Agenda item

To receive an update on the consultations relating to the Vulnerable and Older Persons Housing Strategy 2020-2024, and the Tenancy Strategy.

Peter Skates, Director of Growth and Enterprise introduced the item and , Senior Policy Officer Chris Hutton provided the Committee with an overview on the Vulnerable and Older Persons Housing Strategy 2020-2024 and the Tenancy Strategy, the Cheshire East approach to consultation, an update of the consultation for both strategies including amendments and the approach to adoption.

The Committee heard that the Vulnerable and Older Peoples Housing Strategy was not a statutory document, Cheshire East has one as part of a good practice document.  There were three main priorities to the strategy:

·         People are supported to live in their own homes independently for longer;

·         When required, people can receive the support they need in a wide range of specialist, supported accommodation within the Borough; and

·         People are able to make informed choices about the accommodation, care and support options within Cheshire East.

The Committee heard that the Strategic Housing Team had sought legal advice regarding the running of the consultation during lockdown.  During the early days of the pandemic, government guidelines were more restrictive and so the consultation ran for eight weeks and was then extended for another 4 weeks, in total it ran from May- August 2020.  The consultation consisted of an online survey and questionnaire and did incorporate recommendations given from Health, Adult Social Care and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

There had been 32 responses to both consultations plus additional emails, the focus was now on the next steps and adoption of the strategy and were:

·         A review of the actions for each cohort;

·         Significantly improved ‘Supported Living’ sections for learning, disability and mental health;

·         The impact of Covid-19 and the response from Cheshire East Council; and

·         Adoption by Portfolio Holders.

The Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions, and there was some discussion about the 32 responses given to the consultation.  Chris explained that this was in line with previous responses to similar strategies.

The Committee requested a tracked version of the consultation document to see the context of any alterations as a consequence of the consultation views. 

Chris then gave another short presentation on the Tenancy Strategy.

This is a statutory document but Registered Providers only have to take due regard to it and aren’t bound by it.  The strategy focused on the types and circumstances of tenancies, including fixed term and circumstances that granted any extensions.

The Tenancy Strategy consultation ran from Oct-Jan 2021 and took the form of an online survey and questionnaire. 

Chris explained that Pre-Covid the team would have engaged with face to face meetings would have had breakout rooms for smaller focused groups.

The next steps and adoption for the Tenancy Strategy were:

·         Review of comments that related to Domestic Abuse;

·         Updated figures;

·         Acknowledgement of figures that related to Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)/rent arrears and clarifying the processes that are used to manage this; and

·          Adoption by Portfolio Holder

The Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions, and there was some discussion that included:

·         Registered Housing Providers take due regard to the Tenancy Strategy, despite the fact that they don’t need to follow it.  Registered Housing Providers were engaged with during the drafting of the strategy and advice was sought on current working practices;

·         That the Registered Housing Provider has the authority to grant provision for people taking pets into social housing;

·         That the strategy is renewed as required, it has been nine years since the last one; and

·         Clear communication and pathways for tenants that included expected behaviours and actions by the tenant.

RESOLUTION:

·         That Peter and Chris be thanked for their attendance today and for the presentations to this Committee; and

·         That Chris circulate a tracked version of the consultation documents to see the context of any alterations as a consequence of the consultation views.