Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval of the final Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Management Policy.  The strategy sets out how all landlords in the borough should let and manage homes. The Tenancy Management Policy outlines how the council in its role as a landlord will manage Brent Council Homes in line with its strategies vision and commitments. Both documents have been subject to statutory consultation, with the report highlighting the support received and how the feedback gained from all stakeholders throughout the development process has shaped the proposed strategy and policy.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

(1)      note the duty placed on the Council by the Localism Act 2011 to produce and publish a Tenancy Strategy.

(2)      note and approve the content of the draft Tenancy Strategy.

(3)      note and approve the content of the draft Tenancy Management Policy.

Councillor Eleanor Southwood (Lead Member for Housing and Welfare Reform) introduced the report detailing the recent review of the Tenancy Strategy which set out expectations for all landlords in the borough, as well as the production of a Tenancy Management Policy which reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to its own tenants.  It was felt that the new provisions outlined in the documents provided tenants with a greater degree of certainty and security, which was welcomed by all members.

Cabinet noted that the documents had been subject to consultation, with the report highlighting the outcome and how the feedback gained from all stakeholders throughout the development process had assisted to shape both the Strategy and Management Policy.  In terms of key changes to the way in which the Council managed its own tenancies, members noted these included the ending of fixed-term tenancies and replacing them with life time tenancies, the introduction of demoted tenancies to tackle anti-social behaviour where necessary and the offering of joint tenancies to cohabiting couples.  Assurance was also provided in relation to frequency of the tenancy audits being conducted to review and assess tenants’ needs.

Having noted minor amendments to the wording of recommendations 2.1 and 2.3 in the report, it was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)      note the duty placed on the Council by the Localism Act 2011 to produce and publish a Tenancy Strategy.

(2)      note and approve the content of the draft Tenancy Strategy.

(3)      note and approve the content of the draft Tenancy Management Policy.