Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The proposed new Tenancy Strategy (2024-2029) sets out the high-level objectives which housing providers operating in the district need to have regard to in formulating their own individual tenancy policies.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the adoption of the Council’s Tenancy Strategy (2024-2029).

REASON FOR DECISION: It is now timely to update the current Tenancy Strategy to accompany the Council’s new Housing Strategy (2024-2029) and to incorporate the latest evidence on local housing needs.

Audio recording – 30 minutes 46 seconds

The Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health presented the report entitled ‘Adoption of a New Tenancy Strategy (2024-2029)’ and advised:

·       As a local housing authority, the Council was legally required to publish this strategy which lasted for four years.

·       This strategy detailed the objectives that housing providers in the district must have regard to when forming policies.

·       The report had been updated to show housing requirements and complimented the Housing Strategy which was adopted by the Council in March 2024.

·       Key ongoing expectation for affordable rent could be found in paragraph 8.2.

·       The general affordable rent level of 80% of market value was still unaffordable to some residents.

·       Homeless prevention provision with fixed term tenancies was highlighted in paragraph 5.11 of the report.

·       There was guidance on the use of fixed term tenancies to prevent homelessness of vulnerable groups.

·       The pressures of local housing markets, affordability and local needs were detailed in Sections 3 and 4.

The following Members took part in a debate:

·       Councillor Amy Allen

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

Points raised in a debate included:

·       The importance of the security that social housing provided to vulnerable people in the district.

·       Registered housing providers must, legally, have due regard to local authority tenancy strategies as set out in paragraph 8.4 of the report.

Councillor Ian Albert proposed and Councillor Val Bryant seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the adoption of the Council’s Tenancy Strategy (2024-2029).

REASON FOR DECISION: It is now timely to update the current Tenancy Strategy to accompany the Council’s new Housing Strategy (2024-2029) and to incorporate the latest evidence on local housing needs.