Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy on the Draft Tenancy Strategy.

Approved 2012 Tenancy Strategy for Huntingdonshire. 

The Cabinet considered a report by the Housing Strategy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking approval for the adoption of the draft Tenancy Strategy for Huntingdonshire.  The Strategy had been presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

In so doing, Members’ attention was drawn to a new statutory requirement under the Localism Act 2011 to have in place a Tenancy Strategy within 12 months of the Act coming into force.  Members were advised that the Strategy included seven key principles relating to the offer of fixed term tenancies, affordable rents, conversions and housing management which social housing providers would be encouraged to support within their policies.  Members were advised that as part of these measure, the Council would expect all registered providers to take a pro-active approach to tackling anti social behaviour.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Tenancy Strategy 2012 be approved.

To receive a report from the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy on the Draft Tenancy Strategy.

20 Minutes.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel considered the adoption of a Tenancy Strategy for Huntingdonshire.In introducing the report, the Housing Strategy Manager reported on the requirements placed on the Council by the Localism Act 2011 to have in place a Tenancy Strategy within twelve months of the Act coming into force. Members were advised that the most significant change proposed was the introduction of fixed term tenancies which would be offered by social landlords to their tenants. All social housing within the District was now managed by Registered Providers. Such Providers were not required to offer fixed term tenancies to their tenants, but instead they would have to have regard to the Council’s Tenancy Strategy when setting their own policies. Members’ attention was then drawn to the seven key principles which had been established to guide the Strategy; including the expectation that all Registered Providers would take a proactive approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.

Members were informed that of the 9,000 homes owned and managed by Registered Providers within the District, 8,000 belonged to Luminus who would be introducing fixed term tenancies to new tenants from April 2013 onwards. It was confirmed that this would not affect tenants on existing assured tenancies even if they transfer to another property. Tenants’ circumstances would be reviewed by social landlords prior to the end of their fixed term and all their housing options would be assessed. The options would include those on offer within the private sector as well as social housing options. Members were advised that the proposals were intended to encourage more effective utilisation of social housing whilst at the same time alleviating some of the pressures placed upon the Housing Register.

In response to a question about the publicity undertaken on the proposals, it was reported to Members that targeted consultation with social housing tenants had not been undertaken by the Council. This was a matter for Registered Providers to address as it would be their policies that would directly affect tenants.

Having referred to the impact of the welfare reforms, in particular those which related to home occupancy levels, it was reported that work was being undertaken in conjunction with Registered Providers to communicate the changes to affected tenants. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet be recommended to endorse the Tenancy Strategy 2012.