Issue - meetings

Report informing the Executive of the changes to the council’s Housing Allocations policy, designed to ensure that people with the most housing need and with a local connection are given preference to join the Housing Register.

The Executive was informed of proposed changes to the council’s Housing Allocations Policy, designed to ensure that people with the most housing need and with a local preference were given preference to join the housing register.

A member expressed concern about those tenants on low incomes and in response it was stated that they would usually be in receipt of housing or other benefits but that this policy would help to identify issues at an earlier stage to enable officers to support tenants with budget management or to refer them to the Citizens Advice Bureau for debt management support.

Some discussion ensued on the difference in the way benefits were paid and overpayments were recouped under the universal credit system. It was noted that a report on universal credit would be taken to the Scrutiny Commission in March for members’ information.

In relation to the proposed inclusion in the policy of those in “priority” and “high” banding groups having eight weeks to express a choice in their bidding, a member asked what would happen if we didn’t have a suitable property available within that period. In response it was noted that the timescale could be extended if the reason for not bidding or accepting a property was due to no suitable properties being available.

It was moved by Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Ladkin and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The proposed changes be noted and the proposed Allocations Policy be approved for consultation;

(ii)           Authority be delegated to the Director (Community Services) and Executive member for Housing and Community Safety to make any amendments to the policy arising from the consultation and to agree an implementation date.