Agenda item
Tenancy strategy
This report sets out final proposals for the Tenancy Strategy and seeks approval from members for the policies that will form the content of the strategy document.
Decision:
(i) that agreement be given to the overall approach to development of the Strategy as set out in the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects;
(ii) that agreement be given to the policy positions set out in section 8 of the report;
(iii) that the final policy be implemented with effect from 1 October 2012, allowing time for the Council to seek sign-off from the Mayor as noted in paragraph 7.3 and that the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects should be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to revise this date should there be any reason for delay;
(iv) that the Council to grant introductory tenancies and flexible tenancies to new Council tenants as set out in paragraphs 8.3.10 of the report and to limit the rights to succession of Council tenancies to new Council tenants as set out in paragraph 8.3.12 of the report and grant delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects to implement these policy changes in liaison with Brent Housing Partnership and Hillside Housing Trust;
(v) that it be noted that a further report will be presented to the Executive for approval regarding changes to the Council’s Allocation Scheme after consultation has taken place.
(vi) that the content of the Equality Impact Assessment set out in Appendix 3 to the report be noted;
(vii) that it be noted that the Strategy will be reviewed one year from its implementation and at three year intervals subsequently. If any need for significant alteration is identified, a report will be presented to members accordingly.
Minutes:
The report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects set out final proposals for the Tenancy Strategy, a legal requirement under the Localism Act 2011 and sought approval from members for the policies that would form the content of the strategy document. Councillor Long (Lead Member, Housing) reminded members of the implications for the council, social housing providers and tenants. The key implications set out in the report were the introduction of an Affordable Rent regime for the funding of new social housing, which allowed registered providers to charge rents of up to 80% of market levels with a minimum tenancy term of two years, fixed term local authority tenancies, also for a minimum two-year fixed term, changes to rules governing succession to tenancies, more flexibility on waiting lists and allocations and the ability to discharge homelessness duties in the private rented sector without the consent of the applicant. Councillor Long referred to the borough’s low income, relatively high rents, the shortage of accommodation and long housing waiting list of approximately 18,000. She highlighted the options under consideration relating to flexibility of tenure and allocations and possible exemptions and priorities. She anticipated an increase in homelessness and demand for social housing with the introduction in 2013 of the Universal Credit Cap likely to make a significant proportion of existing private rented accommodation unaffordable. The Lead Member regretted that central government was not taking into account living cost differentials and anticipated Brent becoming unaffordable with increased levels of overcrowding.
The Chair, Councillor Butt (Leader of the Council) echoed the concerns expressed by Councillor Long over requirement to introduce policy changes mindful of the negative impact on residents.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that agreement be given to the overall approach to development of the Strategy as set out in the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects;
(ii) that agreement be given to the policy positions set out in section 8 of the report;
(iii) that the final policy be implemented with effect from 1 October 2012, allowing time for the council to seek sign-off from the Mayor as noted in paragraph 7.3 and that the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects should be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to revise this date should there be any reason for delay;
(iv) that the council grant introductory tenancies and flexible tenancies to new council tenants as set out in paragraphs 8.3.10 of the report and to limit the rights to succession of council tenancies to new council tenants as set out in paragraph 8.3.12 of the report and grant delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects to implement these policy changes in liaison with Brent Housing Partnership and Hillside Housing Trust;
(v) that it be noted that a further report would be presented to the Executive for approval regarding changes to the Council’s Allocation Scheme after consultation has taken place;
(vi) that the content of the Equality Impact Assessment set out in Appendix 3 to the report be noted;
(vii) that it be noted that the Strategy would be reviewed one year from its implementation and at three year intervals subsequently. If any need for significant alteration was identified, a report will be presented to members accordingly.
Supporting documents:
- rmp-tenancy, item 6. PDF 328 KB
- rmp-tenancy-apps1-2, item 6. PDF 4 MB
- rmp-tenancy-eia-app3, item 6. PDF 156 KB
- rmp-tenancy-eia app3-app, item 6. PDF 344 KB