Issue - items at meetings - Sustainable Tenancies Strategy and action plan (Welfare reform)

25.1         The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Executive Director – Environment, Development & Housing on Sustainable Tenancies Strategy (Welfare Reform). The report was presented by Ms Dafe, the Head of Income, Involvement & Improvement (Housing). The report provided information on the sustainable tenancies strategy, which outlined the work being undertaken in response to welfare reform.

25.2         The Chair thanked officers for the report, and for the work the housing department were doing in response to the substantial changes taking place.

25.3         Councillor Farrow referred to Table 2 in the draft strategy and asked for clarification on how the ‘most deprived lower super output areas’ were identified, and why his ward of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean was not included in the top five areas. Officers explained that areas of deprivation were identified nationally using a set formula which looked at things such as health, education, income etc. The Department of Communities and Local Government provided a report every four to five years listing deprived areas. The draft strategy listed the most deprived areas in the city and Moulsecoomb and Bevendean was not one of those. Officers said they didn’t have the information with them at the meeting, but would let him know after the meeting where his ward was ranked.

25.4         Councillor Pissaridou referred to Appendix 1 and asked how many tenants would be affected by the welfare reforms. Officers said that it wasn’t possible to provide the exact number but it was likely that it would have an effect on all tenants of working age. Tenants who were in employment and those over 65 would be least affected.

25.5         Councillor Mears referred to Appendix 1 and noted that for the review of the closure of Manor Place 21 residents had been spoken to, and asked if more information on the review could be provided. Officers agreed and said a report would be brought to a future meeting.

25.6         Mr Crowhurst said that it was likely that the under occupancy benefit reduction would apply to the over 65s from 2015, and asked if work was being done now to mitigate the impact it may have. Officers said that they were focusing on tenants affected by the changes currently in force, but if further reforms were brought in it would impact on Sheltered Housing and that would need to be looked at.  Councillor Farrow said that he was also concerned about the possible impact on the over 65s and requested that officers collect statistics on those who could be affected. The Chair accepted the concerns but said that at the moment officers were too busy to take on further work.

25.7         Mr Penrose questioned the current sheltered housing policy and was concerned that someone in full time employment, or under 65, qualified for the housing. Mr Crowhurst said that it might appear that someone didn’t qualify for sheltered housing, but all those allocated the accommodation would have a support need. The policy to allow those over 50 to be considered for sheltered housing had been in place for a number of years. The Chair said the sheltered housing allocation policy may need to be reviewed in the future.

25.8         RESOLVED: That the draft Sustainable Tenancies Strategy be noted.