Issue - items at meetings - Home Choice Plus Allocations Policy Review

Issue - meetings

Home Choice Plus Allocations Policy Review

 

 

Meeting: 07/12/2011 - Cabinet (Item 83)

83 Home Choice Plus Allocations Policy Review pdf icon PDF 105 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered a report on a review undertaken by the Home Choice Plus Steering Group into the Social Housing Allocations Policy. The review had been required following the publication by the Government in December 2009 of “Fair and Flexible: Statutory Guidance on Social Housing Allocations for Local Authorities”.

 

It was noted that the review had been undertaken jointly with other Authorities and that users of the service had been invited to participate in the review process.  The Policy would need to be submitted for external legal review to ensure it was legally compliant and sufficiently robust.   

 

Members received a presentation which illustrated how the changes proposed would alter the present situation and make the best use of the social housing available whilst ensuring compliance with the new legislation. The presentation also clarified the position regarding local connection and the use of special circumstances within the allocation process.

 

It was noted that further amendments would be required at a later stage in view of welfare reform, the Localism agenda and the objectives of the Tenancy Strategy which the Council would be required to develop. A further report would therefore be submitted at a later stage.   

 

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the draft Home Choice Plus Allocations Policy be approved and that delegated authority be granted to the Head of Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing, to approve any final amendments necessary following legal review; and

(b)       that the position in relation to local connection and the use of special circumstances be noted.