Issue - meetings

Report to follow

Ashley Jackson introduced the report and made the following comments:

·  The Council was required to publish an allocations policy. The allocations policy determines who is eligible to apply for housing, how applications are assessed and prioritised and how affordable and social rented homes in the district will be allocated;

·  There are a number of changes from the existing Allocations Policy which are detailed in the report specifically proposed changes to:

§  Eligibility

§  Banding

§  Advertising and Allocation

§  Equality and Diversity

§  Complaints

·  At the end of November the government announced new regulations to remove the local connection requirements for veterans to access social housing;

·  The Council was currently awaiting the details on this and this update would be included in the revised document. The recommendations to Cabinet were that:

1.  The consultation draft of the Allocations Policy be agreed;

2.  The draft policy be subject to public consultation to be conducted early in 2025;

3.  The results of the consultation will be published on the Council’s website;

4.  Authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to make minor amendments to the policy;

5.  That the policy be reviewed on an annual basis, or when required.

Councillor Austin proposed, Councillor Pugh seconded and Members agreed to forward to Cabinet the officer recommendations in the report.