Upon the invitation of the Chair, the Planning Policy Team Leader presented the report which sought approval for the Council’s Interim Affordable Housing Policy statement (to accommodate the First Homes Policy) to be updated to include local allocations policy criteria to ensure consistency with the Council’s published Housing Allocations Scheme. It was noted that the Housing Allocations Scheme was to be reviewed and the local connection criteria amended [on page 9 of the Agenda Pack] at the Housing and Wellbeing Committee meeting on 20 June 2023. One Member sought further information on the impact of the changes to those already on the housing waiting list and how the policy would be measured to ensure it did not have a significant adverse impact. Another Member asked about whether the ‘close relative’ as defined in the third bullet point under 4.7 of the Officer report [on page 9 of the Agenda Pack] should be expanded to include legal dependents and guardians.
The Planning Policy Team Leader explained that the policy previously had what was considered a high bar for residency requirements and in lowering the thresholds would be less restrictive, and that any review would be undertaken via the Housing and Wellbeing Committee. The Group Head of Planning clarified that the purpose of this report was to align the First Homes Local Allocations Policy with the Housing Allocations Scheme which was being considered by the Housing & Wellbeing Committee at its next meeting. As the Housing Allocations Scheme was outside the remit of the Planning Policy Committee, Officers confirmed that they would bring points raised by Members to the attention of Housing Officers. The recommendations were then proposed by Councillor McAuliffe and seconded by Councillor Elkins.
The Committee
RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL – That
1. The ‘Interim Affordable Housing Policy’ statement (to accommodate First Homes Policy) be adopted to include the local connections criteria, as set out under paragraph 4.7;
2. Should the criteria be further updated by Housing and Wellbeing Committee on 20 June that delegated authority be given to Officers to amend the criteria in accordance with paragraph 4.8;
3. The amended policy be uploaded to the Council’s website and reviewed annually.