Issue - meetings

(a)       That progress of the project since January 2015 be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee supports the next stage of the project to make best use of housing stock.

The Service Manager, Customer Support presented an update on progress over the first five months of the Single Access Route To Housing (SARTH) Common Housing Register and Policy.  She provided background information on the establishment of the partnership project and consultation process leading up to the implementation of the SARTH policy in April 2015.

The report set out the criteria and priorities for the four different bands to which applicants were allocated, in compliance with the statutory ‘reasonable preference’ categories.  Information was provided on the phased approach to triage applicants from the former points register before transferring them to the new register, which gave an opportunity to ensure data was live.  Following the resolution of some operational issues, calls would be recorded over the coming week for training purposes.  Proposals to develop the local lettings policy would be shared at the next meeting and would address low demand of some sheltered accommodation schemes.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin thanked officers for the clarity of the report and asked about Band 1 applicants who were deemed to be in urgent housing need.  The Service Manager explained that Band 1 included those leaving the armed forces and that the service worked alongside other teams to provide a solution and could arrange temporary accommodation if needed, however each case was determined individually.  Councillor Dolphin said that the high demand for one bedroom properties across the county could be a focus for NEW Homes and that housing association flats could be a better option for over 55s than bungalows.  She went on to give an example where a larger property had been allocated to a single parent and spoke of the difficulties in explaining this to other applicants.  The Service Manager explained that applicants were generally matched to the type of property requested, however larger properties could be allocated if available and subject to an affordability assessment.

Following a question by Councillor Peter Curtis on prioritising those with a local connection, it was explained that the regional policy clarified this to be applicants within the county.

Councillor George Hardcastle said that tenants with rent arrears should not be held accountable if they were willing to downgrade, but unable to do so because of the lack of smaller properties.  The Service Manager advised that each case was considered on its own merits and that applicants such as this would not have their priority reduced.

In response to a comment from Councillor Gareth Roberts, the Service Manager explained that applicants were only entitled to register where they had a housing need by meeting the criteria of one of the ‘reasonable preference’ groups.

Following a suggestion by Councillor Mike Reece, the Service Manager agreed to arrange dates for November 2015 where Members could meet the Housing Options and Estate Management teams to receive information on the process from triage through to allocating properties.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That progress of the project since January 2015 be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee supports the next stage of the project to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38