Issue - meetings

Following consideration of a report of the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing, the Homes Policy Development Group has made the following recommendation, that:

The updated policies within the overarching Tenancy Standard Policy Framework as set out in Annex 1 be adopted.

The Cabinet had before it a report * from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing presenting the Tenancy Standard Policy Framework for approval.

The Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing outlined the contents of the report and stated that the updated policy incorporated 4 of the Homes Standards, they being, Homes, Neighbourhoods, Tenancy and Tenancy Involvement and Engagement. It also covered elements relating to the allocation of properties, how tenancies were managed and the support offered to vulnerable tenants.

RESOLVED that the updated policies within the overarching Tenancy Standard Policy Framework be approved.

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

Reason for the decision – MDH is a social landlord and is registered with the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH), meaning that it is a Registered Provider (RP).   The RSH sets consumer standards and the Tenancy Standard is one of these. The role of the regulator was to intervene where failure to meet the standards has caused, or could have caused, harm to tenants. Agreed housing policy provides a framework for decision making which ensures that customer-facing teams deliver consistency in the discharge of duties to support good housing management.  This would ensure that both properties and tenancies were managed effectively and reduced reputational risk.

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

To receive a report from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing. The landlord service, Mid Devon Housing (MDH), is currently reviewing previously adopted policies with the aim of rationalising them and ensuring that they support work to ensure regulatory compliance.  To this end, policies are being more closely aligned with each of the core individual Standards within the regulatory framework. Having valid, clear adopted policies in place is a requirement of the Regulator for Social Housing.

The Group had before it a report * from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing. It was explained that all the policies falling under the umbrella of the Framework had been brought before the PDG previously and had been approved by the Cabinet. The Telecare Policy was a General Fund Policy and so was not included here.

Consideration was given as to whether there was a separate fund available in relation to the Decant Policy so that tenants did not incur any additional expense. It was confirmed that there was a budget set aside within the HRA.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:

The updated policies within the overarching Tenancy Standard Policy Framework as set out in Annex 1 be adopted.

(Proposed by Cllr S Clist and seconded by Cllr  J Cairney)

Reason for the decision:

MDH is a social landlord and is registered with the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH), meaning that it is a Registered Provider (RP).   The RSH sets consumer standards and the Tenancy Standard is one of these. The role of the regulator is to intervene where failure to meet the standards has caused, or could have caused, harm to tenants. Agreed housing policy provides a framework for decision making which ensures that customer-facing teams deliver consistency in the discharge of duties to support good housing management.  This ensures that both properties and tenancies are managed effectively and reduces reputational risk.

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