Agenda item

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support submitted a report seeking comments on potential revisions to the East Herts Housing Register Policy, which had been prompted by the introduction of the Localism Act 2011, the detail of which was set out in the report now submitted.  It was noted that, as a result of the Act, the Council had more discretion in how it could frame the Housing Register Policy.  The Manager of Housing Services sought comments from Members on what they might wish to see included in the Register and how applicants’ priority for social housing might be assessed for inclusion in the Register, as a basis for consultation. 

The Manager of Housing Services explained that Essential Reference Paper “B” summarised the position in terms of how the Council might frame the Register Policy.  

Councillor N Symonds thanked the Officers for the report.  She expressed concern about Anti-Social Behaviour (including drug dealing) by one or two tenants which caused problems for many others.  She cited two locations where she knew this was occurring.   The Manager of Housing Services explained the difficulty in terms of the burden of proof and of the need to frame tenancy agreements in a more robust manner. 

Councillor N Symonds referred to ex-servicemen and of the need to ensure that this category of people were not penalised.  She referred to the needs of the elderly suggesting that more bungalows be built.  The Manager of Housing Services explained that with regard to ex-service personnel, future legislation would allow the Council to give additional preference “points” to Armed Forces Service personnel leaving the Service where they already fell into one or more “preference category” for housing, e.g. medical need.  Councillor R Beeching supported this approach.  He also agreed that firm action be taken against those tenants acting antisocially. 

The Manager of Housing Services explained the Council’s role in housing those who were found to be intentionally homeless if they had lost a previous home due to anti-social behaviour and of the possible benefits of “starter tenancies” especially regarding known perpetrators of anti-social behaviour.  The Manager of Housing Services explained that it was about “managing expectations of behaviour” once they had a tenancy and the role of the housing associations.  The Young Persons Project in Baker Street, Hertford and the role of the YMCA in Bishop’s Stortford were discussed in terms of the provision of more suitable housing for young people in East Herts and the training that would be mandatory on budgeting, how to manage a tenancy and expectations of behaviour. 

Councillor T Herbert suggested that reasonable preference and additional points might be given to those who had benefitted the community in some way.  The Manager of the Housing Services agreed that this could be considered but that some Community Benefit was easier to quantify for the award of additional points than others, for example fostering and potential adopters.

The Manager of Housing Services explained that from a developer perspective, building bungalows was not economically viable.  Councillor S Bull suggested that developers should be encouraged to ensure a good “mix” of properties and commented on the role of Parishes in letting the Council know what properties were needed in their areas.  The Manager of Housing Services advised that there has been a large number of  4 bedroom private properties being built in the District compared to previous years and that from an affordable home perspective, this was not the highest need accommodation size.  The Housing Service therefore, often had discussions regarding the best mix of affordable homes with developers and housing associations on these sites.  The impact of the “Bedroom Tax” was discussed in relation to the larger properties.

The Committee Chairman referred to a letter which Councillor J Ranger had submitted to him regarding choice based lettings, of people choosing to move to more rural areas  then wanting to move back to areas where there were more amenities.  He queried whether extra points could be allocated on a locality basis for people wishing to stay in villages.  The Manager of Housing Services explained the fundamentals of the Choice Based Scheme and how points were allocated.  She agreed that this could be reviewed but needed to be robust to make it fair and transparent.  The Manager of Housing Services also emphasised the need for the Policy to be robust as this was open to judicial review challenge. 

Members agreed the report and supported the future options detailed in Essential Reference Paper “B” of the report now submitted and that the essence of Members’ comments detailed above be taken on board and included within the Draft East Herts Housing Register and Allocations Policy

RESOLVED - that the future options detailed in Essential Reference Paper “B” of the report now submitted be approved, and that the essence of Members’ comments now detailed, be taken on board and included within the Draft East Herts Housing Register and Allocations Policy.