Andrew Durrant

Housing Allocations Policy

From: Budget, Cabinet - Wednesday 26 February 2025 7.00 pm - February 26, 2025

This housing allocation policy sets out how The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) assesses applications for permanent social housing, prioritises these applications and how decisions are made to allocate available housing stock. RBWM is not a stock holding local authority. All permanent social housing within the borough is owned and managed by registered providers (housing associations). These are entirely separate organisations to RBWM. RBWM’s access to the social housing owned by these organisations is specified in a formal nominations’ agreement between the borough and the individual housing associations. In general terms, RBWM has access to a proportion of the lettings which become available in the housing associations stock located within the borough. There is a severe disparity between the demand for permanent social housing and its available supply. RBWM receives far more enquiries from households seeking social housing than the numbers which are likely to gain access to this type of accommodation. The main purpose of this scheme is therefore to set out the basis on which nominations to permanent social housing are made and how properties are allocated.

For Determination

Review of Local Development Scheme

From: Budget, Cabinet - Wednesday 26 February 2025 7.00 pm - February 26, 2025

Recommendations Approved

Urgent Item - John West House - Contract award

From: Budget, Cabinet - Wednesday 26 February 2025 7.00 pm - February 26, 2025

John West House, a council-owned property, is undergoing refurbishment to create a dedicated supported rough sleeper hostel along with temporary accommodation units. This project aligns with the council’s strategic objectives to provide structured housing support within the borough. The total approved budget for this refurbishment remains £1.996m, which is still available for the project. A procurement process has been successfully conducted in accordance with public sector procurement regulations, ensuring transparency and value for money. Cabinet is now requested to approve the award of the contract to the successful bidder identified through this procurement exercise. The completion of this project will deliver a 7 bed rough sleeper hostel and 12 high-quality temporary housing units (4 accessible) alongside a professional workspace.

For Determination

Achieving for Children Reserved Ownership Decisions

From: Budget, Cabinet - Wednesday 26 February 2025 7.00 pm - February 26, 2025

To approve the Achieving for Children 2025-26 Budget, Medium Term Financial Plan and Treasury Plan

For Determination

Council Tax rebate for AfC foster carers with a child in placement

From: Cabinet - Wednesday 29 January 2025 7.00 pm - January 29, 2025

This report sets out AfC's intention to offer off all in-house foster carers a rebate on their council tax as long as they have a child in placement. AfC are competing to recruit foster carers with both external fostering agencies and other local authorities and this change in practice is to ensure we remain competitive in recruiting mainstream carers. A wider pool of foster carers allows us to keep children locally, ensure better matching of the children's needs with the carer's skills and reduces pressure on our external placement budget.

For Determination