Agenda item

The Committee has expressed an interest in the Housing Allocations Policy which is currently out for consultation and due to end on 26 April 2013.

A copy of the consultation paper is enclosed and Nicole Smith, Head of Strategic Housing, will be in attendance to provide a presentation on the current situation. 

The Committee is asked to consider the information provided, noting that a more detailed report following completion of the consultation will be presented at the Committee’s meeting on 20 June 2013.

Nicole Smith, Head of Strategic Housing, was in attendance to give a presentation on the current Housing Allocations Policy review.

This included confirmation that the policy, entitled ‘Homes 4 Wiltshire Policy’ was lawful and that the authority was not required to amend it.  The Council had, however, decided to undertake a review noting the changes taking place as a result of the Localism Act and Welfare Reform Bill.

In making the presentation, the following points were made:

·           Wiltshire Council ran an open housing register which meant anyone could request to be added to the register, even without a local connection.

·           New guidance arising from the Welfare Reform Bill would result in changes to eligibility in relation to the number of bedrooms required.

·           The Localism Act provided new freedoms in the way in which authorities could deal with social housing including the ability to introduce exclusions if appropriate (i.e. for rent arrears or for anti-social behaviour reasons).

·           There were approximately 8,000 people registered within the Bronze banding of the housing register, i.e. the category for those with no identified housing need.

·           The views of the community by way of area boards, working groups and housing providers had been sought as part of an initial fact-finding exercise.  The results of this initial exercise included a strong desire for the following to be included within the revised Policy:

·         A need for a connection to Wiltshire

·         Exclusions should be applied for antisocial behaviour and rent arrears

·         Priority should be given to those registered in the respective parish or town to which a property was situation

·         Under occupation should be addressed

The formal consultation included some of the options as above, details of which could be found attached to the agenda.

Ensuing discussion included concern on the implications of the bedroom standard as set out by welfare reform, noting that although this was not something to which a local authority was able to change, it would still need to deal with the implications.

The Committee felt that the military should continue to receive a significant priority in the allocation of future housing noting that in most circumstances a local connection did not exist and that this should be taken into consideration as part of the revised Policy.

The revised Policy would also benefit from clarity on the financial resource limit, noting that there was often confusion over eligibility for those who did not claim housing benefit but did not earn enough to purchase a home.

The allocation of affordable homes as part of planning requirements was not included within the Review but was discussed.  The Committee highlighted the importance of partnership working across all areas of Housing, noting that there was a significant shortage of affordable homes within the County.  The Head of New Housing would be asked to prepare information for circulation on the process undertaken for the consideration of affordable housing within planning applications.

Following completion of the Consultation exercise, a further report would be provided to the Committee at its meeting in June and prior to consideration by Cabinet.  It was proposed that an appropriate planning officer should also be invited to attend to address any issues in relation to spatial planning and how the areas worked together. 

On questioning the breadth of the consultation, clarification was made that the department wanted to consult as wide as possible.  Although many consultees had been contacted, i.e. tenants panel, all those on the housing register and anti-social behaviour team, the Head of Strategic Planning welcomed any other suggestions forthcoming from the Committee.

In noting that antisocial behaviour was a key concern for those initially consulted and featured within the draft Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Plan, clarification was made that the PCC would be included in the consultation process. 

The Chairman thanked the Officer for her presentation and responding to questions

Resolved:

1)    That the comments of the Committee would be considered as part of the consultation process; and

2)    That the Committee, post election, would be requested to consider the outcome of the Housing Allocation Policy consultation at its meeting in June 2013, prior to a report being considered by Cabinet.