Agenda item

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices delivered by the Head of Community as set out in the report (at pages 15 - 17) which should to be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

She said the report sought the approval from Members to revise the Housing Allocations Policy as a statutory requirement to reflect the legislative changes as outlined in Appendix 1 (at page 17), adding that the “Right to Move” was another government-originating  initiative akin to that of the “Right to Buy” initiative.

The Chair advised Members that the report had to be noted, accordingly.

A Member sought clarification as to the following information:

(i)         if 1% of the total lettings and not lettings stock was to be made available under the initiative;

(ii)        if the initiative solely applied to social tenants moving from one district to another, as opposed to from the private-rented sector, and the Housing Associations’ involvement; and

(iii)       if those exercising the right automatically displaced existing, resident-Borough applicants on the housing waiting list.

The Head of Community confirmed the above, adding that applicants would be routinely added to the register and their housing needs assessed in accordance with the standard adopted criteria: there would be no extraordinary priority/treatment with the same right being afforded to residents of this Borough to move locality. She stated that an allocation of up to 1% of the lettings was to be made available, subject to applicant demand.

The Member raised a concern as to the number of prospective applications given the desirable suburban character of the Borough, questioning whether the Council was obliged to accept all applicants or up to the 1% threshold.

The Head of Community advised the threshold was capped at 1% and that the research suggested the number of applications would be fewer than expected due to the need for applicants to secure/demonstrate long-term employment in Borough, which is accepted to be less competitive in terms of job-creation.

The Chair requested that, in view of the amendment made by Leicester City Council to their Allocation Policy prescribing a minimum two-year residency condition, this Borough’s minimum six-month residency condition be reviewed at the next meeting of this Committee with a view to amend the Policy in accordance with that of Leicester City Council.  

A Member opined that the initiative was another measure imposed by central government, dictating what can and cannot be done in the Borough: it was said that if the Council enjoyed more autonomy, the likelihood of success would be more favourable. The Member raised a hypothetical concern as to the position an applicant would find himself in should he subsequently become unemployed after securing tenancy. He welcomed the policy review so to eliminate any unfair advantages gained or disadvantages suffered as a result.

A Member raised a question as to the reputational damage to be potentially suffered to the Borough and thus agreed with the foregoing discussions.

A Member denounced the initiative as particularly poor example of politics insofar as it did not reflect the reality that individuals seldom move, in effect giving consideration to an irrelevancy which nevertheless must be approved.

RESOLVED THAT:  The Housing Allocations Policy be revised to reflect the statutory changes as outlined in Appendix 1.