Issue - meetings

To consider approving the Tenancy Strategy.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the adoption of the Tenancy Strategy 2026-2031 subject to the outcome of the consultation with tenants.

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing and Projects to make minor alterations and amendments to the Policy post adoption as required by changes to regulations and expectations by the Regulator for Social Housing.

Reasons for the decision

The Tenancy Strategy provided an up-to-date, legally compliant framework that supported the Council’s housing objectives and promoted sustainable, balanced communities.

Adopting the Strategy would ensure compliance with the Localism Act 2011, which required all local housing authorities in England to publish a Tenancy Strategy to set the framework for which Registered Providers of social housing should follow when developing their own tenancy related policies.

Other options considered and rejected

The option of not reviewing or updating the Tenancy Strategy was considered. This option was discounted as it would have risked non-compliance with statutory requirements and would not reflect current legislation, policy guidance, or local housing pressures.

Purpose of report

To seek approval of the Tenancy Strategy 2026-2031, which was recommended by the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 5 February 2026.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves the adoption of the Tenancy Strategy 2026-2031 subject to the outcome of the consultation with tenants.

2.    Delegates authority to the Director of Housing and Projects to make minor alterations and amendments to the Policy post adoption as required by changes to regulations and expectations by the Regulator for Social Housing.

Other options considered

The option of not reviewing or updating the Tenancy Strategy was considered. This option was discounted as it would have risked non-compliance with statutory requirements and would not reflect current legislation, policy guidance, or local housing pressures.

Reasons for the decision

The Tenancy Strategy provided an up-to-date, legally compliant framework that supported the Council’s housing objectives and promoted sustainable, balanced communities. Adopting the Strategy would ensure compliance with the Localism Act 2011, which required all local housing authorities in England to publish a Tenancy Strategy to set the framework for which Registered Providers of social housing should follow when developing their own tenancy related policies.

The following points were highlighted during debate:

·       The Strategy balanced security and stability for tenants with the need to make better use of limited housing stock.

·       It supported consistency and fairness across providers and reflected current legislation, local housing need and wider corporate priorities.

·       Consultation was underway with Council tenants. If this consultation suggested any major changes to the Strategy, then this report would return to Cabinet. The report was being presented to this meeting of Cabinet as the results of the tenants’ survey should now have been finalised, but there had been a poor response rate. Therefore, it was decided to circulate the survey to all tenants where an email address was known (which was just over half of Council tenants). No major changes were envisaged.

·       The tenants’ survey was promoted on the Council’s website, as well as via emails and social media. Officers were about to commence a tenant census with residents with the aim of increasing the number of email addresses held on record.

·       Officers would not formally write to tenants inviting them to take part in a survey, but they would ensure it was promoted in Skyline, the magazine produced for tenants.

·       A workshop was held with the Housing OSC on 7 January 2026, where this Strategy was presented for comments.

To present the draft Tenancy Strategy 2026-2031 to the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented the report which detailed a draft Tenancy Strategy 2026-2031.   The Council had a statutory duty under the Localism Act 2011 to have a Tenancy Strategy in place that gave a clear framework of how Registered Providers of social housing managed tenancy types, lengths and renewals.   Key aspects of the Strategy were:

·       Security and Stability for Tenants

·       Best use of Housing Stock

·       Consistency and Clarity

·       Partnership Working

·       Safeguarding, Equality and Domestic Abuse

The Strategy had been discussed at a Workshop with Members on 7 January 2026 and was currently open for public consultation which would close on 11 February 2026, details could be found on the Council’s website.

One Member asked how many underoccupied houses the Council currently had.  The Director of Housing and Projects stated that a Tenant Census would be undertaken over the coming months working with Acuity to collect data and identify who was living in the properties.  Currently the Council relied on tenants to notify the Council if their circumstances had changed.  The information would be available later on in the year.

A further question was asked in respect of speaking to other sections about  individuals living at a property, it was noted that GDPR may come into that but the Director of Housing and Projects stated that she would have a conversation to see what could be shared having regard to GDPR.

Ø Action note

Check to see if there are any data sharing agreements in place with Council Tax Section.

A questions was asked about breaking down the information shown on page 34 of the agenda pack in relation to Grantham Southeast; however it was noted that this was 2021 census information but the Head of Service, Housing indicated that she would look into whether the information could be broken down further.  It was noted that this would have cost implications to carry out this work which would not necessarily give an accurate figure.

The Cabinet Member for Housing reminded Members that costs and fees in respect of resourcing work in relation to HMO’s was going to Council at the end of February 2026.   The Member who had raised the issue indicated that there were two areas, the fees for HMO’s and registering new properties and the quality of life for people living in HMO’s and inspections.

The Director of Housing and Projects reminded the Committee that the Tenancy Strategy related to social housing not private sector housing which HMO’s came under.  

Further questions were raised about the content of the draft strategy in relation to the type of housing to which the Head of Service, Housing responded.

The draft strategy was proposed, seconded and agreed to be recommended to Cabinet for approval.

Recommendation

The Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommends the draft Tenancy Strategy to Cabinet for approval.

(The meeting was adjourned between 15:46 – 16:00)

(Councillor Susan Sandall left the meeting at 15:45 and did not return)