Issue - meetings

This report sets out proposals for alterations to the council’s Allocation Scheme intended to align the scheme more effectively with strategic objectives, make best use of available resources and correct anomalies in the existing Allocation Scheme.

(i)         that the responses provided in the consultation process as summarised in Sections 4 and 5 of the from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth report (and as set out in more detail in Appendix 3 and in in the Equality Impact Assessment in Appendix 1 to the report);

(ii)        that the content of the Equality Impact Assessment as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted;

(iii)       that approval be given to the proposed changes to the Council’s Allocation Scheme as set out in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.8 of the report and summarised as follows:

(a)            In specified circumstances, the Allocation Scheme will allow bids to be placed automatically through Locata where a household fails to bid.   

(b)            Band C priority should be restored for homeless households accepting a Qualifying Offer.

(c )            The Allocation Scheme should allow direct offers to be made at the council’s discretion rather than limited to exceptional circumstances. 

(d)            Adult children should not be allocated a separate bedroom if they are able to share with a same-sex sibling of any age. 

(e )           Parents who have only one child residing with them will be able to bid for one-bedroom properties where they choose to do so. 

(f)             Where the applicant is an under-occupier, adult children may be included as part of the household if the move is to a smaller home.

(g)            Households who were not employed at the time of application should be able to request the award of additional waiting time once they enter employment through submission of a change of circumstances form. 

(h)            Residence criteria should apply to homeless households as they do to other applicants.   

(i)                 Overcrowding cases should move from Band B to Band C for all tenures. 

(j)              The omission of the Voluntary Sector Quota from the current Allocation Scheme should be corrected.

(iv)             that it be noted that a report on the impact of the changes based on the first six months following implementation will be presented to the Policy Coordination Group in July 2015.

Councillor McLennan (Lead Member, Regeneration and Housing) introduced the report from the Strategic Director Regeneration and Growth which set out proposals for alterations to the council’s housing Allocation Scheme intended to align the scheme more effectively with strategic objectives, make best use of available resources and correct anomalies in the existing Allocation Scheme. She reminded the Cabinet that the scheme had been reviewed in February 2014 and that in the intervening period the need for further changes had been identified. Consultation had taken place with registered providers and households on the housing register which indicated broad support. Areas of contention were related to bedroom allocation as a result of which the strategy has been reviewed. Councillor McLennan acknowledge that evidence indicated that the changes would have an adverse effect on some ethnic communities but this would be kept under review.

Councillor Pavey (Deputy Leader) referred to the overall shortage of housing and the proposal to allow couples with one child to bid for one bedroomed properties which he felt would encourage many to change their living areas into second bedrooms. Councillor McLennan responded that residents would welcome the opportunity to stay in the borough and more properties were coming on stream. In response to a request from Councillor Mashari (Lead Member, Employment and Skills) Councillor McLennan summarised the employment incentives referring to the opportunity to be discharged from welfare reform.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the responses provided in the consultation process as summarised in Sections 4 and 5 of the report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth report (and as set out in more detail in Appendix 3 and in the Equality Impact Assessment in Appendix 1 to the report);

(ii)        that the content of the Equality Impact Assessment as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted;

(iii)       that approval be given to the proposed changes to the Council’s Allocation Scheme as set out in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.8 of the report and summarised as follows:

(a)            In specified circumstances, the Allocation Scheme will allow bids to be placed automatically through Locata where a household fails to bid.   

(b)            Band C priority should be restored for homeless households accepting a Qualifying Offer.

(c )           The Allocation Scheme should allow direct offers to be made at the council’s discretion rather than limited to exceptional circumstances. 

(d)            Adult children should not be allocated a separate bedroom if they are able to share with a same-sex sibling of any age. 

(e )           Parents who have only one child residing with them will be able to bid for one-bedroom properties where they choose to do so. 

(f)             Where the applicant is an under-occupier, adult children may be included as part of the household if the move is to a smaller home.

(g)            Households who were not employed at the time of application should be able to request the award of additional waiting time once they enter employment through submission of a change of circumstances form. 

(h)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6