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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST RELATING TO THIS ITEM:
 
None
 

RESOLVED:
 
That Cabinet:
 
1.   
Approved the Draft Older People’s Housing Strategy attached
at Appendix?1 as the basis for consultation.

2.   
Approved the consultation arrangements set out in
paragraphs?6.11–6.13 of the report.

3.   
Noted that, following consultation, officers would bring back to
Cabinet a revised draft of the Older People’s Housing
Strategy for adoption.
 

Reasons for decision

 
Although it was not a
statutory requirement for local authorities to have an Older
People’s Housing Strategy, it was considered good practice.
On that basis, the council had committed to developing a new Older
People’s Housing Strategy in both the 2024–29 Housing
Strategy and the 2024–26 Corporate Delivery Plan.
Adopting an Older
People’s Housing Strategy would assist the council in
delivering best value and driving improvements in outcomes for
older people across the borough. It was expected to achieve this by
allowing the council to set a coordinated approach to all aspects
of housing for older people over the next fifteen?years. It
provided clear and coherent direction across the council’s
roles as a landlord, housing developer, planning authority, and
provider and commissioner of housing?related social care, advice,
and support services. It helped the council to align its positions
on housing and planning with priorities around social care, the
NHS, and public health, and to support positions set out in the
draft Local Plan. As such, it could be expected to support more
effective and efficient services.
 

Alternative options considered

 
The council could have
decided not to adopt an Older People’s Housing Strategy. This
was not recommended—not only because the council had made a
considered commitment to doing so in its current Housing Strategy
and Corporate Delivery Plan, but also because failing to take a
strategic approach in this area would have undermined the
council’s ability to provide best value through coordinated,
transparent, effective, and efficient decision?making and services.
Ultimately, failing to articulate a strategic approach would likely
have undermined outcomes for older people in the borough.
 
The council could have
decided that the draft strategy at Appendix?1 was not an adequate
basis for consultation toward adopting an Older People’s
Housing Strategy. This was not recommended because the proposals
were based on evidence, a review of best practice, and substantial
engagement with a broad range of older people in Haringey.