Issue - meetings

Nic Abbott Cheshire Homechoice team leader attended the meeting and provided a presentation on the review of Council’s Housing allocations policy, Cheshire Homechoice. The Committee also considered a report of the Head of Planning and Policy.

Cheshire Home choice was the Choice based lettings partnership between Cheshire East Council and the registered providers of Social Housing in Cheshire East. Cheshire homechoice was launched in April 2010 and was a partnership between Cheshire East Council, Cheshire peaks and Plains, Plus Dane and Wulvern.

Cheshire Home choice had been operating effectively for 12 months. However there were some areas of the allocations policy that needed improving or reviewing in light of lessons learned and in preparation for changes anticipated through the Localism Bill.

Nic reported that there had been very few formal complaints received from customers, and those that had been received related to procedural matters rather than policy.

Nic explained that the process should be completed by January 2012 and would include:

l      Undergoing consultation with customers based on their opinions on Housing priorities

l      Working closely with partners to resolve some of the issues identified

l      Conducting an event with Members of the Council and Partner Board members to further consult on the process

l      Taking guidance from Support Agencies and Customers

l      Testing the policy to try to identify any errors

l      Re-registering & re-assessing all applications to avoid duplication and further complication for customers

In response to a query about how the policy reflected the needs of young people particularly former cared after children who were seeking accommodation, Nic explained that such individuals were given a high welfare banding in the allocations policy and the Council worked very closely with Children’s Services, and Members of the Corporate parenting Board.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be received.