Issue - meetings

This item has been withdrawn from the agenda for this meeting.

The councillors who had made the referrals to Council had withdrawn them.

thThe Housing Strategy & Policy Manager, Marta Imig presented this report to the Committee that sought approval of the revised Tenancy Strategy following a review of the Council’s current Tenancy Strategy.

This report had been brought before this Committee on a previous occasion but was rejected by Members due to the proposal for a reduction of the affordable rent, from 80% to 70%. The redrafted version of the Tenancy Strategy proposes to retain the affordable rent levels at the lower of up to 80% of market rent value or Local Housing Allowance, this is unchanged from the current approved Strategy.

The Committee asked for clarification of the difference between the market rent and the Local Housing Authority (LHA) rent. The Joint Group Head, Wellbeing & Housing, Deborah Ashman advised the Committee that tenants would be charged 80% of market rent or 100% of the LHA rate, whichever proves to be the lowest. She clarified that this would only be for the affordable units.

Concerns were raised about developments in prime locations within the borough and it was suggested that all levels of renting should be considered, affordable and non-affordable to achieve the best financial outcome for the Council and Knowle Green Estates.

The Deputy Chief Executive, Terry Collier agreed that all types of tenure should be considered for new developments across the borough but that there was a need to ensure that all people on the Housing Waiting List were considered.

Proposed by Councillor Bateson

Seconded by Councillor Gibson

The Committee resolved to approve the Tenancy Strategy.