To present to Cabinet the Housing Mutual Exchange Policy for approval and adoption.

RESOLVED that Cabinet -

(a)     formally adopts the Housing Mutual Exchange Policy, as set out in Appendix A to the report (A.5), for implementation;

(b)     authorises the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) to make future updates or amendments to the policy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder responsible for Housing; and

(c)     requires that this Policy will be reviewed every two years.

Cabinet considered a report of the Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder (A.5) which presented the Housing Mutual Exchange Policy for its approval. The policy formalised the work that was already undertaken in the Housing and Environment service unit. This work complied with the legal framework associated with mutual exchanges and assisted the Council in meeting the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards as well as the requirements and recommendations of the Housing Ombudsman.

It was reported that the purpose of the Housing Mutual Exchange Policy was to enable eligible secure tenants of the Council to exchange their home with other eligible social or affordable housing tenants, in accordance with provisions under the Housing Act 1985 and the Housing Act 2004.

At the meeting, the Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder read out the following statement:-

“Leader, I am pleased to present the Housing Mutual Exchange Policy for adoption by Cabinet this morning.

The purpose of the Housing Mutual Exchange Policy is to enable eligible secure tenants of the Council to exchange their home with other eligible social or affordable housing tenants, in accordance with the relevant legislation. It also formalises work already being undertaken within the Council’s Housing Service.

The Policy itself provides clear guidance for tenants, and our partners, on the mutual exchange scheme, the eligibility criteria and sets out the circumstances for assigning or surrendering a tenancy, along with the grounds for refusing an exchange and providing a clear appeals process. The policy is also designed to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of the Housing Act 1985.

It improves housing mobility for social housing tenants, promotes more effective use of the Council’s existing housing stock by enabling tenants to move to a property that is more suitable to their needs, and addresses under-occupancy and/or overcrowding pressures by releasing suitably adapted homes for those that need them.

It also assists the Council in meeting the Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards as well as the requirements and recommendations of the Housing Ombudsman.

I do not intend to say much more, other than the Tenants Panel were consulted on the draft policy at their last meeting on 16^th June 2026 and indicated their support for the introduction of this Policy.”

To ensure that the policy was appropriately adopted, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and to evidence compliance with regulatory requirements:-

It was moved by Councillor Baker, seconded by Councillor Kotz and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet -

(a)     formally adopts the Housing Mutual Exchange Policy, as set out in Appendix A to the report (A.5), for implementation;

(b)     authorises the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) to make future updates or amendments to the policy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder responsible for Housing; and

(c)     requires that this Policy will be reviewed every two years.