Issue - meetings

B Report of the Director of Housing (Copy herewith)

Cabinet noted the outcome of the review of the Choice Based Lettings scheme

Cabinet agreed to the operational changes to the Choice Based Lettings scheme and the changes to the Housing Allocations policy contained in Appendix F.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet and noted the Government’s intention to involve tenants in choosing where they lived.  However he observed that the Council did not have enough property to meet demand and that it should be transparent about that with tenants.  Supply was not sufficient to meet demand from A+ tenants never mind category B, C or D applicants.  He also commented that the choice had a downside and referred to the experience of the CASPAR + project in Castle Ward where tenants who had been evicted with problems of drugs and/or prostitution were able, under Choice Based Lettings, to choose where they lived were coming back to the project area.  In answer to a question Councillor Clarke confirmed that these instances had been reported to the Director of Housing.

Councillor Scott addressed Cabinet and noted that Overview and Scrutiny generally welcomed the improvements to the service that Choice Based Lettings had provided however there were concerns that the website seemed to crash frequently.  In answer to a question Councillor Scott commented that the website had crashed as recently as three weeks previously.

Councillor Beardsworth as the relevant Portfolio Holder submitted a report which set out a review of the first two years of the Choice Based Lettings scheme and proposed improvements to it.  She noted that on average each property had 55 enquiries and believed that that the process was important to encourage people to buy into the area in which they lived.  She noted that comments made by Councillor Clarke and undertook to investigate the website issues raised by Councillor Scott noting that improvements to it were scheduled shortly.

The inclusion of other social landlords was welcomed.  In answer to a question the Director of Housing noted that the newsletter format would be in addition to the notices placed in the One Stop Shop and on the website.

The Chair welcomed the report and the partnership working with Daventry District Council and expressed the hope that other Councils would join the scheme.

RESOLVED:         (1)         That the outcome of the review of the Choice Based Lettings scheme be noted.

(2)         That the operational changes to the Choice Based Lettings scheme and the changes to the housing allocations policy contained in Appendix F of the report be agreed.