Issue - meetings

Choice Based Lettings - 12 Month Review

Meeting: 25/11/2009 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Choice Based Lettings - 12 Month Review pdf icon PDF 159 KB

Report of the Director of Housing Services

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      The review and outcomes of the first year of the Choice Based Lettings scheme are noted.

 

2.      The list is noted of potential improvements to the scheme a number of which will be brought to a future cabinet for approval.

 

3.      It is noted that further changes to the Council’s Housing allocation scheme may be required following revised statutory guidance from government due later this year.

 

4.      Agreement is given to consult key stakeholders, Registered Social Landlords, and partner agencies on the proposed contents of the amendments to the Housing Allocations scheme.

Minutes:

Councillor Hawkins declined to address cabinet.

 

Councillor Mildren addressed Cabinet and was unsure of the availability of information on choice based lettings for residents of sheltered housing. He questioned the number of responses to the consultation in which 74% of people thought that the scheme was fair.

 

Councillor Beardsworth assured Councillor Mildren that officers were very approachable and happy to respond to individual concerns and information about the system.

 

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet and was supportive of the Administration’s move towards Choice Based Letting as it was a vast improvement on previous allocation methods. However, he was concerned at the ‘band’ system, suggesting that only those in A* category had priority allocation, with those in other bands facing long waits.  He called for more information to be given to those on the waiting list so that a true picture of the housing situation could be seen by all.

 

Councillor Beardswoth, as Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, presented the report to inform members of the outcome of the review of the first year of the Choice Based Lettings scheme.  She accepted that people in the lower bands may have a longer wait but pointed out that the satisfaction rate was high.  There had been an increase in demand for housing as a result of the economic downturn and work was ongoing with private landlords.  It was made clear that the list of potential enhancements to the system in paragraph 3.3 of the report were being considered and were taken from Government guidance and the outcome of an appreciative enquiry. The list comprised actions to ensure that Choice Based Letting improved for greater efficiency and customer satisfaction.

 

The survey had gone out to all tenants and there had been a 25% response rate

 

In response to a question from Councillor PD Varnsverry, it was noted that there were surgeries in the community to inform and update people about the scheme, but nothing specific for sheltered housing residents.  They were addressed in other ways.

 

The Chair confirmed that the downturn in performance figures on the introduction of the scheme had been as a result of bringing back into productive use hard to let properties.  This had now evened out and there was now an average of 24 days for letting properties, which was in the top quartile nationally.

 

RESOLVED

1.      That the review and outcomes of the first year of the Choice Based Lettings scheme be noted.

 

2.      That the list potential improvements to the scheme a number of which will be brought to a future cabinet for approval be noted.

 

3.      That it be noted that further changes to the Council’s Housing allocation scheme may be required following revised statutory guidance from government due later this year.

 

4.      That agreement be given to consult key stakeholders, Registered Social Landlords, and partner agencies on the proposed contents of the amendments to the Housing Allocations scheme.