Agenda item

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the current position with regards to the Choice Based Lettings Allocations and Transfer Policy be noted.

2.   That the Local Lettings Plan, which enables people living in Bolsover District and North East Derbyshire District Council areas to apply to the housing register and bid on hard to let flats, be approved and implemented.

3.   That a full and comprehensive review of the Choice Based Lettings, Allocations and Transfer Policy be undertaken at the same time as a review of the Choice Based Lettings IT system and that a further report on this review be submitted to Members by no later than October 2018.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

To comply with government legislation on the allocation of social

housing and to ensure that the council manages its housing stock

as effectively and efficiently as possible to maximise rental income

to the Housing Revenue Account.

The Housing Manager submitted a report on the current position relating to the Choice Based Lettings Allocations and Transfer Policy.

The Choice Based Lettings Allocations and Transfer Policy was extensively reviewed and the recommendations were agreed by Cabinet in 2015 and the policy was implemented in 2016.

The majority of the changes had resulted in positive and successful outcomes however there had been considerable and unexpected effects which were exacerbated by the implementation of the 12 month residency requirement. This requirement stated that an applicant must “have lived in the Borough for a minimum of twelve months” with some exceptions.” Since the implementation of this requirement the number of applications to join the council’s housing register had notably decreased from 2148 in 2014 to 1609 in 2016.

To address this issue the Council needed to have a full and active housing register. The proposed solution would be a Local Lettings Plan in which the residency requirement would be removed for applicants from Bolsover District and North East Derbyshire District Council areas. To ensure that in the first instance properties would be allocated to people who have lived or worked in the Chesterfield area for a 12 month period it was suggested that applicants who satisfy these residency requirements be given preference in the general needs category. This would be done by awarding an enhancement to the waiting time on the register.  

The report noted that there were no adverse financial or human resources implications. The draft local lettings plan was attached as an appendix to the report.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the current position with regards to the Choice Based Lettings Allocations and Transfer Policy be noted.

2.    That the Local Lettings Plan, which enables people living in Bolsover District and North East Derbyshire District Council areas to apply to the housing register and bid on hard to let flats, be approved and implemented.

3.    That a full and comprehensive review of the Choice Based Lettings, Allocations and Transfer Policy be undertaken at the same time as a review of the Choice Based Lettings IT system and that a further report on this review be submitted to Members by no later than October 2018.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

To comply with government legislation on the allocation of social housing and to ensure that the council manages its housing stock as effectively and efficiently as possible to maximise rental income to the Housing Revenue Account.