Issue - items at meetings - Review of Allocation Plan 2020

RESOLVED:

2.1      That Housing Committee note the current position and that a further report will be presented to Housing Committee in April 2021 when more is understood on the wider impact of the pandemic on housing need.

2.2      That Housing Committee agree that a review of the Allocation Policy is started in 2021/22 once more is understood about the full impacts of Covid 19 pandemic for the housing market and economy; including housing supply pressures and homelessness.

114.1  The Head of Housing Needs introduced the report which noted that the first operational review of the Allocations Plan was presented to the Housing & New Homes Committee on 19September 2018. The Committee noted the report and maintained the percentage lets to the four groups in the Allocations Plan to those agreed by the Policy, Resources & Growth Committee in 2016. It also recommended that the Committee receive a report, in two years’ time, setting out the performance against the Allocations Plan, for the period January 2017-March 2020.

114.2  Councillor Atkinson was informed that tenant not able to move within the transfer time limit will not be penalised.

114.3  Councillor Mears expressed concerns that papers from 16 Sept 2020 were not shared with opposition spokespersons and not being consulted was not right. The Councillor was informed that 60% of rough sleepers with no local connections were housed and there has been no change to the five year local connection rules, those in temporary accommodation for a long time will be moved on under policy. The Council has a statutory duty to those with local connection, and those not able to return to previous location, and they will be added to the housing register.

114.4  Councillor Barnett was informed that the assisted automatic bidding system is in place and the information that was formally included in ‘Home Move Book’ has been sent out recently. The councillor was also informed that letting of empty properties would recommence when it was safe for staff and residents. It was noted that elderly and vulnerable did not want to move during the pandemic. The backlog of transfers is being worked through as quickly as possible and will hopefully be cleared before Christmas.

          Debate

114.5  Councillor Williams considered they understood the issues as the pandemic was still in place. The Councillor requested that each resident be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and noted the allocations policy was very necessary and was happy for the revue next year.

114.6  Councillor Hugh-Jones noted that the allocations policy did not change.

114.7  Councillor Gibson noted that the allocations plan involved a lot of hard work for officers and stakeholders and agreeing the policy was lengthy process.

114.8  The Chair put the recommendations to the vote, and they were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED:

2.1      That Housing Committee note the current position and that a further report will be presented to Housing Committee in April 2021 when more is understood on the wider impact of the pandemic on housing need.

2.2      That Housing Committee agree that a review of the Allocation Policy is started in 2021/22 once more is understood about the full impacts of Covid 19 pandemic for the housing market and economy; including housing supply pressures and homelessness.