The Chairman left the room and the Vice Chairman took the Chair.

The Board considered the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services regarding a draft Common Housing Assessment framework in order that local authorities in Kent can adopt the same method for assessing housing need, in accordance with statutory guidelines, whilst maintaining separate and distinct allocation policies that allow for meeting local needs.

The Head of Housing and Community Services informed Members that this was a first draft and more definition will be added to the document and answered questions raised by Members regarding servicemen, the Data Protection Act and consultation.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure Services be recommended to adopt the proposed Common Housing Assessment framework as the basis for consulting on a revised Allocation Scheme for Maidstone Borough Council, subject to there being no additional cost to the Council.

2.  That the final draft of the Common Housing Assessment framework document to be used for the consultation be circulated to all Members of the Board prior to the consultation.

Following the above decision, the Chairman returned to the room and took the Chair.