Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Terl Bryant and Councillor Mike Taylor.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

The decisions from the meeting held on 18th February were agreed as a correct record of the decisions taken.

None disclosed.

Report HNS01/13 from the Head of Housing & Neighbourhoods.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

Decision;

Cabinet notes the contents of the consultation and approves the Housing Strategy content as appended to report HNS01/13 subject to the wording for the amendment required to page 10 being approved by the Portfolio Holder for Good Housing.

Considerations/reason for decision:

1)              Report HNS01/13 from the Head of Housing and Neighbourhoods.

2)              Widespread consultations carried out with customers, councillors, stakeholders, representatives from partner agencies, including Registered Providers and developers, support providers, police, tenants, private landlords, the Community Focus Forum and the Communities PDG.

3)              The focus of the consultation on the strategy was the strategic priorities which would shape the housing agenda in the district over the life of the strategy.

4)              S. 8 of the Housing Act 1985 requires that every local housing authority consider housing conditions in their district and the needs of the district with respect to the provision of further housing accommodation.

5)              The provision of a Housing Strategy is a statutory requirement in accordance with s.87 of the Local Government Act 2003.

6)              Comments made by the Head of Housing and Neighbourhoods about the required amendment.

7)              Comments made by Members at the meeting.

Other options considered:

None: it is a requirement that the Council has a strategy to identify and meet the housing needs of the district.

Report HNS02/13 from the Head of Housing and Neighbourhoods. (Enclosure)

Decision:

That Cabinet notes the outcomes to date of the consultation process and approves the revised allocations policy.

Considerations/reasons for decision:

1)              Report HNS02/13 from the Head of Housing and Neighbourhoods.

2)              Widespread consultations carried out with customers, councillors, stakeholders, representatives from partner agencies, including Registered Providers and developers, support providers, police, tenants, private landlords, the Community Focus Forum and the Communities PDG.

3)              The proposed policy moves away from a point’s scheme to a banding scheme which was more transparent and fair.

4)              The Housing Act 1996 requires that every authority shall have a scheme for determining priorities and the procedures to be followed in allocating housing accommodation.

5)              Comments made by Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Other options considered:

None: It is a legal requirement that the Council has a policy for the allocation of its housing.  Retaining the points scheme or moving, as recommended, to a banding scheme are the only options to have been considered.

Decisions CO50 and CO51 as made on 4th March 2013 can be implemented by Wednesday 13th March 2013, unless subject to call-in by the Scrutiny Committee Chairman or any five members of the Council from any political group.