Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED that the revised BCP Council Tenancy Strategy 2024-2029 as set out in appendix 1 be approved.

Following further recording of Apologies for Absence and Declarations of Interests, the reconvened meeting resumed at 7pm on 27 February 2024, at agenda item 12.

Councillor K Wilson presented the report and recommendations as set out on the agenda.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor M Earl.

Council moved to a vote where the motion as follows was carried.

RESOLVED that the revised BCP Council Tenancy Strategy 2024-2029 as set out in appendix 1 to the report be approved.

Voting: Nem. Con.

The Localism Act 2011 introduced the discretionary use of flexible fixed term tenancies with the aim of helping registered providers of social housing (councils and housing associations) make the best use of social housing. Lifetime tenancies could still be used.

The Act requires councils to prepare and publish a Tenancy Strategy as part of its strategic role for the area that sets out the matters which providers should have regard to when formulating policies relating to the types of tenancies that they will grant.

BCP Council is a registered provider of social housing and must also have regard to the strategy. It also supports harmonisation of the approach to the use of flexible fixed term tenancies within the council’s own housing stock.

All Tenancy Strategies held by previous legacy authorities supported the discretionary use of flexible fixed term tenancies.

The use of flexible fixed term tenancies has been relatively low and most providers have moved away from using them. The reasons for this are that they do not achieve their aims, create uncertainty for tenants, add complexity, increased resource requirements are required to manage them effectively and they can act as a barrier to supporting tenants to manage their tenancies.

The revised Tenancy Strategy supports the use of lifetime tenancies rather than fixed term tenancies to provide the most assurance to tenants, contribute to sustainable communities and ensure effective tenancy management. It will continue to allow the discretionary use of fixed term tenancies in appropriate circumstances where this aligns with efforts to make best use of social housing and where help to sustain tenancies is provided.

The revised strategy does not impact on the allocation of housing to meet priority or specialist housing needs.

RECOMMENDED that the revised BCP Council Tenancy Strategy 2024-2029 as set out in appendix 1 be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Housing and Regulatory Services

Reason

The council is required to prepare and publish a Tenancy Strategy that registered providers of social housing must have regard to.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the council is required to prepare and publish a Tenancy Strategy that registered providers of social housing must have regard to.

Cabinet was informed that the Localism Act 2011 introduced the discretionary use of flexible fixed term tenancies with the aim of helping registered providers of social housing (councils and housing associations) make the best use of social housing, lifetime tenancies could still be used.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the Act requires councils to prepare and publish a Tenancy Strategy as part of its strategic role for the area that sets out the matters which providers should have regard to when formulating policies relating to the types of tenancies that they will grant.

Cabinet was advised that BCP Council is a registered provider of social housing and must also have regard to the strategy, and that it also supports harmonisation of the approach to the use of flexible fixed term tenancies within the council’s own housing stock. All Tenancy Strategies held by previous legacy authorities supported the discretionary use of flexible fixed term tenancies.

Cabinet was informed that the use of flexible fixed term tenancies has been relatively low and most providers have moved away from using them, and that the reasons for this are that they do not achieve their aims, create uncertainty for tenants, add complexity, increased resource requirements are required to manage them effectively and they can act as a barrier to supporting tenants to manage their tenancies.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that the revised Tenancy Strategy supports the use of lifetime tenancies rather than fixed term tenancies to provide the most assurance to tenants, contribute to sustainable communities and ensure effective tenancy management, and it will continue to allow the discretionary use of fixed term tenancies in appropriate circumstances where this aligns with efforts to make best use of social housing and where help to sustain tenancies is provided.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the revised strategy does not impact on the allocation of housing to meet priority or specialist housing needs.

RECOMMENDED that the revised BCP Council Tenancy Strategy 2024-2029 as set out in appendix 1 be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Housing and Regulatory Services

Reason

The council is required to prepare and publish a Tenancy Strategy that registered providers of social housing must have regard to.