Decision details

To consider approving an updated Home-Link Lettings Policy.

Resolved:

That the revised Lettings Policy, as set out in Appendix 1 to Report number CAB/WS/21/014, be adopted by West Suffolk Council.

Home-Link was the Choice Based Lettings (CBL) scheme for the Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk sub-region. Introduced in February 2008, the scheme operated across six local authority areas in the sub-region. Available affordable housing properties were advertised on a regular cycle agreed by the partners. Applicants on the housing register were asked to express interest in available properties. The properties were offered to the applicant in the highest need who had been waiting longest in that needs band. The scheme also operated a shared housing register.

Each council within the sub-region had its own Lettings Policy and was responsible for implementing any changes to that policy. Many elements of the policy had been agreed across the sub-region. Those elements cannot be amended in any Lettings Policy without agreement sub-regionally by the Home-Link Management Board.

The Home-Link Management Board planned a full review of the Lettings Policy to take place in 2020.  The 2020 review was undertaken by councils and registered social landlords across the Home-Link partnership.  Partners reviewed the policy in detail and discussed whether the aims of the policy remain relevant and whether they met its stated objectives.  

Following the review undertaken by the Home-Link Management Board and the public consultation, the proposed changes to the Lettings Policy were summarised in paragraph 2.10 of the report.  The revised draft Lettings Policy was attached as Appendix 1. 

To continue with the current Lettings Policy.  This meant that the Council would not be ensuring that the policy remained relevant and met its stated objectives or be consistent with other councils within the Home-Link scheme.