The Interim Director of Corporate Services reported that at its meeting held on 9 December 2010 (minute 242 refers), the Cabinet approved the recommendation of the Living in Wirral Task Force and had instructed him to develop a sub-regional Choice Based Lettings Scheme in Merseyside. The Director outlined the proposed Sub Regional Choice Based Lettings Allocations Scheme, to be known as Property Pool Plus, for approval by Members following a widespread consultation on the draft with stakeholders.

The Interim Director reported that the 1996 Housing Act (as amended by the 2002 Homelessness Act) required local housing authorities to make all of its housing allocations and nominations in accordance with an Allocations Scheme, which included the criteria that was used to assess eligibility and to prioritise housing applicants for the social housing the Council had available through nominations to its partner landlords. The Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Act 2002 stated that local authority allocation schemes were required to afford reasonable preference to certain categories of persons over those with no reasonable preference.

He reported also that the proposed scheme for adoption by Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral Councils sought to ensure that housing was allocated to those in greatest need and also to contribute to the development of balanced communities and sustainable regeneration, including encouraging current and future social housing tenants into employment. It had been designed to offer a simple, accessible service for customers as well as creating efficiencies for partner organisations. Efficiencies in particular for Wirral would be realised through the purchase of a new shared IT system to take advantage of technologies introduced since choice based lettings was originally developed in Wirral in 2004.

On a motion by Councillor Clarke and seconded by Councillor Blakeley, it was –

Resolved –

(1)  That the proposed Sub-Regional Allocations Scheme be approved, for implementation by the sub-regional authority partners.

(2)  That Cabinet welcomes the agreement that households that are approved for fostering subject to a larger property being made available, would be given High Priority for a move in Band B (Health/Welfare (High)) via the new policy through the formal referrals from Social services under the Children’s Act, where it is confirmed the applicants have an urgent need to move.