Purpose

To seek
approval to agree to One Vision Housing (OVH) extending their
established Local Lettings schemes at Oxford House and Strand House
high-rise estates, Bootle; Smithy Green/Close, Fomby; Hamlet Close
in Southport; Morris Meadows in Netherton and Moor Lane in
Crosby.

Decision

Decision:

 

(1) 
The approved continued use of Local Lettings Plans
by OVH at Oxford House and Strand House estates, Bootle, Smithy
Green & Smithy Close, Formby, Hamlet Close, Southport,
Morris Meadows in Netherton
and Moor Lane in Crosby, be noted.

 

Reason(s) for the Decision:

 

Proposals will assist OVH (the provider) to address
lettings difficulties at Oxford House and Strand House, as well as
Smithy Green Formby and help maintain community stability by
limiting occupation to people over the age of 55 years of
age.

 

OVH also wish to extend the LLP on all future
lettings in Hamlet Close in Southport to people over 55 years of
age or over 45 years of age if the applicant is disabled, following
the initial lettings to tenants in 2019/20 as the average age of
tenants is currently 58 and around 40% of current tenants have a
disability or impairment.

 

The proposal to renew the LLPs in place at Morris
Meadows and Moor Lane will continue to assist One Vision Housing
(the provider) to maintain a balanced community and a mix of people
for the new build developments, whilst still providing housing for
those residents most in need.

 

The LLPs are required to be reviewed annually and
authority sought from the Local Authority to continue their
use.  This report outlines review of the
local lettings policies and a recommendation for their
future. 

 

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

 

The Council could withhold approval from OVH to
operate a Local Lettings scheme and let them through Property Pool
Plus to all ages, but this would risk destabilising the communities
established within these schemes.