Issue - meetings

Councillor C S Kemp, Portfolio Holder for Housing, introduced the report which sought approval of the Executive to recommend to Council the adoption of a fully revised Housing Allocations Policy.  The Executive was informed that the updated Policy reflected best practice and was in-line with neighbouring authorities.  Councillor Kemp further added that the revised Policy recognised and referenced throughout the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, due to come into force from 3 April 2018.  The Executive noted that the revised Policy had been robustly discussed at the Housing Task Group at its meeting on 22 February 2018.  Following a question regarding the lowering of the age range for supported housing, Councillor Kemp advised that it was necessary to look at supported housing for all age groups and types of people and that Officers would monitor the situation going forward.  Officers were thanked for their hard work on the revised Housing Allocations Policy.

Recommended to Council

That  (i)    the Housing Allocations Policy, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report, be adopted; and

(ii)   the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, be delegated authority to make minor amendments to the Policy as part of an annual review.

Reason:   The Council has a legal duty to have an Allocations Policy which states how priority will be awarded to applicants on the Housing Register and how the Choice Based Lettings Scheme (Hometrak) operates.  It is good practice to review the Housing Allocations Policy from time to time to ensure it reflects local housing priorities and changes in legislation. The revised Policy reflects this and will become subject to annual review.