Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion as contained on pages 195 to 266 of the Book of Reports, which considered the Draft Housing Allocations and Pet Policy previously considered and approved for consultation at the meeting of Cabinet held on 9 January 2018.

Comments and questions were raised in respect of the following:

• Homelessness qualification for under 18's
• The percentage of vacant properties
• Potential for increase in homelessness levels due to changes in private sector landlords in relation to Income Tax
• Social activities – may increase demand levels in sheltered accommodation
• Concerns in relation to lowering of the age policy in sheltered accommodation
• Grouping of areas that have a local connection criteria
• Right to Work Regulations and Agricultural Workers
• Affordability assessments welcomed
• Concerns with problems associated with dogs barking, fouling etc
• The size of the dog shouldn't be specified
• Dogs should only be allowed in ground floor flats
• The benefits of having pets which can help prevent loneliness
• Cats should be expanded to two
• A definition is required when describing what small reptiles are
• The wording at 7.1 of the Pet Policy in relation to Pet Insurance should be reviewed to consider affordability issues  

RESOLVED:  A.  That the comments on the Draft Housing Allocations Policy and Pet Policy be submitted to the Director of Housing and Inclusion and fed into the consultation process.

                      B. That the Draft Housing Allocations Policy and Pet Policy be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee in order to consider the results of the consultation.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor J Forshaw)

Councillor Forshaw introduced the report of the Director of Housing and Inclusion which considered a draft Housing Allocations Policy and draft Pet Policy for consultation.

Minute no. 19 of the Landlord Services Committee (Cabinet Working Group) held on 3 January 2018 was circulated at the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the Minute of the Landlord Services Committee (Cabinet Working Group) and the details as set out in the report before it and accepted the reasons contained therein.

RESOLVED  (A)    That the Draft Housing Allocations and Pet Policy 2017 attached to Appendix 1 & 2 of the report be approved for consultation.

(B)    That the Director of Housing and Inclusion, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, be given delegated authority to make any minor changes to the Draft Housing Allocations Policy and Pet Policy 2017 where appropriate following public consultation, and to implement and deliver the policy.

(C)    That the call-in procedure is not appropriate for this item as the report will be submitted to the meeting of the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 25 January 2018.