To approve the revised Allocations Policy for Herefordshire.

The cabinet member health and wellbeing introduced the item and noted that it was a natural follow on from approval of the new housing allocations system that had been discussed in the previous item.

It was noted that the proposed new policy was a revision of the 2016 policy that had not been implemented because of feedback from housing providers. The main changes from the previous policy were:

·         reflection of statutory requirements under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017;

·         a tightening of local connection requirements in line with government guidance;

·         broader application of reasonable preference categories to disabled applicants and those with mental health needs;

·         changes around overcrowding and shared accommodation;

·         introduction of exclusions from the register for unacceptable behaviour and/or housing debt;

·         extension of waiver of local connection for military personnel to ex-partners and ex-spouses; and

·         some other procedural changes.

It was noted that unusually the document was required to cover both the policy and procedural details. It was explained that there were some differences in the exclusions policies of the council and the providers. Providers had an obligation broadly to support the council in its housing duties but did have the freedom to set their own exclusions policies. Dialogue was ongoing with providers on some of the harsher exclusions to bring their policies closer to the council policy.

It was clarified that where social or affordable housing was provided under a section 106 agreement which stipulated a certain definition for local connection such as within the parish this would continue to be followed. If there was no such stipulation in the agreement then the standard local connection criteria in the policy would be applied.

Group leaders were invited to give the views of their group. It was stated that:

·         there was concern over the divergence of the council policy and policies of individual housing providers;

·         it was important to make the process as simple as possible.

It was agreed that in line with the previous item on the allocations arrangements the recommendation be amended to remove reference to a specific date for implementation. The policy would instead be brought in at the earliest opportunity, to coincide with the implementation of the new IT system.

Resolved that:

(a)   the Allocations Policy for Herefordshire at appendix 1 be approved for implementation at the earliest opportunity.