Issue - meetings

To consider the Council joining a Sub-Regional Choice Based Lettings Scheme.

(Report and referral report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee attached)

RESOLVED that

1)         the report be noted;

2)         the decision to join the Home Choice Plus be delayed until the outcome of the legal review into the scheme is known, but Officer resources be committed to continue to work alongside the existing members of the Sub-Regional Partnership and a further report brought back to the Committee to report progress and make further recommendations; and

3)         the Borough Tenants’ Panel be provided with the opportunity to consider and comment upon the Sub-Regional Housing Allocations Policy report.

The Committee considered a report that sought the views of Members on how the Council should proceed in respect of its Housing Allocations Policy. The options presented to Members were either to continue with its current Policy and Redditch Home Choice scheme or continue to work alongside members of the sub-regional partnership with the option of adopting the common sub-regional Housing Allocations Policy and lettings scheme.

Officers highlighted the legal review of the sub-regional scheme that was being undertaken which would influence the Council’s choice as to whether to consider adopting this scheme. The other significant issue in this regard was the inclusion within the present Redditch scheme of the priority given to those with medical, homelessness or other special needs which was not a feature of the sub-regional scheme. It was noted, however, that the sub-regional scheme did make use of digital technology which expanded the means and ease by which prospective tenants could bid for local properties.

The Committee was made aware of the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which had received a presentation on this subject the previous week. Contrary to that recommendation, the Executive Committee considered that there was nothing to be lost and potentially something to be gained from continuing to work with sub-regional partners whilst not committing to a particular course of action at this stage.

RESOLVED that

1)         the report be noted;

2)         the decision to join the Home Choice Plus be delayed until the outcome of the legal review into the scheme is known, but Officer resources be committed to continue to work alongside the existing members of the Sub-Regional Partnership and a further report brought back to the Committee to report progress and make further recommendations; and

3)         the Borough Tenants’ Panel be provided with the opportunity to consider and comment upon the Sub-Regional Housing Allocations Policy report.