Agenda item

Report of Head of Regeneration and Housing

Summary

To seek approval to adopt a new Allocation Scheme and to endorse the decision to dissolve the Oxfordshire Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings partnership

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To approve the adoption of the new Allocation Scheme as at Appendix 1 effective from 1 April 2013 subject to required IT changes being completed.

(2)               To delegate to the Head of Regeneration and Housing in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, the authority to amend this effective date, if required.

(3)               To approve the Cherwell District Council’s exit from the Oxfordshire Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings partnership.

Resolved

(1)               That the adoption of the new Allocation Scheme effective from 1 April 2013 subject to required IT changes being completed be approved.

(2)               That authority be delegated to the Head of Regeneration and Housing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to amend this effective date, if required

(3)               That Cherwell District Council’s exit from the Oxfordshire Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings partnership be approved.

The Head of Regeneration and Housing submitted a report which sought approval to adopt a new Allocation Scheme and to endorse the decision to dissolve the Oxfordshire Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings partnership

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Housing explained that the Localism Act 2011 enabled local authorities to shape an allocations scheme to give greater priority to locally identified needs, removing the requirement to have an ‘open’ housing register. This had enabled the Council to operate a change of approach to allocations and restrict applications to the Housing Register. In future there will be a three stage test: Eligibility; Qualification; Reasonable preference.

The Executive was advised that there had been extensive consultation on the revised Allocations Scheme. Stakeholders consulted included Registered Providers, Statutory and Voluntary Agencies, elected members and all applicants to Cherwell’s existing Housing Register. A variety of consultation methods were used including Cherwell’s website, email, face to face and telephone depending on the audience. All existing applicants to Cherwell’s Housing Register received a personal letter advising them in outline of the changes which also invited them to 3 specific briefings held in Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington. Specific briefings were also provided for elected members, Registered Providers, Partner agencies and Cherwell staff. Feed back was generally positive.

The Lead Member for Housing advised Executive that since 2009 the Council had been part of an Oxfordshire Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings partnership. The initial Co-operation Agreement expired in July 2012 and was now operating on a month by month basis. Performance of the scheme was low and it had therefore proved not cost effective to operate. As a result of the new government guidance in the Localism Act 2011 and June 2012 Code of Guidance ‘The Allocation of accommodation: guidance for local housing authorities in England’, which gave local authorities more freedom to set their own individual policies all Districts participating in the partnership agreeing to cease the arrangement. Notwithstanding, Cherwell remained committed to operating choice based lettings within the district and a growth revenue bid would forward as part of the budget process to reflect the need to amend IT arrangements.

Councillor Cartledge, Leader of the Labour Group, addressed Executive and sought clarification on the impact on the homeless, autobidding and the impact on people currently in bands 4 or 5 which would be obsolete under the revised Scheme.

The Housing Needs Manager explained that the needs of homeless families were managed under separate legislation. In terms of autobidding, this was undertaken on a two weekly cycle and the suitability of each applicant was considered on a case by case basis. The Executive was advised that the new bands 1, 2 and 3 may incorporate some individuals currently in band 4 or 5 as each person would be contacted personally and their circumstances reviewed under the revised Scheme.

In addressing the Executive, Councillor Emptage, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, praised the Member briefing he had attended and sought clarification on a number of points which was duly provided by the Housing Needs Manager.

In considering the report, Executive members commented that it was extremely important that Cherwell District Council was ready for the changes to the welfare regime and any potential increase in demand whilst also managing residents’ expectations.

The Executive commended Housing Officers for the work undertaken in preparing the revised Allocations Scheme, the extensive consultation and briefings.

Resolved

(1)               That the adoption of the new Allocation Scheme effective from 1 April 2013 subject to required IT changes being completed be approved.

(2)               That authority be delegated to the Head of Regeneration and Housing, in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing, to amend this effective date, if required

(3)               That Cherwell District Council’s exit from the Oxfordshire Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings partnership be approved.

Reasons

The Allocation Scheme proposals ensure Cherwell has a robust policy which meets the Council’s statutorily duties and follows legal requirements.  It will also ensure existing levels of staffing can re-focus to deliver more housing advice to meet increased demand for services and keep to a minimum the numbers of people who may become homeless and require statutory duties from the Council.

The proposal to withdraw from the Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings Scheme support the revised Allocation Scheme to be introduced.  By leaving the Sub-regional Scheme, Cherwell will be free to make any further changes to its policy independently and more easily as may be required in future. 

Options

Option One:               To accept all the recommendations as set out in the report and in doing so support Cherwell’s exit from Sub-regional Choice Based Lettings Scheme and establish the new Allocation Scheme

Option Two:               To accept none of the recommendations