Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Housing and Contracts.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 6 November 2012 and comments will be reported.

In view of the size of the agenda, the Strategy and Policy have been circulated separately.  The documents can be viewed on the Council’s website or on request to Member Services.

(Report circulated)

(Minute 112)

Councillor Fullam declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as an employee of Sanctuary Housing Association.

The report of the Assistant Director Housing and Contracts was submitted seeking adoption of a Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy as required by the Localism Act 2011. The Assistant Director outlined the broad principles and expectations of registered providers set out in the Tenancy Strategy.  She identified the main features of the Tenancy Policy which set out in more detail how the Council would implement the guiding principles of the Strategy in day to day housing management operations. Members’ attention was drawn to the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) which recorded the potential impacts on the protected characteristic groups and the actions it was intended to take to address them. The policy would be monitored for unintended consequences and the EQIA would be reviewed and updated as necessary.

Executive welcomed the new Tenancy Strategy and Policy. They noted that fixed term tenancies would only apply to new tenants and considered the proposed five year term would normally be appropriate. They supported continuing “lifetime” tenancies for the specific groups identified. Noting the inadequate supply of social housing available, Members hoped that the measures would facilitate the provision of social housing to those most in need.   They anticipated a decrease in anti-social behaviour resulting from the threat of losing tenancies as well as a decrease in the major cost of evictions.   It was agreed that the downsizing policy should be reviewed in the context of the new scheme.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 6 November 2012 and the support and comments of members were noted.

Executive resolved that the new Tenancy Strategy and Policy be approved.

Councillor Fullam declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as an employee of Sanctuary Housing Association.

The report of the Assistant Director Housing and Contracts was submitted seeking adoption of a Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy as required by the Localism Act 2011. The Assistant Director outlined the broad principles and expectations of registered providers set out in the Tenancy Strategy.  She identified the main features of the Tenancy Policy which set out in more detail how the Council would implement the guiding principles of the Strategy in day to day housing management operations. Members’ attention was drawn to the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) which recorded the potential impacts on the protected characteristic groups and the actions it was intended to take to address them. The policy would be monitored for unintended consequences and the EQIA would be reviewed and updated as necessary.

Executive welcomed the new Tenancy Strategy and Policy. They noted that fixed term tenancies would only apply to new tenants and considered the proposed five year term would normally be appropriate. They supported continuing “lifetime” tenancies for the specific groups identified. Noting the inadequate supply of social housing available, Members hoped that the measures would facilitate the provision of social housing to those most in need.   They anticipated a decrease in anti-social behaviour resulting from the threat of losing tenancies as well as a decrease in the major cost of evictions.   It was agreed that the downsizing policy should be reviewed in the context of the new scheme.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 6 November 2012 and the support and comments of members were noted.

RESOLVED that the new Tenancy Strategy and Policy be approved.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Housing and Contracts - report circulated.

The Assistant Director Housing and Contracts presented the report seeking authority to adopt a Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy as required by the Localism Act 2011.

Flexible tenancies would not be made in respect of existing tenants but given to most new tenants in general needs properties. Most flexible tenancies would be for five year periods but some may be for two years, for example, those who have committed anti-social behaviour. Although noting these issues, a Member felt that it was difficult for a social housing landlord to justify introducing these changes. Another Member, although accepting the proposals, felt that reducing security of tenure could impact adversely on stable family life and that to balance this change in policy, the Council should look to increase overall provision of social and affordable housing.

Scrutiny Committee - Community:-

(1)        noted the report; and

(2)        requested Executive to approve the new Tenancy Strategy and the new Tenancy Policy.

(Report circulated)

 (In accordance with Standing Order 43(2), Councillor Clark requested that her name be recorded as having abstained from voting)