Issue - meetings

Interview with Neil Coles, Housing Services Manager.

John Littlemore, Head of Housing and Community Services presented the report and outlined the main points.

During discussion and questioning the following points were raised:

·  Information days to HM Forces explaining their eligibility to housing in the borough using local connection criteria had an anecdotal effect on the number of lettings to ex-service personnel;

·  The council cooperated with local authorities and social housing providers outside of the borough using mutual exchange as a means to move;

·  The figure considered as sufficient funds (to access the private rented accommodation or purchase) of £30,000 (10.4 of the Allocation Scheme document) was reviewed annually with stakeholders;

·  Prison applicants who had worked in the community while serving their sentence would be able to apply the local connection criteria provided the work was on-going after their release;

·  The lack of 1 bedroom units was due to increased demand and units demolished through regeneration work not being replaced.  The figures gathered would be used to demonstrate the need and encourage further development.

RESOLVED: That the report reviewing the operations of the Allocation Scheme 2013/14 be noted.