Agenda and minutes

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.

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

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

·         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

3.1 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.

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

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

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

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

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

4.6a The Committee noted the Joint letter from stakeholders 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

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

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

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

5.1 The Committee agreed the motion.

6.1 The Committee agreed the key issues

7.1 The Committee noted the Welsh Government response