Issue - meetings

To inform the Executive of the findings of the Overview and Scrutiny working group on Housing Allocations (henceforth ‘the Working Group’).

To ask the Executive to consider and endorse the Working Group’s recommendations.

Recommendation

That the Executive instruct the Head of Housing Delivery and Communities to

implement the following recommendations:

1.     The Council should keep the income threshold at £60,000 per annum and the savings threshold at £30,000. However, this should be reviewed by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny committee or another appropriate O&S committee within 12-18 months.

2.     Establish a process to signpost applicants who are unable to join the housing register due to the income or savings threshold to Affordable Home Ownership Schemes notably shared ownership.

3.     Maintain the existing position that children will only be accommodated in one home even if a 50/50 residence arrangement exists. An exception will be made if there is a court order in place requiring this or if Surrey County Council Children’s Services (or an equivalent organisation elsewhere) provide compelling evidence that a second home is required.

4.     Only housing related debts such as rent arrears and deposit scheme debts to Waverley Borough Council, housing associations and to private landlords should be taken into account when considering eligibility for either inclusion on the housing register or the allocation of a property. Other debts owed to the Council such as council tax or housing benefit overpayments would be disregarded for these purposes.  Housing related debts to private sector landlords is currently under review.

5.     Establish a process by which the Housing Options team signpost applicants unable to join the housing needs register due to debts to local debt advice charities. 

RESOLVED

That the Head of Housing Delivery and Communities be instructed to

implement the following recommendations:

1.     The Council should keep the income threshold at £60,000 per annum and the savings threshold at £30,000. However, this should be reviewed by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny committee or another appropriate O&S committee within 12-18 months.

2.     Establish a process to signpost applicants who are unable to join the housing register due to the income or savings threshold to Affordable Home Ownership Schemes notably shared ownership.

3.     Maintain the existing position that children will only be accommodated in one home even if a 50/50 residence arrangement exists. An exception will be made if there is a court order in place requiring this or if Surrey County Council Children’s Services (or an equivalent organisation elsewhere) provide compelling evidence that a second home is required.

4.     Only housing related debts such as rent arrears and deposit scheme debts to Waverley Borough Council, housing associations and to private landlords should be taken into account when considering eligibility for either inclusion on the housing register or the allocation of a property. Other debts owed to the Council such as council tax or housing benefit overpayments would be disregarded for these purposes.  Housing related debts to private sector landlords is currently under review.

5.     Establish a process by which the Housing Options team signpost applicants unable to join the housing needs register due to debts to local debt advice charities.

[Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee] 

Councillor Paul Rivers presented the report which set out the final report and recommendations of the Housing Allocations Task and Finish Group.  The Leader thanked Councillor Wilson, who had chaired the Group, and welcomed the report.

Councillor Hyman spoke on the report seeking clarification on the recommendations, some of which he was concerned about.  In response, the Leader clarified the work undertaken by the Task and Finish Group and the proposed date for further review which was valid due to the changing economic situation.  The Leader welcomed the recommendations which represented the Council using the levers it had in a system which restricted the ability of local government to provide social housing.

The Head of Housing Delivery and Communities advised that if the Executive accepted the recommendations, officers would seek independent legal advice before being implemented.  Officers would seek to provide examples or case studies in the Policy for clarification, which the Leader welcomed.

RESOLVED

That the Head of Housing Delivery and Communities be instructed to

implement the following recommendations:

1.     The Council should keep the income threshold at £60,000 per annum and the savings threshold at £30,000. However, this should be reviewed by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny committee or another appropriate O&S committee within 12-18 months.

2.     Establish a process to signpost applicants who are unable to join the housing register due to the income or savings threshold to Affordable Home Ownership Schemes notably shared ownership.

3.     Maintain the existing position that children will only be accommodated in one home even if a 50/50 residence arrangement exists. An exception will be made if there is a court order in place requiring this or if Surrey County Council Children’s Services (or an equivalent organisation elsewhere) provide compelling evidence that a second home is required.

4.     Only housing related debts such as rent arrears and deposit scheme debts to Waverley Borough Council, housing associations and to private landlords should be taken into account when considering eligibility for either inclusion on the housing register or the allocation of a property. Other debts owed to the Council such as council tax or housing benefit overpayments would be disregarded for these purposes.  Housing related debts to private sector landlords is currently under review.

5.     Establish a process by which the Housing Options team signpost applicants unable to join the housing needs register due to debts to local debt advice charities.