Issue - meetings

Following a report from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, the Homes Policy Development Group made the following recommendations to Cabinet:

1.     It approves the revised Housing Assistance Policy 2022-2025 attached in Annex A.

2.     That delegated authority is given to the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to make minor adjustments to the policy based on demand and local priorities.

3.     That delegated authority is given to the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to suspend some or all non-mandatory parts of the revised Housing Assistance Policy attached in Annex A (all elements of the Policy other than Section 4 Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants) if adequate funding is not available.

The Cabinet were presented a report*  which provided a revised Housing Assistance Policy under Article 4 of the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, following a review of the current Housing Assistance Policy 2019-22.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet approve the revised Housing Assistance Policy 2022-2025 attached in Annex A.

2. That delegated authority is given to the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to make minor adjustments to the policy based on demand and local priorities.

3.    That delegated authority is given to the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to suspend some or all non-mandatory parts of the revised Housing Assistance Policy attached in Annex A (all elements of the Policy other than Section 4 Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants) if adequate funding is not available.

(Proposed by Cllr S Penny and seconded by Cllr Mrs C Daw)

Reason for Decision: As stated in the report.

Note: *report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

To receive a report from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing presenting a revised Housing Assistance Policy under Article 4 of the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, following a review of the current Housing Assistance Policy 2019-22.

The Group had before it a report from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing present a revised Housing Assistance Policy under Article 4 of the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, following a review of the current Housing Assistance Policy 2019-22.

The contents of the report were outlined and particular reference made to the following:

·         It was confirmed that the Private Sector Housing team looked after this area of work and that there was a real focus on trying to keep people safe in their homes and offering advice and support with grants and adaptations.

·         Staff involved in the delivery of this were funded by the Better Care Fund which was a pot of money available to local authorities to support tenants in the Private Sector.

Discussion took place with regard to:

·         The range of comprehensive help that was available to support Tenants.

·         Disabled Facility Grants being used to make adaptations within homes needing them.

·         There would always be properties that were impossible to adapt but the funding and support available often helped to unlock some of these barriers.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:

1.            It approves the revised Housing Assistance Policy 2022-2025 attached in Annex A.

2.            That delegated authority is given to the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to make minor adjustments to the policy based on demand and local priorities.

3.            That delegated authority is given to the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to suspend some or all non-mandatory parts of the revised Housing Assistance Policy attached in Annex A (all elements of the Policy other than Section 4 Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants) if adequate funding is not available.

(Proposed by Cllr P Heal and seconded by Cllr  B Evans)

Reason for decision

As set out in the report.

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.