Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

It was resolved to approve the amended Common Housing Allocation Policy as presented.

The report of the Head of Housing Services seeking the Executive’s approval for the amended Common Housing Allocation Policy was presented for consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Housing and Supporting Communities reported that the Common Housing Allocation Policy has been operational since 2016 and that the current review which sought to establish whether current policy contributes towards sustainable communities also afforded an opportunity to change some elements of the policy to ensure it is fit for purpose going forwards. Following Executive approval, a comprehensive consultation on defining and including local connection within the banding system was carried out with the target audience as set out in the report; 114 responses were received with support for including the local connection as a consideration within the policy with connection with a specific area to be defined by looking at community and town councils’ catchment areas. A good response was also received to the other questions posed relating to the implementation of the policy. The Portfolio Member said that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 11 September, 2019 scrutinised the outcome of the consultation, and both the committee as well as the Members’ briefing session were supportive of the proposed amendments.

Councillor Dylan Rees, Vice-Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee confirmed that the Committee having considered the consultation process and responses, was satisfied that the process had been sufficient and that the changes to the Common Housing Allocation Policy were acceptable based on the responses received. The Committee therefore resolved to recommend the revised Common Housing Allocation Policy for adoption by the Executive with the incorporation of the change with regard to local connection.

The Executive in supporting and welcoming  the introduction of a local connection provision within the Common Housing Allocation Policy as helping to create sustainable communities by ensuring that family and community connections are maintained noted also that meeting urgent housing needs will remain a priority.

It was resolved to approve the amended Common Housing Allocation Policy as presented.