Group 12: Power of licensing authority to bring criminal proceedings (Amendment 22)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:21 pm on 19 March 2019.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 6:21, 19 March 2019

Diolch, Dirprwy Llywydd. Amendment 22 is a response to a recommendation of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee in their report following Stage 1. It reads across to the group 9 amendments. It will permit an enforcement authority, which is the licensing authority designated to carry out the registration and licensing functions under Part 1 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014—currently Rent Smart Wales—to bring criminal proceedings in respect of an alleged offence arising under the Bill. Clearly, it is only right that such an enforcement authority should be able to bring criminal proceedings in respect of the offence. I hope Members will recognise this makes a necessary change to the Bill and support the amendment.