URL: https://rother.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1946

Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To review the implementation of the Rother District Council owned / leased accommodation, in line with latest legislation

Content: Members received the report of the Head of Housing and Strategic Assets that reviewed the implementation of the Rother District Council (RDC) owned / leased accommodation policies, in line with latest legislation.   In 2020, RDC became a Registered Provider (RP) of accommodation and thus far, had two units of tied accommodation and 66 units of Temporary Accommodation (TA), including Housing First. Most were let at affordable rents, with three units of social rent in Housing First. The number of units owned was set to increase further as the T A Support Scheme was being scaled up, with 10 offers in on properties (eight in Bexhill and two in Rye). The stock of properties being leased and managed was being reduced and phased out over the course of the financial year.   As a RP, the Council had to ensure it had a suite of policies in relation to its accommodation, tenants and staff/contractors, in order to comply with the Housing Ombudsman, Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and duties as a landlord. A number of policies had been brought forward previously for formal adoption  and the procedures and standards within the policies being recommended for approval within the report had been worked to for some time. It had, however, taken some time to finalise  and update the policies  following recent various changes to legislation, as a result of  the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.   The policies, attached at Appendices A-G to the report and summarised within paragraphs six to 12 within the report, set the framework for managing the Council’s TA tenancies across owned and leased properties, including all activity undertaken by Council staff or contractors that might be involved in property management and support of tenants.   All policies included for Members’ consideration would be reviewed annually in addition to when new circumstances might arise in line with relevant legislation or best practice.   Members were pleased to note that the Council had already been working to the recommendations outlined in the policies and requested to see feedback from tenants when leaving the properties. Officers confirmed that Tenant Satisfaction surveys were brought forward annually.   Members recommended that at paragraph 4 of the Tenancy Policy (Appendix A to the report), the word ‘requirements’ be added after ‘… certain eligibility’ and in the Repairs Policy (Appendix B to the report), that 10 working days for an urgent repair to be investigated be replaced with ‘as soon as possible’.   Members thanked officers for their work in producing the policies, and in particular Julia Ashton, Housing Policy and Performance Officer.   Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were happy to recommend that Cabinet consider the adoption of all seven policies, subject to the recommended amendments, for onward recommendation to full Council.   RESOLVED: That Cabinet be requested to agree that:   1)        the Tenancy Policy be amended by the addition of the word ‘requirements’ after ‘… certain eligibility’ at paragraph 4 and the Repairs Policy be amended by the replacement of the words “10 working days” for “as soon as possible” for an urgent repair to be investigated;   2)        subject to 1) above, the following policies be recommended to Council for adoption:   ·           Tenancy Policy ·           Repairs Policy ·           Recharge Policy ·           Damp & Mould Policy ·           Electrical Installation Condition Report ·           Gas Safety Policy ·           Fire Safety Policy; and   3)        delegated authority be granted to the Housing Solutions Manager and Housing Needs Operations Manager to make minor amendments and updates as may be required in future (to reflect changing legislation), in consultation with the Head of Housing and Strategic Assets and the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing, for these Temporary Accommodation policies.

Date of Decision: January 26, 2026