Issue - meetings

1.  The Draft Allocations Policy be approved for eight weeks public consultation; and,

2.  It be noted that the results of the consultation together with any suggested amendments arising from this consultation will be reported back to the Executive for final approval and adoption of the Allocations Policy.

Report HPR2023/049

The current Allocation Scheme was first published in 2012, amended in 2015 and the last formal update made in 2017 following the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act (2017). In order to ensure that the Scheme was contemporary and met all current legislative requirements a review of the Council’s Allocations Scheme was approved in November 2022. 

The report accompanied the Draft Allocations Policy and identified key changes alongside the indicative project delivery timescales.

The report had been scrutinised by the Renewal, Recreation and Housing  PDS Committee at its meeting on 5 September 2023 and the Committee had supported the recommendations.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The Draft Allocations Policy be approved for eight weeks public consultation; and,

2.  It be noted that the results of the consultation together with any suggested amendments arising from this consultation will be reported back to the Executive for final approval and adoption of the Allocations Policy.

  Report HPR2023/049

The report presented the draft Housing Allocation Scheme and sought approval to proceed to a statutory eight-week public consultation.  The draft Housing Allocation Scheme was designed to enable the Local Authority to consider the individual needs of those applying for housing while making best use of the limited housing resources available to it.

The Assistant Director: Housing advised that as part of the implementation process, all applicants on the Housing Register would be reassessed against the new policy which would be supported by the recruitment of temporary staff.  In considering Section 4.9.4: Priority on Health Grounds, a Member queried the use of the word ‘severe’ and whether people with less severe long-term limiting illnesses or quality of life should also prioritised to prevent escalation of need.  The Assistant Director: Housing confirmed that whilst those seeking housing priority on health grounds would need to demonstrate their level of need, all housing applications were considered on an individual basis and took a range of information into account, including medical advice.  The Local Authority could also allocate housing placements outside of the Housing Allocation Scheme where appropriate.  With regard to Section 2.3: Other Housing Options, a Member suggested that the option of living with family be added to the list of possible alternatives and following discussion, it was agreed to update the Housing Allocation Scheme to state ‘We discuss all suitable housing options with those who approach us’ which would include living with family where this was a viable option.  The Member requested a definition of statutory over-crowding, and this would be provided to the Committee following the meeting.  A Co-opted Member also requested that the number of lettings and average waiting times be regularly reported to the Committee, and this would be included in Key Performance Indicators moving forward.

RESOLVED: That the Council’s Executive be recommended to:

·  Approve the draft Housing Allocation Scheme for a statutory eight-week public consultation; and,

·  Note that the results of the consultation together with any suggested amendments would be reported back to the Council’s Executive for final approval and adoption of the Housing Allocation Scheme.