Issue - items at meetings - Review of use and local lettings plans for blocks designated for Older People aged 50 years or older and one bedroom bungalows

Report of Director of Adult Social Care & Health (copy attached).

(1)       That a Local Lettings Plan be approved in respect of blocks for people over 50 years of age and for bungalows with the effect that:

(a)       Restrictions limiting letting flats in Livingstone House, Philip Court, Ardingly Court, Nettleton Court, Dudeney Lodge and Hampshire Court to people aged over 50 years are confirmed as council policy and adopted as a local lettings plan. That this excludes adapted and mobility standard property which, in the interest of disability equality, is available to people of any age with that specific need. That this is reviewed in 2012.

(b)       Flats in Robert Lodge are offered as with priority to people over 50, but in the event of there being no bids received from people in that age group; the council may let flats to younger tenants. This will be reviewed in June 2010.

(c)        Bungalows meeting the council’s housing mobility standards will be available to people of any age with that specific mobility need. This will be reviewed in September 2010

(d)      Bungalows that do not meet the needs of people in mobility groups 1, 2 or 3 are let with priority to households releasing 3 and 2 bedroom houses and 3 bedroom flats. This will be reviewed in September 2010.

(e)     Bungalows in Lockwood Crescent and Kipling Avenue, Woodingdean, are exempted from the main local lettings plan for bungalows. That a report with options for the future letting of these six properties be presented to HMCC in December 2009. 

(f)     A feasibility study, including community consultation, takes place to access the viability of expanding the 50 plus local lettings plan to include 385 Kingsway, Clarke Court, Malthouse Court and other suitable blocks. This would report to Housing Management Consultative Committee in December 2009.

58.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Care & Housing which explained that the council currently operated a practice of letting flats in some blocks only to people aged fifty or older.  The council’s current practice was not compatible with the legislative requirements in terms of justifying the need or review.  Some practices were not compliant with current equalities requirements (for copy see minutes book).  Current arrangements were reviewed and new proposals considered.  There had been extensive stakeholder consultation, the outcome of which was included in the report.  

58.2    The views of the Housing Management Consultative Committee meeting held on 12 October were set out in the consultation paragraph of the report.  An indicative vote demonstrated that a majority of members and co-optees were in favour of the recommendations.

58.3    Councillor Simpson raised the issue of bungalows in sheltered housing.  She noted that the report did not make reference to bungalows such as the properties in Ditchling Gardens.  

58.4    The Cabinet Member replied that there would be no change to the policy for bungalows in sheltered housing.   Councillor Simpson replied that she would be happier if it was mentioned in the report that some bungalows were termed as sheltered housing and were outside the policy.   The Cabinet Member agreed that this information could be inserted into the next report to be submitted to the meeting in December. 

58.5    RESOLVED – Having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Member accepted the following recommendations:

 (1)      That a Local Lettings Plan be approved in respect of blocks for people over 50 years of age and for bungalows with the effect that:

 (a)      Restrictions limiting letting flats in Livingstone House, Philip Court, Ardingly Court, Nettleton Court, Dudeney Lodge and Hampshire Court to people aged over 50 years are confirmed as council policy and adopted as a local lettings plan. That this excludes adapted and mobility standard property which, in the interest of disability equality, is available to people of any age with that specific need. That this is reviewed in 2012.

 (b)      Flats in Robert Lodgeare offered as with priority to people over 50, but in the event of there being no bids received from people in that age group; the council may let flats to younger tenants. This will be reviewed in June 2010.

(c)        Bungalows meeting the council’s housing mobility standards will be available to people of any age with that specific mobility need. This will be reviewed in September 2010

(d)   Bungalows that do not meet the needs of people in mobility groups 1, 2 or 3 are let with priority to households releasing 3 and 2 bedroom houses and 3 bedroom flats. This will be reviewed in September 2010.

(e)   Bungalows in Lockwood Crescent and Kipling Avenue, Woodingdean, are exempted from the main local lettings plan for bungalows. That a report with options for the future letting of these six properties be presented to HMCC in December 2009. 

(f)  A feasibility study, including community consultation, takes place to access the viability of expanding the 50 plus local lettings plan to include 385 Kingsway, Clarke Court, Malthouse Court and other suitable blocks. This would report to Housing Management Consultative Committee in December 2009.