Revised copies of the Appendix were distributed to Members prior to the start of the Committee.

The Officer introduced the report and informed Members that Thurrock Council had a statutory duty to publish a scheme which outlined how social housing was allocated within the borough.

Thurrock Council’s current Housing Allocation Scheme was agreed by Cabinet in November 2012 and was subsequently reviewed by Cabinet in January 2014 when a number of minor amendments were approved.

One of the amendments was to allow “Local Lettings” plan to be implemented on a case by case basis for new developments sites with Housing Overview & Scrutiny agreement.

The Council have developed new build properties at Seabrooke Rise in Grays and Derry Avenue in South Ockendon. These builds were due for completion in January and November 2015 respectively.

The Officer confirmed that the report would provide Members with the following information:

•           The properties which the local lettings plan would apply to.

•           How new tenants would be prioritised.

•           The criteria which new tenants would need to meet in order to qualify for an allocation.

•           The process for allocating properties.

The officer explained the allocation process to the members which clarified that 75 per cent of first lettings will be for current Thurrock Council tenants who meet a set criteria and the remaining 25 per cent will be allocated via the Council’s Housing allocations scheme.

Councillor Redsell asked the Officer if the one bedroom apartments in Derry Avenue were designed for elderly residents. The Officer confirmed that the apartments can be adapted round the needs of tenants and follow the same guidance as of Sheltered Housing.

Councillor Ojetola asked the Officer for confirmation on how residents will know if they have the right to apply. The Officer confirmed properties were clearly advertised and eligible to Thurrock Council tenants. The Officer explained that residents would register an expression of interest where the allocations team will consider within a set timescale.

Councillor Liddiard asked if any consultation has been undertaken and if so, why had Tilbury not been included in that consultation. The Officer confirmed that 78 per cent that took part in the consultation were in favour of prioritising new build properties for people who already lived in the area. The Officer also confirmed that due to geographical locations Tilbury was not included in this consultation Applicants across the borough will able to bid on the remaining 25% allocated via the Council’s usual processes.

Councillor Ojetola asked what the guidelines were for the exit strategy. The Officer confirmed that the local lettings plan only applies to first lets and as such will  have a restricted life span.

Councillor Worrall stated that to allow local letting plans for new development sites would be determined on a case by case basis and would come to Housing Overview and Scrutiny for agreement.

Councillor Redsell commented that areas currently being looked at were Elizabeth Gardens and those tenants should stay within their own community.

Lynn Mansfield asked how the 75 per cent will be informed. The Officer explained that tenants will be informed directly by letter once details were available. There will also be promotions, meetings with local groups and open days and Members will be informed.

The Chair asked for reassurance from the Officers that those unable to bid on-line would have the opportunity to speak to an officer at the council offices. The Officer reassured the Chair that this was already in place and the options available will be discussed in a later report.

RESOLVED:

1.1       That the powers within Thurrock Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme to agree a local lettings plan for the new build properties in Seabrooke Rise and Derry Avenue as outlined within this report;

1.2       That the said local lettings plan allows 75 per cent of first lets to be made to eligible Thurrock Council tenants, who were living within the “applicable boundary” and  who were managing their tenancies correctly, as outlined within this report;

1.3       That the applicable boundary for the Seabrooke Rise development;

1.4       That the road boundary as outline in the report at 3.8 be the applicable boundary to be used for the Derry Avenue development.

1.5       Agree that the remaining 25 per cent of first lets, and any subsequent relets, were allocated in line with Thurrock Council’s Housing Allocations scheme and usual allocations processes.

1.6       Agree that where a tenant has been living at more than one property within the applicable boundary, the combined time will count, provided they have lived within the applicable boundary continuously, leading up to their current tenancy.