waste arrangements.

2.       To bring a report as an Item to the Full Council on the results of the Consultation on 28th February 2026 in order for Full Council to make a determination on if an Article 4 Direction should be made.

3.       To immediately revoke the Officer Delegation to issue any HMO licences and assign this responsibility to the appropriate Committee, thereby protecting officers from having to make politically sensitive decisions and ensuring proper democratic accountability.

4.       To immediately add the current list of HMOs properties and licence holders onto the SKDC website for transparency with our residents.

Prior to the introduction of the printed motion, the Chief Executive apologised to Full Council for the identified procedural error when previously considering this motion at the meeting held on 13 October. Motions on notice are required to be tabled in order to become formal motions, through the moving and seconding of the motion. Legal advice had been received, and this meeting has been called to rectify the error.

Councillor Sue Woolley proposed the following motion:

This Council notes:

1.       Currently small HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupancy) (3-4 occupants) can be established without planning permission under permitted development rights, meaning no community consultation.

2.       There is a widespread perception that HMOs cause over-intensive use, noise disturbance, traffic problems, and negative impacts on property values.

3.       Many councils have successfully introduced comprehensive HMO regulation through Article 4 directions and additional licensing schemes. Rushcliffe has recently passed a resolution to commence a consultation around an Article 4 direction for all HMOs.

4.       Whilst HMOs can often be a valuable addition to an area’s housing stock the government’s strategy of moving asylum seekers from hotels to HMOs has tarnished this type of accommodation in the eyes of many residents.

5.       There have been 16 new HMO licences issued across Grantham in 2025 so far, totalling 100 permitted occupants. Serco are the licence holders of 5 of these properties.

This Council believes:

1.       All residents deserve to know about and have input on HMO developments that could affect their neighbourhood.

2.       Comprehensive regulation through both licensing and planning control provides the best protection for communities while ensuring legitimate housing needs are met.

3.       Current gaps in regulation allow problematic HMOs to operate without proper oversight or community input.

This Council resolves:

1.       To commence a public consultation as required by law to determine if an Article 4 Direction should be introduced across South Kesteven to:

a.            Removing permitted development rights so that all HMOs (small and large) require planning permission and to

b.            establish mandatory HMO licensing covering all HMOs regardless of size, with robust standards including fire safety, room sizes, parking, noise management, and waste arrangements.

2.       To bring a report as an Item to the Full Council on the results of the Consultation on 28th February 2026 in order for Full Council to make a determination on if an Article 4 Direction should be made.

3.       To immediately revoke the Officer Delegation to issue any HMO licences and assign this responsibility to the appropriate Committee, thereby protecting officers from having to make politically sensitive decisions and ensuring proper democratic accountability.

4.       To immediately add the current list of HMOs properties and licence holders onto the SKDC website for transparency with our residents.

In introducing the motion, Councillor Woolley identified what she believed was a gap – in the past HMOs with less than 6 occupants were allowed to be converted through permitted development rights without being subjected to the same procedure as larger HMOs.

She asked colleagues to agree to the same  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

The meeting closed at 11:25am.