Issue - meetings

Consideration of recommendations of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of an approach to Local Lettings Plans for affordable housing in partnership with Registered Providers.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee of 20 May 2025 in respect of a new Policy setting out the approach to Local Lettings Plans for affordable housing in partnership with Registered Providers.

Due regard was given to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the risk assessment and legal implications.  On the grounds of improving housing options for local people and supporting the prioritisation of households with a local connection to the area, Cllr Betts proposed, Cllr Boughton seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the Local Lettings Plan Policy and template (attached at Annexes A and B respectively), including amended ward groupings into sub-housing market areas (as set out 5.3 of the report) be approved; and

(2)             delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and Economy, to make any minor amendments to the Local Lettings Plan Policy and/or template as experience in using them develops further.

(Decision Notice D250053CAB)

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee of 20 May 2025 in respect of a new Policy setting out the approach to Local Lettings Plans for affordable housing in partnership with Registered Providers.

Due regard was given to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the risk assessment and legal implications.  On the grounds of improving housing options for local people and supporting the prioritisation of households with a local connection to the area, Cllr Betts proposed, Cllr Boughton seconded and Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             the Local Lettings Plan Policy and template (attached at Annexes A and B respectively), including amended ward groupings into sub-housing market areas (as set out 5.3 of the report) be approved; and

(2)             delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and Economy, to make any minor amendments to the Local Lettings Plan Policy and/or template as experience in using them develops further.

This report outlines a new Policy (Annex A) setting out an approach to Local Lettings Plans (LLPs) for affordable housing in partnership with Registered Providers, along with a Local Lettings Plan template (Annex B).  The financial implications of this paper relate to staff time and resource.

A new Policy setting out an approach to Local Lettings Plans (LLPs) for affordable housing in partnership with Registered Providers was outlined and attached at Annex A.  A Local Lettings Plan template was also attached at Annex B.

The implementation of the proposed Policy would deliver a consistent approach to the use of LLPs on new affordable housing delivery.  The process for shortlisting was detailed in 5.2 of the report and priority would be given to households with a local connection and aimed for 50% of lettings to economically active households.

Due regard was given to the financial and value for money considerations, the assessed risk and legal implications outlined in the report.  Members sought clarification on the ‘economically active’ criteria with particular reference made to single parent households.   It was explained that economically active was defined by permanent paid employment or work-based training and there was no special exemption for single parent households.

It was proposed by Cllr King, seconded by Cllr Palmer and

*RECOMMENDED: That

(1)            the Local Lettings Plan Policy and template (attached at Annexes A and B respectively), including amended ward groupings into sub-housing market areas  (as set out 5.3 of the report) be approved; and

(2)            delegated authority be given to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and Economy, to make any minor amendments to the Local Lettings Plan Policy and/or template as experience in using them developed further.

*Recommended to Cabinet