Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the Senior Policy Officer, RED, David Randall who was in attendance to give Members an update in relation to Durham Key Options, a 6 month review of the changes in the lettings policy (for copy see file of minutes).

The Senior Policy Officer thanked Members for the opportunity to speak to the Committee and began by reminding Members that Durham Key Options was the choice based lettings system for County Durham with 8 full partners: Cestria, Dale and Valley Homes, Derwentside Homes, Durham City Homes, East Durham Homes, Livin, Teesdale Housing Association and Accent Foundation, the latter being the first non-area based Registered Provider (RP) to join as a full partner.  The Committee were reminded that the DKO Lettings Policy changes came into affect in April 2013, and some issues were filtering through, however, there was a need to see whether these were implications of DKO policy changes or the wider Government Welfare Reform changes.

Members were reminded of the changes made in April, consolidating the number of bands from 9 (A+ to F) down to 5 (A to E), with the removal of Band F, the “no demand” band.  It was explained to Members that following the removal of those from the former Band F, there had only been 1 appeal made at “Stage 3”, Head of Service level.  Councillors noted that those fleeing domestic violence had now been categorised the same as “standard” statutory homeless applicants and it was added that in emergency situations, RPs were able to direct let, going outside of DKO if necessary.

It was explained that those that had been in Band A+ had been placed into Band A, albeit the computer system place the few (25) former A+ applicants at the top of the new Band A.  The Senior Policy Officer referred Members to the report setting out the figures in relation to under-occupation, and explained that Band E “non-bidders” was assumed to be around 500 people.  Members noted that around 2,000 had not bid in the last year, and 60% of those had never bid and the issue of whether to remove these from the list was being looked at. 

The Committee noted the fall in the number of priority transfers from 240, 2 years ago to around 80 now and the small effect of the Armed Forces Covenant on DKO, albeit with only 18 such currently on the list.

The Senior Policy Officer noted the change in the homeless duty, reducing the time given to bid from 12 weeks down to 6 weeks.  It was noted that through more dialogue with Officers, properties were well matched to individuals and there had been less rejections of potential properties.  Members noted that extra room eligibility, for example a bedroom for a carer, was part of DKO even it was not the view taken by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), with Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Allocations Guidance advising that Discretionary Housing Payment may be available for these applicants.  The Senior Policy Officer concluded by noting that he could return to Committee in a further 6 months time to give Members information on the progress made over the first year of operating the new DKO lettings policy.

The Chairman thanked the Senior Policy Officer for his update and asked Members for their questions.

Councillors asked questions relating to the impact of the reduction on the number of full-time armed forces personnel and a move to Territorial Army and whether this would have an affect; the reduction of the homeless duty bidding time from 12 weeks to 6; the apparent low numbers of those applicants with overnight carers; and whether there was any incentive for the Band E “non-bidders” to even be on the list at all, and if not what advantages could there be in a cleaned list.

The Senior Policy Officer explained that in general, the armed forces changes affected areas that operated barracks, and that the impact upon DKO would likely be minimal.  It was added that the 12 to 6 week reduction in bidding time for those the Authority had a homelessness duty was to prevent “non-sensible” refusals, and it was added that further information could be obtained from the Council’s Housing Solutions Core Team Manager, Andy Burnip and passed to Members for their information.  It was confirmed that the number of applicants on the register with overnight carers was low. 

The Senior Policy Officer explained that the Band E “non-bidders” were in general adequately housed and therefore there was no real incentive to them in being on the list, while creating administration tasks regarding renewals and updating accommodation need.  Members were reminded that the choice based lettings scheme was not like the old system where it was critical to “get on the list” and get on early in a first come, first served basis.  It was added that for the 2,000 “non-bidders” it may be more efficient to leave them on the list, however, this would be looked into.

Resolved:   

(i)       That the information within the report be noted.

(ii)      That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive a further update on the operation of the lettings policy at a future meeting.