Issue - meetings

REASON FOR URGENCY: On Tuesday 21 November, the Government announced the abandonment of mandatory Tenant Tax for council tenants and the Executive wishes to make an immediate decision about whether or not to implement the discretionary Tenant Tax, to clarify the position for residents as quickly as possible.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

This item was accepted as an urgent item of business because the government only announced the abandonment of the mandatory Tenant Tax for all council tenants on Tuesday and we wish to make a decision about whether or not to implement the discretionary Tenant Tax, to clarify the situation for residents as quickly as possible.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Government announcement that the provisions within the Housing and Planning Act 2016 known as ‘Tenant Tax’ or ‘Pay to Stay’ will no longer be mandatory be welcomed.

2.    To thank all the residents who shared their powerful stories with the council, highlighting to Government the impact the policy would have on working tenants in the borough, be agreed.

3.    That a commitment to not introducing discretionary Pay to Stay provisions be agreed.

4.    To write to housing associations with properties in Islington to ask them to commit to not introducing discretionary Pay to Stay provisions for their tenants be agreed.

Reason for decision – the council considers that the introduction of discretionary Pay to Stay would have a detrimental impact on many of tenants in Islington

Other options considered – none other than as specified in the report.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.