Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Deleted

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: May 20, 2025

Purpose: To seek Executive approval for the Draft Fareham Housing Allocations Policy to go forward for a period of public consultation.   Under Part VI of the 1996 Housing Act, all Local Authorities must have an allocations policy outlining how priorities are determined and the procedure to be followed when allocating accommodation.   The Draft Fareham Housing Allocations Policy (the Policy) provides comprehensive information regarding eligibility and the allocations process, the background and the relevant legislation.  This includes the most up to date position from Government on the Allocation of Social Housing within England.   An ‘easy read’ version and process chart have also now been produced as part of our compliance with the Transparency, Infludence and Accountability standard set by the Regulator of Social Housing.   This updates the information already outlined on the Council’s webpages.   A period of 6 weeks public consultation will be undertaken on the draft policy before it returns to the Executive for formal adoption.   A period of 6 weeks public a consultation will be undertaken on the draft policy before it returns to Executive for formal adoption.   At its meeting on 3 April 2025, the Housing Scrutiny Panel considered the Policy and a number of comments and suggestions were made.  In the main these were regarding the future impact of the policy on the waiting list and how the Policy compared to other local authorities.  Clarification on these points was provided at the meeting.  Members were also pleased to see a greater focus on inclusion and suggested some minor formatting improvements.  Further details are outlined in the report.    

Content: RESOLVED that the Executive:   (a)  notes the feedback from the Housing Scrutiny Panel;   (b)  approves that the draft Fareham Housing Allocations Policy, as attached at Appendix A to the report be put forward for public consultation; and   (c)  agrees that any minor changes to the Policy prior to public consultation are delegated to the Director of Housing following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing.