Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Customer Access.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 17 June 2014 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Assistant Director Customer Access was submitted which updating the findings and recommendations of the Task and Finish Group convened by the Scrutiny Community - Committee to review the Council’s allocation of social housing.

The Assistant Director Customer Access advised Members of the recommendations of the task and finish group which would be subject to a robust and wide spread consultation, the results of which would be brought back to Executive to consider.

A Member felt that the changes proposed would help the Council to have a more accurate picture of the city’s housing needs and requirements.

The Leader had concerns with regards to registering applicants with a local connection of two years residence in the whole of Devon and why this was not restricted to Exeter residents only.

The Housing Options Manager commented that it was anticipated that the changes proposed would help to bring about more mixed communities and that the city was presently a net exporter of tenants within Devon.

In response to Member’s concerns regarding a local connection of two year’s residence in Devon, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Customer Access clarified that all exceptional cases were considered on an individual basis.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 17 June 2014 and the comments of the Members were noted.

RESOLVED that a six week consultation with households on the housing register, partners (housing associations, Devon County Council, neighbouring local authorities, voluntary sector agencies etc) and staff be undertaken on the following:-

·         to restrict eligibility for housing to those with an evidenced housing need within the policy and thereby removing Band E;

·         to remove applications where people do not bid for 12 months or refuse three properties deemed suitable for their needs

·         to give additional priority for working households and those who make a contribution to the local community; and

·         to only register applicants with a local connection of two year’s residence in Devon;

The outcomes of the consultation to be reported back to Executive.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Customer Access.

The Assistant Director Customer Access presented the report of the Task and Finish Group convened by this Committee to review the Council’s allocation of social housing. The Group had been chaired by Councillor Shiel, other Members being Councillors Hannaford, Mitchell, Morris and Crow.

The following responses were given to Members queries:-

• criteria operated by other Councils for restricting accommodation offers to individuals with a local connection arose from local practise and related to specific policies such as requirements of Section 106 Agreements;
• the proposal for a system to remove applications where people do not bid for 12 months would include a six month trigger for staff to contact the individuals concerned to discuss if there were any barriers to their bidding;
• areas for potentially qualifying for housing in light of community contribution included;

·         employment within the area;

·         voluntary work (the standard used most commonly is 10 hours per month);

·         ex Services Personnel;

·         foster or community carers; and

·         those engaged in training or apprenticeships;

and further suggestions from Members were invited. This would also be picked up in the consultation;

• the system encompassed a more flexible approach with less emphasis on tenancies for life and increased use of private sector accommodation;
• rents were higher for temporary accommodation because of the higher management costs involved;
• the effective communication of the operation of Devon Homechoice and options available had always been a priority and  would continue with proposed changes in the system, highlighted by the consultation process proposed on the suggested changes;
• consultation on Band E would be via the existing register, experience from Teignbridge District Council suggested that there would not be significant concerns. Other outreach methods would be required; and
• the Portfolio Holder referred to a recent tenant survey showing that 31% were either working full or part time with 7% seeking work, 9% not seeking work and 18% unable to work. It was proposed that the Council choose to prioritise working households for some properties, for example, in areas where it is identified that there is an over-representation of economically inactive households. Members supported exploring mechanisms to prioritise working households for some lettings, and targeting areas where there were a high proportion of economically inactive households.

Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the report and requested Executive to consider:-

(1)  restricting the eligibility for housing to those with an evidenced housing need within the policy and thereby removing Band E;

(2)  removing applications where people do not bid for 12 months or refuse three properties deemed suitable for their needs;

(3)  providing additional priority for working households and those who make a contribution to the local community;

(4)  only registering applicants with a local connection of two year’s residence in Devon; and

(5)  agreeing a six week consultation period with households on the housing register, partners (housing associations, Devon County Council, neighbouring local authorities, voluntary sector agencies etc.) and staff on the above recommendations, the outcomes of the consultation to be reported back to this Committee and Executive for final decision.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28