Agenda item

This report outlines proposed changes to the council’s Allocation Scheme that flow from the approach set out in the Tenancy Strategy, which was approved by the Executive in July 2012. While the strategy set out the high-level policy aims, the Allocation Scheme addresses the detail of implementation as far as it affects the allocation of social housing and the management of the Housing Register.   As it is a statutory document, formal consultation on the changes was required and this report seeks approval for the key changes to the current scheme following completion of the consultation period on 8^th March 2013.

(i)         that approval be given to the revised Allocation Scheme;

(ii)        that approval be given to the proposals for the waiting list, including adoption of a residential qualification, and the revised banding system for the choice-based lettings scheme set out at paragraphs 4.1 – 4.7 of the report from the Directors of Regeneration and Major Projects and of Strategy, Partnerships and Improvement;

(iii)       that the proposals concerning tenure at paragraphs 5.1 – 5.3 of the report which have already been approved through the Tenancy Strategy, and that tenants will be informed at the earliest possible point of the type of tenancy they can expect to be offered be noted;

(iv)       that approval be given to the proposals on bidding, including the proposed limitations on the number and timing of bids, set out in paragraphs 6.1 – 6.2 of the Directors’ report;

(v)        that approval be given to the proposals relating to “community contribution” set out in paragraphs 7.1 – 7.4 of the report;

(vi)       that approval be given to the proposals for granting additional priority and local connection to households in employment and certain disabled households set out in paragraphs 8.1 – 8.7 of the report;

(vii)      that approval be given to the proposals for income and savings thresholds set out in paragraphs 9.1-9.5 of the Directors’ report;

(viii)     that approve be given to the proposed approach to the treatment of overcrowding within the scheme set out in paragraphs 10.1 – 10.3 of the Directors’ report;

(ix)       that approval be given the proposed banding scheme set out in paragraph 11.1 and Appendix 1 of the Directors’ report;

(x)        that approval be given to the proposed approach to the consideration of household composition and, in particular, the age at which children would be treated as non-dependent, set out in paragraphs 12.1 – 12.2 of the Directors’ report;

(xi)       that the content of the Equality Impact Assessment regarding the revised Allocation Scheme which is set out in Appendix 2 of the Directors’ report be noted.

The report from the Directors of Regeneration and Major Projects and Strategy, Partnerships and Improvement outlined proposed changes to the council’s Allocation Scheme that flowed from the approach set out in the Tenancy Strategy, which was approved by the Executive in July 2012. While the strategy set out the high-level policy aims, the Allocation Scheme addressed the detail of implementation as far as it affects the allocation of social housing and the management of the Housing Register. As it was a statutory document, formal consultation on the changes was required and the report sought approval for the key changes to the current scheme following completion of the consultation period on 8 March 2013.

Councillor Long (Lead Member, Housing) indicated that the Benefit Cap introduced as part of Welfare Reform would increase housing demand and so the council was trying to make maximum use of council stock. Councillor Long summarised the main changes but pointed to key problem of a general shortage of housing, expressing the view that central government’s proposals would only serve to worsen the situation. She expressed the view that London should be treated differently from the rest of the country.

Councillor Long acknowledged that housing management would have to change in order to be able to meet the demands of the increased workload and the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects advised that the council was working closely with Brent Housing Partnership.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to the revised Allocation Scheme;

(ii)        that approval be given to the proposals for the waiting list, including adoption of a residential qualification, and the revised banding system for the choice-based lettings scheme set out at paragraphs 4.1 – 4.7 of the report from the Directors of Regeneration and Major Projects and of Strategy, Partnerships and Improvement;

(iii)       that the proposals concerning tenure at paragraphs 5.1 – 5.3 of the report which have already been approved through the Tenancy Strategy, and that tenants will be informed at the earliest possible point of the type of tenancy they can expect to be offered be noted;

(iv)       that approval be given to the proposals on bidding, including the proposed limitations on the number and timing of bids, set out in paragraphs 6.1 – 6.2 of the Directors’ report;

(v)        that approval be given to the proposals relating to “community contribution” set out in paragraphs 7.1 – 7.4 of the report;

(vi)       that approval be given to the proposals for granting additional priority and local connection to households in employment and certain disabled households set out in paragraphs 8.1 – 8.7 of the report;

(vii)      that approval be given to the proposals for income and savings thresholds set out in paragraphs 9.1-9.5 of the Directors’ report;

(viii)     that approve be given to the proposed approach to the treatment of overcrowding within the scheme set out in paragraphs 10.1 – 10.3 of the Directors’ report;

(ix)       that approval be given the proposed banding scheme set out in paragraph 11.1 and Appendix 1 of the Directors’ report;

(x)        that approval be given to the proposed approach to the consideration of household composition and, in particular, the age at which children would be treated as non-dependent, set out in paragraphs 12.1 – 12.2 of the Directors’ report;

(xi)       that the content of the Equality Impact Assessment regarding the revised Allocation Scheme which is set out in Appendix 2 of the Directors’ report be noted.