A council which is planning to introduce a blanket licensing scheme of all rental properties in the city received just 58 responses to a consultation on its proposals.
Out of those 58, 45 backed Oxford City Council’s plans – which could be introduced as early as next January, covering thousands of properties.
A report to the council, to be discussed this Thursday, said: “Given the results of the extensive consultation exercise there is a clear mandate for approving the draft policy.”
The eight-week consultation was held online, with direct invitations sent to others, including residents’ groups, landlords, tenants and letting agents.
Of the 58 responses, only 23% came from landlords and agents, while 38% came from tenants.
While the report to the council calls the result of the consultation a “clear mandate”, council leader Bob Price admitted response was not as high as had been hoped.
He told the local paper there would have to be a more comprehensive consultation.
Comments (6)
If this is the best Oxford can do at a consultation perhaps they should not be running a local authority!
Yet another ROGUE COUNCIL out to raise money at TENANT’S EXPENSE as costs will inevitably be passed down the line. Perhaps they should look at the doctor’s Hypocrite oath and “first cause no harm” rather than big business how can we screw more money out of the system!
‘Clear mandate’ maybe he should carry out a referendum
So 58 out of how many rented properties? is a clear mandate. I think not.
surely just 45 people asking for blanket stenciling in a city as large as Oxford shows there is not a need or desire for it?
Obviously not stenciling *Licencing * – I cannot even blame predictive text as sat at my PC!