Issue - meetings

Review of Blaenau Gwent Homes Allocation Policy

Meeting: 05/12/2019 - Community Services Scrutiny Committee (Item 9)

9 Review of Blaenau Gwent Homes Allocation Policy pdf icon PDF 603 KB

To consider the report of the Team Manager - Housing Solutions and Compliance.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to report of the Team Manager Housing Solutions and Compliance.

 

The Team Manager presented the report which proposed policy and operational changes to the Blaenau Gwent Homes Allocation Scheme as a consequence of a recent review of the Scheme and consultation process.  The Team Manager, and the Senior Housing Access Manager went through the report and highlighted points contained.

 

In response to a question raised by a Member regarding the proposed changes to the quotas, the Team Manager said this had been done so that an applicants’ priority for housing better reflected the type of accommodation available, their level of housing need and length of time spent on the waiting list.

 

A brief discussion ensued regarding the banding scheme, and a Member asked how many properties an applicant was able to refuse.

 

In response the Team Leader said if an applicant refused three offers, they would be brought before the Local Housing Panel where a decision could be taken to exclude them from the waiting list, however, an applicant had the right to appeal any decision made.

 

Another Member referred to the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements, and asked whether the Team had any control over private landlords renting to high risk applicants.

 

The Officer said they had no control over private landlords, but pointed out that high risk applicants usually come through a certain pathway and various agencies would have a risk management plan in place to identify suitable accommodation for them, and they would also be monitored by the Police.

 

A brief discussion ensued when Officers clarified points raised by Members.

 

The Service Manager Public Protection thanked the Housing Solutions Team for their work in undertaking a review of the Policy.

 

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and Members considered the proposed policy changes to the Blaenau Gwent Homes Allocation Scheme for implementation in April 2020 and recommend approval by the Executive Committee (Option 1).