Decision Maker: Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Proposed changes to the housing allocation
policy were presented to Executive in November 2023, along with a
draft of the new policy and the rationale for the proposed changes.
Executive gave its approval to launch a period of public
consultation to enable residents, service providers and local
organisations to give their views on the key proposals.
This report provides the findings and responses to the public
consultation on the proposed new housing allocation
policy
i. the outcome of the consultation on proposed changes to the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy is considered.
ii. the proposed changes set out in this report and the new Housing Allocations Policy appended to this report is approved.
iii. authority be Delegate to the Executive Director of People, in consultation with the Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing, to make minor revisions to the Housing Allocation Policy, including changes required in future statutory guidance, as considered necessary to give effect to the operation of the Policy.
1. The current housing allocation policy is over seven years old. A new policy is
required to take account of legislative changes, to support the Council’s
homelessness and housing strategies, and to address shortfalls in housing supply against demand in Bracknell Forest.
2. A report was presented to Executive in November 2023 setting out the proposed changes to the current housing allocation policy. At that meeting Executive gave approval to commence consultation with a wide range of stakeholders to obtain their comments and feedback on the proposals.
3. This report summarises the consultation responses for each of the main proposed changes. These are set out in more detail in the attached consultation report. The proposed new housing allocation policy, which incorporates the changes, is also appended to this report. Its approval by Executive will enable the policy to be adopted as Council policy.
The current policy is out of date and no longer reflects the housing needs of the
residents of Bracknell Forest and those seeking housing assistance in the borough
and so the option of doing nothing has not been considered.
None
Reason Key: Affects more than 1 ward;
Wards Affected: (All Wards);
Financial Impact: The main financial impact associated with the introduction of a new housing allocations policy is the cost of making changes to the housing needs IT system. This is provided through a contract with Abritas and the cost of the change has been set at £15,000 and was agreed in the Budget report in January
Declarations: None
Subject to Urgent Proceedings: No
Making Representations: In writing to the Executive Director: People
Contact: Brian Daly, Head of Housing Email: brian.daly@bracknell-forest.gov.uk, Audrey Johnson, Assistant Director: Early Help & Communities Email: audrey.johnson@bracknell-forest.gov.uk, Grainne Siggins, Executive Director People Email: grainne.siggins@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Report author: Brian Daly
Publication date: 23/04/2024
Date of decision: 23/04/2024
Decided at meeting: 23/04/2024 - Executive
Effective from: 02/05/2024
Accompanying Documents: