To present to Cabinet proposed revisions to the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy for approval prior to consultation being carried out as required by the statutory ‘Allocation of accommodation: guidance for local housing authorities in England 2012’ (as updated in June 2024).

RESOLVED that -

(a)   the proposed revisions to the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy, as set out in Appendix A to item A.8 of the Report of the Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder, be approved for consultation with current and prospective tenants, residents and other key stakeholders;

(b)   the approval of the format and design of the consultation be delegated to the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing;  

(c)   subject to there being no significant changes required to be made to the draft Policy because of the consultation, the approval of the revised Housing Allocations Policy be delegated to the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Housing for its adoption and implementation; and

(d)  the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder responsible for Housing, to make future updates or amendments to this Policy.

Earlier on in the meeting, as detailed under Minute 90 above, Councillor Bray had declared an Interest in this and several other items later on in the Agenda. Councillor Bray thereupon left the meeting at this juncture and did not return.

Cabinet considered a report of the Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder (A.8), which presented to it proposed revisions to the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy for approval prior to consultation being carried out as required by the statutory ‘Allocation of accommodation: guidance for local housing authorities in England 2012’ (as updated in June 2024).

Members were aware that Tendring was an area of acute housing shortage in the affordable rented sector and that the demand for housing far outstripped the supply of accommodation becoming available for letting. In each given year, it was normally only possible to assist approximately 10% of all applicants on the Housing Register with accommodation.

It was reported that the Allocations Policy was intended to reflect the Council’s vision to put the needs of established Tendring residents first and to provide local housing for local people. The Council was also determined to ensure the creation of mixed and sustainable communities in the affordable rented housing sector and to provide realistic advice on housing options for those seeking accommodation.

Cabinet was informed that the current Housing Allocations Policy had been adopted in June 2013 to take into account amendments brought in by the Localism Act 2011.  The Localism Act gave housing providers greater freedom to set their own rules on who could join the Housing Register and what priority could be awarded for housing, including a residency qualification.  The Policy had been subsequently revised in December 2019 to take into account the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 as well as its associated statutory guidance and regulations.

Cabinet was advised that this revision of the Allocation Policy complied with the Regulator of Social Housing’s revised Consumer Standards that came into effect from 1 April 2024 and took into account revisions to statutory guidance as well as recent case law.

The objectives of the Allocations Policy were to:-

Ømeet the legal requirements for the allocation of social housing as set out in Part VI Housing Act 1996 as amended by the Homelessness Act (2002) and the Localism Act 2011;

Øprovide a single system of allocating housing across the whole District;

Øincrease the sustainability of local communities;

Øprovide housing for local people;

Øassist in minimising homelessness and assist applicants in the highest assessed need;

Øensure that the scheme allows the Council to make best use of homes and in particular adapted properties;

Øprovide accommodation for homeless households;

Øwork with other providers and other agencies to make best use of affordable housing from all sources to meet housing need.

In order to ensure that the Allocations Policy was appropriately adopted, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and scheme of delegation and to evidence compliance with regulatory standards:-

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

RESOLVED that -

(a)   the proposed revisions to the Council’s Housing Allocations Policy, as set out in Appendix A to item A.8 of the Report of the Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder, be approved for consultation with current and prospective tenants, residents and other key stakeholders;

(b)   the approval of the format and design of the consultation be delegated to the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing;  

(c)   subject to there being no significant changes required to be made to the draft Policy because of the consultation, the approval of the revised Housing Allocations Policy be delegated to the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Housing for its adoption and implementation; and

(d)  the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) be authorised, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder responsible for Housing, to make future updates or amendments to this Policy.