Cabinet received Minute OSC23/45 arising from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 January 2024 that had considered a report on the New Housing Allocations Policy (HAP) 2024.  The HAP provided a framework for the equitable, effective and accountable allocation of social housing across the district and met the Council’s statutory obligations under Section 166A(1) of the Housing Act 1996.  The Housing Needs Operations Manager advised that an eight-week public consultation had been held from 7 July 2023 to 4 September 2023; 111 responses were received.  It was noted that most of the proposed changes were agreed, however, to adopt the new HAP, it would be necessary to reassess all existing households that were on the register. It was the intention to review the Policy annually.

Cabinet was fully supportive of the new HAP and recommended formal approval and adoption. It was also recommended that delegated authority be granted to the Head of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing to adopt the HAP 2024 at the end of the implementation period and make any further minor amendments, if required. 

RECOMMENDED: That:

1)   the new Housing Allocations Policy 2024 be approved and adopted;

2)   delegated authority be granted to the Head of Housing and Regeneration to formally adopt the Housing Allocations Policy 2024, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, following the conclusion of the implementation period; and

3)   delegated authority be granted to the Head of Housing and Regeneration to make any further minor amendments to the Housing Allocations Policy 2024, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing.