Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: April 22, 2025

Purpose:

Content:    Salford City Council - Record of Decision (Cabinet)   I, Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor in consultation with Cabinet, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby: Approve Salford’s Allocation Policy 2025 – 2028.   The Reasons are: Section 166a of the Housing Act 1996 requires a local housing authority to publish an Allocations Policy which sets out how social rented housing is allocated within the area, how applicants on the housing register are prioritised and to publish a summary of that scheme.   Work has taken place to review the existing policy and to engage with key stakeholders, partners and members of the public to help inform a new policy. This policy is considered to better reflect the current need/demand and availability of social housing in the City and cost of living impacts on families, as well as supporting the delivery of the Council’s strategic priorities and statutory duties. In addition, the policy better prioritises those with the most housing need.   The potential impacts of the policy have been considered and this will be reviewed again in 2 years’ time.   Options considered and rejected were: Do nothing – This is not considered an option   By law the Allocation Policy needs to be reviewed and updated at least every 5 years. On this occasion, we are proposing a three year policy with a review in 2027/2028 to obtain findings from the policy’s pilot schemes. No changes to the policy criteria are likely to: Exacerbate the existing discrepancy between the need for and availability of social housing for those who need it. Continue to unrealistically raise rehousing expectations Lead to continued high numbers of homeless households Exacerbate the use and costs of statutory temporary accommodation placements Not reflect current cost of living impacts on families Not prioritise those in greatest housing need     Assessment of Risk: Medium There is a severe housing crisis in Salford, where the need and demand for social housing far outweighs its availability. Furthermore, the city faces considerable challenges and risks in the form of ever increasing homelessness, temporary accommodation use and costs. This policy underpins the city’s wider strategic priorities which are: homelessness prevention, making the best use of our housing assets, supporting the councils corporate parenting role/responsibilities, reducing the impact of domestic abuse including the cycle of abuse and an anti-poverty approach.   Legal Advice obtained: Michael Goulden, Senior Lawyer (Housing) The Draft Allocations Policy as is it is written meets the requirements of s166A Housing Act 1996. So long as all of the Council’s statutory duties are met, including in particular s166A Housing Act 1996 and its associated statutory guidance, then the Allocations Policy can be lawfully formulated and implemented taking into account local considerations and needs.   Financial Advice obtained: Michelle Cowley, Finance Manager: Costs to administer the required changes to the policy are estimated to be £2000.00 and will be costed to the Housing Options Service revenue cost centre H8001.   Procurement Advice obtained: N/A   HR Advice obtained: N/A   Climate Change Advice obtained: N/A   The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: Salford’s Allocations Policy 2025   Contact Officer: Rachael Williamson, Principal Officer, Housing Strategy Telephone number: 0161 793 2695   The appropriate scrutiny panel to call-in the decision is the Growth & Prosperity Scrutiny Panel.   Signed: Councillor Tracy Kelly        Dated: 24.04.25 . Statutory Deputy City Mayor     For Democratic Services use only This decision was published on 24.04.25 This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 01.05.25 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.