Issue - meetings

Further to the referral by full Council on 16th January 2008, consideration was given to the following motion submitted by Councillor Mrs. C. M. McDonald, together with the supporting officer report:

"The Council's Allocation Policy for the letting and allocation of rural affordable housing developed under "Exception Site" policy cannot be supported by its own Equality and Diversity Policy.  In the light of this the Council no longer supports such a policy."

Mr. N. Potter, Rural Housing Enabler Officer for Worcestershire, was in attendance for this for this item.  He advised that the aim of the Policy was to redress the balance for those people brought up in rural communities who would not otherwise have the opportunity to remain within the community.  It was noted from the Officer's Conclusion at 9.6 of the report that the Worcestershire County Housing Enabling Officers Group intended to review the rural lettings criteria of a number of authorities in the County, with a view to developing a uniform countywide policy for adoption by the authorities concerned, and that it would be appropriate for the Group to consider the issue of potentially over restrictive residency restrictions in developing a draft countywide policy.

Councillor Mrs. McDonald spoke on the motion and following the Cabinet's consideration of this and the officer report, was given a further opportunity to respond to the issues raised. 

RESOLVED: that the Cabinet supports the Council's Criteria and Allocations Policy for the Letting and Allocation of Rural Affordable Housing Developed under 'Exception Site' Policy, whilst recognising the need for the officers of the Council to work within the Worcestershire County Housing Enabling Officers Group to ensure that their proposals embrace the Commission for Racial Equality Code of Practice and best practice principles when reporting back to the Cabinet with policy updates.